On a sunny day one week later, Leland Jack Coulter was christened by a traveling preacher. Nathan and Elizabeth acted as his godparents. The joyous occasion removed any lingering sadness the town experienced after marking the anniversary of Jack's death. At the reception, Elizabeth held her little godson in her arms, rocking him gently back and forth, marveling at how perfect he was.

"You're a natural with a baby in your arms."

Elizabeth looked up as Abigail sat beside her. She smiled, holding LJ a little closer. "He is a love," she said. "Babies are such a beautiful gift."

"Indeed," Abigail agreed. "I always wished Noah and I could have had more children after Peter was born, but I just couldn't get pregnant again after his birth. We wanted a big family, but God had other plans." Her gaze sought out Cody, who was playing a game with his friends. "Adopting Cody and Becky was one of the happiest moments of my life."

"I didn't know you wanted a big family," Elizabeth commented.

Abigail nodded. "It's not something I talk about much. In the early days of our marriage, it was a sore spot for quite some time. Noah and I both blamed ourselves for our inability to have more children, but we didn't express that to each other." She sighed. "We could have saved ourselves a lot of heartache if we'd just talked about our feelings." She straightened with a smile. "You, on the other hand, still have that opportunity. Have you and Nathan talked about children?"

Elizabeth smiled. "We have. We're both open to having as many children as the Lord gives us. I'm hoping for at least four."

Abigail chuckled. "You just might get that wish."

Rosemary and Colleen joined them, and the conversation turned to other things. Elizabeth noticed Colleen didn't have a plate like most of her friends; instead, she only held a cup of tea, taking sips gingerly.

"Are you feeling alright, Colleen?" Elizabeth asked, feeling a shot of concern for her friend.

Colleen smiled. "I'm fine. My appetite seems to be changing on me. The thought of sweet food is surprisingly nauseating of late."

Elizabeth frowned. "Just sweet?"

Colleen nodded. "For the most part. Ironically, I can't seem to get enough fruits and vegetables." She wrinkled her nose. "I never used to like vegetables! Now I have to have a salad every day, or my body protests vehemently."

"That's odd," Rosemary said. "Why do you think that is?"

Colleen shrugged. "I have no idea. It's the weirdest thing. This has never happened before." She chuckled. "Though I really shouldn't complain. If I have to crave something, vegetables are healthier than cookies!"

That prompted laughs from the group of women. LJ nestled against Elizabeth's chest in his sleep. She smiled, gazing at the baby while her friends talked. It was easy to envision holding her own baby, with Nathan nearby, the proud father. It was an image that made her sigh with happiness.

In a little over a year, it could become a reality.

Over the next month, winter slowly gave way to spring. Nathan began construction on Gabe and Colleen's home. The plan was to build the Kinslow house first, and then the house that would be Nathan and Elizabeth's after their wedding. Gabe helped Nathan whenever he could, wanting to be a part of the process. Nathan hired a crew to help. The house came together fast. By April, they had nearly finished.

Colleen was grateful. She couldn't wait to move into a home of their own, one that was on their own property and where they would build their life together with their children. As she walked through town, Daisy in her arms and Allie skipping at her side, Colleen placed a hand on her stomach. A suspicion had been building inside as her strange aversion to sugar and her craving for vegetables continued. Her cycle continued to be irregular after Daisy's birth, but it had stopped completely in December after she and Gabe went to Union City.

She tried to keep her hopes low. After all, she'd given birth only eight months before. It was highly unlikely she was pregnant again. Even with that knowledge, she couldn't help wishing it was true.

They were nearing the café, where Colleen was set to meet Abigail for lunch. On impulse, Colleen glanced at the infirmary. The door was open, telling her there were no patients currently in the building. She made an instant decision. Taking her girls to the café, she found Abigail and asked if she would mind watching them for a little bit. When she mentioned going to the infirmary, a smile lit Abigail's face. She glanced at Colleen's stomach, then nodded. "Take all the time you need," she said, lifting Daisy into her own arms. "Hopefully you get good news."

