“Billy, close your eyes.” While the world outside was reacting to me in ways I knew nothing about, I was back home with Billy and Gracie after a small shopping trip, enjoying quality time with the kids. “Mom, what are you hiding?” Billy giggled, squeezing his eyes shut even as he reached forward, trying to grab my face. “Are we playing hide and seek?” Gracie, laid down nearby with her bottle, turned toward us and let out a happy sound, pushing the bottle away as if she wanted to join the fun. I smiled softly, pulling my hands from behind my back and placing the object between us. “Okay,” I said gently. “You can open your eyes now.” The second I finished speaking, Billy’s eyes flew open. “Mom!” An excited scream burst from his mouth so loudly that I flinched. “A toy car!” His jaw dropped, but instead of grabbing the toy, he threw himself into my arms, pressing his face against my neck. “Thank you so much, Mom,” he said happily. “I love it. Thank you!” My chest started feeli
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