“Of course, you can. But do know that I will not be deterred from getting the answers I need,” she said.

To punctuate the statement, she slid her glasses up her nose, and I smiled.

Then I followed the sound of a babbling Crystal down the hall.

Davit and Amy’s home was just that, and everywhere I looked, I saw the touches of the life they were building. It was a large five bedrooms but didn’t feel pretentious or over the top. And though it was quality, there were no marble floors or chandeliers. Instead, they had strategically placed rugs in the halls and other high-traffic areas that Crystal often used.

There were also pictures on the walls, mostly of Crystal, but there was one of all of us at Crystal’s first birthday party.

I stopped for a moment to look at that picture, Elias is in his shiny pink hat holding Crystal. Davit standing in the background with a huge smile on his face and his arm wrapped around Amy.

Me, standing less than a foot away from Elias, my own smile bright.

I remembered that day well, but seeing it now felt different.

Because it hit me that we looked like a family.

A happy one.

I couldn’t stop myself from imagining Elias holding his own child—our child—before I pushed the thought away.

That was just a moment in time.

It had nothing to do with reality, and I’d do well to always remember that.

Reminder in place, I went to Crystal’s play room and almost melted when she smiled at me and then toddled over.

She reached for me, and I picked her up, suddenly feeling emotional in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I said, my voice quiet, and I was sure it was filled with emotion.

She smiled, then put her soft, sticky baby hand on my cheek.

“How are you, Paulette?” I asked, looking over at the nanny.

She was sitting on the floor, arranging blocks for Crystal.

“I can’t complain, Ms. Kayla. How are you?”

“The same,” I said.

“Good to hear.”

Crystal, apparently bored of trying to pull my hair out of its bun, wiggled her way down. Then she toddled over to Paulette.

“Can you get me three green blocks and one orange block?” Paulette said to the baby.

Crystal didn’t appear to be paying attention, but I watched as she completed the tasks and then smiled up at Paulette, receiving the praise she expected.

“Great job, Crystal!”

“Paulette, do you mind if Kayla and I go talk?” Amy asked.

“Of course not.”

Amy hooked her arm in my elbow and then lead me to the living room.

I sat, and she disappeared and then returned with a tray that had water, soda, almonds, cheese squares, crackers, and prosciutto.