"Daddy?" Harrison looked up as Jack helped buckle him in.
"Yeah, bud?"
"I grew in my first mommy's tummy, right?"
"That's right." Jack nodded.
"Is the baby still my brother? 'Cause he's not growing in my first mommy's tummy, he's in my new mommy's tummy."
"Technically, the baby will be your half-brother or half-sister."
He furrowed his brow. "He's half a baby?"
Jack chuckled. "No. Everybody is made up of something called genes, and you get half of your genes from your mom and half from your dad. You and the baby both get half of your genes from me, but you have different genes from your mommies, so that's why the baby is your half-brother or half-sister. But you can still call the baby your brother or sister."
"Oh."
"Do you have any other questions?"
"What do genes look like? Are they called that 'cause they look like pants?"
He laughed. "Not exactly. Here." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started typing. "Let's find a picture while we wait for mommy."
Harrison took the phone from him, studying the picture of DNA that Jack had pulled up. "That's what makes me?"
"That's right. That's DNA, which is just a fancy name for what your genes are in. That shape is called a double helix. And your genes are what make you Harrison. They do things like make you have blond hair and brown eyes and hold a pencil with your right hand."
"What's going on out here?" Elizabeth approached the car, coming to stand beside Jack.
"Daddy says I got genes."
"I was just explaining to him that he and the baby are technically half-siblings, since they share the half of their genes that they get from me."
"Ah." She leaned against the car door. "So we've got a whole science lesson going on out here."
"They're never too young to learn biology. Especially with a doctor as their dad," he teased, putting a hand on her belly.
"Well, is the birthday boy ready to end this lesson and go to his party?"
"Yeah!" Harrison raised his hands in the air excitedly. "Party time!"
Elizabeth laughed. "Okay, goofball. Let's get going."
...
"The birthday boy is here!" Jack announced, following Harrison into his mother's house.
Elizabeth walked in behind her boys, chuckling at Harrison's enthusiasm.
"Sonny boy!" Charlotte scooped Harrison up. "Happy almost-birthday."
"Thank you, Nana. Is it time for cake?"
She laughed. "Not quite yet. Grandma Grace and Grandpa William are bringing your cake over, but we won't eat it until later."
"After presents?"
"That's up to your mom and dad. Now let me see. Is this a new shirt you have on?"
"Uh huh!" He tugged it down so she could read it. "Mommy and daddy gave it to me 'cause I'm gonna be a big brother!"
"You are?!" She looked over at Jack and Elizabeth, eyebrows raised.
Jack put his arm around Elizabeth and grinned. "That's right. You're getting another grandkid in January."
"Congratulations, you two."
"What did I miss?" Tom walked into the room, a glass of water in his hand.
"I'm a big brother!" Harrison shouted. "Daddy put a baby in mommy's belly, and now we just gotta wait for him to grow bigger so he can come out."
"Oh, wow. That's exciting, huh?"
"I wish he could be born now," he lamented. "I don't like waiting. Mommy says he'll be born after Christmas. That's so far away!"
"It's hard to wait, isn't it?" Charlotte lowered him to the floor. "I remember before your Uncle Tom was born, and your daddy asked me every single day if it was time for his brother or sister to come."
"Daddy wanted a sister?" Harrison wrinkled his nose.
Charlotte laughed at his expression. "I think he wanted a brother, but back when your daddy was little, we didn't get to see the babies as much before they were born, so Papa Thomas and I didn't know Uncle Tom was a boy until he was born. Your mommy and daddy can probably find out in a couple of months if you're getting a brother or a sister."
"It's a brother. I dreamed it," Harrison said with certainty.
"Good luck to the little one if she's a girl," Tom joked, nudging Jack with his elbow.
"Right?" Jack chuckled.
Charlotte took Harrison's hand. "Why don't you and your mommy come with me and make sure the snacks are all ready?"
"I guess Jack and I will finish getting things set up outside," Tom offered.
Jack followed his brother out into the backyard, where a table and a few chairs had already been set out.
"So," Tom took a sip of his drink before setting it on the table, "you put a baby in Elizabeth?"
Jack groaned. "I really regret wording it that way when Harrison asked."
Tom laughed, clapping his brother on the back. "Well, congrats, man. Another Thornton kiddo."
