Page 117 of Worth the Fall

"That's what family does," Celine says simply, and I feel something in my chest loosen at her words. We've come so far from those first bitter days after our divorce, found our way to this new normal that somehow works better than before.

"Can I hold her?" Felicity asks hopefully. "I'll be super careful."

"Come here." Mia pats the space beside her on the bed. Once Felicity is settled, I help position her arms just right before placing Esperanza in them.

"Support her head, just like that," I guide her. "Perfect."

Felicity beams down at her sister, completely enraptured. "We're going to have so much fun together," she tells the baby seriously. "I'll teach you all about princesses and how to make Daddy give us extra dessert."

"I knew it." I laugh, catching Mia's eye. She looks exhausted but radiant, her smile soft as she watches our daughters together.

A camera clicks—Celine capturing the moment. "For the baby book," she explains.

I sink into the chair beside the bed, overwhelmed by the perfection of this moment. My family—all of us together, exactly as we should be. Mia reaches for my hand, our fingers intertwining as Felicity continues her whispered promises to Esperanza.

"Thank you," I murmur to Mia, bringing our joined hands to my lips.

"For what?"

"For everything. For loving me, for loving Felicity, for giving us Esperanza. For making our family complete."

She squeezes my hand, tears shining in her eyes again. "We've come a long way from that pickleball court, haven't we?"

"Worth every step," I tell her, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.

This is what happiness feels like, I think, watching my daughters together. This is what hope feels like. This is everything I never knew I needed until Mia crashed into my life with her quick wit and huge heart.

Esperanza fusses slightly, and Felicity immediately starts humming a lullaby—one my grandmother used to sing to me. The sound fills the quiet room, bridging past and present, weaving together all the threads of love and family that brought us to this perfect moment.

This is our beginning, I realize. Not an ending, but a new chapter. And I can't wait to see where it leads us next.

Epilogue

MIA-THREE YEARS LATER…

The sharp clack of my heels against the marble floor of Harrison & Brooks echoes through the hallway as I rush toward my office, already running late for my morning meeting. My phone buzzes for the tenth time, and I know without looking it's Linda reminding me about the Simmons call in five minutes.

"I know, I know," I mutter, juggling my coffee and the stack of briefs I'd reviewed at midnight while trying to stay quiet enough not to wake Esperanza. Our three-year-old has recently decided sleep is optional, a trait she definitely inherited from her father.

I round the corner to find Linda waiting at my desk, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You have glitter in your hair."

"Again?" I groan, setting down my things to run my fingers through my strawberry-blond waves. Sure enough, sparkles cascade onto my navy blazer. "Felicity's art project this morning. She's determined to make everything 'extra magical' lately."

Linda hands me a lint roller with practiced efficiency. "The joys of motherhood. By the way, Mr. Whitman wants to see you after the Simmons call. Something about the partner track."

My heart skips a beat, but before I can respond, my phone lights up with a text from Miguel.

Miguel

Esperanza just informed me she needs a unicorn costume for dance class today. Please tell me we have one hiding somewhere?

I bite back a laugh, typing quickly.

Me

Check the dress-up bin in the playroom. Behind Princess Waddles' winter wardrobe.

Miguel

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