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“I’m just a firefighter from Slumberton. Noone to be worried about, and I’m not here to cause you any trouble. Just wantedto have a conversation. I pulled them from the fire.”

She closed her eyes as if the words slicedthrough her. “God, thank you for that. But, listen, I haven’t seen them inyears.”

“Three, to be exact. I don’t know why thatis, and I’m not here to judge you, but I do know that they’re still your kids.That won’t ever change, no matter how long it’s been.”

She shook her head. “Trust me when I say thatI was a horrible mother. Whoever they end up with will be better than I was forthem. I left them, and it’s something I have to live with every day.”

“You don’t have to. It looks to me like youhave a pretty decent life happening here. A house. A job.” She studied thepolo, realizing Meredith worked for a hotel. Better than anything they had withtheir father.

Meredith checked her watch and sighed.“Things are better now. But back then I was a mess. It took me years to get ontrack, and I can’t risk screwing up for them again. Anyone else would bebetter. Look, I’m sure you’re a very nice person, but I think I have to ask youto leave.”

Kate handed her phone to Meredith.

“What is this?” she asked, glancing at thescreen and back at Kate nervously, attempting to hand it back.

“That first one is a photo of Eva playinghopscotch. The next one is Ren in a tree. He climbs things a lot.”

As if drawn to the photos by a force largerthan herself, Meredith studied the screen. As she stared, she placed a handover her mouth. “They’ve gotten so big,” she said finally, shifting the hand tothe top of her head. She was at a loss, Kate realized. She cared more than shewas letting on.

Kate nodded, building momentum. “They’rereally smart, too, and way more self-sufficient than any kids I’ve ever met.They’re honestly not much trouble at all. It’s a testament to them.”

Meredith handed the phone back to Kate, herface now drawn and haunted. “I was sorry to hear about the fire. About theirfather. It’s awful.” There were tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy the kids areokay, but this is all too much for me. I’m sorry.”

“Wait. I’m not asking for any kind ofguarantee here. Just your compassion for two children who have losteverything.”

“Which is exactly why they don’t need mearound,” Meredith said sorrowfully, opening her car door. “You’ll need to findsomeone else.” She hopped into the vehicle and pulled out in a hurry, leavingKate standing there, the photo of Eva visible on her phone. Her last hope hadjust gone up in smoke. What in the world was she supposed to do now?

* * *

“When should we start shopping for babyclothes?” Hadley asked, bleary-eyed from her spot at their table. It was seventhirty in the morning, and the gang had stumbled in, dragging more than usual.“I’m ready now. Get in the car. Well, as soon as I wake up, that is.”

Autumn placed a double chocolate mocha infront of her. “This should help. As for baby clothes, I think you’re supposedto be pregnant first, and far enough along where it’s PC to acknowledge it.”

“Generally speaking, she’s right,” said the bonusmember of their Breakfast Club that morning. Taylor Andrews, looking sharp inblack pants, heels, and a blazer for work sat incredibly close to Isabel. Thetwo continued to steal smoldering glances at each other, making Autumn wonderwhat kind of fun night they’d just come off. She swallowed the looming jealousyand chose to be happy for them.

“And anyway, how do you shop for clothesunless you know the sex of the baby?” Gia asked.

“I don’t think you know who you’re dealingwith.” Hadley brushed her hair off one shoulder, then the other, in a taunt.

Isabel sat up in her chair. “Give that kid anapron and put ’em to work. Dressed. Solved. Steve will thank me.”

“Child labor laws come to mind,” Autumn saidthoughtfully. “And coffee is hot for a baby to be handling.”

Isabel shrugged. “Don’t get caught up in thedetails.”

“So, if we, you and I, had a child one day,you’d have them writing for the show?” Taylor asked, with a raised eyebrow.

The deep shade of red that descended onIsabel’s face was priceless. “I’d have to think about that.” But it was clearshe was touched by just the mention of a family with Taylor, who kissed theback of her hand, enjoying the blush.

“I’ll keep your suggestion in mind, Iz,”Autumn said.

“So, when do we get the ball rolling?” Hadleyasked. “How long do I have to wait for babysitting duty? The calendar is longand arduous.”

Isabel nodded. “The calendar is a totalbitch. Don’t they know Hadley is waiting?”

Autumn laughed. “Well, when we saw the doctorthis week, he said I’m all set. I’ve been good about taking the meds and theultrasounds look great, so we’re a go for insemination next month, according tothe schedule the fertility coach provided me.”

“Who’s we?” Gia asked, snagging another sliceof banana bread.