I carefully shut my laptop and slide off the stool, then lower myself onto the sofa instead of the floor because I am pregnant and not made of rubber.
Lucy immediately scampers back to her seat, satisfied. Geoff shifts the coffee table a little closer without comment, making space for me like it’s instinct rather than thought.
I put the tiara on. The necklace too. There is no half-arsing this.
Geoff looks between us, cape pooled around his knees, crumbs on his T-shirt, and laughs softly. Not teasing. Just… content.
Lucy pushes a plate towards me with great ceremony.
I sit there, plastic jewellery digging into my collarbone, fairy cake in hand, watching the two of them together, and that warm feeling spreads again.
Lucy looks between Geoff and me, eyes bright with the sort of curiosity that never comes without consequences.
“So,” she says, drawing the word out. “What’s the baby called?”
Geoff and I glance at each other.
“We don’t know yet,” he says.
“No name,” I add. “Not yet.”
Lucy frowns. “But she’s coming soon.”
“Yes,” Geoff agrees. “But we have a little time left.”
Lucy leans back, hands on her knees, thinking hard. I can almost hear the gears turning.
“Okay,” she says finally. “I have ideas.”
“Let's hear them,” I say.
She counts on her fingers. “Princess Strawberry.”
Geoff nods solemnly. “Strong start.”
“Rainbow Unicorn,” Lucy continues.
I tilt my head. “That’s more of a double-barrelled situation.”
“And,” she adds, lowering her voice like she’s about to reveal a state secret, “Cupcake.”
Geoff presses a hand to his mouth. “That one feels… personal.”
Lucy beams. “Because she’s sweet.”
“That is a compelling argument,” I admit.
She looks at me seriously. “You have to choose one.”
“We might need to think about it,” I say gently.
Lucy sighs, the weight of responsibility heavy on her small shoulders. “Fine. But not Princess Sparkle. That one is mine.”
Geoff laughs, tipping back onto his hands. “Understood.”
Lucy sips more tea, satisfied that the matter is at least temporarily handled.
I take another bite of fairy cake and glance at Geoff. He catches my eye, still smiling, still completely at ease with a tiara slipping down his forehead.
