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“I honestly never gave it much thought,” I admitted. “I always figured one day I might be a dad, but I never stopped to think of what that might look like.”
“It will be great,” Nadine said dreamily. “I’ll sing our babies to sleep at night, and you’ll toss them in the air and tickle them to make them laugh. I’ll bake cookies with them, and when they’re old enough, you’ll teach them how to ride a bike. We’ll sit on our front porch and watch them play in the yard. You’ll write them poems, and I’ll read them books. We’ll take them to school together, and we’ll watch their powers awaken during their Evoking Ceremonies.”
I smiled at the wonderful image she’d painted for us. “How many kids do you think we’ll have in total?”
“Three,” she answered automatically. “One more, after the twins.”
Comfort settled in my chest. “Three is perfect.”
Everything she said sounded so magical. I wanted to believe in our future so badly. But for that future to happen, we had to obtain the remaining Oaken Wands and bring an end to the Miriamic Conflict—and we had to do it before our babies were born. I wasn’t going to let our babies be born into a world that could hurt them.
We had less than nine months to prepare, and I swore on my own soul everything would be different nine months from now.
“How do you want to tell everyone?” I asked.
“Let’s just do it,” Nadine said. “They’re going to find out sooner than later. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to be able to keep this a secret.”
“We’ll get everyone together and tell them all at once,” I suggested.
We turned and headed back toward the house. I opened the front door for Nadine, and she stopped in her tracks.
“CONGRATULATIONS!” A chorus of cheers broke out as we stepped inside.
Everyone was gathered in the living room. Streamers from Nadine’s bridal shower had been haphazardly twisted around the room, like it’d been decorated in a hurry. Miles threw shredded pieces of paper in the air, and the confetti rained down on us.
“Uh… what’s this?” I asked carefully. They couldn’t know we were pregnant already, unless Nadine mentioned something to someone before coming to me. I shot her a quick glance, and she looked as confused as I was.
Before anyone could answer my question, Nadine narrowed her eyes at Talia. “You had a vision, didn’t you?”
Talia shook her head and pointed her finger at Miles. “It wasn’t me!”
“Miles, you were eavesdropping!” I accused. It must’ve been his footsteps we heard outside the library earlier.
“I didn’t mean to!” he insisted. “I was just walking by. We heard the good news and had to throw you a celebration. Congratulations, you’re going to be parents!”
Miles threw his arms around Nadine, and she hugged him back.
“I guess we don’t have to tell them,” she said to me when he finally drew away.
Verla approached Nadine. She wore a kind smile, until she pulled Nadine into a hug, and the smile disappeared from her face completely. She looked worried, though it was clear she didn’t want Nadine to notice.
“Is this what you want?” I heard her whisper.
“Yes,” Nadine replied.
Verla drew away, plastering on a smile again. “Then I’m very happy for you both. You’ll make wonderful parents. We’re all here to help you every step of the way.”
“Thank you,” I told her.
Professor Warren shook my hand firmly. “Congratulations, Lucas. This kid is going to have one hell of a dad.”
“Kids,” I corrected, and I couldn’t help but smile. “We’re having twins. I sure hope I can be the best dad possible for them.”
“Can the babies call me Uncle Grant?” Grant asked.
“They won’t have a choice,” I teased. “You’re already a brother to me.”
Grant went to shake my hand, but I yanked on his arm and pulled him into a hug. He squeezed me tightly, then clapped me on the back while he choked back tears.
