My Mother-in-Law Told My One-Year-Old Daughter Not to Become Like Her Mother. By Midnight, We Learned Who Had Really Been Living Off Someone Else.

“No.”

Then she looked toward the garden room.

“I’m not letting Mom become the most important thing that happened today.”
So we went back.

We finished the presents.

Sophie fell asleep against my shoulder.

We thanked everyone.

Loaded the car.

Took home an obscene quantity of cake.

At 8:57 that night, Lauren finally put Sophie to bed.

I went downstairs.

The embroidered apron sat on our kitchen island.

I was staring at Sophie’s name when my phone buzzed.

Paige.

Can I come over?

Now?

Her reply appeared immediately.

Yes.