I pull on the little hand behind me and bring her little body beside me, careful not to step on the scattered puzzle pieces on the ground. I come to a screeching halt when I reach the threshold of my kitchen and see the booths that surround the island are turned over and the floor is smeared with green icing from the cupcakes that toppled over the counter. My heart rate spikes up, my eyes widening when I see the door is wide open. “Mommy?” Carley, my two year old says skeptically as she tugs on my shaky arm. I don’t reply, don’t think. I just pick her up and place her on my hip, holding her tightly while cradling her head to my chest. “Cole?” I call out, my voice barely audible through the pounding in my ears. “Mommy, what happened?” Carley asks in a quiet, concerned voice against my neck. “Shh. Hold on, baby,” I coo pressing her head into me again while covering her ear. “COLE!” I turn at the sound of loud footsteps behind me, Carley’s little legs swinging in movement with my body.
