Sixty-one: Love Birds

It was evening by the time Amelia and Ryan returned home. Hand in hand, they approached the door to his penthouse and he opened it with a bright smile on his face, with Amelia following behind him.

“Pumpkin, mommy is home!” Ryan announced, grinning widely while pulling Amelia’s suitcase behind him.

As soon as the words had left his mouth, Dora came running, grinning toothily.

“Mommy!” she screamed, running to Amelia who caught her in her arms, lifting her from the ground and hugging her tightly to her chest. “I’ve missed you,”

“I missed you more, baby, but I’m back now,” Amelia responded, a sad smile ghosting over her face as she recalled how she’d left Ryan’s home without considering her daughter’s welfare. She pressed her lips to her temple, closing her eyes and drawing in a deep breath. “I’ll never leave you again, honey,” she murmured.

Gretchen stepped out of the kitchen at that moment. She’d been preparing dinner while keeping Dora company when they heard Ryan’s call. Without wa