Olivia
The sound of power tools outside streamed in through the window while I folded the laundry, a distant backdrop to my swirling thoughts. I had grown used to the sound, and actually kind of enjoyed it. It was a reminder that life went on, that our family was growing.
It had been a couple of weeks since I had made the decision to take a temporary leave from work in order to really focus on my family—on rebuilding that long-severed bond with my mother—and I was glad I did. Somewhere downstairs, I could hear her murmuring softly to the twins.
Clarissa... Giselle.
My mind still stumbled over which name to call her, torn between honoring her lost past and accepting the new identity she had been forced to create. For her part, she had firmly stated her wish to continue goi
