Page 157 of If You Love Me

“Who wants to do the honors?” I ask.

“It’s Callie’s turn.” Fee passes her sister the salt.

Fee has settled in over the past couple of months. It helps thatit’s off-season and that I’ve retired from the league. She had to deal with a lot of speculation from her peers during her final months of high school, but she still graduated with honors. She was also accepted to Tilton, the same university as Tally, and they’re both excited to have a friend on campus.

Callie adds a pinch of salt, and Fee stirs it in. We perform taste test number two and deem it fit for consumption.

I send a message to Peggy, letting her know dinner is ready. We have a family dinner at least twice a week. Our table is always full of life and laughter, but especially when I’m surrounded by my girls and my best friend.

Peggy and Hollis come over with a salad to add to the table. She hugs me and does the same with Fee and Callie. They’ve grown close over the past several months, and so have Peggy and Lexi. My daughter regularly reminds me that my wife is a decade younger than me and closer to her age than mine.

Life couldn’t be better.

“Where’s Lexi?” Peggy asks.

“She was tackling a few emails in the home office. I’ll go get her.”

“It’s okay. I can do it.” Fee rushes down the hall.

“Thanks, kiddo,” I call after her.

Fee reappears in time to help us bring everything to the dining room, but she’s alone. “Lexi’s coming. She fell asleep.”

“Is she feeling okay?”

“Yup! She’s fine,” her voice pitches up.

I narrow my eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Super-duper sure. She’s in the bathroom. She said she’ll just be a minute.” She grabs the Caesar salad and heads for the dining room.

We put dinner on the table, and Lexi appears a minute later, hair pulled up on top of her head in a messy bun. Her eyes are still heavy with sleep, and she has pillow lines on her face.

“You okay, angel?”

“I’m fine. I just passed out hard, I guess. Sorry to keep you allwaiting.” She rounds the table and gives Peggy a hug before she takes her seat next to mine, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

“You’ve been tired lately.” I kiss her forehead. She’s sleep warm, but not fever warm.

“I promise I’m fine.” She squeezes my hand, then addresses the table. “Dig in, everyone. This looks great!”

Fee bites her lips together, and the two of them exchange a look.

“Okay.” I set the serving spoon down. “What’s going on?”

“What?” Lexi blinks up at me, but her voice is pitchy.

I motion between her and Fee. “As Fee would say, there’s a vibe.”

“Oh!” Peggy grabs Hollis’s hand. “Oh! I think I know.” Her face lights up with excitement.

“Know what?” Hollis is obviously as confused as me.

Lexi takes my hand and rolls her shoulders back. “I’m pregnant.”

Everything slows as I turn to face my wife. She looks serious, and expectant, as she smiles up at me.

I settle my hand on her low belly. “Pregnant?”

---