Moments later, Timothy clung to Bella's leg at the doorway, his little fingers wrapping around her skirt with surprising strength. His wide gray eyes shimmered with that familiar mix of innocence and reluctance that always made leaving him the hardest part of her mornings.
"Do you have to go, Mommy?" he asked, his lower lip jutting out.
Bella crouched down to his level, brushing a thumb over his cheek. "Yes, baby. I have to go to work."
He pouted, tilting his head. "But you just got back last night. I want to stay with you."
Bella's chest tightened as she heard her son's words, his gray eyes reminding her who else owns those pair of eyes. The sting of truth in his words was sharp, because he was right. She had been away most of the evening, and had barely had any time with him this morning because of her discussion with Chloe and Rachel.
