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Chapter 30
As we saunter through the city, Nick walks behind Liam's stroller with a bright smile on his face. Liam is five months old and doing great, but it's been an intense time. We had to adjust to having a baby in the house. Liam had colic, and this made our nights short. Thank God for Martha's excellent advice. She recommended a natural probiotic powder for babies. Within two days, the colic disappeared, and Liam was sleeping longer.
Nick is an amazing dad. He helps with everything, from bathing to diapers. One of the first times he gave Liam a diaper change, Liam gave his dad a golden shower. He peed on Nick's shirt, and I laughed so hard seeing Nick's stunned expression that I almost peed myself.
Charlotte is in love with her little brother as long as he doesn't cry or poop. She calls him Mister Stinky every time he needs a diaper change. But next to that, she loves helping me with bathing him and putting on his clothes. The short nights and busy days have worn us out, and sex hasn't been in our dictionary. But since Nick experienced the birth, he has the utmost respect for me as a woman. And that jaunt with the brief nights, he's now content with the moments of rest in each other's arms.
Now that everyone in our family is settling, we are doing amazing. Simply Irresistible is doing fantastic. I've never had so many orders, and it makes me happy to see my lifelong dream coming true. Miranda and Martha are helping me get the orders out in time. And my mother-in-law is developing her baking skills and turning into a great baker with the tips and tricks I give her.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Charlotte says with a tired voice. We've been strolling through the city for over an hour in search of new clothing for the kids. Nick looks at Liam, who's still fast asleep.
"We can sit to drink and eat on the heated terrace?"
I gaze at the nice diner and nod. Charlotte runs to a free table and jumps in a comfortable chair.
"When are we revisiting Grandma and Grandpa Green?"
Nick and I smile as Charlotte asks this question. When we told her about Thomas’s parents and how they wanted to meet her, she was excited. The moment they saw Charlotte, they got emotional. Charlotte loved the attention and asked them millions of questions about Thomas. She loved that they told her that her eyes reminded them of her father. Even if I said it myself several times, hearing it from them made it more real for her. In the meantime, they've had a day with Charlotte in the zoo, and because they live a two-hour drive away, we now use Skype to stay in contact.
"Mommy?"
"What is it, cupcake?"
"Why is that woman staring at us?"
My breath hitches, and my heartbeat increases seeing the older woman across the street. A lump sets in my throat as we make eye contact. When she doesn't move, I decide.
"Uh, Nick. Can you watch the kids? I have to talk to someone."
His eyes search mine for an answer, but I give him a reassuring smile while rising from my chair. I make my way over the road and halt in front of her.
"Mother?"
The moment I say this, her eyes connect with mine.
"Emma."
The sound of my name coming from her lips stirs emotions. The last time I heard her voice was when she shouted those terrible words at me in the hospital. And now I'm looking at her. She’s aged. Her hair has partly turned gray and her face shows more lines than I remember, but as I gaze into the bright green irises I've inherited from her, my heart skips a beat.
"H-how are you?" she asks.
"I'm fine."
Her hands tremble as she adjusts her blue-green scarf. "I'm glad." Her eyes flow to Nick and the kids. "Is that your… family?"
I swallow as I notice her gaze is on Charlotte.
"Is that—"
"That is Charlotte, she’s seven years old. She's the child you wanted me to abort."
At once, she lowers her head, and after a few seconds, she lifts her chin. Her green eyes are glassy from tears.
"Emma, I'm sorry for everything I've said and done. I understand if you don't believe me or accept my apologies," she says with a broken voice. “But it's the truth. What I did is unforgivable. I'll never forgive myself for not sticking up for you and choosing your father's side."
Her lips tremble, and I can't help but believe her.
"Where is he?"
