In “That’s Not How It Happened,” Craig Thomas’s latest novel, Paige McConnell used to be a successful investigative journalist. Her husband, Rob, was a notable Hollywood screenwriter and script doctor with a hit rom-com to his credit. All of that changed when their son, Emmett, was born with Down syndrome.
The couple loved their son deeply and took steps to ensure his lifelong needs were met. Ultimately, that meant relocating back to New York from LA, putting both of their careers on hold, and doing whatever they could to pay for Emmett’s medical needs. They later had a second, “neurotypical” child, Darcy, who grew up admiring her big brother but also wanting to protect him.
