I carried our daughter.
At the door, Eve stopped me.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
“Maddie, I had no idea.”
“I know.”
She looked down at Sophie.
“Please don’t shut us out of her life.”
I hugged her.
“You’re her grandmother, Eve. That doesn’t change.”
She began crying harder.
I held her for a moment.
Then I walked outside.
Elon never came to the door.
At my parents’ house, Mom had already prepared my childhood bedroom.
The wallpaper still had the same little blue flowers.
A portable crib stood beside the bed.
I placed Sophie inside.
She stretched, made a tiny sound, and fell asleep.
Then I sat on the mattress.
Mom entered carrying two cups of chamomile tea.
She sat beside me.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Finally, she asked,
“How long have you known?”
“Six days.”
She shook her head.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
