“You know what I mean,” he said with a half smile. “Just that you think of every last detail.”

“Well, thanks, honey,” she said.

Ethan moved his mouth closer to her ear. “I plan on showing you my gratitude later.”

“Oh yeah?” Sadie gave him a lazy grin, wiggling her bum against his belt buckle. Exhausted as she was, it had been a while. Come to think of it, she knew exactly how long. And wouldn’t it be better to drop the pregnancy bomb after lovemaking? She gave a little shiver, imagining his big warm hands splayed over her naked belly as they spooned in bed. The soft protective kiss he’d plant on her shoulder. The happiness they’d share as they both imagined the new little life they’d created together.

Because he’d be thrilled, right?

Of course, he would.

So thrilled it’s why she wanted to wait…to make it special.

Of course she wasn’t procrastinating on telling him the truth because she was unsure of his reaction. He’d be over the moon. Probably make that one super excited face, the one he saved for when the Bengals made a touchdown or she bought a new little lacy something.

Ethan turned her around and planted a lingering kiss square on her mouth before pulling back and cupping her cheeks. “Hey. Where’d you just go?”

She huffed a laugh. “Hmm? Nowhere. I’m right here…with you.”

The concerned look faded as his eyes crinkled. “You really did do a great job. Lincoln had a blast.”

This time her smile was real.

Maybe Ethan was still sucking up after yesterday’s fight, but even so—she’d take it. Because it felt freaking fantastic to pull something off—even if that something was a teddy bear picnic–themed birthday party—and be appreciated for the effort.

How was it possible to be this happy, this confident, following yesterday’s drama?

Maybe she could pull of this whole mom of two thing. Let’s see, if the baby was another boy, they were certainly set in terms of clothing. And if it was a girl? Sadie’s mind filled with visions of smock dresses and spunky hair accessories. No matter the baby’s gender, Lincoln would have a sibling, something Sadie herself had always wanted.

Yes. Everything was going to be perfect.

It had to be.

“Earth to Sadie—want to head upstairs?” Ethan teased.

She startled. “As exciting as a little afternoon delight sounds, well, your mom…” Sadie let her voice trail off.

“I’ll ask her to take Lincoln for a walk on the beach to burn off the sugar.” His phone beeped in his pocket and he withdrew it, frowning at the screen. “Damn. First I need to run upstairs and check on something. Hang tight.” And he was off, taking the stairs two at a time.

Welp. She shrugged. Guess it was good she didn’t just try to break the news.

Later. I’ll tell him later when there are no distractions, she told herself, wandering back into the kitchen where Annette was elbows deep in a sink full of soapy water.