So far, Alice’s role was taking Leo out for a few hours each day and it wasn’t a chore. He was a delight unless he was tired and he didn’t have a monopoly on that. Alice took him to the park and the pool and sometimes she just walked him along the coastal track through the tea tree while he napped in the stroller. She loved it, but it felt wrong to enjoy her time with him quite so much. Shouldn’t she be devastated that a woman of her own age was losing the opportunity to live and watch her son grow up?

She turned toward Harry. “Do you ever feel guilty that you’re here and Helene isn’t?”

In usual Harry style, he took time to consider her question. “At the start I did, when I was learning how to work and be a single dad. But not anymore. It sucks that her body let her down, but I’m just thankful I’m here for the kids.”

“Leo is not going to have that.”

“Isn’t your brother-in-law his father?”

“Yes.”

“What does Jess want to have happen?”

“For Nick to raise him. But Libby’s still so angry, we’re worried she’ll inflict more harm on Leo than Nick’s love can heal. Mom and Dad and I have tried talking to her. Tried explaining this situation’s so awful there are no sides anymore, asking her what she’d say to a patient in a similar situation, but she closes down as tight as a clam.”

“No kid should suffer for the sins of his parents.”

Alice nodded, grateful that Peter and Karen had protected her so well from that. “I know that intellectually Libby believes that, but with Leo she has blinders on.”

“Give her time.”

“Unfortunately, there really isn’t very much time to give.”

Harry poured sand through his fingers. “You look at the little guy and see the child you can’t have, don’t you?”

She was horrified by his perceptiveness. “Is it that obvious to everyone?”

“Probably not. I was just watching you with him at my place.” He cleared his throat.

“Let’s have dinner.”

“Um … We just consumed an entire month’s fat intake.”

“I mean a real meal.”

She rubbed her belly. “I don’t think I could even manage an ice cream.”

“Not tonight, Alice. Another time, at a restaurant.”

“Like when we celebrated with Holly?”

The tips of Harry’s ears glowed red and he swore softly. “Without the kids and Brutus.”

Realization slowly dawned and a zip of excitement fizzed around her. “You mean, like a date?”

“Yes!” His breath came out ragged as if he’d just run a race. “Would that be something—”

“Dad!” Sand flew as Hunter slid in between them. “You said we could fly the kites.”

“It’s getting a bit late. School tomorrow.”

“But—”