“I texted with Trish.” It seemed easier for both of them to start out that way. “She’s going to bring Jamie to the house to see the boys. She’s also willing to bring Jamie to your house so that you and Bridget and Sophia can have some time with her, and Trish and you can talk.”

Margaret nodded. “I’d like that. I know it’s awkward and strange without Sean here, but I really want to get to know my granddaughter. I don’t really care how she got here.” Margaret caught herself. “Oh Sarah. I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant at all.”

Sarah put her hand on Margaret’s arm. “Stop. It’s okay to focus on Jamie and not put all your energy into how it happened, what happened, and all that.” Sarah was tired of being mired in the past.

Margaret checked her watch. “Boys. It’s time to go,” she called out, then looked at Sarah again. “I’m really trying to be like you and put this behind me. It’s just really hard having all this turmoil inside of me.”

“Maybe you should let it out.”

Margaret eyed her. “How?”

“Tell him. Say everything you’d say to him if he were here out loud. Let it out. Let him have it. Tell him you’re angry and upset.” She put her hand on Margaret’s shoulder. “Once you’ve got all that out, tell him everything else. That you saw the boys. That you’re going to meet his daughter. He may be gone, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget him or not make him a part of your life.”

“Are you able to do that?”

“Sometimes late at night I’ll go into the boys’ rooms and I’ll look at them and say, ‘Look what you’re missing, Sean. I hope you can see them.’” Maybe she still harbored a lot of pain and anger, but in those moments she wanted Sean to understand what had been most important. She hoped, wherever he was now, he knew. She hoped he watched over the boys with pride and love.

He wasn’t here to show them that.

They had her. And Luke. And family.

But they should have had him and he should have been the man and father they deserved.

And she would give them that kind of man, because she loved Luke, and he’d be the dad, not that the boys lost, but that they deserved.

She’d bring love into their lives. She’d started with reconciling with Margaret and Bridget. She’d add their sister, Jamie.

Margaret pushed her shoulders back. “I’ll try. And I am excited to meet Jamie.”

“Something to look forward to. Focus on that,” Sarah advised.

Margaret went to the boys. “Let’s get going.”

The boys hugged her and Luke, then left with Margaret.

Luke closed the front door and turned to her. “What you said to Margaret . . . That was really honest. You gave her a way to be angry and happy.”

“It’s not easy to do both at the same time. I for one am done with Sean and what he left me with. I’m not going to keep carrying it around with me anymore. I’m moving on. I’m moving forward.”