Christabel woke up sick.
Not the flu.
Not a cold.
Something else.
Something that made her heart race and her hands shake.
She took a test.
And everything changed.
---
The nausea came out of nowhere.
She was in the kitchen, making coffee. The smell hit her like a wave. Her stomach lurched. She dropped the cup. It shattered on the floor.
Damien was beside her in an instant.
"What happened?"
"I don't know."
"You're pale."
"I feel sick."
"Let me call the doctor."
"No."
"Christabel—"
"Not yet."
---
She walked to the bathroom.
Closed the door.
Leaned against the counter.
Her hands were shaking.
Her heart was pounding.
She knew.
She didn't know how she knew.
But she knew.
---
The test was under the sink.
Leftover from last time. From the months of trying. From the months of disappointment.
She pulled it out.
Stared at it.
Just do it.
She peed on the stick.
Set it on the counter.
Waited.
---
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three.
She couldn't look.
She paced the bathroom.
Counted the tiles.
Watched the clock.
Please.
Please.
Please.
---
She looked.
Two lines.
Pink. Clear. Unmistakable.
She stared at them.
Her hands were shaking.
Her eyes were wet.
"Damien."
---
She opened the door.
He was standing in the hallway.
His face was pale.
"What is it?"
She held up the test.
Two lines.
He stared at them.
Then at her.
Then at the test.
"Are you—"
"Yes."
"Pregnant?"
"Yes."
---
He pulled her into his arms.
Held her tight.
"I love you."
"I know."
"I love you so much it terrifies me."
She touched his face.
"I know. Because I love you the same way."
---
They stayed in the hallway for a long time.
Holding each other.
Crying.
Laughing.
"We're having another baby."
"We're having another baby."
"Lena's going to be a big sister."
"She's going to be so happy."
"She's going to be so jealous."
"Same thing."
"Different intention."
---
The first call was to Dr. Reid.
"I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations."
"I'm terrified."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Fear means you're paying attention."
---
The second call was to Sarah.
"Guess what?"
"You're pregnant?"
"How did you know?"
"Because you sound happy. Really happy. Not fake happy."
"I am happy."
"I'm happy for you."
---
The third call was to Lena.
Not on the phone. In person.
Christabel knelt in front of her daughter.
"Baby, Mama has a secret."
Lena looked at her.
"A secret?"
"Yes. A big secret."
"What is it?"
"You're going to be a big sister."
Lena tilted her head.
"What's a big sister?"
"It means you're going to have a baby brother or sister."
Lena was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Can I name it?"
Christabel laughed.
"We'll see."
---
Damien watched from the doorway.
His wife. His daughter. His growing family.
He had never imagined this.
Never allowed himself to want it.
But now that it was here, he couldn't imagine anything else.
---
That night, Christabel put Lena to bed.
Not Damien. Her.
Lena was full of questions.
"Where does the baby come from?"
"Mama's tummy."
"How does it get there?"
"Magic."
"What kind of magic?"
"The love kind."
Lena thought about that.
"Is that why you and Dada hug so much?"
Christabel laughed.
"Yes, baby. That's why."
---
Damien appeared in the doorway.
"She's asleep?"
"She's exhausted."
"From asking questions?"
"From being a big sister."
He walked to her.
Took her hand.
"How are you feeling?"
"Terrified."
"Good."
"Good?"
"Fear means you're paying attention."
---
They sat on the balcony.
The city was dark.
The stars were bright.
"We're having another baby," Christabel said.
"We're having another baby."
"I can't believe it."
"I can."
"Why?"
"Because you're a miracle."
She looked at him.
"I'm just a woman."
"You're my wife."
"Same thing."
"Different intention."
---
He pulled her close.
"I love you."
"I know."
"I love you in ways I didn't know I was capable of."
She touched his face.
"I know. Because I love you the same way."
First Line of Chapter 160 (Teaser):
"The one hundred fourteenth week, Christabel told Lena the baby's name. Not a name they had chosen. A name Lena had given. And it was perfect."