Soul had gotten to the point where he was comfortable enough to actually spread on the loveseat. It was honestly a sight to see, him still in his hotel clothes with his bow-tie entirely askew as he lolled his head against the armrest. There was no chance of him catching me stealing glances since his eyes had drifted closed five minutes ago, so I let my eyes linger over him rather than the novel in my lap. "Don't you usually shower?"

"What? I stink or something?" he muttered but his lips still cracked into a smirk.

I snorted a laugh before closing my book. "Do you want to shower? I mean, I think dinner can sit for a little while…"

"No," he groaned. "I want to eat. I'm dying, Maka. Dying." With all the wilting damsel he could muster, Soul threw his arm over his eyes, barely covering that smile. "So are you done with that page or not?"

"I closed my book, didn't I?" I chirped right back.

A cross between a satisfied hum and a sigh broke his grin before he threw his spine up straight from the couch. He was on his feet just as I deposited my novel on the side table. "C'mon, or do I have to carry you?" There was a bit of a rough grumble to it but his hand was out for me, easing me to my feet as soon as I took it.

"I'm not that big," I muttered.

"Ah-" he cleared his throat "-how far along are you anyway?"

Every last ounce of me wanted to ignore the question, pretend like it had been lost somewhere in the croak from his chest. Even worse, I wanted to snatch my hand away to break the connection but I found myself clutching his fingers instead. "I'm at six months."

"Oh."

The juxtaposition of the moment was jarring, bringing unwanted moisture to my eyes. He's holding my hand. He came here first-didn't even go home-because it's our night. That's right: Wednesdays are our night now, even if all the other nights feel like mine too because he still plays. But every Wednesday he comes here. We eat. We talk. We-

"Can-" his thumb rolled over my knuckles as we breached the doorway to the kitchen. "Probably shouldn't ask, but- boy or girl?"

I didn't even need a mirror to know my eyebrows had exploded in surprise since the fear flashed across his.

Soul stole his hand from me to wave them in innocence before sending one to tug at his hair as he smoothed it back. "Sorry- I-"

"N-no," I squeaked. "It's OK, I-I just…" I couldn't stop the wash of salt over my cheeks. "I technically haven't told anyone yet."

"Maka…" His hand's trajectory wavered, coming near my cheek but falling to hit my shoulder instead. "I really am- I never shoulda asked," he sighed.

My hand trembled as I ran it over my cheeks, clearing what I could of the tears that wouldn't stop coming. "It's a boy."

He squeezed my shoulder.

I would say the floodgates had broken, but there really were no more gates between Soul and me, or at least that's what I wanted to tell myself. A half-muted sob mewled from my throat before I whispered, "I-I think I want to name him Jack."

"That's a good name," he murmured back immediately. With the same swiftness, his hand pulled me closer, allowing the space for his arm to wrap around my shoulders and press me to his chest.

Every time he touched me now it was like giving an alcoholic a drink- you shouldn't, it's bad for them, but they ache for it. I was no different.

"Easy to spell," he continued with a weak laugh. "Better than Solomon."

"I feel like you'd say anything is better than Solomon." That broke my sob, letting me exhale a breath with at least the inkling of a smile on my face. I had soaked his dress shirt enough, but when I tried to pull away, he resisted for a moment.

"I really am sorry, Maka." He tossed a sigh near my ear, his voice settling low. "Please, just-"

The apology came as the perfect excuse to sink into him and allow my fingers just a bit more purchase. "It's alright to ask." I couldn't bring myself to let go or do anything other than nestle my face into his shirt enough that my voice was garbled. "I need to say it out loud, and it's easier to say it to you than anyone else."

"Good." His hands tapped at my shoulders, that message of nervousness now pulling us apart. When I finally looked him in the face, he was trying to smirk but it was strained, lopsided.

A little bit of fear crinkled my heart. He doesn't want that kind of responsibility, Maka.

"I don't want you to think that-" The buzz in his pocket cut him off, the rest of the words stuttering off with a hard breath.

"Answer it," I murmured as I pulled another step back, bringing my hands up to clear my face. "It's probably important."

His eyebrows furrowed, mouth gaping for one extra second. With a frustrated huff, he reached into his pocket and ripped out his phone. As Soul angled the screen, his eyes went wide and he wasted no time in pressing it against his ear. "Hey."

His lip worked as he listened to the tinny voice on the other end.

"Ah, no, technically I'm not. I'm next door-"

He barely hit the r very hard before a knock at the door drowned it out.

