Because they had treated me like an afterthought. Like a technicality. Like motherhood was something I would receive after the important decisions had already been made.
They were wrong.
I lifted Sophia from the water and wrapped her in a towel, tucking it under her chin. She made a soft, offended sound, and Daniel laughed despite himself. It was shaky, but real.
I pressed my lips to the top of her damp head.
No one would ever decide again whether I counted.
I already did.
