LOGINI open the front door and smile widely. “Let me take that!” I insist. Lily and Pedro come into the house carrying drinks and snacks. “No need to upset the baby!” “I’m barely pregnant, Esme,” my best friend taunts. “Two months is nothing.” “As someone who’s had two babies, I can promise you that yo
“Save the kissing for your personal time!” I hear Annie prodding at me. We look over at her and Guillermo. Annie, to her credit, wasn’t lying about trying to get pregnant. Four months ago, she called us to say she was six weeks pregnant. Now, her bridesmaid dress shows off her baby bump. "How are
It’s a little more than a year later that Derek and I walk down the aisle. With Bea as our flower girl, Tris as our ring-bearer, and all the people we love watching, Derek and I say our vows. “What can I say that I haven’t before? You’re stronger than any woman who’s gone through the trauma you hav
“Thank you.” I take my time to get out of the car, but Derek is fast. He unbuckles Orchid in one swift movement. He hands over the baby and grabs my bag from where he left it next to her. Then, after locking his car, he holds out one hand to me. I’m touched by his sweet gestures today. He must kn
Esme Derek picks us up from the hospital a couple of days after giving birth. Walking again has been very challenging, but nothing beats holding my daughter in my arms after all this waiting. Bea and Tris both got to hold Orchid. Annie and Lily came to visit their little “niece.” My mom cried her
I’m overthinking this. I don’t even have a ring yet. Hell, I don’t know what kind of ring Esme would even want. Guess Annie and Lily are going to be helping me more than I thought. Hmm. She’s going to be here for at least a day or two. Maybe I’ll wait until she gets home. I pull out my phone to t
He once again doesn’t expect this question, and his smile turns into skepticism, his eyebrow raising as he watches me. “I thought I was the one asking the questions?” Derek’s voice is slightly playful now. I shrug, gripping tighter to the blanket around me. “Humor me.” He return
Speechless and somewhat curious by his intentions, I do what he says, drinking some of the water as he stands back up and heads to my fridge. To my utter surprise, Derek starts pulling things out and tossing them on my counter. What is he doing right now? Robbing me? It takes about f
“I’m not playing this game any longer. I’m making you dinner, and the only thing I want from you is to find the courage and strength to open up about whatever it is that you’re struggling through.” Rolling my eyes, I respond, “Haven’t we done this enough? Back and forth, round and round, and
“Home sweet home,” I grumble as I slam the front door closed. I let everything in my arms drop to the floor and slowly make my way to the couch to lie down. The utter exhaustion that runs through my veins is enough to face plant down on the soft material without a second thought. After this







