I see the sticker of an angel and try to keep my composure. “She’s going to love it.”

Chloe smiles so big that her entire face lights up and then she tugs on Asher’s hand. “Let’s go! I already decided we’re reading The Polar Express.”

As Chloe drags him out of the playroom, I open the card.

Merry Christmas, Charlotte! Thank you for teaching Olivia the Bandaid Dance. I hope Santa brings you a new bike.

Love,

Chloe Elise Fisher-Walton and Uncle Asher

I don’t get a chance to cry.

Someone starts screaming about feathers that somehow got glued to their face.

* * *

After scrubbing purple finger paint off my hands, I head for the nurses station to see if they need help passing out the special goody bags to the children who couldn’t make it to the party. I get halfway there before something in room 513 catches my eye.

Chloe is sitting on Asher’s lap, The Polar Express open in front of them. She drags her pointer finger across the page, repeating each and every word before announcing a very proud, “the end!”

Valentina is already asleep, but that doesn’t stop Chloe from smiling.

“I did such a good job,” she says. “I should be a professional reader.”

“I thought you wanted to drive fire engines?”

“I can do both,” she says. “Will you give the nurse my phone number so I can talk to Valentina again?”

“Of course.”

“She has a baby brother,” Chloe says. “I’m gonna tell Mommy and Mama that I want one too.”

Asher laughs and helps her into her jacket. When Chloe races out of the door, they catch me eavesdropping.

“Olivia, were you spying on us?” Chloe asks.

“Not very well,” I say. “I got caught.”

“It’s okay,” she says. “Now you get to walk us to the elevator. Uncle Asher is taking me to see the swans in Central Park. Sometimes they attack each other. Do you want to come? Uncle Asher will buy you a hot dog.”

“Can I take a raincheck?”

“It’s not raining, silly!”

Asher smiles. “It’s a saying.”

“Can I save the invitation for another day?” I clarify.

“Why can’t you come today? Do you not like watching swans attack each other? Sometimes they chase people. That’s funny too. I promise you’ll have a good time. What if Uncle Asher buys you two hot dogs and honey-roasted nuts?”

“Chloe,” Asher sighs. “Olivia might have other plans.”

“With who?” She looks up at me. “I thought Uncle Asher was your boyfriend. Do you have two boyfriends? Or a girlfriend? A boyfriend and a girlfriend?”

“I have a big day tomorrow,” I tell her. “We’re setting up for a gala at the museum.”

“Is that like a ball? The ones princesses go to?”

“Sort of,” I laugh.

“Are you going to wear a pretty dress?”

“I plan to.”