Page 152 of Scars and Crowns

She's watching me over the top of her book. "Yes?"

"Are you thinking too much?"

I smile. "Probably."

She nods wisely. "You do that."

Anamika laughs. "She gets that from me."

"No," I say. "You worry too much. I think too much. There is a difference."

She turns toward me. "Is there?"

"No."

She smiles.

Outside the study windows, the afternoon sun has begun its slow descent, spilling gold across the garden. Somewhere beyond the glass, birds are making a ridiculous amount of noise in the trees. Sara turns a page. Anamika shifts in her chair and winces when the baby moves.

I immediately look up. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Was that a kick?"

"Yes."

I stand. "Can I—?"

She smiles and reaches for my hand. I kneel beside her again, placing my palm carefully against the curve of her stomach. For a few seconds, nothing happens.

Then—A tiny movement beneath my hand.

I stop breathing.

Anamika looks down at me. "Did you feel that?"

I nod. I don't trust my voice. No matter how many times I experience this, it still leaves me a bit speechless. Another small kick comes beneath my palm. And somehow, after everything, it still feels impossible. There is a child in there. Our child.

Someone who doesn't even know our names yet. Someone who has never seen this palace or the garden or the bookshop. Someone who hasn't met Sara, hasn't been given their first flower. But they are already loved.

Completely.

Before we've even seen their face.

"Do you think they'll look like me?" Anamika asks softly.

"I hope so."

She raises an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because then I'll get to fall in love with your face all over again."

She rolls her eyes. "That was terrible."

"You smiled."

Sara looks up from her book. "Are you flirting again?"