I'd never seen him turn so fast, ditching his phone on the counter before rushing into the entryway. He was unlocking the door before I could even utter a sentence, throwing it open to reveal a woman, her phone in her hand and a glorious smile on her face.

My stomach dropped, baby included.

She was one of those ethereal visions- the heroine from your favorite Gothic novel who almost always died some eerie death, preserving her at the pinnacle of beauty. Her black locks swam over her shoulders with the buoyancy of a hair commercial, and her eyes, while green like mine, were just slightly darker, more a pine than a jade. As if the look of her wasn't enough, her voice was lovelier, a supple contralto that gave his name all the attention it deserved: "Soul!"

"Y-you're home." Soul's voice shook just as much as his arms as he reached for her in such a natural, practiced motion that I felt my heart break. "You're really home." It was his turn for the words to break, for the tears to come to him.

I was intruding but there was nothing I could do to urge my legs to move, only my arms circling around my waist, around that ostentatious baby bump as if I could hold myself together. He has someone, see? Just passing the time with you. Lonely for now, but not alone, especially not now that she's here. You saw the way he grabbed her- no hesitation. He loves her, it's obvious. I swallowed each sentence, letting the weight crush my chest. To my surprise, not a speck of tears threatened, instead just a cold ache as my jaw started to clench.

Soul tried to crush the next sob with a clear of his throat, but as he pulled away from her, her hands came to his face to gingerly clear his tears. "I'm so sorry, Soul. So, so sorry."

"Nah-" he let out a short gulp of a laugh "-ain't your fault. I just…" He stole away her hands but instead of focusing some sweetness on her, his eyes turned to me. "Ah, Maka, this is Viv, my sister-in-law. Viv, this is Maka."

My skin pinked from shame and my brain fizzled with the emotional whiplash. Sister-in-law. "Hello," I managed to squeak.

"Nice to meet you." As expected, Viv's eyes dropped but instantly slid back to my face. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, it's just…" She angled her head back towards Soul, eyes looking up at him pleadingly. "You're alright?"

"Fine," he murmured as he waved off her worry. Soul put a step between them before flashing her a smirk. "Be better once I get Wes's worrying out of the way. Where is he?"

Viv's shoulders deflated with a sigh. "Coming. Just parking the car. Reggie didn't exactly make it. He tried to stay up, but you know how he is- any car ride becomes a nap."

He let out a breathy laugh. "S'alright. Just as long as I can see him." That tremble broke through his words again, forcing Soul to lift his hand to his face.

"Oh, darling," Viv whispered mournfully as she reached for him.

"Nah," he muttered and waved a hand at her.

My heart lurched along with my feet, bringing me next to him. I expected the same dismissal-actually, I needed the same dismissal. I needed him to push me away, to solidify whatever envy was still murmuring in the background of my mind.

Instead, he dropped his hand to level teary eyes at me. "Sorry."

"Don't be," I murmured as softly as I could. "It's fine. I'll just- maybe tomorrow-"

"Actually-" he cut me off with a furrowed brow "-would you wanna meet 'em? I get it if you wanna say no-you're tired I bet and probably hungry-but I-I'd like it if you did."

My eyes darted to the doorway, finding Viv already out of view. I wonder if she thinks she's interrupting something when it's me who's the stranger. "That's your family, Soul." My voice strained, leaving it airy and pathetic.

"Sure-" his tone shrunk to almost nothing "-but it's our night, ain't it? Not exactly fair to ditch you."

I could obviously hear what he was saying but processing it was something else entirely. Our night. That's what he said, but- Stubbornness was still biting into my heart.

"Reggie's pretty cute, plus you and Viv sorta have something in common." It was that flower-smile of his again, the melancholy twist to the corner even though his words were lyrical in their sweetness.

"We have something in common?" No, Maka, no! Meeting his family- that's too much. That's another little step forward in that fantasy of yours and you can't do it! All you'll be is disappointed.

"Hey, Viv," he called over his shoulder.

Onyx hair bobbed at the edge of the door. "I'm not listening!" she chimed.

Soul snorted a laugh. "Doubt that," he muttered to me before entirely turning his attention towards the door. "Do me a favor and give a Reggie introduction."

That beautifully delicate face appeared in the doorway again, brow wrinkling but lips threatening some amusement. "Oh, no- not that Southern Belle impression his father taught him."

"Just the one," he chuckled.

She pursed her lips and a flash of girlish nervousness overtook her as she wrapped her arms around herself to hold her elbows. "I doubt Maka wants to-"

"Please."