Hopefully, indeed. Colleen began to tremble as she made her way to her destination. She walked inside, and immediately stopped.

Carson and Faith were wrapped in an embrace. He was smoothing her hair and speaking in low tones. Faith had a pretty flush on her cheeks, looking up at Carson with adoring eyes. Colleen recognized love when she saw it. It seemed the doctor and the nurse had come down with a case of amóre. She smiled, then discreetly cleared her throat.

Instead of jumping apart, Carson and Faith looked her way. "Good afternoon," Carson said, slowly letting Faith free from his embrace. "How are you, Colleen?"

"I'm fine," she said, venturing further into the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Faith chuckled. "It's office hours, Colleen. There is no interrupting unless a patient is already present." She gestured around the otherwise empty infirmary. "You came at a good time."

"How can we help you?" Carson asked.

Saying the words out loud felt almost surreal. "I think I might be pregnant," Colleen whispered, both hands pressing to her abdomen.

Faith's eyes lit up while Carson smiled. "Really?" she breathed, taking Colleen's hand. "Oh, that would be wonderful!"

Colleen smiled. "Do you think it's possible, so soon after giving birth to another child?"

Carson nodded. "You weren't able to breastfeed Daisy, so it's definitely possible that another pregnancy happened." He nodded toward the table. "Why don't you sit up there, and I'll ask you some questions and then examine you."

Colleen obeyed, her heart pounding faster and faster. The examination seemed to take forever. Faith held her hand, sensing her nervousness. When Carson finished, he looked up at her with a smile. "Congratulations, Mama," he said, giving her a wink. "It looks like a little Kinslow is on the way."

Pure joy rushed through Colleen, filling her entire being. "I have to tell Gabe," she whispered.

Faith took her arm. "I saw you pass by with your girls. Are they with Abigail?"

Colleen nodded. Faith smiled. "I'll go talk to her. If she can't keep an eye on them, I will. You go find your husband."

Colleen hugged her friend, then thanked Carson. She all but ran from the infirmary as she headed for Gabe's office.

As she walked, she marveled at how differently this pregnancy already felt. She'd been happy that Allie was coming, but she hadn't known how Dylan would take the news. With Daisy, she'd been alone and near desperation, not even sure she wanted another child. This time, all she felt was happiness to be giving her sweet, loving husband a baby.

A smile tugged at her lips. He was going to be so excited.

Gabe sighed, pushing some papers away from him. His vision was starting to swim with all the words he'd been taking in. Paperwork was never his favorite aspect of the job. He found himself wishing for something to break up the monotony.

On cue, the door opened. Gabe lit up when his wife entered the room. "Colleen!" he exclaimed, getting to his feet and coming around the desk to meet her.

She threw herself into his arms, laughing. "Gabe, I have the best news!"

Her joy was contagious. Gabe felt a grin spreading over his face as he held her close. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

She reached up, framing his face in her hands. "You're going to be a father."

He blinked. "I am a father," he said, brow furrowing. Two seconds later, her meaning penetrated his brain. "Oh!" His mouth dropped. "You're pregnant?"

Colleen nodded, a tiny squeal leaving her lips. "I'm pregnant! Can you believe it?" She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. "We're going to have a baby!"

Gabe felt his own laugh bubble up inside. He hugged Colleen tightly. "Oh, my love. This truly is the best news!" He pulled back. "When is the baby due?"

"I'm not sure," Colleen admitted. "At the earliest, the baby would come in September. It depends on when I conceived." She smiled up at him. "Before this year is out, we'll have another blessing added to our family." She chuckled. "It seems to be growing at a rapid rate."

"Maybe we'll get twins and double the amount of children we currently have," Gabe teased.

Colleen's eyes widened into saucers. "Twins! Gabriel, don't even joke about such things!"

