I must have fallen asleep because when I open my eyes I'm lying on the sofa under the thick red blanket.
"Luka?" I call quietly. His head appears from the kitchen and he grins.
"You're awake. Alex said you've been sleepy recently."
"Yeah, I thought I had the flu. I got Abby to check me out-I had an ear infection."
"And it cleared up?"
"Yeah, about 3 weeks ago."
"And you're still tired." He leans on the back of the sofa and looks down at me. I nod and then giggle, realising he's a doctor-he's not dumb.
"So…it's possible…"
"It's probable that…"
"You think you're…"
"I am almost certain…"
"Have you…"
"I bought a test yesterday." He just raises an eyebrow. "Well, it's a pretty major thing. I didn't want to…do it alone."
"You're not alone now."
"Yeah, but the kids…"
"They're playing games."
"…and the dinner,"
"Is cooking nicely and will be for another hour."
"So…we can…you know…" He smiles and points to the bathroom. I giggle again as he helps me stand up. With shaky legs I go in and pull out the precious little box. I don't need instructions but I read them just in case then…do what I need to do.
"How long?"
"3 minutes." I say then open the door. Luka leans against the door frame, still smiling slightly.
"Are you happy?"
"More than I've ever been." He says sincerely. I reach up and kiss him softly, leaning into his broad chest and inhaling him, drawing his presence into my body like a rush of warm air, absorbing him.
Suddenly I hear a shriek then a bang. Throwing the white stick down I run towards the living room, looking around for the kids. They're nowhere to be seen and I start to panic.
"Lilia? Leioa? Jak? Alex?" I call, looking into the rooms. When I get to my bedroom I see three children crowded round the bed and I can hear the fourth.
"What happened?" Lilia sits up from the bed and pouts at me. A large red mark is appearing on her right temple and a trickle of blood is collecting in her eyebrow.
"What happened?" I ask again, softer. Leioa looks up at me, fearful but I lay a hand on her head gently and reach for Lilia.
"Ouch." She whispers. "I was looking for a book and the shelf falled down." I notice the books scattered on the floor by the bookcase.
"Hey, if you wanted a book you should have asked. I would have got you one, and then read you it."
"You were peeing." Leioa says, hugging my leg. I laugh then glance up at Luka, who appears to be watching the scene unfold without helping.
"Come on then, let's clean you up." I say and lift Lilia onto my hip then carry her into the bathroom, kicking the test towards Luka who follows me in.
I quickly clean Lilia's head and stick a band-aid on the little cut. Once I set her back on the floor she grabs her sister's hand and drags her back to the television.
"Well?" I look at Luka. He nods simply then scoops me up in a hug. All at once the fear that gripped my chest from the moment the thought wriggled its way into my mind 2 weeks ago disappears. Luka laughs into my neck and kisses me.
"We're having a baby." I squeak.
"I love you. Thank you."
"Hey, it wasn't just me." I dip my head to plant a kiss on his tender lips. "And I love you more."