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"It is still too fast. I enjoy every moment with him. Orion wants more children, and I'm not opposed to the idea. I might ask Merlin to design potions for me, but I'll wait to see if it doesn't happen naturally. With how fertile I am, it just might."

Annani nodded. "I will beseech the Fates to grant you your wish." She shook her head. "Or perhaps I should not. We do not want to be greedy."

"I don't think wanting more children qualifies as greedy, no matter how many I have. Each child is a blessing, and I'm not taking anything from anyone else."

"True," Annani conceded. "Still, in many cultures, people get very superstitious about fertility, afraid it will be jinxed by those who are not similarly blessed."

The door chimed again, and a moment later, the terrace filled with Annani's guests. Amanda arrived with little Evie, the girl babbling happily as Annani snatched her from her daughter's arms.

"It is Nana's time to cuddle sweet Evie." She kissed her granddaughter's cheek.

"Nana." Evie reciprocated by planting a slobbery one on Annani's cheek.

Ella and Vivian arrived with the two nurses, Hildegard and Gertrude, who probably suspected why they'd been invited but kept their boss's secret close to their chests.

Morelle was next, and Syssi came shortly after.

"Sorry for being late," Syssi said. "Allegra was fussy about the dress she insisted on wearing to the playground, and I had to put my foot down because Kian could not handle her tantrum. If I left him to it, he would have allowed her to sit in the sandbox in a tulle dress and patent Mary Janes."

"What did you end up dressing her in?" Amanda asked.

"Jean coveralls. She was so sulky that I'm afraid she won't have any fun in the sandbox and will pout the whole time." Syssi sighed. "But I can't give in to her tantrums over outfits. She will never stop if I do."

"That is the trouble with strong-willed children," Annani said. "You have to walk a razor-thin line between allowing them room to grow and flourish while still providing guidance and maintaining authority."

A discussion about boundaries continued for a few minutes until the doorbell chimed again, announcing the guest of honor.

Bridget, usually the epitome of self-assurance, looked a little nervous as she slipped onto the terrace.

"Good afternoon, Clan Mother." The doctor dipped her head. "Thank you for hosting this gathering for me."

"You are most welcome." Annani inclined her head in return. "The stage is yours, Bridget."

The doctor turned to the other guests. "Hello, everyone. I know you're curious about why you are gathered here today, so without further ado, here it is. Turner and I have been blessed. I'm pregnant."

For a heartbeat, there was silence as the news registered, and then the terrace erupted with exclamations of joy. Alena was the first to rise and embrace Bridget, followed quickly by the others.

"How wonderful!"

"When are you due?"

"How is Turner handling the news?"

"Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?"

The questions came from all directions, and Bridget laughed, holding up her hands. "One at a time, please! I'm about eight weeks along, so it's very early days. Turner is over the moon—not that anyone but me can notice anything different about him. And no, we don't know the sex yet, though I know that Turner is hoping for a daughter."

"Does Julian know?" Ella asked.

Bridget nodded. "I told him this morning, the same time I told the Clan Mother, and I asked both to keep it a secret so I could tell you all myself."

"This calls for a toast," Annani said, lifting her glass and signaling to her Odus to distribute the champagne flutes. When it was done, and everyone held a glass, she continued, "To new life, to the growth of our clan, and to Bridget and Turner's joy. May this child be blessed with health, wisdom, and the love of our entire community."

"Hear, hear, and amen," came the chorus of voices as glasses clinked.

"I guessed it," Gertrude said with a knowing smile. "I haven't seen you so happy and glowing since you were pregnant with Julian. Why did you wait to tell us?"

Bridget shrugged. "I guess I wanted to make sure that it holds. You know how it is with pregnancies this early. Some are lost."