CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

ONE YEAR LATER----FIVE YEARS SINCE----MARIN'S TURNING FOUR AND THE TWINS ARE TURNING THREE. Lizzie would have been a sophomore in college.

It's been five years since Lizzie's suicide. It seems so long ago, but it also seems like yesterday. Oh, how things have changed! As I walk up to the gravesite, I realize that we've been through so much in such a short time: Lizzie committed suicide five years ago, we welcomed three new children into our family, Jo battled cancer for three years, Matt developed and overcame a drug problem, and now he and Melina are engaged and are expecting a baby girl any day now.

"Lizzie, your mother has stayed in remission, and got to stop chemo six months ago. She looks so good; not gaunt anymore. Her hair has grown back. It's quite long and wavy. I love it. I know you'd think she's really stylish. She keeps it just past her shoulders now. I'm so grateful that so far, she's beaten the cancer; her prognosis was poor, at best, when she was first diagnosed. Looking at pictures and home movies these past five years, it's hard to believe we've made it through so much. Your mom feels like she missed so much of Marin's and the twins' babyhood and early preschool years because of the cancer. Matt and I had to take over most of the household chores and childcare.

Your brother has come a long way from being the energetic prankster of a kid who drove you crazy. He's really grown up in a lot of ways. He, Melina and Lanny got into drugs their freshman year. It was really bad last year. Your mom and I fought like cats and dogs about it. Unfortunately, it was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. Your mom and I nearly divorced. But, we got through it. I think our marriage is stronger than ever. Anyway, back to your brother. His senior year has been fast paced. Yes, he's graduating early. He's going to college next year and getting married this summer. That's so hard to believe he's going to be a husband and father this year. They're expecting a girl. I nearly went ballistic when they told me. They're going to name her after you and your mother, sweetheart, Elizabeth JoAnn, and call her "Bethany." You're going to be an aunt, Lizzie. I know, you're wondering when he got interested in girls. He and Melina have been dating all through high school. She's been good for him, a calming influence. Okay, that sounds like a contradiction in terms, since she was just as hyper and sneaky as he was. They're still best friends with Lanny; he's still not much of a talker. Does that guy ever say anything?

Miranda and Gordo have been good friends to us. Your sisters and youngest brother and their kids are playmates. It's funny, they remind me of you three. Marin and Lizzie are best friends, and David and the twins will probably be best friends too. Miranda and Gordo have been married nearly two years. Marin and Lizzie were their flowergirls. Matt and Melina were their honor attendants. I know Miranda would have wanted you as her maid or matron of honor. We really missed you a lot that day. Still, your friends looked so happy and their wedding was gorgeous.

Speaking of your sisters and youngest brother, Marin reminds me so much of you. She looks so much like you, it's incredible. Brooke is just as hyper and silly as Matt was at three; they're like Pete and Repeat. Ben's a quiet kid, one of those wise souls. He's content to just take in the world around him. Sometimes I wonder if he's really ours. Neither you nor Matt were quiet kids." I look at my watch. "Lizzie, I need to go pick up the kids from preschool. Your mother should be stopping by later on today. I love you, princess."

I get the kids home from preschool. Matt is escorting Melina down the stairs. "Dad, Melina's in labor. Meet us at the hospital as soon as you can." They race off. I call the next door neighbor to watch the kids and try to get a hold of Jo. Her cell phone's off, so I leave a message and head to the hospital. I can't believe I'm about to be a grandfather. "Oh, Lizzie, I wish you were here for this. I know you would have loved your niece. I don't know why you did it, but I hope you're happy and at peace now. I love you, princess."

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A/N----Next, is "Dear Lizzie," from Miranda's POV.