Chapter Twenty-Two: THE FIRST WORD
Marcus's first word came on a rainy Tuesday. Nothing special about the day. Grey skies. Puddles forming on the balcony. Lily at preschool, learning to write her name. Declan in meetings, conquering the business world. Just me and Marcus, home alone, playing with blocks. He'd been babbling for weeks. Da-da-da. Ma-ma-ma. Ba-ba-ba. The usual sounds babies make when they're figuring out how language works. But this time was different. He looked up at me. Reached out. And said, clear as anything: "Mama." I froze. "Did you—" My voice caught. "Did you just say—" "Mama." He grinned. Proud of himself. "Mama, mama, mama." I scooped him up, crying, laughing, holding him so tight. "Yes, baby. Mama. I'm Mama." He patted my face. "Mama." I called Declan immediately. "You need to come home.
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