Motherly Rituals

Mira and Elizabeth were both in the living room at Mira and Douglas's home. Elizabeth was playing Candyland with Aaron and Emily. Katie wasn't quite ready for that yet.

"Pattycake, pattycake, baker's man," Mira said, playing the old kid's game. "Bake me a cake as fast as you can!" Katie broke out into laughter, and Mira picked her up and hugged her tight.

"You're so good with her," Elizabeth said, a little envious.

"Thanks ... I just wish I had one where I could see myself in her, you know. If we had a surrogate, it'd be just Douglas's DNA in the child ... and we already have three of those."

"Well, you could father the child ..." Elizabeth said pointedly.

"Yeah, but I'd hate for it to be so clinical that's it's practically anonymous. And you know, we're in South Carolina. How many women would willingly be knocked up by a Thai transsexual?"