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Knock-knock-knock boots, can you see

Ten wiggling toes ready to sleep?

They’ve been squirming in those socks

’Cause they find them tight and hot

Knock-knock-knock boots, hear that sound?

Otto’s yawn is wide and loud.

Right on cue, Otto lets out a loud yawn, while Ada quietly asks, trying to hide her disappointment, ‘No knock-knock song for me?’

Luuk gasps. ‘How can I not have a song for my Ada? Let me see…’

Knock-knock-knock shoes off Ada’s feet

Now that she will go to sleep

She’s been dancing like a princess

Time for her to get some rest

Knock-knock-knock shoes, this sweet girl

Will now snuggle in her bed

Twirling she’ll be in her dreams

Till bright and early again she beams.

Knock-knock-knock shoes, how lucky you are

To hang out with this shiny star.

‘This is so pretty…’ she sighs. ‘I like that you are here.’

Me and you both, girlie…

Back in the kitchen, I start putting away toys and load the dishwasher when Luuk approaches. I’m glued to my spot as his figure fills the doorframe, donning a big boyish smile, as if he’s been given the best birthday present.

‘Both out like a light,’ he says smugly.

‘You’ll have to visit more often.’ Hopefully, I don’t sound as smitten as I am.

‘Surely their mom is doing a far better job.’ He pulls the chair to sit across from me.

His face is a little flushed and I swear that sparkles are about to fly from his eyes. His strong thighs deliciously fill his jeans, and I have to bring my index to the corner of my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling. He pushes up the sleeves of his Henley to reveal corded forearms, and who can blame me if I am actually drooling?

For a moment, we stand there, staring at each other, and I just hope that no food particles are stuck on my clothes, and that my hair is still halfway decent and that my blushing isn’t too evident, as I eye-fuck this beautiful man, who has been working his way into my kids’ hearts from the moment he first saw them; who has my heart doing somersaults every time I so much as see his name on my phone screen or even on a poster in the street.

‘Tired?’

His one word is a hug, wrapping me in its warmth.

‘I believe it’s been my permanent condition for the past five years.’ I realise it sounds whiny, so I hurry to amend. ‘Yes, I knew that a kid would be a lot of work, but I wasn’t prepared for two. I shouldn’t even complain, because I am blessed with extremely supportive parents and friends.’

‘You don’t have to apologize, Corrie. It’s a lot of work to take care of two little humans, no matter how phenomenal they are. I can’t fathom what it takes to raise them to be so lovely.’