Lily and Olivia returned several hours later, Lily chattering excitedly as she skipped to the master bedroom where Alex was lying down in her bed and reading a book. "Mommy," she cried, jumping on the bed and curling up beside her mother. "Look what 'Livia buyed for me!" She held up an American Girl doll with long blonde hair and blue eyes. "Her name is Sara, like Sara Crewe in A Little Princess. 'Member when you readed that one to me? And 'Livia buyed me new clothes, and pajamas, and a coat, and new shoes! Look!" She showed her mother the shoes. "They light up when you stamp your feet, and see, they're pink! And my coat is really warm. It's purple. And 'Livia got me new princess sheets and we have pink paint, so we can paint my room this weekend, and 'Livia says I can help. We can all do it together! And we went to the library and got a bunch of books, and videos too! I got Magic Tree House and Little House on the Prairie. Will you read those ones with me?"

Alex smiled. "Sure, sweetie. I'm glad you had a good time."

Olivia came into the room and chuckled as Lily opened her mouth again. "Give your mommy a moment to breathe, Lil."

Alex shook her head. "It's okay. So did you go out for lunch?"

"Yeah! We went to a rest'raunt, the Olive Garden, I think it's called. I got spaghetti, and it was yummy! And 'Livia said it was okay for me to have a milkshake. And we got ice cream for dessert!"

Alex laughed. "I think you really are spoiling her, Liv."

Olivia shrugged. "Just a bit. She never had ice cream before."

Alex smiled weakly. "I know. It's fine."

Lily handed Alex a teddy bear. "I got this for you. Well, really 'Livia did, but I chose him."

"Thanks, sweetie," said Alex, kissing the crown of Lily's head. "So you can have your Minnie back."

Lily grinned and bounced on the bed. "I got a teddy, too, so ours are twins! What's yours called?"

"What did you name yours?"

"Teddy," said Lily, pulling out her own teddy bear and hugging him to her chest.

"Then why don't I call mine Theo?"

Lily giggled. "Theo and Teddy. I like it."

Olivia sat down on the bed beside Alex and started to gently rub her back. "You want to help Lily and I do her room this weekend?"

Alex nodded and kissed Olivia's cheek.

Olivia smiled. "Do you want to turn on a movie, Lily?"

"Yeah! Can we watch one of the princess ones?"

"Sure. We have Snow White, Aladdin, and Sleeping Beauty."

Lily giggled again. "Like Mommy!"

Alex laughed and tousled Lily's hair. "Like you."

"Well, not now."

"So is that what you want to watch?" asked Olivia.

Lily nodded and hugged her doll to her chest. When Olivia pressed play on the DVD player and went to lie down beside her, Lily snuggled close to both of her mothers. "Mommy," she said softly.

Alex kissed the crown of her head. "Yes, sweetheart?"

Lily smiled. "Mommy, I'm happy."

It brought tears to Olivia's eyes that such a proclamation would be so new, so raw, to both Alex's ears and her own. "I'm happy, too," said Alex quietly.

Lily looked up into Alex's eyes, crystal blues meeting crystal blues. "So you won't be sad anymore?"

Alex sighed. She didn't know what to say to that.

Lily gently rubbed Alex's back, and it made Olivia smile. Alex winced, and Lily's hand stilled on her mother's back. "No more bruises, Mommy," she whispered.

"No more bruises," agreed Alex in a low voice, glancing at Olivia.

"'Livia said no one's going to hurt you, ever."

"That's right," said Olivia softly, and kissed Alex's hair. "Never. I will never let anyone hurt either of my girls ever again."

"Mommy –"

Alex put a finger to her lips. "Just watch the movie, Lily."

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