Page 102 of The Refiner

“Okay then, let’s go.”

A huge grin takes over her face as I push open the door, waving at Francesca, Keagan’s secretary. “She’s expecting you both,” she tells us.

“Thanks.”

I look down at Tatum, radiating with excitement. “You ready?”

She nods excitedly, and I push open Keagan’s office door.

“Happy Birfday!”

Abandoning the gift bag on the floor, Tatum rushes Keagan, who scoops her up and swings her around. “Look at you!” She adjusts the crown on her head. “My pretty little Boho Princess.”

“Daddy said I couldn’t wear bofe the crown and bow.”

Keagan winks over the top of her head. “Well, Daddy is still learning the ways of royalty. He’ll get there.”

See? Ridiculous.

“Haha,” I tell them, setting the cake on Keagan’s desk before leaning in for a kiss. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.” Her whispered words flutter over my lips, warm and inviting.

I pull back and tuck a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “We know you’re under a deadline and not feeling very inspired.”

She groans into my neck. “Is it too late to take you up on the stay-at-home mom thing?”

Opening a new company comprised of only women is hard, managing multiple accounts at a time is even harder, but if anyone can do this, Keagan can.

“Maybe later. For now, you need to be a boss.” I was teasing about the stay-at-home mom arrangement. Keagan needed to spread her wings and prove to herself that she could do it on her own.

“We brought your crown!”

Tatum is tired of being squished between us and pushes against my chest, which makes Keagan laugh. “You did? I so need my crown today!”

She puts Tatum down and we watch as she roots around in the bag, pulling out the crown and candy necklaces. “Here it is!” Running back, Keagan lowers down, so Tatum can place the crown on her head, which is sitting more to the left than the middle. But Keagan doesn’t care, she simply kisses Tatum’s chubby cheek and then slips on the necklace. “Thank you, sweet girl. This is the best birthday ever.”

Tatum grins as she takes in their candy jewelry and crowns, but then she seems to remember she forgot the most important accessory. “Where’s the rings?”

“They’re in the gift bag,” I say. “See if you can spot the one with your name on it.”

Like her mom, Tatum always enjoys a challenge. She’s just starting to read (recognize letters) and Keys loves spending the evenings reading to her. They’ve been starting with all the birthday cards (the clean ones) between Piper and Keys. It was something Keys demanded when Tatum first called her Mama. The term is so simple and the one milestone parents look forward to, but not us.

When Tatum said her first word, ‘Mama,’ Keagan absolutely fell apart. Sure, we clapped for Tatum and got her to say it again for the camera, but afterwards, when Tatum went to bed, I followed the sobs into our closet, where Keagan was sitting, clutching the quilt her sister made for Tatum out of all their restaurant shirts.“I’m not her mama,” she had said as she stared up at me, her lips quivering violently. “We need to correct her.”

I lowered down to the floor and took her into my arms. “If the situation were reversed and Piper raised your daughter, would you want that child to grow up loving her like a mother?”

“Yes, but she can call me Auntie Keys, not Mama.”

“But why? Why should she call you an aunt when you’re a mom to her?”

She shook her head and pushed me away. “Don’t try to turn this around.”

“I’m not. I’m simply asking you to see yourself like Tatum does. Many people have many parents. Stepfathers are dads, foster mothers are moms, and sisters become moms. The moniker doesn’t specify DNA. Anyone can become a mother; all it takes is unconditional love.” I tipped her chin up. “Do you love Tatum like your daughter?”

“Of course.”

“Then why can’t she know two mothers? I think Piper would want her to be able to celebrate the mother who brought her into this world and the mother who raises her in it.” I kissed her lips and pulled her closer, my words filling the space. “That little girl in there loves you like her mother. Don’t take that away from her. Give her the honor of knowing both women in her life.”

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