"Thanks. We're pretty excited."
"But not as excited as Harrison."
"Man, you should've seen the look on his face when we told him." Jack grinned. "That kid has been asking for a baby brother since before Elizabeth and I got together."
"When is she due?"
"The first week of January." Jack grabbed the tablecloth that was folded up on a chair and started to open it up. "She's about two months along right now. We had the first ultrasound a few days ago, and everything looks great. Strong heartbeat, and we could even see the baby moving around a little."
"You make sure this kid knows that Uncle Tom is the best uncle. Okay?"
Jack laughed. "I don't know. Luke and Owen are pretty fun uncles."
"Hey!" Tom gave him a shove.
"When do you leave again?" Jack asked, changing the subject.
"Two weeks." Tom took one end of the tablecloth, helping Jack lay it over the table. "Going to the Andes this time."
"Tom, don't take this the wrong way, but do you ever think about settling down?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes, but I love my job. I love getting to see new places and meet new people. Plus, I get to come home every once in a while and be fun Uncle Tom. Maybe someday I'll stay in one place long enough to meet somebody, but for now, I'm content with my life as it is."
"Well, as long as you're happy, that's what matters."
...
Elizabeth hugged Grace as she came through the door. "Hi, mom."
"Hi, sweetheart. Where's the birthday boy?"
"He's in the kitchen with Charlotte."
"I've got the cake," William said. "Lead the way."
Elizabeth showed them the way to the kitchen, and Charlotte instructed William to set the cake on the counter.
"There's Mr. Harrison." Grace held out her arms, grinning.
"Hi!" He ran into her arms, hugging her legs. "Guess what! I'm gonna be a big brother!" He stepped back, showing off his shirt again.
"You are?" Grace glanced at her daughter.
Elizabeth pulled a couple of ultrasound photos from her purse, handing one to Charlotte and one to Grace. "This is your newest grandbaby."
"Oh, sweetheart." Grace pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." She smiled, placing a hand on her stomach. "I'm due in early January."
"If you need anything, you know that we'll help out."
"I know. We'll keep that in mind." She cleared her throat. "Well, we should finish getting things ready. Everyone else is supposed to be here soon."
Within half an hour, the backyard was filled with family and close friends: Julie and Viola with their families, Rosemary and Lee with James, and a couple of families from their church.
Upon each arrival, Harrison proudly announced that he was getting a baby brother after Christmas, and Jack and Elizabeth continuously had to remind him that he could be getting a sister.
Jack turned on the sprinkler, and the adults sat around while they watched the children run through the water.
Rosemary took a seat next to Elizabeth, groaning as she lowered herself into the chair.
Elizabeth chuckled. "You're making me very excited for when I'm further along in this pregnancy," she joked.
"Just be grateful that your last months will be in the winter. It's pretty miserable being big in this hot weather."
"Oh, I'm sure. The morning sickness in this heat is bad enough. I can't even imagine having a bowling ball in my stomach right now, too."
Rosemary cradled her stomach. "So, I know Harrison says you're having a boy, but do you have any feelings about what it is?"
"No strong feelings right now, and I don't know if I have any real preference, either. Did you have a feeling before you found out?"
"Only because this pregnancy feels so similar to when I was pregnant with James. I'm glad it's another boy, too, because Lee and I couldn't agree on a girl name." She laughed. "But we settled on Michael Alexander pretty quickly."
"Oh gosh, Jack and I haven't even started discussing names."
Rosemary reached over and patted her knee. "You have plenty of time. Don't worry."
"Are we talking babies over here?" Julie joined Rosemary and her sister, carrying Willa on her hip.
"We are," Elizabeth confirmed. "I was just telling Rosemary that Jack and I haven't started discussing names or anything."
"Owen and I had such a hard time deciding on a name for this little lady," she bounced Willa up and down, "because there were too many good ones."
"I hope Jack and I don't have too many issues coming up with something for our baby."
"You'll come up with something that feels right. I promise."
...
"Hey, sleepyheads. We're home."
Elizabeth blinked, and it took a moment for her to realize that they were in the car, parked in their driveway. "How did I fall asleep?" She yawned. "It's not like that's a long drive."
"You're literally growing a human right now. I have to imagine that's exhausting."
