"Charlotte Green, I've drawn a red heart on it."
Early in the morning, Ethan's cheerful childish voice echoed through Sweetheart Cottage.
While holding a steaming breakfast, Charlotte Green came out to place it on the dining table, then walked over to embrace her son and gave him a kiss before looking at the small whiteboard hanging in the living room.
It was an idea she'd come up with: writing the countdown to the New Year on the whiteboard, and having Ethan draw a little red heart under the date each day to express the anticipation.
In this way, her beloved Ethan no longer had to secretly long for his dad.
"Charlotte Green, you draw one too." Ethan handed the red pen to Charlotte Green.
Charlotte held Ethan's hand and they both drew another heart next to the one he had drawn, "All right, go wash your hands and have breakfast."
"Love Charlotte Green!" Ethan gave her a loud smooch on the cheek as she was holding him down, and then he dashed to the kitchen to wash his hands.
