“Aye,” she said. “Here and now.”
Thalia leaned over and tucked a small flower behind her sister’s ear. “There, now ye’re wearing something crazy.”
Caden turned to Ava, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Should I be concerned?”
“Probably,” Ava said lightly, with a wink and a smile.
She had been hiding a secret for some time, and now was finally ready to share it.
Nathan scooted closer, practically vibrating. “Tell it, Ma.”
Ava took a deep breath. Her fingers curled into the blanket, which did not escape Thalia’s notice. As always.
“This story,” she began slowly, “is about our family.”
Nathan grinned broadly. “I like those. They’re me favorite, Ma.”
“Aye.” Ava smiled at him. “I ken ye do.”
She rested a hand on her belly, the motion small but unmistakable.
Thalia’s breath caught, and she clapped her hands over her mouth. Caden noticed too, his attention sharpening instantly.
“In this story,” Ava continued, “there’s a brave boy who once fought off a terrible fever. Once he survived it, he decided that the world was meant to be lived loudly.”
“That’s me,” Nathan declared proudly, puffing out his chest like a man ready for battle.
“Aye, lad,” Ava agreed. “And there’s a laird who thought his heart was made of stone.”
Thalia snorted softly.
“Och,” Caden scoffed.
“What?” Thalia laughed. “It’s true!”
Caden shot Ava a desperate look. “I’m surrounded.”
“And lucky for it,” Thalia quipped.
Ava rolled her eyes. “Can I finish me story without ye two bickering?”
They muttered their apologies, knowing they would start bickering again soon.
Ava took another deep breath. “One day, this family learns that it’s about to grow.”
Nathan frowned. “Grow how?”
Ava met his eyes. “Soon, ye’ll have a braither or sister.”
The silence that followed was full of growing understanding and joy.
Nathan blinked, piecing her words together. “A bairn?”
“Aye.” Ava grinned, glowing in the sunlight.
“For us?” He rose to his feet, vibrating with excitement.
“For us.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Everything made her cry lately.
