The house is quiet. A warm nightlight shaped like a little moon glows in the corner of the room, casting soft light over the six tiny beds pushed close together. The soft hum of a sound machine is drowned out by quiet whimpers and sniffles.

Callahan, nearly three, sits in his bed with his arms wrapped around his legs, big hazel eyes glassy. His lip trembles. Beside him, Cairo clutches his bunny plush tightly, sucking on the ear like he used to when he was a baby. Cohen lays face-down, arms folded under him, trying to pretend he’s fine but sniffling every few seconds. Christianna and Corrie, identical little soft curls and sleepy pouts, are curled up in the same blanket. Christianna keeps whispering, "What if the plane forgets how to come back?" and Corrie is hugging her tight like she could keep Christian here just by holding still.

You’re standing near the door, holding baby Calypso gently in your arms. She’s barely a few months old, blinking curiously, sensing the tension.

Then-

CREAK. The door opens slowly.

Christian stands there, acoustic guitar slung across his chest, duffel bag by his feet, eyes a little red already. His voice is soft, but warm.

"Hey, gang." Christian whispers.

Callahan gasps and immediately stands up on the bed like, "Daddy?!"

“I didn’t leave yet. I just wanted to sing something first.” Christian answered.

He walks in slowly, sits at the edge of Callahan’s bed. The kids all sit up now, every one of them focused on him like he’s their whole world. Corrie immediately crawls into his lap and cuddles in, thumb in her mouth. Cohen slides closer but doesn’t say anything.

Christian adjusts his fingers on the strings, strums softly, and starts to sing: "Remember me... Though I have to say goodbye…" Callahan’s lip wobbled as Christian kept singing. "Remember me... Don't let it make you cry…"

Callahan's voixe was cracking. “But... Y-you’re gonna miss my birthday...”

Christian stops playing, instantly sets the guitar down, and cups Callahan’s cheeks with both hands. “Buddy. I’d never miss your birthday. Not in a million years. Not even if I was all the way in space, okay? You know why?”

Callahan shakes his head.

“Because you’re my first big boy. I’ve never missed anything for you, and I won’t start now.” He gently boops his nose, and Callahan sniffles a smile.

He strums again, voice soft and warm, lulling. "For even if I’m far away, I hold you in my heart…"

Cairo, blinking sleepily, reaches over and holds his hand. Christianna lays her head down next to Cohen’s. Corrie’s already falling asleep on his lap.

"I sing a secret song to you... Each night we are apart..."

Your eyes sting.

Christian lifts his gaze to yours for just a moment. That quiet, broken look. Then his voice trails off as the kids finally begin to drift off.

He kisses every forehead. Calypso's last.

Then he puts the guitar down gently on the chair and wraps his arms around you tight. You feel the weight in his hug. The ache.

Christian whispers into your neck. “Tell them I didn’t want to go. Please. Every night. Just... Remind them.”