Someway confused, Steve compared the time his wristwatch showed with the time he could read on the dashboard. Consistent four-fifteen. He was sitting in the car in front of his house, had just switched off the engine and was now looking at his wife's silver Prius, which was already in the parking lot. It was too early for him - and for her.
He jumped out of the car and sprinted through the cold drizzle the few meters to the canopy. Eddie had followed him in a few leaps and had barely gotten wet, so he went straight to his basket. The house was quiet and almost dark, as the sky outside was gray and there was no light on anywhere.
Not even the Christmas lights were on, even though it was Christmas Eve in four days and they had decorated the house together the days before. Finally he spotted Sara wrapped in a blanket on the bench under the covered terrace.
Steve checked if the letter in his breast pocket was still in place, then went outside. He sat next to her. "Hey. I didn't think you were home. Since when are you here?"
"What time is it?"
"Past four."
"One hour."
"I know it's not like winter in Virginia, but it's pretty uncomfortable out here today. Why don't we go in?"
"What did the doctor say?" Sara answered with a question.
"Normal routine check. My blood results are fine. No signs of negative change. The liver is fine too."
"Good."
He wasn't sure why she wasn't looking at him, but at least she was talking to him. He pulled the letter out of his shirt pocket.
After the wedding, they had asked themselves if they wanted to have children together and how high the risk could be that Steve's radiation poisoning could have a negative impact on his ability to have children. It hadn't been easy for him, but he had searched advice and examination by a specialist. He had brought the result in black and white and now held it out to her. "The other test results. Everything good. We can make little Saras or little Steves at any time, the chances of something going wrong are no higher than anyone else's. What's wrong with you? You are home hours earlier than usual. Earlier this morning you told me you had a meeting after your checkup, I didn't expect you that early."
"The appointment with the doctor took longer, I postponed the meeting." She took his doctor's letter out of his hand, unfolded it and read it carefully twice.
"Would you please tell me what's going on? You're scaring me. Why did the appointment take longer? Did he find something?" Steve slid closer to her and turned her to face him.
"I had to read this in black and white. I hoped you would bring it with you."
"I did. So?"
"The blood test showed something abnormal. That scared me at first because I didn't expect it."
"Sara ..."
"I'm pregnant." The three words literally caused Steve's heartbeat to stop for a few seconds, so he had to resist the temptation to hit his chest to get it going again. He searched for words while Sara spoke softly. "I know it's a surprise. And fast. We wanted to wait until the test results are back. I..."
"Sara," Steve finally said. "It is wonderful."
"I..."
"This is wonderful news. Be happy."
His wife looked at him uneasy. "Really?"
"Yes. Everything will be fine. You've already spoken to Janice, and she doesn't see any problems if you stick to your exercise schedule. And we live in the 21st century, so you can also take part in conferences via video and don't necessarily have to fly through the country. We can do it all. - Don't look at me like I'm going to go nuts and tear your head off." Steve pulled Sara tightly into his arms and kissed her. "Let's go in, you're freezing cold." He helped her up as she struggled with the blanket.
"Steve?"
"Yes?"
"The doctor found this by chance. It is still very early, so please don't make a big announcement on Christmas, yes?"
"I'm trying ... When is our little package supposed to be delivered?" He tried to cheer Sara up, who still looked unsure.
"End of August."
"This is still an age to go."
"I told you. So continue as before. Don't you dare start pampering me, "she ordered a little more firmly.
"No more than usual," Steve grinned and kissed her.
On the afternoon of Boxing Day, Steve's house and garden filled up rapidly. Sara stood in the kitchen and put last hands on the salads, Steve had built a big grill outside on the beach. Joan and Danny's son Charlie had fun in the meadow with Eddie. The others had made themselves comfortable on all sorts of seating and blankets in the grass, with a large tub of drinks under the canopy.
"Your decoration has become really beautiful. Can I help you with something else?"
Sara turned. "Hey, Grace. Thank you. For the compliment, and thanks, no, it's all done. You could get them out of here, "she said, pointing to the two bowls on the counter.
"Copy that. These Christmas tree balls with the snow around the hook and the white paint hanging on the top of the tree. Where did you get them?"
"The dark blue? I brought them from Germany years ago. This is handblown glass. The balls have a very long tradition there and I like them. Unfortunately, a few broke during various moves. I hung them all the way to the top, so they are safe from Eddie."
"It is fate if it is glass. I'll be right back. "Danny's daughter took one of the bowls and left.
As soon as she was through the door, Renée came in. "Do you...?"
Sara laughed. "What's going on with all of you today? Everything that you haven't brought with you is ready. This is the last bowl, the rest is already out, the dessert in the fridge."
"We just think it's crazy that you feed us all here. I mean, how many people are there out there? Twenty?"
"About that. But I was able to prepare everything and as you probably know Steve is a very good cook. We worked well together. At least after he and the team brought down this guy with the acute Christmas crisis. "
"I didn't like Lou was up and away shortly before giving the presents, too. But at least that is how the wife and children survived. Even if Christmas will never be the same for them again. Waht you said about cooking is definitely true. Steve's barbecue marinade is legendary. "
"I heard my name?" Renée took a step aside and let Steve into the small kitchen.
"Only chorus of praise," Sara smiled up at her husband.
"Your wife praised your cooking skills. Which is absolutely right. Outside it smells phenomenal. I'll take the bowl outside with me, "said Lou's wife with a smile and left them alone.
Steve pulled his wife close and kissed her. "Are you okay?"
"Absolutely. As long as being tired is my only problem, it can stay that way. Who makes sure Eddie doesn't rob the grill? "
Her husband laughed. "Lou. The man is almost as good at the grill as I am."
"Good thing you're not chesty. Let's go out to our guests."
"You're a really great couple, Uncle Steve," sounded from the door.
"Just don't start calling me Aunt Sara, Grace. Promise me that. You're already so big I'd feel really old. "
The girl leaned against the door frame and looked at them. "Okay. Under one condition."
"Let's hear." Sara turned in Steve's arms so she could look at her.
"I'm going to be babysitter."
"For Eddie? Sure," Steve nodded.
"No. For your new family member."
"Uh," Sara and Steve said as one voice.
Grace burst out laughing. "I should take a photo. Your faces. I'm assuming you don't want to announce it yet. I'll keep my mouth shut, don't worry."
"Um," Sara said, clearing her throat. "I would like to get an explanation."
"You're glowing. So, you look kind of different than usual. That's what Mom looked like when Charlie was on his way. I'm right, right? "
"Mhm." Sara nodded while Steve just hugged her.
"Congratulations. I'm sure the job is safe, " Grace grinned and disappeared outside.
Sara took her husband by the hand and dragged him into the garden behind her. Together with their friends, they celebrated a long, happy Christmas day.