The next morning, Leo came downstairs in an unusually cheerful mood.
There was something almost suspiciously bright about his expression, especially for someone who normally looked as though smiling was an activity he had to schedule in advance and approve through several levels of management.
The sun streamed through the kitchen windows, casting warm golden streaks across the floor and Leo walked right through them like he owned the light itself. His steps were lighter than usual. There was a bounce in his stride that had no business being there on a regular Tuesday morning.
The moment he spotted Eli sitting at the kitchen island, picking at his breakfast with the kind of concentrated disinterest, his eyes lit up.
"Hey, Big Champ!"
Before Eli could even react, Leo walked over, scooped the little boy up into his arms, and lifted him easily into the air. He held him up like Simba in The Lion King.
Eli froze.
