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
“Is that so hard to believe?” The nurse calls my name before I have a chance to respond. Upon entering the room, Dr. Leona informs me that she spoke to the hospital doctors about my recent visit. “I’m only bringing it up so you don’t have to. By law, I have to tell you I spoke to them.” I just w
Derek has been by my side pretty much constantly the past few days. When we went to the hospital so that the baby and I could be checked, when the police finally questioned me, and then again when I came back to the apartment. When I manage to sleep, he does whatever it is he needs to do. He brings
“Sir, this is a crime scene, you can’t be here!” “I’m her lawyer!” Daniel? What is he wasting his time by doing here? Derek, however, seems to think now is the best time to get in the other man’s face. “You need to walk out that door and leave now.” Derek’s jaw is tight, and his teeth clenched.
There’s a feeling that I used to struggle with in my childhood. I’m still unsure what that is. Maybe it’s just a form of dissociation. I’m barely able to stay in the moment, to hear those around me. The adults would always work in groups to find whatever world I hid in. The hard part was bringing m







