“I laid out some pajamas for you, and you can use my bathroom. Just borrow whichever face wash and lotion and stuff you need, honey,” Mom said and handed me my mug.

“Thanks. How were the kids?” It was past their bedtime, and Dad had already told me they were asleep on our drive home.

“Perfect as usual. Calla has been asleep for about three hours, and Dylan is crashed out with Mark and Mara on the pullout couch upstairs in the living room. They all fell asleep during the movie.”

“Good. That’s good.” I nodded blankly and watched as Ash and Mom exchanged a look. I didn’t want to participate in their nonverbal conversation, so I ignored it and sipped my drink. I cupped my hands around the warm mug to take my sudden chill off. I took another sip and stared out the French doors to the dark outside. I felt a wave of panic coming on as I thought about everything that had happened today.

“Want a bubble bath? I’ll run one for you. Yes, come upstairs and have a soak in my tub. I have lavender bubbles. Lavender is very relaxing,” Mom suddenly offered.

I blinked and turned my head toward her. I was bothered by the concern in her voice, then felt like a brat for being bothered. I just wanted to blank out this entire day.

“I just want a shower, then I’m going to bed. Where is the baby monitor?”

“I’ll keep it, and you can get some sleep. You look tired.”

“Mom, I can take care of Calla. I’m fine,” I insisted as I reached for the monitor.

Mom and Ash exchanged another look.

I was officially annoyed. “Seriously, I’m fine.”

“I’m crashing on the other couch upstairs, right across from the kids. You don’t have to worry about Dylan,” Ash said.

“Thanks, Ash,” I said as I rinsed out my mug and set it in the sink. I hugged my mom, took the baby monitor from her, and headed upstairs. “Good night. Thanks for watching the kids,” I added. I showered, went to bed and fell into a restless sleep.

I woke up to the sound of Calla crying in the monitor. Disoriented, I looked around the room, trying to figure out where I was. Home, I remembered as I got up. I dragged myself into the nursery and saw Mom had beat me there. She had just picked Calla up. She jumped when she turned around and saw me in the doorway.

“Hey, honey, I heard her wake up. You can go back to sleep, if you like,” she offered as she cuddled Calla.

I shook my head. “I need some water. And I have a headache. Do you have any Advil?” My head was pounding almost as hard as my heart was.