Diane's POV
The drive home from the park was quiet, filled with the comfortable silence that can only exist between people who don't need to fill every moment with words. My mother hummed softly to an old song playing on the radio, her fingers tapping gently against the steering wheel.
My son and daughter. The words still felt unreal, magical in a way I hadn't expected.
As we pulled into Joan's driveway, I noticed her car was gone. She'd mentioned having to be in court today, though she'd expected to be home by early afternoon. My mother parked carefully, turning off the engine with a satisfied sigh.
"I'll bring in the cooler and your things," she said, reaching to the back seat. "You shouldn't be carrying anything heavy."
I smiled at her overprotectiveness but didn't argue. "I'll get the door, then."
As I stepped out of the car, fishing in my purse for Joan's house keys, my phone began to ring. I glanced at the screen and felt a small flutter of surprise.
