Page 20

AFTERSHOCK

I watch as my wife’s truck pulls into the driveway earlier than expected. Glancing down at my watch, I realize she should be in class. The prospects watching her didn’t tell me she wasn’t going or that plans had changed.

“Can we stop fighting for a bit?” I interrupt Loki, who is arguing with Rose, the architect my father hired to design his house.

“No, we can’t. She’s fucking crazy if she thinks we can build this house. It won’t pass inspection, and I’ll make sure of it,” Loki barks as he looks down at her. “I will make sure you lose your license if you don’t make the fixes I told you to.”

“No, I won’t,” she snaps and walks over to my dad, who is leaned back in a chair just watching them.

“Forget it.” I turn back and see my wife walking toward us in the snow. She’s moving carefully, and I worry she fell.

We had a good dump of snow over the last few days. Winter is back with a vengeance compared to last year when it barely snowed. It’s early December, and we already have over thirty inches with more predicted before the holidays.

I trudge over to her and pull her into my body. “Starlight, what are you doing home so early? Did you slip on the ice and fall?”

“No, I’m trying not to slip and fall.”

“Why?”

She smiles up at me and hands me a slip of paper. It’s an ultrasound image, and when I read the words typed on top, I can’t hold back the whoop that bursts out loud and clear.

“I’m going to be a dad,” I yell and turn toward the others.

“Congratulations!” They all rush over to us.

“Hello, Rose.” Harlowe hugs her. They’ve become friends.

Loki snaps his jaw so hard I hear his teeth clack when Rose jumps in front of him to reach Harlowe first. It’s fucking hilarious to watch the two of them together.

I’m going to enjoy watching Loki eat crow when he realizes all the arguing is foreplay for them.

Right now, all I care about is my wife. I pull her away from my dad and carry her bridal style to the garage, where we drop our snow gear before heading to our bedroom. I need her naked so I can kiss her stomach and talk to my baby.