Beverly's POV

Emma knocked over her tower of blocks for the third time and shrieked with laughter. The sound filled our living room like sunshine breaking through clouds.

"Again!" she demanded while clapping her pudgy hands together. "Mama, again!"

I stacked the blocks once more and watched her wobble toward them on unsteady toddler legs. She was growing so fast it made my chest ache.

Walking. Talking in simple sentences. Developing a personality that was equal parts my stubbornness and ...