“You cooked for them?” Ethan asked.
She nodded.
“Rice, chicken, carrots. Noah didn’t want the carrots, so I told him they’d give him superpowers.”
Noah looked up proudly.
“I ate them all, Dad. I have super strength now.”
Ethan laughed—a real laugh, rusty and surprised.
Lucas stepped forward.
“She’s nice, Dad. She doesn’t yell. And she lets us play outside.”
Ben ran over and hugged Ethan’s leg.
“Dad, please let Emily stay. She’s the best.”
Ethan picked him up, stunned by how long it had been since he’d held one of his children like this.
He looked at Emily.
“How much do you make a month? From all your jobs.”
She blushed.
“About two thousand dollars… sometimes less.”
Ethan didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll pay you double if you leave your other jobs and come here every day—to take care of my kids.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re serious?”
The boys cheered.
“I’ve never seen them like this,” Ethan said quietly. “They need you. And honestly… I do too.”
Emily hesitated, then nodded.
And just like that, everything changed.
A House Comes Back to Life
Emily started the following week.
Mornings filled with silly songs. Breakfasts with fruit cut into stars. Afternoons in the garden. No yelling. No phones. Endless patience.