Arthur adjusted his silk tie as his sports car pulled into the driveway.
The sun reflected brightly off the polished glass of his massive suburban estate.
He expected a quiet afternoon after finishing his corporate board meeting earlier than planned.
His family business demanded constant travel, but today he wanted to see his children.
He unlocked the high oak front door and stepped into the quiet grand foyer.
The marble floor glistened under the grand crystal chandelier hanging above the entry.
A strange heavy silence filled the wide rooms of the huge family mansion.
He set his leather briefcase on the entryway table near the main stairs.
Arthur called out for his young daughter as he walked toward the back wing.
No answer came from the spacious kitchen or the sunny open living room.
Suddenly, a high muffled cry echoed from the long white marble hallway upstairs.
Arthur froze in place as the crying sound grew louder and more frantic.
He recognized the sweet voice of his seven-year-old daughter Emily right away.
He sprinted up the wide stairs two steps at a time without stopping.
His expensive leather shoes clattered loudly across the hard marble flooring upstairs.
Around the corner, he saw his daughter leaning weakly against the tall wall.
Emily wore metal leg braces that made quick walking hard for her small frame.
Strapped tightly to her small back was her infant baby brother, Leo.
Both children were sobbing uncontrollably with heavy tears soaking their cheeks.
Arthur dropped straight to his knees on the cold polished marble floor.
He gently unclipped the baby harness and pulled little Leo into his safe chest.
The baby gasped for air and pressed his tiny head against Arthur’s shoulder.
Arthur reached out with his trembling hand to steady Emily’s shaking shoulders.
He lifted her tear-streaked face so she could look directly into his eyes.
His heart pounded wildly against his ribs as deep panic took hold of him.
He checked her tiny arms and legs quickly for any physical injuries or bruises.
Emily wiped her running nose with the sleeve of her yellow knit sweater.
She clutched her father’s tailored suit coat like a desperate lifeline.
Arthur took a slow deep breath to keep his own voice entirely calm.
He needed to understand why his fragile daughter was carrying the heavy baby.