He curled up to her, and Sam put her arms around him. Her cheek rested against his silky hair.

“Want to talk about it?” she asked.

“No.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re safe. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

“Was it about Willie?”

“Sort of...”

“I’m sorry you’re sad. What happened to Willie shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

“I don’t understand how someone could kill him for missing a ball.”

“I don’t get it either, but people are so invested in sports. They take it way too far and lose all perspective.”

“I read online that he has kids. Little kids.”

Sam winced. “Yes.”

“Did you meet them?”

“One of them. Miguel. He’s four.”

“It’s so sad that he won’t remember his dad. My mom and grandpa died when I was six, and I barely remember them. He’s only four.”

Moved by his compassion as much as his grief, Sam hugged him tighter. “I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better.”

“The snuggling makes me feel better.”

Sam smiled. “It makes me feel better too. You ought to try to get back to sleep so you’re not super-duper tired tomorrow.”

“Do you promise you won’t leave?”

“I promise. And I’ll let you in on a little secret.”

“What’s that?”

In a conspiratorial whisper, Sam said, “You’re a much better snuggler than Nick is.” In truth, no one did snuggling better than her husband, but Scotty didn’t need to know that.

He laughed, which she’d hoped he would.

“You can’t tell.”

“I won’t. Don’t worry.” As he relaxed into her embrace, Sam rubbed his back in small circles.

“Sam?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s really nice to have a mom again.”

Oh God, he was going to make her cry! “It’s the very best thing ever to have a son as sweet as you. I never knew how great sons could be.” She kissed the top of his head. “Love you, buddy. Try to go to sleep. I’ll be right here. I promise.”

She kept rubbing his back until long after he released a deep breath and fell asleep in her arms.

* * *

When Sam’s alarm went off at six, Nick realized he was in bed alone. Running his fingers through his hair, he stretched out the kinks and got up to find a pair of sweats before he went looking for his wife.

In the hallway, he noticed Scotty’s door propped open and peeked inside to make sure the boy hadn’t kicked off his covers the way he did most nights.