Page 163 of Mended Hearts

“Good,” I croaked, palming at my face as I stared at that little black-and-white picture. A wave of joy finally overrode the panic.Our son.Ollie and I were going to have a son.

Another mini Oliver, running around.

“A boy,” I whispered.

I pulled out my phone, snapped a photo of the sonogram, and fired it off to the family group chat. Internally, I apologized to my battery for the incoming deluge.

“Hey,” Ollie said cheerily when we stepped outside.

“What?”

“We just discussed many years worth of plans without either of us forgetting how to inhale.”

“A monumental occasion.”

“Indeed.”

“We shall rename today a holy day.”

Snorting, he said, “I’ll mark it on the calendar,” and pulled me into a kiss on the forehead.

“I’ll do one better,” I promised, flipping my phone to selfie mode and snapping a photo just as he sneak-attacked me with a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re fucking adorable,” he declared, tucking me into his side.

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Excellent. Want to grab lunch on the way home? Pickup, so you don’t have to cook?”

“Indian?”

Smirking, he nodded. “Of course.”

“Sounds great.”

“Your brother home? Should we grab him some?”

I stopped dead on the sidewalk, a hand flying to his chest. “Oh my god, I meant to tell you!”

“Pax found a place?”

“No,” I grinned. “I caught him witha girl.”

“Finally.”

“Harsh,” I laughed.

“What? He’s been holed up all winter.”

“Fair.”

“Was she pretty?”

I nodded. “The back of her head was.”

“Excellent frame of reference.”

“It’s my personal favorite.”

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