Page 188 of Season of Gifts

His smile stretched so far it hurt.“That little bug’s gonna have massive symptoms, Alice.Good thing you’re sitting down.We’re talking 2 a.m.feedings—”

A laugh bubbled out of her.

“and round-the-clock diaper changes—”

Tears followed, her face raining while the sun shined.Henry pressed his head to hers, forehead to temple, and dotted her with kisses.

“and preschool admissions waitlists—”

“My sweet girl.”Gravel in his voice, Henry rumbled as he wrapped his arms around their wife.“You are a marvel.A wonder.”

“and a driver’s license—”

“Enough, enough.”Alice waved for him, her cheeks round and her teeth gleaming.“Get over here and kiss me while you can, stud.We’ll be awfully busy for the next, uhh, oh, right,forever.”

He play-crashed light as a feather beside her and added his arms to Henry’s.Flowers would be the thing to do.Flowers on his way home to celebrate their little bug.The shop around the corner had those enormous star-shaped ones with the deep pink centers that Henry liked.Lilies.He’d pick up a bouquet of lilies.And maybe some paint.“Should we start on the nursery tonight?”

“Tomorrow,” Henry murmured.“Tonight, we celebrate what our love has brought us.”

The whole world, that was all.Just everything in his life worth having.