Blake tilted his head back, eyes sparkling as he gazed up at the huge Calder Corporation sign atop the building. He tugged at his sister's sleeve, pointing eagerly. "Daddy's here!"

Mr. Calder was caught up in work, but the moment he saw his two little treasures heading his way, he stopped everything.

"Daddy!" "Dad!" The kids' voices rang out together, and the lines on Mr. Calder's face softened into a wide, joyful smile.

"Where's your mom?" he asked, scooping up his son and glancing at his daughter.

Anya answered, "Mom and Auntie went shopping. She said Blake had to stay home and play with me."

At eight that evening, Anya's phone lit up-it was Leo. He was home.

Only then did Mr. and Mrs. Calder realize Leo had slipped out without a word.

Leo had gone home, only to find the house empty and cold. He turned right back around and headed for the office.

endless meetings and reports. It took Molly showing up at the fire station with their son in her arms just to catch a glimpse

"Molly?"

planning to

at a little diner nearby— a rare chance to be together

for the holidays," Molly explained. "You and Dad are both swamped, so Mom and I are driving them. We'll stay a

lunch, Molly took her son

before the holidays, Coleen and Molly packed the car with gifts and enough meat to feed an army, loading up Grandma Aubree and

snoozed most of the

Molly made the rounds, dropping off gifts to neighbors and relatives—part thank you for

the old Byrne homestead was

men around,

sweeping the yard but ended up sending a cloud of dust into the air. She held her breath, grabbed her son, and dashed

but laugh. "You never did any

the dust down and got

Cedillo family's princess, a proper lady of leisure. Look at me now -doing all this hard work!" She

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