“I know that, darling,” he said, his voice softening.

“But when we combine our households, we have to look at the bigger picture.

It is about protecting what we build together.”

I tucked the sandwich into Harry’s brown paper bag and set it next to a grocery receipt for eighty-four dollars that was sitting on the counter.

The paper was crumpled at the edges, listing the bread, the cold cuts, and the extra apples I had bought for the week.

“I just want to make sure the kids are secure,” I said.

Oliver stood up, slipping the pocket watch into his vest pocket.

He walked over and pressed a brief, warm kiss to the top of my head.

“They will be,” he said.

“We just need to make sure the paperwork protects everyone, Sharon.”