Shattered Pieces

Epilogue

I watch in amusement from our family room as the refrigerator door opens and closes.

She pours a glass of water and grabs a seat at the kitchen island, completely relaxed.

The light from her phone shines through the darkness as she giggles at something. I can't help but smile as the carefree sound escapes her lips, even though she's trying to be quiet.

"What's his name?"

A thud echoes as her phone clashes with the counter. I'm sure she's jerked her head in my direction, but it's too dark to tell for sure.

"Mom?!"

"Aaliyah." There's much less confusion in my voice than hers.

"You, uh... you should be sleeping." Her nervousness is almost palpable as she struggles to get her words out.

"Funny, sweetheart. I was thinking the same thing about you. Imagine my surprise when I found your bed empty." I turn on the lamp beside me, and my beautiful girl finally comes into view.

Her curls fall right above her shoulder. I cried the day she decided to cut 16 years of perfectly crafted curls off. Maybe it's because the haircut makes her look so grown up. I can't handle any of my kids growing up.

"Does daddy know?" She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, anxiously looking between me and the floor.

"Your dad is fast asleep and believes his baby girl is tucked in bed, so nope, princess. The only parent you're answering to right now is mom."

"Trevor. His name is Trevor. I swear, mom, this is the first time I've ever snuck out."

"This week." I correct her.

"What?" She practically whispers.

"This is the first time, this week. It's probably best that you just stop talking if you plan to continue to lie to me."

"Please don't tell daddy."

"Again, with all this concern about your dad when right now you're dealing with me." I chuckle.

"It's what girls my age do, mom. I promise we just hang out in the park, nothing crazy."

"Aaliyah." I walk toward our girl and wipe away the smudged lipstick beneath her lips. "I know exactly what hanging out in the park looks like."

"Mom."

"You have an appointment scheduled tomorrow with my OBGYN; it's right after school. Don't be late. Then, you're taking Luca to his soccer practice. Other than when I say so, that gorgeous Porsche you conned your father into buying will stay parked in the garage. Understood?"

"But Mom!"

"I'm exhausted. I've been waiting up a long time for you. I suggest you get some sleep as well. Your dad may be sound asleep at this moment, but soon he's going to reach out to pull me closer to him, and I promise you, Leah girl, if he doesn't feel me next to him, he'll be awake in no time."

"Gross, mom. I get it. Bed, school, doctors, Luca."

"Do not pass go. Do not collect 200." I wink at her.

"Very funny." She rolls her eyes and slumps her shoulders as she heads up the stairs.

I decide to keep this from Spencer for now. He will absolutely lose it, and Aaliyah is otherwise the perfect kid. Straight-A student, she's so helpful with her siblings, and she hardly does anything besides dance and school.

I'm back in bed for all of fifteen minutes before my husband wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. Snuggled in his arms, my eyes finally close, and I give in to the sleep I've been fighting for the past few hours.