Valentine's Day 1946

Lillian loved this time of day. Her work on the book illustrations finished for the day, dinner in the oven and already filling the apartment with a cozy aroma, the boys and Charles on their way home, and Charlotte – fresh from her nap and fed – full of energy and eager to play.

She sat on the couch holding Charlotte. All the little hallmarks of babyhood for Tommy and Gabriel were coming back to her. At four months old, Charlotte enjoyed this upright position, bouncing tentatively on her chubby legs.

“What a big girl you are!” Lillian laughed when Charlotte’s bouncing ended in a delighted collapse. Lillian lifted her high and kissed her tiny feet.

She kept a close eye on the clock as she awaited the arrival of Tommy and Gabriel from their volunteer evening at the hospital. They were with Henry, so she wasn’t worried. Still, she never fully relaxed until everyone was home again – like a mother hen with her wings spread around her brood.