The days that followed felt suspended in a kind of golden glow. Ever since Ava’s surprise announcement under the trees, Dominic had moved through his world as if his feet never quite touched the ground. Every glance at Ava was softer, every kiss deeper. Even their mornings had taken on new meaning—as if the sunlight that streamed into their bedroom windows was brighter, the coffee richer, the small noises of their household sweeter.
And Liam—dear Liam was nearly vibrating with excitement.
“I’m going to be a big brother!” he announced to every visitor who crossed their threshold. The housekeeper. Dominic’s secretary on the phone. Even the gardener had to stop and admire Liam’s careful little drawings of himself holding hands with a tiny sibling. The way he spoke about his future brother or sister was full of a kind of innocent pride that melted Ava’s heart every time.
That morning, Liam sat at the kitchen table surrounded by crayons and markers, carefully coloring a picture of their
