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“There she is,” Sandy says, her voice tinged with a breathy whisper that I take to be wistful We’ve spoken a lot about how she feels not to be raising Sophie, and there is a lot to unpack I think it’s inevitable that Sandy will hold sorets If she’d been older and if I had been around, she never would have agreed to Suzanne adopting our baby But that wasn’t the circuirl the best start and given her sister the greatest blessing There is comfort in that, and a sense of pride too I think the burden is easier noe’ve talked about what faht look like for us in the future Kids are very much a part of that However many Sandy is prepared to have

“You ready?” she asks

“As I’ll ever be” With a deep breath, I throw open the door and e sunshine I walk side by side with Sandy up the driveway, and e get closer, Sophie leaves Suzanne’s side and runs to her as fast as her little legs will carry her

“Auntie San San,” she says as Sandy bends to give her the kind of cuddle that squeezes tight Sandy’s eyes are closed, and so are Sophie’s, and the ache in reat Then Sophie pulls away and looks up at me

“You look likebetween her eyebrows I laugh in a big bubbling way that feels like light strea out of my chest

“I knoesome is that”

“We have the same eyes” She presses a hand over one closed lid like a pirate’s patch

“Eyes like eht hand out “I’m Tyler Pleased to meet you”

Sophie takes ently, her soft little hand so small in mine that I’m scared to squeeze it in case I hurt her This is the first tihter The first tiainst mine, and it’s beautiful

“Moave Auntie San San your seed so that she couldher head to one side I’ain

“Yes, I did” Glancing at Sandy, I can see a in her eyes “Auntie San San is just aweso seeds, isn’t she?”

Sophie puts her hand on Sandy’s tu too,” Sophie says “That’s why I look like you so much”