The sun set on the lake. Mia leaned on her elbows and dangled her feet off the dock. Their dog ran rampant, in and out of the lake water, splashing and spraying Colby and Clara. He walked in a shallow section, the water lapping at his thighs, and Clara kicked on her daddy’s shoulder. Every time he dipped her legs into the water, she flapped her arms and squealed for more.

The gold band on Mia’s left ring finger felt less and less foreign. They’d gotten married in a small ceremony, with some family and several friends, in Colby’s backyard. Their backyard, their home. He reminded her anytime she misspoke.

Family. The word once sent shudders of sick dread sweeping over her skin. But now, her family was lounging at the lake. Her growing family.

Mia had a feeling but didn’t want to admit it until she took the test. She swung by the store, picked up two boxes and two bottles of water, hiding them in the cart, not even wanting to look at them for fear of jinxing her hopes. She chugged the water on the way home and ran to the bathroom. Two tests later, it was as official as a home pregnancy test could get, and she couldn’t stop beaming. They were pregnant.

Colby would be just as excited. She had wanted to wait until tonight in bed, when he held her close, but the lone excitement was unbearable.

“Hey, family, come here a sec,” Mia called over to Colby, as he pointed to the lake fishes flitting around his legs.

He looked up, smiling. “Come on, Mama. Don’t make us stop. We’re playing.”

Their beautiful faces melted her heart. The minute she came home with him, he started calling her Mama. Her stomach flipped each time he said it. Not only were they family, but she was the mama. Now, more than he even realized.

“But I’ve got a surprise for you two.” Mia couldn’t contain herself, so she dropped her head back, sunning until they made their way over. Colby jumped out of the water with Clara and plopped down next to Mia, his wet swimming trunks dripping water on her leg.

“A surprise, huh? Whatcha got for us?” He adjusted the baby bouncing on his wet knee and held her in place.

“How do you feel about two under two?”

“Two what?”

“Little ones.”

“You already know. Wait—” He gave a look of warning, not to be messed with. But a smile spread wide. “Are you?”

Mia threw her arms around them, squealing in his ear.

“Mama, I’m more than good with it.” He wrapped his strong arms around Mia and Clara in a giant bear hug.

A husband, two babies, and a lifetime to enjoy family. It was exactly what Mia Winters never knew she wanted.

THE END