INICIAR SESIÓNI 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
Derek helps me get into my bed. Bea and Tris have gone to take care of Sammy for me. I want them to have a moment to decompress after the entire scene they just witnessed. “Thank you for standing up for me,” I whisper to Derek as he sits beside me. He sighs. “I should have protected you. I will al
“Where are the girls?” He barks at his ex-wife immediately. “Relax,” she rolls her blue eyes before giving me another death glare. “They went in this tramp’s apartment.” “I’ve had enough of this, Sadie,” Derek snaps back. We stop in front of my apartment. I want to protect Bea and Tris from seeing
My baby girl turns out to be okay. So many doctors in and out of my room have been tending to us. To his credit, Derek and the girls haven’t wanted to leave my side. Tris had started crying when Derek tried to leave last night. “We want Esme to be okay,” Tris tearily admitted. Bea was firm in her
Or was she trying to kill my baby? “I want to see Derek,” I impulsively state. “Please.” Dr. Billy nods. “As soon as we can locate him, we’ll let him know where you are.” He heads off, promising to be back soon. Someone called 911 on me and I was brought in an ambulance. How the hell did that ha







