Jessica finally cam

all smiles and

oe, sweetie!

ed to h

ing back slightly, he

I gave a small, a

kay to b

Jessica cooed, pulling out a small, che

win at a ca

Mommy got

, her express

mumbled, not meet

ook. Disappoi

got a video

er. This was her lif

bright. "I got that new brand of coffee you like. The

st n

t ever appeared, would e

good cup of coffee, you know, helps

es, funded

d. Not just the temper

ad hit the ci

decent blanket

Jessica for

ick one up," she'd

saw a brand new,

k's ap

ssica had explained, not meet

e nights. I gave h

ere, isn't it?" Jessica

he heati

fine,"

ringtone was distinc

? What's wrong? Leo needs what? Another new jacket? But

aging in one of the bags

new, stylish ki

hloe would

he said, already heading for the door.

then, a smal

loser to me on

cold," she

ht, wrapping my

etie. I'll k

owed Jessica

't even

ht, Chloe' s c

er st

her temper

ica. Her phone went s

ai

professional. "You've reached Councilwoman

for her si

s at Mark' s, watching a

ight sniffle" and nee

as burn

doctor. Jessica contr

ciency,"

e in every bla

old night, walking miles to

ts crunched on

s a curse ag

e, Sophia, s

Her eyes, full of

he asked gently, alrea

. she's coug

her touch efficie

r checked out

er me, so strong

one

or attended to Chloe, I

growled. I

aw her.

re for

nic's small, priva

with the

r a large s

ag of expensiv

They're just terrible this time of year.

room, possibly with pneumonia, and I

d hard, settle

for Chloe was s

yment plan, but the

n't h

t, pulled out my grandf

hing of va

I' d never

he clinic's a

his?" I asked,

linked on t

ould have it all. Ma

ted my dau