With her other hand resting absently on the kitchen counter, Lorna poured orange juice into a glass as the morning sun filled the room with golden light. Michael listened to Jason hum from the living room as he built a Lego spaceship while he sat at the island drinking coffee and looking through the news headlines.
It all seemed so normal. calm. Actual.
Her heart, however, was pounding.
"Michael?" she asked, putting down the glass.
He raised his head. "Yes?"
"I have something to tell you." Her voice wavered a little.
He got to his feet instantly, scowling as he approached. "What is it? Are you alright?
She pulled out a small white box from the drawer with a faint smile on her lips. Silently, she gave it to him.
There was a pregnancy test inside.
Positive.
Michael gazed at it, slowly enlarging his eyes before quickly looking up into her face to get confirmation. Tears glistened in her eyes and her smile turned to laughter.
She muttered, "You're going to be a dad." "Once more."
At first, he remained silent.
His body trembling with emotion, he simply drew her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. Then, with his own eyes moist, he cupped her face while leaning back.
"Are you serious?"
She laughed through her tears and nodded. "About ten weeks have passed. I wanted to hold off until I was certain."
He let out a breathless, awe-stricken "Lorna." "Our baby is inside you."
"Our second opportunity," she muttered.
Jason glanced around the corner from the hallway. "Why are you all crying and giving strange hugs?"
Michael waved him over, laughing. "Come on over, champion."
Jason entered with caution, still holding a Lego piece.
Michael dropped to his knees. "How would being a big brother make you feel?"
Jason's eyes darted between them as he blinked. "Really?"
Lorna crouched next to him and nodded. "A baby brother or sister is on the way."
Jason continued to look at them for a moment before beaming, lighting up the room.
"I've wanted a sibling my entire life!"
They started giggling.
On that particular evening, they celebrated with cake and chocolate, which Jason insisted—as well as background music. With their arms wrapped around one another, they swayed gently as they danced barefoot in the living room.
What they had once feared would never be a family was now expanding. They were becoming more than just healed with each heartbeat, glance, and muttered prayer.
They were complete.
And that wholeness—the silent promise of everything to come—was symbolized by the smallest heartbeat that was developing inside Lorna.