With a few more huffs, she slipped into a Gone with the Wind accent, "Vivienne Desjardins Evans, a pleasure, I'm sure."

Soul barely held in the guffaw but lost the battle as I sprang to attention.

"Wait- Vivienne Desjardins? The Vivienne Desjardins?"

"Soul, you better not have put her up to this," Viv muttered as her shoulders tensed.

"No!" I interjected for him, and before I knew it, I was in a whirlwind back to the side table so I could pick up the book underneath the one I had just been reading. It was dogeared and the spine was cracked in a few places but that was simply because it followed me most places, always the back-up to whatever I was currently reading. I turned back to them, almost floored by the glowing smile on Soul's face.

Soul's cheeks were about to crack with the weight of it. "Get ready for the bookworm, Viv."

"Hey," I complained breathlessly. "It's the best collection of contemporary poems! Honestly, I don't even know how many times I've read it! Drowning the Nightingale is just-!"

"Trust me, it takes a lot to get her speechless," he tossed effortlessly at her.

Viv's cheeks had started to flush as she brought a hand up to at least cover part of her nerves. "Oh, Maka, that's so sweet, but… really- it's- well, thank you." She settled on the words with a sigh. "Mostly it's stuffy old men in overcoats telling me this sort of thing."

"C'mon-" he waved Viv into the apartment. "Let her compliment you for a little while, Viv. At least long enough for me to get Wes and Reggie."

Technically, I could go on for hours, and the fact that Viv seemed entirely shocked only fed the urge. But, again, this was his family and even if I had every collection she'd ever been published in didn't mean I owned any of her time, especially not at Soul's expense. Except Vivienne Desjardins was walking into my apartment with at least the confidence of an acquaintance, passing Soul with a soft tap to his chest before moving my way. "I-I actually have my journal with me right now…"

Her journal! blared in my mind. Her unpublished work?

"If you'd like to peruse…" She was digging through her bag, bringing out a small notebook with a deep blue velveteen cover. "I swear, it's nothing all that inspired, just what I was toying with while we were away."

I could barely peel my eyes off the treasure she'd placed in my hands, but I hazarded a look at Soul. Playful accusation-"you knew!"-should have come to my lips but any last bit of sadness was gone from his smile again as he held my gaze.

For that infinitesimal moment, I allowed the fantasy to slip in- there wasn't a second of shame to showing me off, to introducing me to the family that he so obviously adored, and to displaying that I held some kind of space in his heart.

As he turned away, I chewed bitterly on reality- meeting them was all about politeness, a chance encounter. Now that he was happy, which had been so utterly obvious by his face alone, what would he actually need me for? There wasn't a reason.

"Vivienne, are you sure?" I weighed the book in my hands as I tried to erase the thoughts. Focus, this is probably the only dream-come-true you'll get.

"Oh, absolutely! And call me Viv, please." With one last bit of coaxing, she left the journal in my hands. She glanced around me into the living room towards the kitchen. "Were you two in the middle of dinner?"

"Well, yes…" I followed her line of sight towards the pots left to simmer on the stove. "It's alright though, I-"

"Oh, no, no, no." Those gentle hands were now squarely focused on me, taking me by the shoulders and gently leading me towards the loveseat. "Let me get you a plate. You can start reading and hopefully the boys will be up in a few moments." I was helplessly deposited before I could even gather an argument. For all her meekness, nothing seemed to dull the maternal drive as Viv zoomed off to clatter around the kitchen.

Stop, please… That delightful daydream only seemed to be bolstered with each minute that passed and I could only beg it to end. Any more and I was sure that the thin porcelain that my heart had become since the start of this would crack and splinter.

Voices started to buzz from the hallway and I turned my head over my shoulder to the slightly ajar door. It swung open, revealing a man who was definitely a genetic copy of Soul- or really, Soul was a genetic copy of him since the age difference was obvious. His laugh lines, obvious by the joy on his face, were just a slight bit heavier, along with a smattering of five o'clock shadow along his jaw. "I'm terribly sorry to barge in," the man cooed as he moved across the floor to quickly offer his hand to me. "But you have to clarify something for me, Maka, darling- my brother was having dinner with you?"

"Wes, lay off," Soul hissed.

I craned my neck just enough to catch Soul in the doorway, a boy around Shelley's age nestled sleeping against him. "It's late, but he just got off of work…" I was losing traction on my thoughts as I watched Soul clearing the bangs from that adorable sleeping face. I did let my hand slip into Wes's, finding that he was quick to enclose it with a soft pat.

