The next morning, when Zeke wakes up, the bed beside him is empty. Cassidy and Claire are already up.
He sits up slowly, runs a hand through his hair, then quietly makes the bed. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he steps out of the room.
He finds Cassidy and Claire in the living room. Claire is sitting on the floor with her toys, and Cassidy is curled up on the sofa with a mug in her hand.
"Good morning," he says, his voice still a little rough from sleep.
"Morning, Daddy!" Claire beams and runs to him.
Zeke lifts her into his arms and carries her back to the sofa, settling beside Cassidy.
"Morning," Cassidy greets softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Did you sleep well?"
Zeke glances at her, warmth in his eyes. "Yeah," he says. "Thanks to you. By the way, I just called Dr. Malcom, my personal doctor."
He gently brushes his fingers through Claire's hair as she curls up against his side. "He'll come this afternoon to remove the stitches."
