Page 39 of Stealing Second

I sit down, and she throws the blanket over me. “You go first.”

“Mom life is very monotonous.” She sighs then smiles big and brilliantly. “In the best way possible. Every day, she does something that makes my heart feel like it couldn’t be any fuller.”

“I can’t wait until she’s awake so I can hug on her. She seriously gets more beautiful every day.”

At the same time, we both say, “She looks just like you.”

I laugh. “She’s all you and Danny.”

She pulls her phone out, taps the screen a few times, then shows me a picture of two babies—me and Aggie. “See? You can’t even deny it.”

“She has our eyes,” I admit.

“She does.”

We lean in so our heads are touching, and we sit in silence for a few moments before she breaks it.

She turns and faces me. “Tell me all the good things.”

God, I missed seeing her face light up when she said those words.

Just like when I was younger, I dig deep for the good things, because Chloe Shaw deserves to hear that the sister she sacrificed so much for is happy.

“Oh my God, you saw STD and Foreplay? Whit said she and Pope went.”

I nod. “Didn’t see them amongst the thousands.”

“I would be so jealous if I liked that kind of music.”

A laugh breaks out of me, and her face lights up even more.

Her eyes glisten as she says, “You look so happy, CeCe.”

“I really am, and I have you to thank for that.”

She waves me off, as she always does. “That’s what real families do—they help each other.”

I look down briefly, and she’s quick to gently lift my chin.

“Don’t go there; stay here and be happy.”

“There will never be a time that I don’t think about the fact that I didn’t speak up, tell the social workers that he was awful, that he?—”

“You were twelve years old. He was your father.”

“He’s a fucking monster.”

She smiles softly. “And look at us. You’re a doctor, and I’m a mom.”

“You’re more than a mom.”

She smiles. “Out of all the things I am, being married to that giant of a man in there, the mother to that sweet little girl, and CeCe Shaw’s sister will always be my favorite things to be. I cannot wait until you find your Danny.”

“Well, you’ll be happy to know I made out with a random stranger at the concert and?—”

She squeals and grabs me in a hug. “I’m so happy for you.” Sitting back, she takes my hand. “How was it?”

“Honestly?” I feel my face getting hot but continue, “The best kiss I’ve ever had.”

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