I laughed and cried at once.

She watched the girls while I showered.

I emerged to find her humming beside their bassinets, telling them about the jacaranda trees outside.

That afternoon I reviewed our finances.

I had worked as a payroll specialist before the pregnancy, then reduced my hours when complications required bed rest.

Brandon’s cruise line paid a regular salary into our joint account.

We had never been wealthy, but we’d had enough to save a little.

Except our savings weren’t what I remembered.