“I get what you’re saying. I do.” I let out a frustrated grunt. “I just wish this had happened when we decided it was the perfect time.”

“The perfect time doesn’t exist,” Nick said. “For anything. It was never the right time to kiss you, for example, but once I started, I couldn’t believe we’d waited. Maybe this will be like that.”

“You’re so composed,” I said, turning onto my side to look at him. “You are going to be a great father. Why is that so sexy?”

Nick grinned. “How do you think people end up with multiple children?” he asked. “Personally, I can’t wait to see you snuggling our baby. Whenever it happens. I just hope it gets your nose.”

I half laughed, burying my face in my hands. “Our baby. We’re going to have a baby.”

His answering smile almost split his face in two. “Do you want to get out of bed so I can pick you up and twirl you around?” he asked.

“Maybe,” I said. “Wait, no. I haven’t even been to the doctor yet. What if it’s a false alarm? We can’t deploy the twirl casually.”

“Mad as ever,” Nick said. He wriggled closer, and kissed me. “I love you,” he said. “Congratulations. I think we’ll be aces at this, I truly do.”

“I believe you,” I had said. “So please don’t take this the wrong way. But I think I need to throw up again.”

Now, Nick shook the bowl of Hula Hoops under my nose.

“How’s the nausea?” he asked. “Is the peanut hungry?”

“I believe it’s the size of a cherry at this point,” I said. “Or is it a raspberry? Anyway. Our little piece of fruit and I are always hungry.”

I poked the fingers of my right hand one by one through the little potato rings and then slid one into my mouth with my teeth. It crunched satisfyingly.

“These would taste great with peanut butter,” I said. “Am I already turning into one of those pregnant women with crazy cravings? Stop me if I ask for pickles in my ice cream.”

“Whatever my little raspberry wants,” Nick said.