She walked the to the door as Peter ushered her out. They shared a kiss as Paige bounded down the porch stairs. Dont take this wrong way, Peter said, but you seem a little off this morning. I cant quite put my finger on it. Do you need to talk through the case tonight?

Maybe, she said.

He eyed her with loving care for a moment and then nodded. Take it easy today, okay? Dont overdo it.

I wont, she said.

She closed the door as Peter headed out and then stood there for a moment, her head resting against the door. A flood of emotion came pouring out and before she knew what was happening, she hit her knees on the floor and cried until it was all out.

***

The special thing Paige elected to do that night was going over the calendar theyd made at school in order to learn the days of the week and the months of the year. Rachel and Paige sat together after dinner huddled at the kitchen table and filling it with events that were coming up through the rest of the yearthe birthdays of family members and friends, holidays, trips they had planned (including the Disney trip) and special school events. It was odd to plan out her final year, but she did her best to put as much cheer and enthusiasm into it as she could.

She spent every moment she could with Paige, knowing that her daughter was often very clingy when she returned from trips that took her outside of the city. She stood in the bathroom as Paige brushed her teeth, said her prayers with her by the side of her bed, and tucked her in. They then read a chapter of a Puppy Pals book together before Rachel exited the room, turning the light out.

When she got downstairs, Peter was sitting in the living room, watching ESPN. As the days basketballs scores and stories were discussed, he muted it and looked to her with a smile. You know how much that little girl adores you, right?

Its a pretty great feeling, she admitted.

So…the case. Your arm. Is everything okay?

Yes, I think so. But Peter…theres something I want to talk about before I get into the case. Tell him, you coward, she thought. Peter, I went to the doctor after an episode on the training course and the doctors found something…

What is it?

I cant stand to be away from Paige for so long. Even just three days…I mean I know it affects her and it hurts me, too. Given that, I just dont know if a second child is the right choice. There are some days where I absolutely think were supposed to have another kid, but these last four days or so…I just dont know.