He had decided to make pancakes because Richard was returning from a difficult legal meeting and needed cheering up.
Maya watched him pour far too much milk into the batter.
"That's not right."
Ethan frowned.
"It is."
She leaned closer.
"That's soup."
He looked down.
Then at her.
"It's experimental."
Maya laughed.
"Experimental breakfast?"
He nodded solemnly.
"Exactly."
She took the measuring cup.
"Move over."
He protested.
"I'm the chef."
"You're a danger to breakfast."
They began laughing.
At that moment, Richard entered through the back door.
He stopped.
The sound struck him before anything else.
His children laughing in the kitchen.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
Then Ethan turned.
"Dad!"
Richard smiled.
"What's happening?"
Maya pointed toward the bowl.
"Your son is inventing liquid pancakes."
Ethan folded his arms.
"She's exaggerating."
Richard glanced into the bowl.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Ethan."
The boy sighed.
"Okay, maybe a little."
Richard laughed.
Then approached the counter.
Maya noticed the exhaustion in his face.
"How was the meeting?"
His smile faded slightly.
"Long."
She studied him.
"Anything important?"
He nodded.
"Some."
Ethan looked up.
"Did they talk about Nicole?"
Richard hesitated.
He had learned that avoiding every difficult question only encouraged his children to imagine worse possibilities.
So he nodded.
"Yes."
The boy looked down.
Then asked, "Is she going to come back?"
Richard moved closer.
"No. The current arrangements are still in place, and we're taking the necessary steps to keep things that way."
Ethan nodded.
He had been working with a counselor to process what happened in the house.
At first, the boy insisted he did not need help.
He said he was fine.
But his nightmares continued.
He sometimes panicked when someone raised their voice.
And for several months, he refused to sleep with his bedroom door closed.
Richard learned not to treat those reactions as misbehavior.
He began sitting with Ethan in the evening, helping him establish routines that made him feel safe.
Eventually, the nightmares became less frequent.
The boy started inviting friends over again.
His grades improved.
And he returned to the things he loved.
But some fears remained.
Richard understood that healing was not a straight line.
He looked toward Ethan.
"Anything else you want to ask?"
The boy considered.
Then shook his head.
"Not right now."
Richard nodded.
"Okay."
Maya handed him a cup of coffee.
He accepted it.
Then she looked toward his face.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
The question surprised him.
For years, he answered that question automatically.
Fine.
Even when he wasn't.
Now he considered.
Then said, "I'm tired."
Maya nodded.
"And sad."
Her expression softened.
Richard looked toward the photographs of Laura hanging in the hallway.
"But I'm glad to be home."
Ethan grinned.