Ally tied on her apron, stuck her order pad in her pocket, added her two favorite pens, and pulled her hair up into an efficient bun. The sigh that had been a daily companion for the last four years, two months and three days didn't tag along. Lighter somehow, she shoved open the swinging doors to the kitchen and stepped out into the maelstrom. It was like being hit by a massive wall of sounds all echoing off one another, and as always, Ally was surprised at how much she enjoyed it.

"Hey pretty lady," an old man said with a toothy grin.

"Hey yourself, Mr. Gainer." Ally leaned into the hug the man offered. "Does Mrs. Gainer know you're down here making eyes at me?"

He laughed and Ally heard the rattle in his chest. "Well, since you're here, let me get you a pint on me."

"Ah, now there's a woman who knows how to treat a man." Mr. Gainer kissed her cheek and Ally put in an order for his favorite Samuel Adams lager.

Ally put in orders, took food to hungry families, held a baby who was overtired from the misery of teething, and laughed until her sides hurt. "I'm out for the night, George," she called, ignoring the way her feet were begging to be rid of the demon shoes she was wearing.

"See you tomorrow, Allycat. Be sure to have Sam walk you out."

"Will do."

Sam, the muscle-y bouncer, stood up when she approached. "You look ready to drop."

"Nah," Ally smiled. "This is how I always look. Don't you like it?"

Sam grinned. "Girl, go home, open a good bottle of wine and sleep until your shift tomorrow."

"Wish I could, but mothering duty calls."

"Let them sleep until your shift tomorrow too."

Ally laughed. "My fondest dream."

Two hours later, Ally finally had her last child tucked into bed. She didn't open a bottle of wine, but she did take a hot shower and crawl into bed. Then she pulled the extra pillow close and breathed in the familiar scent of her husband's deoderant. The tears that had flooded his pillow in the beginning trickled out now. "I miss you Davey."

The shrill buzz of her alarm pulled Ally from sleep. Out of habit, she reached across the bed, her fingers brushing the extra pillow beside her. It was cool now, but the faint scent of Dave's deodorant still lingered. She closed her eyes for a second before a knock interrupted the silence.

"Mom, I'm hungry."

The bedroom door swung open, revealing Noah with untamed hair sticking out in every direction. Emma peeked shyly from behind him, clutching her worn out stuffed rabbit. Ally let out a tired laugh and pushed herself out of bed. "Well, I guess breakfast isn't going to make itself."

Within minutes, the kitchen was buzzing. Toast popped from the toaster while bacon crackled in the pan. Noah insisted he wanted pancakes instead, Emma asked if she could have strawberries, and Luke wandered downstairs half asleep, already wearing yesterday's hoodie. "Morning," he mumbled.

"Barely," Ally teased, sliding a plate toward him.

After the kids finally rushed out the door for school, the house fell quiet. Ally stood by the window for a moment before spotting a small plastic dinosaur on the doorstep. Noah must've dropped it. Smiling, she picked it up, remembering the day Dave had bought the entire set because Noah couldn't decide which one he wanted. The memory stung, but not as sharply as it once had.

She slipped the toy into her pocket, grabbed her keys, and headed for work. As the familiar sign of the pub came into view, George was already waiting by the entrance.

"Cutting it close again, Allycat," he called.

She smiled, locking the car behind her. "Blame the dinosaurs."