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“Lights.” She points to the thousands of bulbs twinkling throughout Holley Ridge.

Seeing the awe and excitement on her face fills my heart. I brought her here last year, but she was only a few months old, too young to really appreciate it. Now she’s old enough to experience the joy and wonder I always imagined my child would when I brought her to Holley Ridge.

“Do you know who else is here?” Joshua asks.

Her eyes go wider. “Santa!”

“That’s right. But before you can see Santa, they need to light the tree. Are you ready?”

She nods, and Joshua touches a hand to my back, steering me toward the towering Norway spruce that’s become a symbol of Christmas at Holley Ridge over the years.

“You made it just in time,” Joshua says. “I was worried you’d miss it. Did you stay late to work with a few of your students on their choreography?”

“Not today.”

Usually, that’s the reason I run late.

While I never saw myself as a dance teacher, at least not during my younger years, I can’t imagine doing anything else now. I love being able to share my appreciation for dance with the next generation. And teaching them the choreography for our annual presentation of The Nutcracker is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.

Second only to being a mother.

“Was there traffic?” Joshua asks. “You could have just parked in the staff lot.”

“I did.”

He frowns. “Then what⁠—”

“I had an appointment.”

He falters, concern crossing his face. “Is everything okay?”

“Better than okay.” I shift Hannah in my arms, and Joshua immediately takes her, buckling her into the stroller.

“What was it for?”

I was going to wait until later, but I’ve already waited long enough.

“This.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the black-and-white photo, my fingers trembling as I hand it to him. “I took a test last week. It was positive, but I wanted my doctor to confirm. I’m eight weeks along.”

He stops walking to stare at the photo, his eyes wide, his jaw slack.

We’ve never discussed having kids together. This past year, we’ve been taking things one day at a time. Built a home together. Found our rhythm. Fallen more deeply in love than either of us thought possible.

After everything it took for me to get pregnant with Hannah, I didn’t think I would get pregnant again. Let alone so quickly.

I was wrong.

“You’re…” Joshua finally drags his gaze to mine, his voice strained. “You’re pregnant?”

“I am.”

“Oh, Wynter.” In an instant, he lifts me off the ground and spins me around. I squeal, gripping his shoulders as laughter bursts out of me, not caring if anyone’s watching us.

This has been one of the most freeing things about the past year. Being able to touch and kiss Joshua in public without worrying who sees. I don’t have to wonder whether loving him will cost me something. I can simply love him without apology.

When he finally sets me back on my feet, he studies the ultrasound photo again, his expression filled with so much awe that my eyes sting.

“I can’t… I’m going to be a father?”