Chapter 9 - The Family Portrait
Six months after the courtroom battle, Mercer County park was bathed in the warm, golden light of early autumn.
The air was crisp, smelling of fallen leaves and woodsmoke. A professional photographer knelt on the grass, clicking away with a digital camera while trying to capture the attention of a very active one-year-old toddler.
Sophie sat in the grass wearing a pink sweater and denim overalls, clutching a small stuffed rabbit in one hand and giggling hysterically as a golden retriever bounded past.
Behind her, Claire laughed, her arms wrapped around Ethan’s waist as he held her close against his chest.
“She’s starting to look just like you,” Ethan murmured into Claire’s hair, watching Sophie try to eat a leaf.
“God help us all,” Claire joked, turning around in his arms to wrap her hands around his neck. “A miniature version of me combined with your stubbornness is going to terrorize this city in about fifteen years.”
“I’m counting on it,” Ethan smiled, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her lips.
Across the park, Maya sat on a picnic blanket, watching them with a wide grin and shaking her head in disbelief. “Still can’t believe you texted a billionaire about baby formula,” Maya yelled out across the grass.
May you like
Claire laughed, looking up at the man who had changed her world.
“Neither can I, Maya,” Claire called back. “Neither can I.”
