Tessa looked in the mirror, as she tied her hair back in a scrunchie. Her face had some color from being outside, and her scoop neck was enhanced by her enlarged breasts. Her body hid all the other changes happening inside.

She waited for Patrick, who had fed his kids first. Her girls had baths and were in their pajamas. They had a busy day because her mother wanted to celebrate the end of the school year, so they went out to lunch.

Kim Murray studied her daughter. "You look good."

"I am good, Mom."

"So you're still seeing the doctor?"

She nodded. "Patrick."

"And you like him? It's going well?"

"Yes, and yes... considering."

"Considering what?" Her mother looked concerned.

"Considering his oldest is protective of her mother's memory and sees me as a threat."

"Oh."

"Oh, is right. Patrick defends me, but I don't want to cause problems between him and his daughter. Although she..."

"She, what?"

"She likes to cause problems between us."

"She sounds like a piece of work."

Tessa sighed. "I keep needing to remind myself she's hurting."

Tessa was still in her room when Patrick walked into her house calling out a greeting.

When she walked into the living room, Chloe was hanging from him with her legs wrapped around his leg.

"Help! A monster's attacking me!" He winked at her.

Giggles filled the room. "I'm not a monster."

He reached down and picked her up in his arms. "Mm. I remember the smell of clean children."

Tessa loved the smell of baby shampoo, and her girls' hair was still fine enough to use it.

"We were dirty. Doc." Chloe clung to his neck.

He laughed. Tessa laughed too, knowing he could misconstrue her words. Gaining control, she said, "They helped grandpa in his garden all afternoon."

"And what did Mommy do while they were gardening?"

"She tried to avoid her mother's prying questions."

His look told her he wanted to hear more. Tessa felt an odd sensation in her belly. Was it because he cared about her? Or because she wanted him to?

He turned his attention away from her. "Maya, did you have fun in the garden?"

She looked up from her book. "Uh, huh."

"What're you reading?" She held up her book. She had recently started reading a mystery series.

"I remember reading those with Hannah. Believe it or not, they've been around that long."

She shrugged. Tessa rolled her eyes and murmured. "Maybe she and Hannah have more than book preferences in common." He frowned slightly. She looked away. "Girls, it's time for your story."

Chloe had wiggled out of Patrick's arms and bounced around. "Can Doc read to us?"

Tessa spoke before Maya expressed her opinion. "We can read together, if Doc doesn't mind." He smiled. "Okay, let's go."

"Come see our room." Chloe took his hand.

Tessa whispered so only he could hear. "I might be jealous."

Patrick asked, "Of me or her?"

"Both. Come on Maya, sweetheart."

They were reading Ramona and Beezus, because it was one of Tessa's favorites.

Chloe held it up. "Doc, have you read this?"

He shook his head. "I've seen the movie."

Maya said, "Movie! Mom, can we see the movie?"

"After we read the book."

The girls always settled into bed and she took turns whose bed she sat on. Chloe said, "Mommy, sit with Maya. Doc can sit with me." She sat at the head of Maya's bed so they could snuggle, but Patrick sat at the end of Chloe's bed. "No, Doc! Up here."

Tessa tried to hide a smirk as she nodded to Patrick, who looked for permission from her. He stretched out and took up most of the bed. Chloe looked younger next to him. Tessa felt a jab in her heart. It should have been David to read bedtime stories to Chloe, but that was one of a million things he wasn't there to do. He read to Maya from board books like Goodnight Moon. She read the chapter while Patrick listened. When she kissed each of them goodnight, Chloe wanted a kiss from Patrick. He kissed her on her forehead.

"Goodnight, Maya." He said as they both walked out of their room. Once down the hall, he said, "That was fun."

"I think you've charmed Chloe."

"But not Maya."

She shook her head. "It's her personality. She takes longer to warm up. I worry about Chloe talking to strangers, not that you're a stranger."

