The Song in the Dark

Leaving Evelyn under private guard in the library, Andrew and Claire walked back up the grand staircase toward the children’s suite.

The hallway was quiet now, save for the rhythmic tapping of rain on the skylight. Outside the boys' bedroom door, Andrew paused, his hand hovering over the brass handle.

""They missed you every day,"" Andrew whispered, looking down at his shoes. ""Every night before sleep, Liam would ask why other boys had mothers who sang them to sleep, and all they had were oil paintings in the gallery.""

""I was so afraid they wouldn't remember me,"" Claire murmured, holding a hand over her racing heart. ""When I took the agency job as a temporary cleaning maid for this estate, I only promised myself I would look through the door while they slept. But Lucas had a nightmare about the thunder... and before I could stop myself, I sat on the edge of the rug and began humming the song we wrote for them in Como.""

Andrew pushed the door open gently.

The nightlight projected tiny glowing green stars across the ceiling. In the center bed, Liam and Lucas were sitting propped against their pillows, their faces swollen and red, clutching each other’s hands.

The moment the door opened and Claire stepped into the soft glow, both boys gasped.

""Mommy?"" Liam squeaked, his voice raw.

Claire didn't walk; she fell to her knees at the side of the bed, opening her arms wide. ""My boys... my sweet, brave boys.""

The twins launched themselves from under the down duvet, colliding into Claire’s chest. Small arms wrapped around her neck, tears soaking into her starched collar. Lucas buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.

""You smell like vanilla and rain,"" Lucas wept. ""Just like the song.""