Three months later, mid-January
Jack led a blindfolded Beth through the snow to the now finished cottage behind the B and B. "I've seen it, Jack."
"I know, but not completely finished. Please, let me do this."
"Okay, but can we go faster? It's freezing out here."
"We're almost there."
He helped her up three steps to the door and then opened it, scooping her into his arms. She didn't bother protesting.
He put her down and shut the door. Then he removed her blindfold.
"Its perfect," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. It's exactly what I pictured."
He walked her around and showed her the master and the smaller two bedrooms and then the kitchen and the two bathrooms.
"When can we move in?" she asked, imagining where everything would go. Imagining the nursery for the baby he didn't know about yet. Imagining how good of a big brother Linc would be.
"Tomorrow?"
"Perfect!" She figured now was as good a time as any so she took his hand and pulled him back to the smallest of the three bedrooms. "Now, I'm trying to decide. Green or gray for the walls? I mean both are unisex."
"Unisex?"
"Yeah. Good for boys or girls."
He stepped in front of her. "Boy or girl what, Beth?"
"Antelopes. I figured we could start a petting zoo." She giggled and gave him a kiss. "Boy or girl baby, Jack."
"You're...I mean, we're...pregnant?"
She nodded. "If I figured it right, about eight weeks."
"Wahooooo!" he yelled, picking her up and twirling her around. "This is amazing! I hope it's a girl! I want a daughter."
"You do? I was thinking it would be cool if Linc had a little brother."
"It would. Maybe there's two in there," he said, touching her flat stomach.
"Let's hope for one at a time," she told him with a smile.
He held her tighter for a few moments. "I sure love you, Beth."
"I sure love you too, Jack."
"Will you go on a date with me?" he asked as they walked back across the yard.
"Of course I will. When?"
"Whenever Abigail can watch Linc. I want to celebrate."
Mike drove the ambulance back to dispatch, his partner Lucas next to him. He would be going home soon and he couldn't wait. He had a need to see his family after the week he had had. He had worked three eighteen hour shifts and had filled in for a coworker twice. Each day, because of the weather and icy roads, there had been multiple calls. He barely had time to eat or sleep.
"So what are you doing tonight, Mike?"
"Family night. Probably watch a movie with the boys and then I don't know."
"Come on, man. You're a newlywed. You will come up with something."
He smiled. He couldn't help it. The last three months had been heaven. Bree was an amazing wife and he was so proud of her for being so strong. He had nightmares because of his injury and she supported him in his therapy. He couldn't ask for better.
Before he went home, he went into the flower shop and bought a bouquet of pink tulips, her favorite flower. Then he bought them a bottle of wine and texted he would be home soon.
When he walked into their small home he smelled spaghetti and garlic bread, the boy's favorite.
"Anyone home?" he called.
"Daddy!" the boys yelled, essentially attacking him before he was two feet from the door.
"Hi, guys. Were you good today?"
"Yep! I learned how to tell time!" Xavier told him proudly.
"You did? Will you show me?"
"After dinner," Bree said from the doorway.
He looked up and smiled at her. She was so beautiful. "Hi, honey."
She walked over for a hug and a kiss. "I'm glad you're home," she told him.
"Me too."
"Boys, go wash up for dinner," she told them, mostly so she could have a moment alone with Mike. As they ran off, her lips found his and stayed there until they came running back. "I missed you."
"I know. It's been the longest week." He handed her the bouquet of flowers. "For you."
"Oh, they're so gorgeous. Thank you!"
"I got us a bottle of wine too. For after the boys are in bed."
She smiled and took it to the kitchen. All through dinner, Xavier told him about best friend Mark and how they had so much fun at recess and sat together in class.
Tate was quieter, as usual. "Hey, Tater? What did you do today?" Mike asked as soon as Xavier stopped chatting.
"I stayed with Mommy."
"What did you and Mommy do?"
"We went to the store and then we went to the bank. Then we took a nap."
"And you watched a movie and we played with play-doh. Remember?" Bree asked.
"Yeah. I member."
"Daddy? Can we get a dog?" Xavier asked. "Mark has two! I just want one. Just a little one I think."
"A dog? Mommy and I will have to talk about that."
"Okay. I will feed it and take it outside. Promise."
"We will talk and let you know. Now why don't you eat a few more bites of your food before it gets cold?"
After dinner, they all got in their pajamas and sat on the couch to watch The Incredibles. "I love this movie!" Tate yelled, pumping his fist.
Tate climbed onto Mike's lap and laid down, popping his thumb in his mouth. He had started that recently and Mike didn't see a need to stop him. He was feeling insecure about something but they hadn't been able to nail it down.
By the end of the movie, the boys were sleepy so Mike took them into the bathroom to brush their teeth and use the potty. Then they wandered into their room and climbed into bed.
Xavier closed his eyes the minute his head hit the pillow but not Tate. "Daddy?"