She chuckled. "It is."
"Apparently turning five is exhausting, too." He turned to see Harrison still sleeping in his carseat. "I guess I'll have to carry him in."
"I'll get started on dinner." She unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Don't worry about it. You go relax. I'll order in some Chinese or something."
"Mm, I could go for some fried rice."
He gave her a dimpled grin. "Then I'll make sure you and the baby get fried rice."
"Daddy? Harrison mumbled.
"Hey, bud. Did you have a good nap?"
"Yeah." His voice was still rough with sleep. "Can I play with my presents now?"
"Sure. Why don't you and mommy go inside and let Simba out, and I'll bring your presents in?"
"Okay." He nodded.
A few minutes later, he was sitting in the middle of the living room, a brand new Lego set strewn out on the floor in front of him.
"Mommy, you wanna help?"
"Maybe in a little bit, Harrison." She reclined on the sofa, watching him expertly follow the directions in putting together the pieces.
"When my brother is born, he can play Legos with me."
"Well, when the baby is really little, you'll have to keep your Legos away from them."
He looked at her, confused. "Why?"
"Babies like to put things in their mouths when they're little, and they could accidentally swallow really small things like Legos."
"Oh. I don't want my brother to eat my Legos."
Jack laughed as he walked into the room. "What kind of conversation did I just walk in on?"
"Mommy says I can't play Legos with the baby 'cause he might swallow them."
"That's right. We'll have to make sure all your little toys stay in your room until the baby is a little older."
"Yeah," Harrison agreed. "You wanna help me, daddy?"
"Sure." He took a seat by his son. "Our food should be here in about half an hour."
"Yay!" Harrison cheered. "I'm SO hungry!"
"Even after eating all that cake today?"
"Nana says I gotta eat to grow big and strong like you, daddy."
"That's right." He ruffled his son's hair. "Someday, you'll grow up and be big and tall."
...
Elizabeth stood in the bathroom door, tugging gently on the tie of her robe. "Care to join me?"
"This is your time, Beth. You enjoy your bath."
"What if I want to spend my time with my husband?" She took his hands, pulling him into the bathroom with her. "Besides, I need you to wake me up if I happen to fall asleep in there."
"If you're sure."
She reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. "I'm sure."
A few minutes later, they were submerged in the warm water of the bath, Elizabeth sitting between Jack's legs and leaning back against his chest. He slipped his arms around her, resting his hands on her stomach.
"How's the little bean today? Did they enjoy going to their first birthday party?"
"Little bean is faring better than I am. I'm so ready for this morning sickness to end."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize." She turned to look at him and smiled. "This is what we prayed for. It'll all be worth it once this baby is born."
"I forgot how hard the waiting is. I know the baby needs to grow and all, but I just can't wait until the day we can hold it in our arms."
"Do you have a preference?"
"Honestly?" He kissed the top of her head. "I would love to have a little girl. I don't know why, but every time I picture our future, I see a daughter. But you know I'll be happy no matter what. This is our baby, Beth." He traced circles on her belly. "Boy or girl, I am just thrilled that we made this little one."
"Do you have any ideas for names for the little one? I was talking with Rosemary and Julie today, and I realized that we haven't even started discussing any possibilities."
"Not really. Didn't you say not long after we got married that you already had a list of names started?"
She sighed. "Yes, but now that the baby is actually on the way, none of those names seem right. I want to pick something that we come up with together."
"Maybe we just wait until we know if it's a boy or a girl? Then we only have to decide on one name. It'll cut our work in half."
"Maybe." She put her hands on top of his. "But we should still start some lists if we come across any names we like in the meantime."
"Okay."
Elizabeth yawned. "As much as I'm enjoying this, I think it's time for bed."
"That's probably a good idea. I'm sure Harrison will be up bright and early tomorrow, just waiting to open his presents from us."
"I can't believe he's going to be five."
"Tell me about it." He chuckled, helping her out of the tub and wrapping her in a towel. "He's growing up too quickly."
"Before we know it, he'll be graduating high school."
"Oof." He clutched his chest, pretending to be in pain. "Don't talk like that. You'll make him grow up even faster."
She smiled, stepping into his arms. "I love you, Jack."
"I love you, too." He kissed her temple. "Let's get to bed."