In the apartment, Shane was stretched out on the floor next to Holden, who was playing with his stuffed animals. He was dressed in his zebra pajamas, and his hair was still damp from the bath. His face lit up with delight at the sight of his mother. “Mmmam.”

“Oh, that’s so close to mama,” Shane said. “Come on, buddy. You can do it. Mama.”

“Mmm.”

“He’ll probably say dada first,” Laura said. “They always do.”

“That’s really not fair.”

“Right?” She bent to retrieve Holden from the floor, gasping when her back protested.

“Careful!” Shane jumped up to relieve her of the baby, who got heavier by the day.

Laura rubbed her lower back. “That was weird.”

“He’s too heavy for you to lift him off the floor that way.”

“Yes, Dr. McCarthy.”

“I’m serious, Laura. He’s not a lightweight anymore, and you’ve got my other niece and nephew to think about.”

“What makes you think I’m having one of each?”

“Just a guess.”

“That would be nice, since we’re all done having babies after these guys. I’ve puked enough to last me two lifetimes.”

“Can’t say I blame you.” He kissed Holden’s chubby face and handed him over to her. “Thanks for a great time tonight.”

“It was fun.”

“Owen was kind of quiet.”

“I know.”

“Are you guys going to Seamus and Carolina’s clambake tomorrow?”

“I think we are. I guess it’ll depend on whether Owen’s in the mood for a party.”

Shane kissed her cheek. “Hang in there. It’ll be over soon, and you guys can focus on the future rather than the past.” At the doorway, he turned back to her. “I’m here if you need me for anything at all.”

“You’re already doing me a huge favor covering for me here while we’re gone. I appreciate it.”

“Least I can do,” he said with a smile and a wave as he closed the door behind him.

The two of them had been through a lot together, first with the loss of their mother as young children and then two painful divorces, all of which had made them the best of friends in addition to being siblings. She loved having Shane close by and back in her daily life—as well as her son’s daily life.

As she sat in the rocker in Holden’s room to nurse him, her thoughts turned once again to Owen and the difficult question that weighed heavily on her mind. Should she cede to his wishes and stay home from the trip, or should she insist on going with him? She was no closer to an answer half an hour later when she tucked her sleeping baby into bed and drew the light blanket up and over him.