“You’re here early,” I say before bending down to kiss my son’s head. Ferris’s response is to offer me a fistful of baby food. I grab a washcloth and start the cleanup process.

Jared shrugs. “Didn’t have anything better to do.”

“Or maybe you were hoping to run into a certain raven-haired lassie,” I tease him.

His features remain perfectly still, before he shrugs. “I don’t know to whom your referring.”

I roll my eyes. “Right. Where is my wife?” I ask.

“Upstairs with Sonia. They have been torturing poor Cahal for hours, insisting he model Sonia’s newest creations.”

“Right, and you don’t know whom I’m referring to,” I say before leaving the room.

Heading upstairs, I find my wife and Sonia fiddling with a bow tie they have placed on my oldest son. I listen to the girls chatter back and forth about Sonia’s new line before Cahal sees me.

“Da!” he squealed out before pushing his way through the women to get to me.

I squat down to scoop him up in a big hug. “Hey there, mac. You have a good day?” I ask him.

“Auntie Sonny made me try on lots of things, and look, I got shiny shoes just like you.” Cahal swung his foot up to show off the shiny dress shoe.

“Wow, those are shiny!”

“I’m going to go show Uncle Jar,” he says before dashing off.

“Wait! I don’t want you to get food on that outfit!” Sonia shrieks before chasing after him.

I chuckle before turning my attention to my wife. She gives me a goofy grin as I stride to her.

“Hello, Beagchaithnini sneachta.” I say before bending down to give her a kiss. Then I kneel and kiss her stomach.

“Hello, baby,” I say to our third miracle.

Brooke grins down at me before pulling out a small white envelope.

“Is that what I think it is?” I ask, my heart pounding erratically.

Her eyes shine with happiness before she nods.

“You haven’t peeked yet have you?” I accuse.

She shakes her head. “Would you like the honors or should I?” she asks.

My stomach twists in anticipation and nerves. “You open it,” I say.

She tears open the envelope before quickly scanning the paper inside.

“Well?” I ask.

“It’s a girl! We’re having a girl!” she screeches.

I give a happy shout, grabbing Brooke by the waist and lifting her off the ground. I spin us around in a circle as we both laughed in joy. I kiss Brooke again before, again, kneeling.

“You have an amazing mom, Marie Eira Campbell. I cannot wait to see how much of her is in you. I hope a lot,” I whisper.

I look up to see Brooke brushing away happy tears. “I love you,” I say before taking her hand.

“I love you too.”

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR