I frown. “But you’re working today. Work requires energy. Which requires real food.”
Amelia is working with my family to set up free educational programming for preschool-aged kids on Blue Mountain Farm. It’s the coolest idea ever. Amelia’s overseeing it all and is involved in every aspect. Beau and Hank volunteered to help her with fundraising to provide scholarships for underprivileged kids, while Samuel, Emma, and Milly are helping her develop a farm-based curriculum. There will be everything from swimming lessons at the pool to a mini-farmer camp in the gardens, where kids will learn about their veggies and how to grow them. Even Mama’s helping out with a baking class that’s all about cookies.
Amelia’s got big plans. I couldn’t be more excited for her.
“I’m not all that hungry, to be honest.” It’s her turn to frown. “Maybe once I get moving, I’ll change my mind.”
“Great. I’ll make Samuel’s eggs for us, then.”
She grins. “Liam’s favorite.”
“Yours too.” I kiss her mouth one last time before rolling off her. “You want some company while you take the test?”
“You mean do I need you there to watch me pee on a stick? I’ll be okay.”
I know I said I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I’m still a bundle of nervous energy as I pull on some shorts and pad to the kitchen. Before we left Blue Mountain, I had Samuel give me a crash course in cooking for a crowd. Well, a small crowd, but the idea was the same: I needed all the tips and tricks he had for keeping my family fed.
He taught me how to make a mean BLT (secret is the mayonnaise, which he jazzes up with fresh herbs) and the best mashed sweet potatoes you’ve had in your life. I learned the ins and outs of white chicken chili and the right way to roast a tray of veggies (3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 400 degree oven). He even taught me how to make chocolate chip cookies, which Liam, Amelia, and I devour by the dozen.
My hands shake as I fill a kettle with water and turn on the burner. Shake some more when I turn on the coffee pot and grab eggs, butter, cream cheese, and chives out of the fridge.
“Amelia,” I call, too excited—too nervous—to worry about waking Liam. It’s past seven anyway. He’s usually up by now. “How’s it going?”
“One more minute!” she calls back.
Right on cue, I hear Liam say, “Dada. Hi, Dada!”
I dash upstairs and change his diaper on the bed beside his crib. The poor little guy has diaper rash again, so I lather him up with diaper cream and try not to jump down the stairs two at a time with him on my hip.
Like I do most mornings, I glance at the two picture frames on the shelf opposite Liam’s crib. One is of his mom and him the day he was born. She has happy tears in her eyes; it’s obvious she loved him with all her heart from the first time she saw him.
The other photo was taken just before Amelia, Liam and I left Blue Mountain. It’s of the three of us in the backyard, a candid shot that Milly took. I love it. Liam’s screaming with laughter as I hold him above my head; Amelia is tucked into my side, a big old smile on her face.
It’s pure joy.
“Dada, Mama?” Liam says.
I blink. Smile. He started calling Amelia “Mama” a couple weeks ago.
“Yes, little man, let’s go find Mama.”
We head down the stairs. It’s all I can do not to take them two at a time.
“Dada fass,” Liam says, and drops Pup Pup on one of the steps. “Dada, Pup Pup!”
Groaning, I turn around and grab the stuffed doggie. “You’re giving me a run for my money this morning, aren’t you, Yoda?”
“Yeah,” he says, and smiles.
Amelia is waiting for us in the kitchen. She smiles, and my heart leaps into my throat.
“So?” I pant.
She wags her eyebrows and strides over, taking Liam out of my arms. “So what?”
“You’re killing me here. What did the test say?”
Amelia nods at the counter over my shoulder. “See for yourself.”
I whip around. Pick up the plastic stick and stare down at two pink lines.
This isn’t the first test Amelia’s taken. I know what two lines mean.
My heart thumps, and I look up. Meet her eyes. They’re filled with tears. So are mine all of a sudden.
“Seriously?”
She grins. “Seriously.” She gives Liam’s belly a little tickle. “You ready to be a big brother, Li? I think you’re going to be very good at it.”
My son. He’s going to have a sibling.
Amelia and I are giving him one of the best gifts ever.
Amelia and I are having a baby.
“Aw, honey, get over here,” I say thickly, and I curl my growing family into a group hug. Liam naturally pushes me away, starting to fuss. Amelia laughs. I cry.