Chapter 47

Alice stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down her best blouse for the hundredth time. Her stomach was doing flip-flops, a mix of excitement and nerves making her hands shake slightly.

"You can do this," she told her reflection, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "You've got this, Alice."

From the living room, she heard Charlie's happy babbles. The sound made her smile, easing some of the tension in her shoulders. She walked out to find her son playing with his favorite stuffed elephant, drool dribbling down his chin.

"Oh, Charlie," Alice laughed, grabbing a tissue to wipe his face. "What am I going to do with you, huh?"

Charlie responded with a toothless grin, his chubby hands reaching for her face. Alice scooped him up, breathing in his baby smell. For a moment, all her worries melted away.

"Wish Mommy luck, sweetie," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Today's a big day for both of us."

She set Charlie back down and checked her watch. It was time to go. Alice