Soul tucked his head closer, ghosting a kiss over the boy's cheek before tapping the door shut with his foot. "We have dinner every Wednesday," Soul spat at his brother.

"Do you?" Overly expressive eyebrows fluttered on Wes's forehead towards Soul.

"Wesley Evans-" the solid threat rang from the kitchen and both men straightened. The next second brought Viv's shining smile rather than any lingering admonishment. She was carrying two plates piled high. "Soul, give Reggie back to his father so you can eat properly."

"S'alright…" With growing humor I saw him drop his eyes, unable to look at Viv as he finished his refusal: "I'll eat later."

Viv's lips puckered only slightly before she turned a sweet gaze to her husband. "Wesley."

In perfect time, both men sighed in defeat, exchanging the child under Viv's watchful smile. She then leaned down, giving me my heaping serving before turning towards Soul and unburdening herself of his. "Both of you, sit, eat." It wasn't enough to give the order, but Viv was gently prodding Soul, bringing him to sit next to me on the sofa. As soon as we both settled, Viv stole the journal from between my fingers, nodding once more at the food at hand before disappearing into the kitchen again.

Wes hefted the little boy to fix him in his arms before moving to the armchair and easing down. His eyes were intently on Soul through a few chews before setting his sights on me. "Maka, I'm so happy to see you're making him eat. Before we left, I swear he was still half skin and bones and at least now-"

"Wes," Soul grumbled out his name in very well-practiced annoyance.

"You did say beer and bed," I corrected as a little of the dazzle was fading away. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him pink, the hint of a frown surrounding his fork after popping in another mouthful.

Viv reappeared before starting towards the far wall and lighting her fingers over the spines on my bookcase. "Maka, you read quite a lot, don't you?"

I took a moment to chew, trying to dutifully eat in order to avoid any scolding of my own. "Well, I would say it's just an occupational hazard. I do editing for a small publishing company."

"And you enjoy it?" She was still sifting through titles on the shelf, leaving her attention on my overzealous purchasing.

"I do." I nursed a soft smile, letting my eyes fall to my hand and the delicate gold band on my finger. "It's actually where my mama worked years ago. Maybe they spoil me a little because of it. I get to work from home right now and…" I left my fork on my plate, using my free hand to stroke the swell of my stomach.

"She's an artist too-" Soul filled in the trail I'd left behind. "In the entryway, the flowers-"

"Soul," I chided stubbornly, unable to stop my cheeks from puffing in embarrassment.

"Oh, you mean that picture box?" Viv was already on the move regardless of my complaint.

"Quite the accomplished neighbor," Wes sang. His eyes were dangerously mirthful as they met mine. "And how did you get to know my brother?"

Soul was in the middle of clearing his throat-probably readying some excuse-when I jumped in. "His piano playing. I overheard him on the balcony and we started talking." I was prepared for his embarrassment, just a small corner of payback for the artist comment, but the hope for it all swept away with Wes's face.

His eyebrows jutted upwards as his smile faltered. "You're playing again? Really?"

I snuck a look at Soul, finding his face frozen as he stared at his brother. His lips barely seemed to move as he whispered, "Sorta."

But you play all the time! And you play at work! I barely kept my forehead from wrinkling.

A bewildered huff left Wes's lips before he brought back the life of his smile. "That's… that's really wonderful, Soul."

"Papa, you're too loud-" a little voice squeaked. The raven hair, a perfect replica of Viv's, shifted as red eyes sleepily blinked open.

Soul was quick to toss his plate on the coffee table and leaned forward, hands at the ready. "Hey, Reggie."

The little boy jumped, his head swiveling so swiftly I was sure I'd get second-hand vertigo. "Uncle!" It was a good thing Soul was prepared since Reggie darted out of his father's lap and into his uncle's waiting hands. "When did you get here?"

Soul gathered Reggie into his arms, that little sable mess of hair resting easily on his chest as if that were a memorized spot. "When did I get here?" He chuckled. "You're the one visiting, kiddo. Hey, can I introduce you?"

I barely caught Reggie's whisper in return, "To the lady?"

Soul hummed out a soft affirmative.

"Do I have to hug her?"

He snorted before murmuring with a sweet but teasing lilt, "Nah. 'Hello' s'all." Soul jiggled his legs, giving Reggie just enough of a jostle to get the boy to sit up.

Red eyes settled on my face, little lips puckering thoughtfully in examination before every last muscle relaxed. "I'm Reginald Desjardins Evans. May I know your name?"

