Page 117 of Choosing Hope

She shakes her head.

“One evening, our housekeeper, Chandana, invited us to join his family at their temple. It was a special night for them. The congregation was so welcoming. They all carried armfuls of flowers and wore flower wreathes around their necks.”

I can’t help but smile at the memory of the scene. Then, a vision of Lily covered in flowers over her white dress pops into my mind.

“Lily spent hours that evening playing with one of the staff’s nieces. They couldn’t speak the same language, but that didn’t seem to matter. The next day, the little girl came to our villa to play again. She had no shoes. Lily noticed and, without saying a word, sat down and unbuckled her own sandals, carrying them over to her new friend. The girl shook her head, smiling proudly, and Chandana translated: ‘No, these are yours. One day I’ll have my own shoes.’She had nothing, yet still that radiant smile shone. It made me wonder how many Western kids would do the same.”

The doctor’s eyes soften. “You’re teaching her compassion, Spencer. That’s wonderful.”

My shoulders tilt in a shrug, a little embarrassed. I’m not sure why I told her that story, but it certainly wasn’t for praise. “I think she taught me more that day than I taught her.”

Dr. Klein smiles knowingly. “And how was it being with Sophie and Lily the whole time?”

“Blissful,” I reply without hesitation. “I’ve never been so relaxed.”

Her grin widens. “I wish I’d taken a photo of you when you first walked into my office. The difference is night and day.”

I chuckle and glance down, trying—and failing—to hide the grin tugging at my mouth.

“What’s that look about?” she teases.

I glance up. “We won’t be traveling anywhere tropical for a while.”

She frowns, confused, until I add, “Sophie’s pregnant.”

The doctor’s face lights up, her shoulders dropping in genuine joy.

“Oh, Spencer, that’s wonderful news. Congratulations. I know how much you wanted this.”

“Yeah,” I say softly, warmth filling my chest. “She’s over the moon too. Only ten weeks along, so it’s not public yet, but Sophie gave me permission to tell you today.”

“I’m honored,” Dr. Klein says with a warm nod. “Is Carlo aware?”

I laugh. “Yes. I got into trouble for telling him before the scan. Sophie’s a little superstitious.” I roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the fondness out of my voice.

“Well,” she says, smiling, “please give her my very best wishes.”

“I will. Thank you.”

She tilts her head. “And Carlo? Last time we spoke, you were hoping he’d move back to London.”

“He has,” I say. “He’s living back in the apartment near Canary Wharf. I spend a night with him every two weeks. It works—we have time together, but he still has his independence.”

“And the three of you?” she asks gently. “Back to a throuple?”

I shake my head. “Not really. We’ve had two or three...moments,” I admit with a small grin, “but mostly Sophie and Carlo keep their own space. It’s better this way. We’re all happier for it.”

Dr. Klein leans back in her chair, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

“I have to say, Spencer, seeing you like this.” She gestures toward me. “You seem content, grounded. It’s exactly what I hoped for you when we first met.”

Her words hit something deep inside me—a mix of gratitude and disbelief. If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be here, married, expecting another baby, building bridges I thought were forever burned—I wouldn’t have believed them.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I don’t think I’d have found my way here without you.”

She gives a modest tilt of her chin, but her eyes say she’s pleased.

“You just needed someone to guide you on the right path, Spencer. You did the major work.”