Grant Whitmore wasn't expected to return to Connecticut until Friday afternoon. Everyone inside the house knew that. At least, that was what Grant believed.

That evening, the Whitmore family returned to their coastal haven in Madison.

The sun was setting over Long Island Sound, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of deep orange, pink, and purple. A cool, gentle summer breeze rustled the leaves of the oak trees surrounding the modern farmhouse.

After a long bath, Caleb and Clara were tucked into their beds in the second-floor bedrooms.

Grant sat on the edge of Caleb’s bed, reading the final pages of a storybook while the seven-year-old boy fought off sleep, his eyelids heavy.

“Daddy?” Caleb whispered softly as Grant closed the book.

“Yeah, pal?”

“Why is our house so warm?” Caleb asked, pulling his soft blanket up to his chin.

Grant paused, looking at his son’s bright, innocent face, remembering the freezing room in Greenwich seven years ago.

Grant smiled warmly, reaching out to brush a lock of hair from his son’s forehead. “Because our house is filled with love, Caleb. And wherever there is love, it’s always warm.”

Caleb smiled contentedly, closing his eyes. “I love our house, Daddy.”

“I love it too, buddy. Goodnight.”

Grant kissed his forehead, turned off the main light, and left a small, warm glowing nightlight on beside the door.

He walked down the stairs to the sunroom.

Audrey was standing on the outdoor deck, looking out at the dark ocean water, the moonlight reflecting silver off the waves.

Grant walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. She leaned back against his chest with a soft, happy sigh.

“Kids asleep?” she asked softly.

“Clara was out five minutes ago,” Grant smiled into her hair. “Caleb lasted three pages.”

Audrey turned in his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck, looking up into his clear, dark eyes.

“Do you ever think about that night?” Audrey asked quietly. “The night you came home early from Chicago?”

Grant looked down at her, his expression filled with immense, overflowing gratitude.

“Every single day,” Grant answered truthfully. “Coming home early that night was the best decision of my life. It gave me the strength to tear down a toxic past and build a real future with you.”

He cupped her face in his warm hands, looking at the woman who had stood strong through the darkest storm of their lives.

“You’re my home, Audrey,” Grant whispered. “You and the kids. Nothing else matters.”

Audrey smiled, tears of pure happiness sparkling in her eyes as she pulled him down into a tender, passionate kiss under the starry Connecticut sky.