When he pulled into the driveway, nerves twisted in his stomach. Laura opened the door, concern replacing her usual smile when she saw his face.
“Daniel, what happened?”
“I need you to trust me,” he said. “There are two children in the car. They have no one.”
She didn’t hesitate long. She saw the urgency in his eyes.
“Bring them in.”
Laura wrapped Noah in a blanket. Daniel carried Ava inside—she had fallen asleep from exhaustion. The house, once quiet since their own children had grown, suddenly felt alive.
Laura prepared food while Daniel washed Ava’s scraped feet. She watched silently, wide-eyed but calm. Noah cried briefly during his bath until Laura soothed him with a bottle.
That night, they slept in the guest room. Ava clutched a stuffed bear Laura found in storage. Noah slept deeply, warm and fed.
Later, Daniel and Laura sat in the dim living room.
“What are we going to do?” Laura whispered. “You know the risk.”
“I know,” he replied. “But I couldn’t leave them.”
Laura squeezed his hand. “You’re a good man. Just… be careful.”
The next days were tense. Daniel worked as usual while Laura cared for the children. Slowly, Ava began speaking in fragments.