Soul leaned into the arm of the sofa as he tried to hide his snickers in the crease of his elbow.

"Why do you always laugh?" Reggie shot a glare at his uncle as small fingers attempted to grab Soul's chin to retrieve his veiled smirk.

"Just 'cause it's you," Soul murmured as he slid out of his hiding just enough to be seen by both of us. "So, you gonna introduce yourself?"

I inhaled slowly, waiting for Reggie's attention before putting on the best show of my own. "I'm Maka Suzume Albarn, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

With a grating snort, Soul fell into uncontrollable chuckles.

"Why do you think that's so funny, Soul Evans?" I muttered as I left my plate next to his on the coffee table. I inched closer to get within range and as soon as I could reach, I was tugging at his earlobe, pulling him once again out of his hiding spot.

"Ow, ow, ow!" His grimace bordered on histrionic as he tried to pull my hand away by the wrist.

"Reginald, is your uncle always this mean?" I raised inquisitive eyebrows as the boy giggled in reply.

Reggie slid out of his lap, cramped in what little space existed between Soul and me. "He's nice!"

"At least someone vouches for me," Soul muttered.

I let go of his lobe, but his hand only slid slightly along my wrist, his thumb splitting the space in my palm. Is he going to hold my hand? A blush started but I tried to drown it under the surface of my shame.

"Miss Maka, are you having a baby?" Little fingers were hovering near the swell of my stomach, making Soul move his hold from me to them. He sidelined the touch, dipping his head as if ready to murmur some admonishment.

"I am," I managed through a tight smile to cut off Soul's scolding.

Soul glanced at me in return, eyes begging a question but not voicing it.

"Uncle-" he upturned inquisitive eyes back to the man in question "-are you-"

"Reggie," Wes started, cutting the little boy's tongue.

"It's my baby." There was a definite ache to that correction, but for a sweet moment, some of it dulled at the wonder on his face.

"Just your baby?" He latched on to the information, erupting in wonder at the idea. "Mama? Mama!" Before Soul could wrangle him, Reggie was sliding off the couch, running around the side so he could meet his mother as she wandered back from the entryway.

"What is it, darling?" She reached a soothing hand down to smooth his hair.

Reggie was dancing at her feet, squirming to hold every inch of her legs as he looked up at her. "Miss Maka's having a baby- and it's only hers! Could you do that? Could you have another baby?"

Viv's eyebrows climbed her forehead as a melodic laugh left her. "Ah, darling, I prefer having babies with your father, but…" For a moment, those deeper green eyes met mine as the confusion wiped from her face. "But any woman who can have one on their own is amazing."

A smile should have come but all I could feel was the heat of tears and that sting at the back of my throat. Am I? Is that really what this is? Or am I-

The idea caught and ignited with his touch. The way Soul's fingers slid into mine incinerated it. It wasn't just that, but the fire in his eyes when I moved unsteady eyes from Viv to him that eviscerated ever last woeful denial of my strength in this. Before I couldn't translate what his look was saying but this was loud and clear: "It's not a mistake."

I pulled in a weak breath but before I could warble some reply, Soul was filling the space with his soft baritone. "It's gettin' late and unlike the rest of us, Maka actually has a regular schedule." He sent a meaningful glare at her brother who instantly jumped to his feet.

"Maka, thank you for letting us intrude." He was quick to come to my side and reach for another one of those antiquated pats of my hand. "Thank you for hosting us and thank you for looking after-"

Soul cleared his throat.

"What-" Wes started but a second clear of a throat from across the room had him rolling his eyes. "Alright, good night, Maka, and we hope to see you again soon."

"Seconded," Viv called cheerfully over my shoulder. "Reggie-"

"Goodnight, Miss Maka!" he shouted joyously as he popped his head over the back of the sofa to show off a brilliant smile. "And Uncle, tomorrow is Thursday, right?"

"Technically," he chuckled. "Though I think we're sorta into Thursday just about now."

Reggie's little brow wrinkled in worry.

Soul messed the boy's hair with a soft sigh. "Alright, Reggie, yeah, Thursday."

"Then it's our day, isn't it?" His voice leaped in excitement.

"Reggie, your uncle's probably tired," Wes started but Soul was already shaking his head to derail his brother.

I was seeing something entirely new in his face, as if muscles that had long been held tight were finally shrugging apart, letting a small shine of unencumbered joy eke through some of his features. "Yeah, I'll come pick you up."

"Soul, you don't have to," Viv murmured as her eyes seemed to glance over me first before returning to him.

