Chapter 18

Maddie

"Happy birthday to Aiden and Caleb." Myself, Maeve, and their nanny sang to them as I held a cake.

My babies are six years old. Six years of adding peace and strength to my life.

"Make a wish and blow the candle, babies." I encouraged them.

"Oof, oof." They both blew out the candle.

"Tell Mama what you wish for." I said, smiling at them.

"I wished for a robot." Aiden said, and I laughed. He always wants more robots.

"What about you, baby?" I looked at Caleb, who had his head; he was never shy.

"Come on, baby, tell Mama."

"I wished for a daddy, Mama." My heart skipped a bit at the words Caleb said.

"All my friends have Daddy; why can't I?" He said, still heads down.

You know, for a six-year-old, he is unbelievably smart. I wonder where that comes from.

"Caleb," I said gently, "I know it can be hard sometimes to not have a daddy like all your friends do. But you know what? You have me. And I love you more than anything in the world. You and Aiden are my whole world, and I couldn'