“Nina,” Arthur says, “I see that little Eugenia has a rather perfectly round head now, so that must be quite a relief for you.”
Nina smiles, then her eyebrows knit together in confusion and I can tell she’s trying to work out if he’s being sincere or being an arse. “Yes, well, they all end up round. It only takes a few days.”
“Right. That’s spectacular, really, because she really did have quite the cone, didn’t she? And now...perfect.” He grins at the toddler, who shoves a gooey fish cracker in her mouth with one chubby palm. “Hello, Eugenia,” he coos. “Are you having some fishy crackers?”
She smiles back at him, letting us all see what she’s been gumming in there. Even one-year-old girls can’t seem to resist my husband’s attention. I look over at him and see he’s equally taken with her, and my heart does a little dance knowing how adorable he’ll be with our own baby. I can just imagine him, no shirt on, sitting on the window seat in our sitting room, holding her—or him, I suppose—gently against his chest. Oh, it’ll be so romantic and dreamy, just like those fab black and white posters of hot shirtless men holding babies. Only better, because it’ll be real.
I reach over and put my hand on his, giving it a squeeze. Arthur turns quickly and whispers, “Are you going to be sick? Do you need me to clear a path?”
“No, I just love you, is all.”
He smiles and gives me a quick peck on the lips, one suitable for a family dinner. “Should we spill the beans?”
I nod. “Let’s do it.”
“We already did. Now, it’s time to share the news. Me or you?”
“You go. You’re so good at speeches.”
He stands and holds up his wine glass, then taps it with his knife. “Excuse me, Sharpes. Tessa and I have an announcement to make, and we wanted you to be the first to find out our happy news.”
“You’re having a baby, then, eh?” my brother Bram calls from the end of the table, his mouth full of mashed potato.
Arthur’s face falls. “Well, yes, actually.”
“Called it!” He holds his hand out to Finn, who rolls his eyes, takes a tenner out of his wallet, and pays up. “He agreed with Lars that you probably had a drinking problem, but not me, Tess. I said, ‘No way Tessa’s an alky. She’s gone and got herself knocked up.’”
I sigh and nod. “Well, thank you, Bram, for believing in me.”
He holds up his beer and gives me a wink while my mother bursts into loud, happy sobs. “My little girl is going to bring the next reigning monarch into the world!”
She and my dad stand and motion for us to come over for hugs. My dad is looking a little teary himself as he shakes Arthur’s hand, then pulls me in for a smoked ham hug, which makes me gag loudly.
My mum is next, hugging me so tightly, I feel like my ribs might crack, then I’m peppered with questions coming from all around the room so fast, I can’t keep up.
“So,that’swhy you were sick! How far along are you?”
“Only six weeks, so I don’t want to announce it to the world yet. Family only for now.”
“In my day, we wouldn’t even tell our husbands until the second trimester,” my mum says. “You young women are so much more open about these things.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
“Oh, it’s not a compliment. I think it’s a huge mistake.”
"Enjoy sleeping while you still can," Nina says, gripping Lars’ arm. The two of them burst into laughter.
"And sneezing without peeing your pants a little," Isa adds.
Peeing a little? Is that a guarantee, or could I somehow avoid that?
"Oh, Isa, I think that's the first time Tessa's heard that one,” Nina says. “Better get on those Kegels."
Poppy pipes up from the kids’ table. “Mum, what are Kegels, and why does Auntie Tessa need to get on them?”
My face flames with embarrassment while Lars gives his wife a dirty look. Turning to Poppy, he says, “Something you’ll have to do if you don’t eat enough vegetables. Now be quiet and eat up.”
“Have you booked with Dr. Dropp yet?”