"I-" it started as a murmur but his voice suddenly came alive along with a squeeze to my hand "-I want to."

Viv nodded slowly before turning bright eyes towards her husband. "Let's go. If Reggie's spending the afternoon with his uncle he'll need his rest."

Soul stood up, leaving me on the couch as he moved towards his brother. There was no embrace, more a short clasp of hands like an informal shake and neither of them seemed fluid in the movement. It's like they're new to one another. Whatever they are is- stop! I tried to scold myself. You're not analyzing him, right? You're not here to spy. Regardless of my thoughts my eyes followed him towards Viv and watched him embrace her again, that same twinge of envy striking all the way to my toes.

Once he let go, Soul herded them to the door, talking in low whispers as they moved. The door clapped shut and an elongated, trembling sigh slumped his shoulders. "I'm sorry," he grumbled to the door.

"For what?" I tried to comfortably maneuver to lean against the back of the couch but my stomach was definitely starting to get in the way. Instead, I started for my feet, daring a few steps towards him and the entryway. My momentum fizzled as he turned to me, the brilliant smile that had infected his face while his family was here fading to somber.

"I threw that on you." A derisive laugh was quickly snuffed by his teeth.

"I think I caught it well enough." I tried out his metaphor but it fell flat, leaving him to roll his lip through his teeth. As soon as he gaped, probably ready to serve another apology, I started again: "I liked them."

He was instantly disarmed, eyebrows leaping up and hands instantly trying to find the right place to settle.

"And technically, you met my dad, didn't you?" I offered a tight smile at the title but as soon as I took another step it drifted back into a grin half in a dream. He was meeting me halfway, but those searching hands dove into his pocket last minute. "So we're even. Families met. We both survived. But I can't believe you didn't tell me your sister-in-law was the Vivienne-"

"You wouldn't've believed me," he snickered as he tilted back on his heels. Some of the pleasure of our usual banter was coming back to his face and I found a knot I didn't even realize was there unwinding in my chest. "Seriously, you carry that book around with you everywhere. You woulda said I was pulling your leg. And call her Viv. She hates her full name."

Because I'm seeing her again? I wanted so desperately to ask the question but all I could offer was silence in reply. I worried my fingers into the hem of my shirt, playing with an errant string as I watched him pull in another breath and try to arrange some semblance of his own thoughts.

It didn't work, his lips buttoning shut again as his eyes roamed towards the floor.

"Well, I guess, good night…" I turned my attention back towards the kitchen, glancing at the half-eaten plates still on the coffee table. "If you want some leftovers-"

"Nah, I ate enough. Better than one beer, right?" He offered a weak shrug as he already started turning away, giving me just a view of his profile. "So, just g'night then." As he moved, I saw his eyes catch the picture box again, a ghost of that same smile crossing his lips before he hung his head.

Why does that look like defeat? Another question that so desperately needed an answer, but first needed the damn stubborn courage to ask it. Somewhere, deep down, I knew that existed in me, I knew once it had been there but had withered like a flower without sunshine. "Soul, I-"

He paused, eyes shooting back to me so quickly that his neck must have cracked from the whiplash.

"I mean it, I liked them and I-" Courage, Maka, seriously, courage "-I liked the way you were with them."

Soul blinked before shaking his head softly. "Don't know what you mean."

"Happy-" The word could only come from my mouth as a murmur, the last of my bravery spent on the rest I managed to arrange after: "You were happy with them, and seeing you happy… you deserve that."

A slow swallow bobbed in his throat before he nodded. "Thanks," he croaked.

"Good night."

"'Night." Soul took slow, calculated steps to the door before opening it and slipping out into the hallway.

I expelled the air I'd been keeping in my lungs, trying to salvage some nerve but instantly finding the threat of tears instead. Pregnancy hormones, just pregnancy hormones. A rueful laugh eked out of my throat as I let the first few fall. In the blur, I walked back towards the kitchen, picking up the plates on the way so that I could deposit them in the sink. Except they almost didn't make it, threatening to be dropped as soon as my feet hit the linoleum and spied Viv's journal on the countertop. She forgot it!

The blue velveteen top was marred by the white of paper. I moved closer, setting the plates to the side to see the business card so perfectly placed in the middle. It was all of her information with an amendment next to the phone number; "business" had been crossed out and in fine, delicate hand was "personal" along with a string of numbers. I picked it up, flipping it over in my hands just in an attempt to make sure it was entirely real.

Instead, another dream appeared. In the same hand, the message blared: "Please give me a call when you're done reading. I'd love to meet for lunch."