Once in the car, Bastien accelerated, followed by Joel’s SUV. Kate smiled as she looked at the scenery. They arrived at a park near an ice cream shop; the children ran toward the swings while Kate walked hand in hand with Bastien, watching them play. They sat under a tree, the kids climbing the slide and playing hide-and-seek. Bastien leaned back against the trunk, and Kate settled in front of him, resting against his chest. Bastien’s arms lay across her abdomen, his head on her shoulder.

—The