Aiyana FIVE YEARS LATER “Wave to Daddy as he goes by,” I urge Luciana and Jean-Paul as the Zamboni comes by. Luciana is four years old with a crown of glossy dark brown curls and large mahogany doe eyes, and she stands on a green carpeted bench next to me within arm’s reach if she gets too feisty and tries to jump down. Jean-Paul sits on my hip, gumming her giraffe teething toy, his head a messy, nearly-black mane like his daddy’s. I’m constantly carrying a little comb around in my purse, trying to keep his thick, unruly locks in order. “Bonjour, mes enfants!” Jean-Claude greets coming to a stop…

Fletcher Eight Months Later I shake my head, staring at Anton Horowitz’s latest ECG results. “Your ejection fraction rate has improved mightily. I almost can’t believe it. Fifty-three percent. You’re approaching the stats of a normally functioning heart. It’s impressive.†“Thank you,†the old man says with an extravagant smile. His daughter, Georgia, sits next to him. She reaches over, patting his hand. “Good job, Dad. I couldn’t be prouder of all that you’ve accomplished this past year.†He shrugs. “Eating right, exercising, taking the medicines doc’s got me on. Yeah, I feel like I could climb a mountain or something.†“Living at sixty-five hundred feet is the equivalent of…

Jerry One Week Later Delilah’s face flushes when she sees Stacey and me come out of the baggage area with our luggage. Stacey’s got a brand-new plum-colored carry-on and rolling suitcase filled with a wardrobe purchased in Sin City. I lost count how much of it is made up of sexy, lacy bra and panty sets, and I’ll never forget the dressing room escapade that required Sharpie commemoration. I feel hot under the collar just thinking about it.  “Congratulations, you two!†she exclaims running over to hug Stacey and then me, her face radiating joy. “Sounds like I owe you a massive thank you for making this happen, Dee,†I…

Farzad Five Years Later “Who’s ready to go Christmas tree hunting?†I ask, laughing warmly at the precious scene unfolding before my eyes.  Shelby has Adam, our four-year-old, bundled up so tightly in a snow suit, scarf, mittens, knit cap, and boots that he can barely bend his knees and elbows. His cheeks glow red, giving the impression he’s burning up despite our snow-covered front yard. But none of this bothers him as he claps his hands together, screaming, “I’m ready, Daddy!†His bright gold and green eyes shine, reminding me of myself at his age. But Ariana, our two-year-old, is all Shelby—round faced with stunning almond eyes the color…

Hawk Six Years Later Our children stand in line by height, leaning against one of the ranch fences for family photos. Eli poses tall and proud at five years old, his ebony hair a messy mane, despite all of the work his mama put into detangling his head.  Next is Tayanita, two years younger and a few inches shorter. Her tight black braids whip back and forth keeping time with her fidgeting. Last is Scott, a chubby one-year-old with fat cheeks and thick, straight black ebony locks, who excels at blowing kisses, making raspberry noises, and contagious belly laughs. Every time the photographer gets them lined up perfectly, Roxy and…

Lily Five Months Later Fifteen minutes into the first look, Turner eyeballs the photographer and says, “We’re done here.†“Wait,†the confused thirty-something man with brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses looks confused. “You have me booked for an hour.†Turner nods confidently. “Don’t worry. You’ll be paid for the full hour with a hefty tip, if you do me a favor.†“And what’s that?†the photographer asks, still looking flabbergasted. The grumpy cowboy pulls a wad of cash out of his back pocket, not even counting it, and hands it to the guy. “I want you to ensure nobody enters this tent until I come out. You hear me?†The…

Bijou Three Months Later My breath catches in my throat as I watch my handsome blond cowboy round the front of his 1970 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, wearing his white Stetson, a polished pair of brown boots, dark wash Wranglers, and a dress shirt and black coat.  Opening my door, he offers me his hand with a boyish grin. “Are you ready?† “I’ve been ready for more than five years, baby,†I reply, flashing an ear-to-ear smile.  Once I stand, he pauses, drinking me in until his azure eyes well with tears. “You’re breathtaking. I don’t know what I did to get this lucky, but I’m going to spend the…