Ruth had left, and Rose went upstairs to kiss Josie good night. But instead, she walked into Josie's room to find Josie reading to herself, and Jack asleep next to her. "Shh, let him sleep, Mommy." Josie had a finger against her lips.

Rose smiled. "Okay, darling." She sat down next to her daughter, and motioned for Josie to rest on her. Josie slowly closed the book, then put her head on the pillow that Rose had placed on her own lap. Rose stroked her daughter's blonde curls as she started drifting off. "I love you, Josie," she whispered.

Josie turned her head over to face Rose's. She smiled sweetly. "I love you too, Mommy," she whispered. She placed her small hand against Rose's growing belly. "I love you, little brother or sister."

Rose teared up. "You know, when you were in my tummy, Daddy used to talk to you through a paper towel roll?"

Josie smiled and giggled. "Really?"

"Yes. He used to talk to you every night. He told you about what we did that day, and how excited we were to meet you."

"That seems silly. I don't think I could hear you when I was in your tummy."

"I don't know. But I do know that Daddy loves you so much. He did then, too. You're so special to both of us, darling."

Josie rolled her eyes. "I know, Mommy. You tell me every day."

Rose smiled. She stroked Josie's cheek. "I just want you to know how much we love you."

"I do know. And I love you guys too." She kissed her mom's hand.

Rose smiled and looked at Jack. "I don't think he's going to wake up anytime soon."

Josie giggled. "Neither do I."

"Well, in that case, do you want us to stay with you tonight?" Rose asked.

Josie's face lit up. "Really?"

"Sure, if you'd like," said Rose. "I just have to wash up first."

Rose washed up and returned to Josie's room. She put a blanket over Jack and a pillow behind his head. She then went to Josie's other side and lay down next to her. Their faces were close together, both sideways.

"Thank you for staying, Mommy," Josie said.

"Of course, darling," said Rose.

"When I was little, did I sleep in your room a lot?" Josie asked.

"Sometimes. Not really often. But when you were a baby and you slept with Daddy and me, I used to hold you in my arms while we slept."

Josie smiled. "Can you do it now?"

Rose smiled back. "Sure, darling." Josie turned away, and Rose wrapped her arms around her little girl, and pulled her closer. She kissed Josie's cheek, whispered good night, and they both promptly fell asleep.

•••

Jack woke up the next morning with a neck ache. God, sleeping on a princess pillow was not a good idea. He looked over and saw Rose and Josie asleep. Rose had her arms around Josie, and Josie had her hand on Rose's belly. It was the perfect picture!

Jack quietly got his portfolio, and sketched the picture. Josie started to wake up. She rubbed her nose and slowly opened her eyes, and looked at Jack. Jack was about to say something, but Josie put a finger to her lips. "Shh, let her sleep, Daddy."

Jack smiled. "Okay sweetheart."

Josie looked at Jack with large blue eyes. "Mommy didn't want to wake you last night, and I said I wanted her to stay with me."

"That's great, did you sleep well?" Jack whispered.

"Yes. Before I went to sleep, Mommy told me that you used to talk to me when I was in her tummy."

"Yes, I did," said Jack. "We were on a train moving out here, and Mommy was sick, and you were moving around. So I picked up the paper towel roll, and started talking to you to try and get you to calm down."

Josie giggled. "That's silly. Do you do that with this baby too?"

Jack smiled. "Of course I do."

"I'm so excited to be a big sister," said Josie. "I can't wait."

"You're going to be a great big sister," said Jack. "I know you will."

Rose started to wake up. Josie rolled over to face her, and she touched her nose to Rose's. "Good morning, Mommy," she whispered.

Rose opened her eyes and smiled. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep okay, Mommy?" Josie asked.

"I slept very well," said Rose. "How about you guys?"

"Well, I slept on a princess pillow, so my neck isn't doing well," said Jack. "But otherwise, I'm good."

Rose felt a pain in her abdomen. "Ow," she said quietly.

But Jack heard her. "Rose, what is it?"

She smiled and looked at Jack. "Josie," she smiled brightly, "want to feel something cool?"

"Sure," she said. Rose took Josie's small hand and placed it against her belly. "Wow, what is that?"

"The baby's kicking," said Jack with a smile. Rose smiled back and nodded.

"Well that's mean. You always told me not to kick anyone."

"No, it's a good thing when a baby kicks," Rose explained. "When you started kicking, I was so happy."

"Really?" Josie asked. "What happened after I started kicking?"

Rose looked at Jack, who shrugged. "I got really sick, and we both almost died. But Daddy took such good care of us that everything ended up okay."

Josie turned to Jack. "Thank you, Daddy."

He kissed the top of her head. "Of course. I love you both more than anything."