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“Oh. Well, they are mammals, I guess,” the kid shrugged. “And look, I am so, so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Chloe assured. “Yeah, it’s spoiled, but… look at those feet.”

I chuckled. “They’re perfect, really.”

“Can we get a picture of him?” Chloe asked.

“Sure,” the tech agreed, “just about done.”

He finished his measurements and returned to the face I only just learned was mine. A perfect little human-in-waiting stared back. I spotted the outline of a tiny silhouette—a nose I recognized and Chloe’s chin. I squeezed Chloe’s hand tighter. She turned back, smiling sweetly as tears welled.

“It’s Piper’s nose,” Chloe said. “That’s why I had a full mental breakdown earlier.”

“Did you?” I asked.

“Yeah. I broke down to Meg. Don’t ask. She’s just here to help.”

I didn’t understand who Meg was or why this mattered, but whatever calmed Chloe and whatever she needed to say mattered more than clarification. Everything else could wait.

I shrugged. “If you think that’s best and she’s helping, I’m for it.”

I brushed hair from her face, “I know. I just need you to accept it.”

The tech finished and handed me the first pictures of our baby I’d seen. I thought about what Piper might say if she saw the picture. Sure, it’d be a shock and there might be a meltdown, but how would it feel to watch her take in the face of a long-asked-for sibling? I suspected Chloe couldn’t have thought about it that way. How could she have known about that bit of history?

A nurse wheeled Chloe into another dimly lit room while we waited for a doctor. Finally, we had a moment to speak privately. Chloe turned, trying to read emotions in the low light. She reached her hand out, brushing my cheek and rolling her thumb over my crow’s feet.

“I know I need to accept help,” she whispered.

“You do, Chloe.”

“But Cole, did you mean what you said?”

“What? I will be here for this baby. There is no doubt⁠—”

“No.” Quiet as a mouse and softer than I thought she could speak, Chloe said, “That many people love me. Do those people include you, Cole?”

I melted for her.

Heart in my throat, I said, “Chloe, I love you for your endless positivity, your unearned kindness, and your bravery.”

“But do you love me... like that?” Tears welled in her beautiful blue eyes.

I kissed her forehead slowly. “I love you. If you would ever let me, I’d always love you, I suspect.”

She sniffled and wiped tears. “I think I love you, too. And I’ve missed you like crazy.”

I tucked hair behind her ear as I soaked up the way her words felt—like coming home. That was when I realized it. Maybe the apartment and this feeling that I needed to step out and build a life despite the feeling we’d inconvenienced her or were overstaying, was misguided. She was the first person I wanted to see at the barn. I needed her positivity as much as I found it damn annoying some days. It was good for me to take my medicine, and she gave it freely when I needed. More than that, Chloe was an endless confidante for Piper when she longed for a listening ear and believed in family as deeply as we did.

Chloe’s lip quivered. “I don’t want us to lie or hide or deny this. Not now. Not ever again. I am so sorry I lied. I hated every minute of it. But I didn’t want to destroy everything. I couldn’t...” Her words failed her.

I shook my head. “Chloe, you wouldn’t have, but… this is going to take some work. Explaining to everyone… we better be sure.”

I held my breath, wanting so badly to hear her say she wanted this—really wanted it—the way I had the night of the storm or in the tack room or in Florida.

Chloe squeezed my hand and took a deep breath. “I’m sure. I want to make it work. Only if you⁠—”

I couldn’t help myself. “I have for so long. Chloe, I love you. As much as we don’t know about the future, what I do know is that it has been well over a decade since I felt this pull. Not because we’re having a kid, Chlo. Because I wish I’d just said before you ran off to Florida.”