Shattered Pieces

Four

"Caprisun!" My smile widens as the now nine-year-old skips into the house, happy as ever.

"Hi, Liv. Missed you." She walks over, phone in hand and AirPods in. Gone is the eager five-year-old who was a bundle of the most refreshing energy.

She's followed by a practically grown ass man who claims to be Dillon. It had only been three months since Spencer and I left Louisiana for Arizona, and somehow Dillon had aged five years.

"Liv, honey. It's so nice to see you. We miss you around the house." D'Angelo offers me a soft smile.

"We sure do. And we really miss my favorite tiny person." The world's best mother-in-law finally comes into view, and I run to her, hugging her.

"Mama Grace, God, I've missed you." I sigh as her arms wrap tight her around me. "Where's my husband?" I look around for the only missing member of the Carter/James clan.

"He went to drop our things off at the Condo." Dillon quickly answers.

"Yea. Ya know, because your mom hates my mom and all." Capri quickly adds. Her commentary certainly hasn't changed despite her age.

"Capri." D'Angelo snaps his eyes to her, eyes narrowing.

Ms. Grace slowly drops her head, and my heart breaks for her. D'Angelo cups her chin and quickly raises her head back up, softening his gaze and then subtly shaking his head in disapproval. He places a gentle kiss on her lips, and her shoulders relax a little bit.

I would move heaven and earth for my mom. There may have been times when she was absent, but she did her best, and I know she loves me. I also love Ms. Grace. There isn't a single day that goes by where I don't talk to her. For four years, she was basically my mom. Sometimes I wanted to be angry with her out of respect for my mom, but I just couldn't bring myself to hate her.

Maybe I could relate to her a little bit. After all, I'd also made a mistake. I'd also shared stolen moments with someone else's partner. I'd creeped my way into the footnotes of another couple's story. I'd also left another woman in ruins. How could I possibly judge Grace Carter?

Also, there's just that. I only know Grace Carter. I know the incredibly kind, selfless, amazing wife and mother. I don't know Grace James, the woman who slept with my father. I really hope one day my mom can move past that. Asking for friendship seems like a fool's game, but I think they could get along.

Grayson sounds over the baby monitor, and before I can even register his cries, his Gigi has already sprung into action heading up the stairs.

"Capri, I have to head out to the dance studio soon to make sure everything is going according to schedule. Do you want to go?"

She immediately lit up, showing a semblance of the joyful five-year-old I instantly fell in love with. She's been dancing since I came into her life, and she's damn good at it. This past dance season, she was the overall highest performing solo at nationals and even has a small following on her YouTube, where she often just improvs dances in her home studio.

Yes, home studio. The Carters go all out to support their kids. Once they realized Capri was serious about dance, D'Angelo converted his home office into a home studio for her. That's why I'm not worried about the kind of father Spencer will be. Outside of the fact that he's already incredible at it, his example is as good as it gets.

"Liv. I'd love to see your studio at some point while we're here." Ms. Grace returns with my cheeky boy on her hip.

"Of course, after your mother has seen it." She quickly adds right as I'm about to invite her to come with me this morning.