Page 141 of All of Me

“Get it!” Barrett adds, throwing a fist in the air like the little superhero he’s dressed as.

Ruby tentatively pokes the frosting with one finger, then lets out a squeal of delight. Her tiny hands dive in, smearing frosting everywhere—her tray, her face, and even her hair.

“She’s a natural,” Owen says, laughing as he pulls out his phone to take pictures.

“She’s a mess,” I reply, unable to stop smiling.

“She’s perfect,” he says softly, his voice warm as he wraps an arm around my waist.

The kids cheer her on as she squishes the cupcake in her fists, frosting flying in every direction. Sara jumps up and down, her tiara slipping slightly, and Barrett claps like Ruby’s just saved the day.

As the party winds down, the kids reluctantly peel off their costumes. Barrett declares that being Batman is “hard work,” and Sara falls asleep in Taylor’s lap, still clutching her Sofia wand.

Ruby, now clean and dressed in soft pajamas, snoozes in Owen’s arms as we sit on the porch, watching the last of the guests wave goodbye.

“I think she had a good day.” Owen says, looking down at Ruby with a soft smile.

“She had the best day,” I reply, resting my head on his shoulder. “And so did I.”

He presses a kiss to my temple, his voice low and full of warmth. “Happy first birthday, Ruby.”

forty-eight

HAPPY - PHARRELL WILLIAMS

OWEN - NOVEMBER 4, 2014

We moved in three days ago and there are boxes still stacked in corners, waiting to be unpacked, and the faint smell of fresh paint still lingers in the air. Ruby and Sara’s laughter echoes from the backyard, blending with the soft rustle of the trees in the wind. It’s the good kind of chaos that reminds me how lucky I am, how far we’ve come.

I lean against the kitchen counter, sipping my coffee as I watch Callie outside with the girls. Ruby’s toddling after Sara, her little legs moving faster than I thought possible, while Sara spins in circles, her arms outstretched like she’s a butterfly.

Moments like this make me stop and reflect. A year ago, I wouldn’t have pictured this—this house, this life, this family. I wouldn’t have believed it was possible, and now, watching Callie laugh as Sara tries to teach Ruby how to twirl, I feel peace.

The door creaks open, and Callie steps inside, her cheeks flushed from the crisp air. “Hey,” she says, brushing her hair out of her face.

“Hey,” I reply, setting my mug down. “The girls getting their energy out?”

“Oh, yeah,” she says with a soft laugh, leaning against the counter beside me. “Sara’s convinced she’s part butterfly now. Ruby’s just trying to keep up.”

I smile, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You okay?”

She hesitates, biting her lip like she’s trying to figure out how to say something. I know her well enough by now to know when something’s on her mind.

“Yeah,” she says finally, but her tone carries a weight that makes my chest tighten.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice softer now.

She glances toward the window, her arms crossing over her chest. “I’ve been feeling… off the past few days.”

I straighten slightly, my mind already racing. “What kind of off?”

She shakes her head quickly, as if to reassure me. “Nothing bad,” she says. “Just… tired. Emotional. A little nauseous here and there.”

My pulse quickens, the pieces clicking together in my mind. “Callie…”

She meets my gaze, and in that moment I see it—the answer she already knows but hasn’t said out loud yet.

“I took a test,” she says quietly.

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