Renee tried and failed to suppress a smile. “Natasha Richardson’s character?”

“Yeah. She was a fashion designer—do you remember that?” Sadie rubbed her blotchy cheeks. “She was all chic and accomplished, yet somehow still kind and motherly. I thought I would be like that, keeping up with design and still being this kick-butt caregiver.”

“She also agreed to split up her set of twins, potentially never seeing her other daughter again.” Renee winked. “So, I wouldn’t say she was perfect. Plus she’s uh…you know…not real.”

Sadie huffed a faint laugh.

“For the record, you are a fantastic mother. Think of the way your son watches you. Like you’re the best person on the planet.” Renee nodded toward Lincoln, who looked happy as a clam drinking from his sippy cup, a favorite blankie wrapped around his arm. “I don’t think a sucky mom would spend an entire morning drawing elaborate chalk drawings on the driveway. Or bring home a bubble machine. I also don’t think a sucky mom would need to take a wagon to the library each week, because a sucky mom would not check out dozens of books to read together.”

Sadie nodded, tears filling her eyes all over again but a small smile finally spreading across her face.

“Everyone has a hard day here and there. And you can’t beat yourself up for those. They happen to all of us. I promise.” Renee stood, walking toward the fridge decorated with finger paintings. “Now, how does a mocktail sound?”

“Blissful,” Sadie murmured, rising herself and dusting off her pants.

Renee retrieved a cocktail glass from the cabinet and filled it with ice, sparkling water, a splash of grapefruit juice, and even a sprig of mint. She gave it a good stir and handed the cool drink to Sadie.

“I tried to have a second child.” The words tumbled out of Renee and it was hard to tell who was more surprised, Sadie or herself. Her younger sister, Bree, was the only person she’d ever admitted this to, but she felt compelled to share it now. Maybe, hopefully, it would help. “After Tansy and before the divorce. Ever since I was a little girl, I’d imagined having a house full of children—four, five…maybe even six.”

When Tansy turned one, Renee and Russ had started trying again. She’d gotten pregnant with Tansy so quickly into their marriage that she qualified as a honeymoon baby. But months and then years went by without any luck. Renee and Russ tried to focus on Tansy, the beautiful blessing they’d already been given, but it was hard to ignore the growing sadness each month, the silent disappointment.

“I’m sorry.” Sadie grimaced at the floor. “I know I must sound like a brat. I’m just daunted. First world problems and all that.”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for. That was my dream to have a bunch of kids. I didn’t mean it should be yours.” Renee shook her head, not quite sure where she had intended to take the conversation. She didn’t mean to accidentally veer down a path that was all about her. Maybe this is what happened when you spent too much time alone. You lose people skills. “Less talk, more pies. Time to get to work.”