"Yeah, bud?" he whispered.
"Are you gonna leave us?"
"Nope. You're stuck with me, Tater."
"Please don't leave us. We need you."
Mike knelt on the floor and brushed his hand through Tate's hair to relax him. "Why do you think I'm going to leave?"
"Linc's mommy and daddy left."
"No, bud. They passed away. They didn't want to leave him. There was an accident. I will never ever choose to leave you. I promise, okay?"
"I love you, Daddy," he told him, wrapping his arms around Mike's neck.
"I love you too. So very much."
Mike's eyes filled with tears. He remembered feeling scared and abandoned when his own dad left. He would never put his family through that. He held Tate until he fell asleep, his thumb in his mouth.
When he walked back out to the living room, Bree was sleeping on the couch. She woke up though the minute he walked in. "Hey."
"Hey, why don't we go to bed, Bree? I'm tired too."
"Okay, but I need to tell you something."
She sat up and he sat beside her, taking her hand. "Okay. What's up?"
"We're going to have a baby."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah. I'm about eleven weeks. I have an appointment to get an ultrasound and a check up on Monday at noon. I know you work then so it's okay if you can't go."
"I'm going. To every appointment. No one could stop me."
"Okay."
He stood up and gently pulled her into his arms. "Are you happy?" he wondered.
"Yeah. Very. Are you?"
"Yes, of course. Never happier."
The next morning was Saturday so they all slept in a bit longer than usual. Mike got up and made blueberry pancakes and sausage links and set the table. By the time everyone came to the table, the food was done.
"Daddy, can I have milk?" Tate asked.
"Me too," Xavier said, climbing onto his chair.
"You got it." Mike kissed Bree's cheek. "What would you like to drink, my love?"
"Um, tea, maybe? Not feeling so great."
"Morning sickness?"
"Yeah. In fact. I'm not sure I can be down here with the sausage."
"Well, head back upstairs and I will bring you tea and some toast."
"Thank you, babe."
After eating the toast and drinking tea, she fell asleep and woke up around noon. She could hear laughing in the other part of the house so she wandered out after taking a shower.
"Hey," Mike said with a smile. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better, thank you. In fact, after lunch, I think I'm going to go see Beth for a little bit."
"Can I go, Mommy? I want to play with Linc!" Tate asked.
"Sure. X, you want to go?"
"I want to stay with Daddy."
"Well, maybe Daddy can come too."
"Actually, yes. Jack and Beth are moving to the new cottage so I'd like to help out. We can all go."
"I'll help, Daddy," Xavier told him. "I'm strong."
"Okay. I'm sure we can find something for you to do," he said, winking at Bree. She smiled and walked into the kitchen to start lunch.
Bree and Tate visited with Beth and Linc while the guys, including Xavier, moved just a couple boxes to the cottage. They had new furniture being delivered any moment so they were over waiting.
"So, I have news," Bree told Beth.
"So do I but you first."
"I'm pregnant."
"That's great! Congratulations, Bree!"
"Thanks. I'm about eleven weeks right now."
"Ooo…honeymoon baby."
Bree's cheeks darkened. "Something like that. What's your news?"
"I'm pregnant too. About eight weeks."
"You are? That's great! Who would have thought a year ago that both of us would end up married and pregnant together?"
"Not me."
As the girls chatted, Jack and Mike started putting together the dining table that was just delivered and Linc's bed frame.
"Dude, I have big news," Mike told him.
"So do I!"
"Bree is pregnant! I'm going to be a father again."
"That's awesome, Mike. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks. What's up with you?"
"Beth is pregnant too."
"Whoa, look at us. This is crazy."
"Yeah but I wouldn't want it any other way."
"Me either."
Xavier came over and sat down next to Mike. "Daddy?"
"Yep?"
"What does pregnant mean?"
"It means you are going to be a big brother again."
"Cool! I want another brother I think. Boys are more fun."
"Oh, I don't know, Xavier. We can't live without the girls in our lives," Jack told him.
"Why not?" he asked, a confused look on his face.
"They make us happy. They feed us good food and they love us."
Mike smiled. "Very true, Jack."
"Yeah. Mommy is a good mommy," Xavier agreed. "Maybe a sister would be cool too."
Late that night, the cottage
Beth slipped out of bed and wandered into Linc's new room. She stood over his toddler bed and watched him sleep, his pacifier in his mouth. He was beautiful. She couldn't imagine loving a child more, and yet, the love and thankfulness she felt for the child growing inside matched it.
"Thank you," she prayed.
"Babe?" Jack whispered from the doorway. He walked in and wrapped his arms around her. "It's late."
"I know. I just wanted to watch him."
"So peaceful."
"And yet such a three year old during the day." She smiled and gave Jack a kiss. "Let's go back to bed."
"Your wish is my command," he told her, leading her across the hall.