“Oh.”

Relieved, Heath immediately launched into a detailed account of their recent adventures.

Zachary and his children chattered away for over half an hour.

Had Serenity not intervened by reminding them their father needed to eat, the little ones might have kept going indefinitely. Even Zachary’s phone battery was nearly drained.

Lil’ Pie, though limited in vocabulary, kept interjecting with soft, sweet calls of “Dad”, melting his heart each time.

“Tell Mom I’ll come pick you guys up next Sunday.” Zachary said, already regretting not carving out time this weekend to fly to Solville.

Heath answered, “I’ll tell Mom. Bye, Dad! Mom says it's time to eat.”

“Okay, bye.”

Zachary lingered wistfully, letting the children end the call first.

After setting his sister down, Heath slid off the sofa and carried the phone to the dining room.

After the phone was returned to her, Serenity checked it. Only 5% of the battery was left. Thank goodness they had hung up when they did, or else it w