Whenever I'm missing you Call you up, but I can't get through Don't know where you sleep lately But I'll see you in my dreams, maybe

The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as she stood by the kitchen counter, staring at the clock. 6:57 AM. Right on time. A knock echoed through the apartment

She sighed, brushing her hair over her shoulder before opening the door. Leon stood there, his usual leather jacket draped over his arm, looking like he hadn’t slept much—again. His sharp blue eyes flickered toward her briefly before settling on the small figures peeking from behind her legs

“Daddy!” Their daughter, Melanie, immediately ran to him, her tiny arms wrapping around his waist. Behind her, their five-year-old son, Noah, lingered, rubbing his sleepy eyes before shuffling toward his father

Leon knelt, ruffling Noah’s hair before pulling them both into a hug “Missed you guys” he murmured

She leaned against the doorframe, watching the reunion with a tight feeling in her chest. It had only been three days since the kids last saw him, yet the way they clung to him made it seem longer. Maybe because it always felt longer for her, too

“You packed everything?” Leon asked, glancing at her

She nodded, pointing to the small suitcase by the couch “Clothes, snacks, their tablets. Noah’s inhaler is in the front pocket.”

Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair “Thanks”

Silence stretched between them, filled only by the children’s excited chatter. This was their new normal—exchanging the kids every few days, trying to balance their schedules, and pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t

She cleared her throat “They already had breakfast. Melanie’s been into those dinosaur books lately, so you might want to check the library if you—”

“I already did.” Leon smirked slightly “Picked up three yesterday.”

Her lips parted in surprise before she forced herself to nod. Right. Of course, he remembered. He always did when it came to them. Just… not when it came to them