He chuckled. "What? It could be fun."

She laughed, patting his cheek fondly. "If it comes to that, it would be a blessing. However, I'm going to hope for one." A reflective look filled her eyes. She chewed on her lower lip, telling Gabe something was on her mind.

"What is it?"

She glanced up at him. "Is it wrong to hope this child is a boy?"

"Not at all," Gabe replied. "Why would you think that?"

She sighed. "There's a part of me that wants to give you something I never gave Dylan. I love my daughters, Gabe, and I know you do too. I wouldn't change a thing about my past simply because it means I wouldn't have Allie and Daisy. But I want something that is only between us, something that has nothing to do with my first marriage. Giving you a son would accomplish that." She bit her lip again. "Does that make sense?"

He ran a hand through her hair. "Yes, sweetheart, that makes sense. I understand your feelings." He moved his hand from her hair to her chin, tilting it up. "But I want you to know that it doesn't matter to me if this baby is a boy or a girl. I will love our child just as much as our two daughters." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "They might be Dylan's biologically, but they're mine in the ways that matter. As far as I'm concerned, I am their father as much as I'm the father of our baby."

In response, Colleen's arms tightened around him. She snuggled against his chest. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I thank God every single day that He saw fit to bring us together, despite my stubbornness. I'm so thankful our children have you as their father. I can't imagine anyone better."

"I'm blessed to have you," he responded. "You and the girls and this new child."

They stood in their embrace for a few more moments, then Colleen took his hand. "Let's go tell Nathan the news. I'm sure he's going to love that he'll be an uncle a third time over." She smiled. "And maybe afterward, you'd like to have lunch at the café with me and Abigail?"

Gabe smiled. "I would love nothing more," he said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Let's hope Nathan is at his shop. He's been really hustling to get our home done. I wouldn't be surprised if he's out at the property."

They walked down the street. Gabe felt a perfect sense of contentment. He was happy. Knowing Colleen was carrying their child made him stand a little taller. He couldn't wait to meet the newest member of their family.

When they walked into Nathan's shop, they heard laughter coming from the back room. Making their way there, they looked inside to see Elizabeth sharing a meal with Nathan. Both smiled when they saw Gabe and Colleen.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Nathan said, grinning. He hugged Colleen before clapping Gabe's shoulder. "To what do we owe this visit?"

Gabe grinned back. "We have some good news," he said. He beamed down at his wife. "Would you like to tell them?"

Colleen was fairly bouncing with joy. "You two are going to be an uncle and aunt soon!" she said.

Elizabeth let out a happy gasp, immediately pulling Colleen into a hug. "Colleen! That's wonderful!" she exclaimed.

Nathan gave Gabe a one-armed hug. "I'm happy for you," he said. "You deserve this, my friend." He gently chucked his sister under the chin. "Congratulations, Colleen. It looks like this pregnancy is a happy one."

Colleen's eyes were shining as she looked at Gabe. "Oh, it is. Very much so."

Gabe looked at his brother-in-law. "The fact that we'll be able to move into our own home soon is even more special now. Thank you, Nathan, for having it so close to being ready."

Nathan smiled. "One more week and the Kinslow residence will be ready for move-in." He nudged Gabe's shoulder. "Good thing you commissioned plenty of bedrooms."

Gabe laughed. "Indeed."

Colleen took his arm. "We won't keep you. I know Elizabeth doesn't have much time before she has to be back at school, but we wanted to share the news with you first."

"Thank you," Nathan said. His eyes were shining. "It's always a good day when you find out a new baby will be joining the family."

Gabe hugged Colleen close to his side. "That it is." He hadn't thought his heart could feel any more full than it had when he married Colleen. But with the addition of Daisy, it expanded. When Colleen said she loved him, it grew again. Now, with the news of her pregnancy, he felt it growing even more. He couldn't wait to see in what other ways it filled as the years went on.