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shoulders and hugged me. “It’s okay, baby. She loves us. She’s just . . . slower with some things.”
    â€œRight. We’ll see what the doctors here think. D.C. has really good doctors.”
    â€œYes.” He kissed my head. “Let’s get cleaned up and ready to face the day.”
    â€œI wish I knew why she wanted that mirror so much more than she wants us.” I hadn’t meant to say this aloud. But sometimes the words slipped out.
    We didn’t talk about what was wrong with Jamie much, because it made Charles defensive for reasons I didn’t understand and that meant we would fight, even though I hadn’t meant to start a fight. We only really fought about Jamie, and never because we weren’t in agreement for what to do—because we both had no idea—but because we were both so worried about her.
    But this didn’t seem to upset him. “Well, maybe she just wants to look at the prettiest girl in the world all the time.” He stroked my cheek. “I know I do. All the time.”
    â€œFlattery will get you everywhere.”
    â€œYeah? Will it get me lucky in the shower?”
    â€œScrub my back and you can have me any way you want me.”
    He grinned. “Never let it be said that I don’t take advantage of the best deals offered.”

CHAPTER 6
    S HOWERED AND DRESSED, we headed downstairs. While I adored living in Australia and missed all our friends there the moment we got onto the jet to leave, I loved our home in D.C., too.
    Charles and I had grown up in Phoenix, and I’d always figured that’s where we’d live and raise our family. But life had led elsewhere. We spent half the year in Australia and half in the U.S., and we’d had to settle on the East Coast for Charles’ job at the think tank. So all of us—Dad, Peter, and James included—had dual citizenship. Charles said that it was worth paying extra taxes if that meant cutting down on the hassles of inter-country travel and living.
    Fortunately, we had plenty of money. Charles was a self-made multi-millionaire several times over, both in business and in the stock market. So we lived well, albeit not lavishly.
    We probably could have lived in a ritzier neighborhood, but I’d fallen in love with Colonial Village the first time I’d seen it. Back then, just as now, it was beautiful—streets lined with incredibly well-maintained, gorgeous homes and beautiful, mature landscapes, butted up against Rock Creek Park. The neighborhood was safe, the people who lived in it pleasant and friendly, and I could honestly say that when we arrived, every time, it was truly like coming home.
    My dad, James, and the kids were all in the dining room by the time we got downstairs. Dad came over and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Feeling a little better today, kitten?” he asked me quietly.
    â€œYeah, I think we all are. How are you doing?”
    He hugged me. “As well as always.”
    â€œSol’s complaining that I’m hogging the kids,” James said. He was still the handsomest man I’d ever seen, even handsomer than Charles. Which explained why he was the top male fashion model in the world. Jamie was snuggled in his lap and the boys were hanging off of him. James flashed us his cover boy grin. “Oh, and, morning, you two. We were all wondering if you were going to sleep forever.”
    â€œWe were, but then we realized that you’re a diva and would demand we witness you stealing our children’s affections,” Charles said with a grin.
    â€œAgain,” I added.
    â€œAnd to think I gave you control of my career.” James shook his head. “It’s a miracle I can afford to eat.”
    â€œAnd we force you to live with us, too, don’t forget that,” I added. “Because we want to make sure you’re going to pay for the kids’ educations. They love you best after