She has a husband now, a baby, too. So do you, and you should both be happy because these are the things that every little girl dreams of. And you are happy, aren't you, Alice?
You pretend to be. You smile when Frank kisses you, you laugh and clap during your son's milestones, but you feel guilty.
This is not your dream. Cozy little houses and loving little husbands never were part of your plan.
You want auburn hair and pretty green eyes. You want to be her first kiss in the morning and her last kiss goodnight.
Sometimes, she looks at you, and you can see it in her eyes. She's happy enough, just like you. Content and willing to settle.
But, in those shades of green, you see lingering doubt. You see questions left unspoken.
What if? What could have been?