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“Patrick’s pretty manly. And stop defending him!” Dex is dressed, and I grab the remote. “We’ve got to go.”

Once the TV is off, both boys get restless, and I can’t help wondering about that Y chromosome. We scoop them up, grab our bags and head out the door. They’re secure in their car seats, and we’re heading to town when Elaine grabs my forearm.

“Stop at the office for a sec.”

My eyes narrow at her. “We don’t have time for a quickie.”

“Just... it’s not that.” She grins, and I can’t help it. I have to know.

“What is it, then?”

“Mel.”

“Lainey.”

She lets out an exasperated breath. “I visited Patrick at the office Friday, and... well... you know, and I forgot a personal item.”

“Do you have a checklist? Shit! Where have you not done it?”

Lane pipes up from the back seat. “Aunt Mel, bad word.”

“Lane!” I cry, defensive. “I said spit!” Narrowing my eyes at my bestie, I grumble. “You’ve got me lying to babies now.”

“I blame Patrick.”

We both snort as we laugh. “Oh my god.” I shake my head, turning into the parking lot of the long, one-story building where Alexander-Knight’s satellite office is located.

“Besides, we’re newlyweds! It’s our honeymoon period!” She climbs out of her side, and I call after her.

“That excuse might’ve worked if I hadn’t known you before the wedding.”

“Grab the boys. The guys will want to see them.”

I lean into the backseat unbuckling them before we all follow her into the rented space, but it’s empty. “We must’ve missed them,” I call as she heads to the back office.

I stand in the reception area while our little boys resume their usual positions—Lane is on his knees making engine noises as his favorite truck runs over the tracks on the rug, Dex is beside him watching. It’s hard to know how long that will last before my little wrecking ball is up and exploring.

“Hurry up,” I call to her as I pick up an issue of People magazine. “I can’t believe they subscribe to these. Who reads them?”

I flip through the magazine as Dex toddles to where I hear Elaine searching.

“Heads up!” I call. “Here comes my little wrecker.”

“I can’t find it!” My friend’s voice is a muffled reply.

Lane is content being the soundtrack for his truck as it follows the lines on the carpet. I’m scanning a movie review, when the monotony is broken by a CRASH! a shriek from my friend, and the slow siren-whine from my son.

“Dex!” I rush to the back.

My little boy’s heartbroken cries grow louder, and I drop to the floor beside Elaine who’s trying to comfort him. He’s rubbing his eyes, and I look around at the scattered photo prints and a large paperweight he knocked off the desk. I’ll have to clean this up.

“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper, shushing him as he pulls my shoulders and buries his face against my chest. “He’s only scared, not hurt.” I glance up at Elaine. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

“No,” she says, but her voice trails off. She’s on her knees collecting the photos and looking at them, eyes wide.

“What is it?” I reach out and take one of the prints from her. Turning it over, I have to blink twice to understand what I’m seeing. She hands me another, and my heart starts beating faster. My breath comes in pants as the images click together. I realize what I’m seeing, or rather who I’m seeing.

“Oh my god,” I whisper as my hands tremble. My stomach turns like I might vomit.