“We’re here!” I announced with forced cheerfulness, shaking the kids awake. “Come on, guys. Let’s go see everyone.”

I smoothed down their hair, grabbed the pies from the trunk, and we hurried through the cold drizzle to the front door. I knocked, balancing the pie carrier against my hip. Through the frosted glass panel beside the door, I could see movement and hear laughter—the sound of family and warmth and everything I’d been craving.