“Anyway, nuggets are protein, and ketchup is vegetables, right?” Maggie said, smiling again. “I don’t give her enough credit, though. She’s changed, Quinn. She’s more relaxed with him than she was with us.”

“I’ve heard that’s how it is with grandparents.” Quinn felt a catch in her breath when she thought of her own mother. She would’ve been such an amazing nana.

Maggie didn’t notice, because she kept talking. “Having Charlie is still the best thing that ever happened to me. I talk like motherhood is torture, but really, when he lies beside me with his hand in mine, falling asleep as his beautiful eyelashes flutter gently, I melt. I feel this powerful love well up in me that is so big it could heat a nation. It’s times like those that I realize I’m not just getting through the days, I’m soaking them up, collecting all his childhood memories and storing them safely in my jar of hearts. I stop worrying about the wet clothes I left in the washing machine or the foot-puncturing toys on the floor that’ll greet me in the morning. I remind myself that my baby went to sleep safe and happy, and I tell myself I’m doing okay.”

“Good. Because you know what? Okay is enough,” Quinn said. “Some parents can’t even reach that milestone. I’m sure Charlie is a great little boy, and I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Auntie Quinn.” Maggie smiled. “You’ll be all kisses, hugs, and story time. That’ll be a big change from all the roughhousing he gets from his uncles.”

“Do they see him much?” Quinn remembered Maggie’s older brothers as being really protective of her, and always into outdoorsy things. At least Charlie would have some very macho male figures to look up to in his life.

“More now that the Ghost is locked away.”

Quinn wanted to know more about Colby, because she could tell Maggie hadn’t gotten over him yet. But Maggie changed the subject, refocusing the spotlight so it wasn’t on her anymore.

“What are you going to do about Ethan?”

Quinn let all the air out of her lungs as she struggled for the right words to say. “I don’t really know yet. I love him. Or at least I did. I think I still do. But I hate him too. At least right now.”

“You know, I always felt like he’d do something like this,” Maggie said softly.

That took Quinn by surprise. “You did? Why?”

Maggie paused, then released a long sigh. “There was a time or two he said some inappropriate things to me. Eased up too close in passing. He let his hands have a bit too much freedom.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” It was a question tinged with soft accusation, but Quinn couldn’t keep it in.