"I hope not." He pulled her into his arms and began nibbling at her neck.

She resisted. "Drink?"

"Just our usual." She smiled as she walked into the kitchen to pour the sparkling water. He followed her into the kitchen and asked, "So your appointment was really fine?"

She nodded. "Very routine."

She liked how he always asked about her and the pregnancy. It meant that he thought about it. Sometimes it felt like she was doing it on her own again. Not that she was alone at the beginning of her pregnancy with Chloe. David was very excited and was even a good sport when they learned he wouldn't have a son. She never intended to have more than two. Their plan was to have them close together. Life doesn't follow plans.

"Hey, are you alright?" He put his hand on her arm.

"Yeah, I was just remembering. And seeing you with Chloe was bittersweet." He nodded. She didn't need to explain because he understood. She had filled two glasses and handed him one. Neither spoke until they were settled on the sofa. She changed the subject. "So what's happening with Hannah?"

"Can't we go have sex? I'd rather not talk about her."

"And proved that she's right?" She was teasing, but he frowned.

"Maybe she's right. I do always want to."

Tessa laughed. "Stop. I know that we have more than that. Although I thought we had established it is pretty good."

"Just pretty good?" He egged her on.

"Great." She knew her cheeks were pink.

He took her hand in his. "You're even more beautiful when you blush."

"You're just saying it to make me blush more."

He shook his head. "I'm saying it because it's true."

"So what about Hannah?"

"Okay, I'll talk about Hannah if you tell me about your visit with your mother."

"You first."

"Fine. I played phone tag all day Friday with the counselor who was recommended. She was nice enough to call me today. I'm going to meet with her on Wednesday. She told me she specialized in adolescents, so she couldn't help me. I told her I was coping, and it was my daughter who has decided I wasn't. I'm not sure she believed me, but I tried to explain how Hannah thinks that if I'm fixed, everything will be fine. Then I told her I hoped she can help Hannah understand that I'm ready to live."

Tessa smiled. "Live?"

He smiled. "She asked the same question and so I told her Hannah was very unhappy that I have started a relationship. So I'm sure we'll be talking more on Wednesday, and hopefully Hannah will see her soon after. I know Hannah is going to throw me under the bus. I think I have to let her and trust the professional."

She put her hand on his arm and squeezed it. "I think my day with my mother was easier."

"I had a good day. We surfed, and I mowed the lawn." Tessa had a vision of him mowing the lawn. "What are you smiling about?"

"I was thinking of you mowing the lawn."

"Don't start sounding like Kristi! Your mother?"

"Was fine. She wanted to know all about how things were with us. She'll be the first one to figure out about the baby."

"My money is on Kristi. You should tell your mother."

She shook her head. "I'm not ready. Once one person knows others will find out."

"Even your mother?"

"She'll tell my sisters and my oldest sister has a best friend who works at the high school and you get the picture." He nodded. "She was asking me to let the girls have a sleepover."

"Will you?" He sat up slightly.

"Yes, but I want to pick a day that allows us more time together."

"You should have a sleepover with me."

She shook her head. "I couldn't. It's not fair to your kids."

"There is no point in hiding the truth. There is evidence." He touched her tummy, and she felt the fluttering and warmth.

Tessa shook her head. "Definitely not until Hannah is in a better place."

"I could try to pawn them off and we could go away for a night. Just the two of us."

She felt a spark of excitement at the idea. "I wouldn't want to be too far from the girls in case they needed me."

"Portland."

"Let's see. She'll offer more than once."

"Okay, but I know Kristi will help with my kids."

"I know. She's a good friend."

He smiled. "Do you mean that?"

She smiled and nodded. "I think I misunderstood her."

"I'm glad. Now I'm on a curfew. So can we move on from the talking?"

Under her breath, she murmured, "Hannah was right."

He stood and lifted her and carried her down the hall to her bedroom. She put her finger over her lips as they passed the girls' room.