She took over the melody from Basset, feeling a small burst of relief as they turned to the last page, both of them playing better than they had practiced. They were perfectly in time with each other, their hands moving together and adapting to the movements of the other as though they had been doing so for years. The notes floated from the instrument, filling the room and seeming to take particular root in Adelaide’s heart.

This was more than simply playing a carol with her husband for her friends. This was a gift they had given each other and were giving to the others and somehow also giving to themselves.

She’d never felt something like this. Never given something like this, nor had she received it. Such a small, simple thing, and yet…

They played the final notes before Adelaide realized it, and she exhaled in a rush as her mind caught up with the moment. Applause sounded from the other side of the room, and she smiled at the others, beaming with pride and embarrassment.

Basset was laughing beside her, the sound as appealing as all of her previous impressions combined. He took her hand in his, squeezing once more, this time without words.

The baby within her moved then, a strong, defined motion she had felt once or twice before, but never in her husband’s company. It shifted again, pressing against her belly as though it wished to join the others in this celebration, or demanding another song for its listening pleasure.

Whichever it was, Adelaide did not want to share this moment with her baby alone. She moved the hand that Basset held, adjusting her grip on his hand to guide it to the exact place where their child had been pressing.

He froze at the contact, and Adelaide waited, staring off at nothing, willing the motion to happen again.

Then it came, a subtle but undeniable shifting they both could feel, reminding them in no uncertain terms that a child was growing within her, and that, before too long, it would be joining their family.

Adelaide smiled to herself, oddly emotional, and she heard Basset’s breathless chuckle beside her. She felt his lips press against the side of her head, felt his brow lean against her, and she gave in to the sudden desire to sink into his hold.

As she’d hoped, his arm wrapped around her, just for a moment, and then they rose, accepting their now overly exuberant praise from their guests.

“Well done, Adelaide,” Basset murmured as he took another bow to match her curtsey.

She glanced at him, smiling a little. “I know. But you did well, too.”

He snorted a soft laugh and winked. “That is a great comfort.”