Hold My Tear, I’m Getting My Wife Back!

The next day dawned crisp and clear, a perfect slice of autumnal bliss, and Leanne was off duty.

At seven on the dot, as reliable as ever, Betty came bounding in to deliver her wake-up call. She could manage nights without Leanne, but mornings were a different story - she needed to see her parents first thing to soothe her longing heart.

Having stayed up late, Leanne struggled to open her drowsy eyes, only for a gentle kiss to land on her eyelids.

"Sleep a bit more," came a deep, soothing voice coaxing her back to sleep. "I'll take care of her."

Leanne's eyelashes fluttered but sleep ultimately reclaimed her, her eyelids closing again as she murmured a sleepy acknowledgment.

Curtis slipped out of bed and opened the door, where Betty awaited, impatient as a little sparrow: "Mommy! Mommy!"

Once the door closed again, Curtis whispered, "Let's not wake Mommy."

"The sun's up high!" Betty protested.

"Sunshine is good for you," Curtis persuaded her with his playful logic, lifting her in his arms as their footsteps faded down the stairs.

Leanne snoozed for another hour or so before descending to find Curtis and Betty playing soccer in the lawn.

hair in two little buns, while Curtis wore a black half-zip sweatshirt and casual pants, embodying a relaxed,

was more of Betty running around clutching the ball than actually playing soccer, even when she stumbled, she didn't

with his little girl, didn't let up, securing a whopping 11:0 victory that left Betty sulking

foot, Curtis teased, "Throwing a fit after losing?

chuckle, "A little dirt-lover, huh? Guess Mom's cleanliness obsession didn't rub off on

as Leanne appeared, Betty ran into her arms, her face full of protest of injustice: "Daddy's being

Mommy," Curtis, plucking leaves from her hair, smiled lazily.

his shoe, reaching for Betty's hand, "Let's

mimicking her, also stamped on his shoe:

their point, they took off, "Mommy,

seconds." Leanne scooped up Betty, and

the sounds of their

tough exterior, Larson found a curious charm in

for the warmth of familial love. Sent abroad at fifteen, he navigated a sea of "friends," but

alone than ever.

home was like something out of a