Page 22

O ne year later

“The prodigal father returns!” Harold caroled as he burst in the front door, looking tanned and fit from his most recent cruise.

At first there was a little difficulty over Harold having no money to divorce the horrible Millicent, but when I found out that was the hold-up I insisted he borrow some of my money for a lawyer.

He was able to get a very fair distribution of the marital funds, and this year he had spent it on the purest enjoyment, which I was very happy to see.

I bounced Julian on my hip as Ambrose came in after him, two massive suitcases and a steamer trunk in his arms.

I hugged my father-in-law and he reached out his arms for Julian as Ambrose dragged the rest of his luggage in.

“Why, my boy, you’re looking big and strong. Look at this other son of mine, back here complaining about a measly little five suitcases and one steamer trunk. You’ll have to eat all your spinach so you can take over from your big brother.”

Ambrose only grinned and shook his head ruefully. “These suitcases better not be full of Caribbean rum or you’re going out in the snow.”

“Throwing out an old man at Christmas?” Harold snorted. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Where’s Aoife?” My father-in-law asked me.

“Out with her daddy,” I said. “She’ll be back soon and then we’ll all have a little Christmas Eve dinner together.”

Harold took Julian to look at the Christmas train and I raised my arms for a hug from my husband, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Come here, I want to tell you something.”

My palms felt a little slick, and I tried to wipe them inconspicuously on my skirt as he followed me to the bedroom.

What if he said it was too soon?

But I was excited too, a great ball of excitement growing in my gut and threatening to burst from my chest cavity.

Damn, I should have thought of something cuter, more whimsical. But I couldn’t wait.

“I know it must be a shock, but I—have a bun in the oven.”

Ambrose’s face looked alarmed and he turned like he was going to sprint from the room.

“It’s no big deal,” he said at the doorway. “Such a thing could happen to anyone, and it’s no big deal if you left it in too long. So what if the bread is a little crispy! We’ll just scrape off the burnt parts.”

“Oh my god!” I cried, darting forward and dragging him back into the bedroom. “Aren’t you supposed to have a PhD? I’m trying to tell you I’m pregnant!”

My husband looked utterly astounded and then he was darting forward and enveloping me in a huge hug as I twined my legs around his waist.”

“I just had a feeling,” I laughed as I buried my face in his neck, feeling the muscles in his back under my fingers. “I had some tests left and I randomly took one. And it was positive!”

“I can’t believe it. . . I can’t believe it,” he said, his voice muffled in my hair. “I’m so lucky to have you. God, I love you.”

“Maybe all you needed to do was just relax and let it happen. I love you, Ambrose.”

He held me so tight I felt his heart thudding against my chest.

“I’m gonna take Julian out for a hot chocolate,” Dad hollered from the other room.

“Go for it!” Ambrose called back, his voice thick with emotion.

Once I heard the door shut, he twisted and fell back onto the bed with me, his mouth urgent on mine.

“Ambrose, Finn is going to be here soon,” I laughed.

My husband glanced down at his watch.

“Now I know we have at least 10 minutes and believe me, sweetheart, I can make each of them count.”