“I know.”
“We can just make tonight different.”
I nodded.

That was enough.

When midnight approached, we stood by the window with Liam sleepy against my shoulder.

Fireworks flickered over the distant buildings.

Maya leaned her head against mine.

“Happy New Year,” she whispered.

“Happy New Year.”
This time I didn’t wish for a surprise arrival or a dramatic rescue.

I wished for the chance to keep showing up, morning after morning, until our son was old enough to see what real care looked like.