I Was About to Propose to Another Woman When Four Six-Year-Old Boys With My Face Led Me Back to the Family I Never Knew I Had.

The first trip frightened her more than she wanted to admit.

She left a page of emergency contacts taped inside a kitchen cabinet, then called the first evening to ask whether everyone had eaten.

I told her about the burnt rice, the perfectly good chicken, and Mason’s insistence that we take Pepper out before the rain started.

“They’re fine,” I said.

“You can enjoy your trip.” She went silent for a moment.

Then she said, “I think I can.”