The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 45

Chapter

45

I

After we sat down, the waiter handed us the menu to take our orders.

pizza, describing the toppings on each one.

She nodded eagerly. "Yummy."

After going through the options, I asked her, "Which one do you want to try?"

Willow blinked and replied, "I want them all."

decide. Zane surely doted on Willow. He turned to the waiter and said,

waiter replied

what?1 overheard my classmates talking about Zachary. He has been having

to pick him up. He has to wait at the school gate until after 9:00 pm every day." Kids couldn't hold back

chose a bad one instead." "Willow." I held her close. "Do you realize how

I continued, "So why should we waste time on

up, hugged me, and gave me a big kiss. "From now on,

finally looked up and observed me intently. After a moment, he teased Willow, "So, does that

answering hesitantly, "Um. I care about Daddy,

could tell she was just saying it, but he didn't mind. His usually stern face

no matter what she went through. But now, whether it was good or bad, she was willing to speakup. It was clear she was getting better, wasn't she? "Mommy." Zachary woke up from hunger. He knocked on Jessica's

"Wait a little

voice grew softer. Jessica had become so

up, walked over, and handed him her phone. "Order takeout if you want

retorted in a low voice,