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“What?” he says innocently. “Is a husband not allowed to admire his wife’s curves?”

“Soon they’ll be even bigger curves,” I say dryly.

“Jill,” he says in mock horror, “stop trying to seduce me with your tempting words. Our kids are in the car for Pete’s sake!”

“Max,” I chide with an exasperated shake of my head, “I don’t mean bigger curves in a good way.” I push away from him and touch my stomach. “I don’t think you’ll be admiring any extra pounds I retain in this area.”

“Jill. Stop being ridiculous. Do you think I’m so shallow that I won’t love you if you gain a few pounds? Because guess what? I will. You’re growing our child right now, and that knowledge does something to a man. I didn’t think it was possible for you to be any more gorgeous, but knowing my baby is inside of you somehow makes you ten times prettier. I can’t explain it, but it’s true.”

I flush. “Okay, but it’s what I’ll look likeafterthe baby comes out that I’m really worried about.”

“Yes, I’m sure I’ll find you positively revolting.”

“I’m sure you will!”

“Jill.”

“Max.”

“Stop expecting me to lose my attraction to you, Jill,” he says seriously. “It’s never going to happen. You’re stuck with me asking you to have sex with me for the rest of your life whether you like it or not. And whether you have a headache or not,” he adds with a cheeky grin.

This earns a real laugh from me. I feel lighter, freer.

Max is in this with me.

“We’re going to have a baby,” I say with more confidence.

“Yes, we are,” he agrees. “A baby and a puppy.”

“Our life is really about to get crazy.”

“Normalcy is boring.”

“And messy.”

He jerks his head at the car. “We’ll make the kids clean it up.”

A shaky half-laugh bubbles out of me. “You really think we’ll make it through this?” I say, just to be sure.

“If we keep our eyes on Jesus, there’s nothing we can’t get through,” Max declares. Then he kisses me softly, sealing our commitment to seek the Lord together.

The End!