Remi rubbed her stomach, grimacing. "Ugh, my stomach feels awful. I shouldn't have eaten all that steak. It's just sitting there like a brick."

"Do you have any antacids in the house?" Evangeline asked.

"Yeah, I'll go grab some."

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Evangeline’s mind. She grabbed Remi’s hand. "Remi, what if Aurora was actually right?"

Remi froze, her heart skipping a beat—part nervous, part hopeful.

"D-do you think I should take a test?"

"Go! Now!"

The two of them scrambled to find a pregnancy test, hiding away in the bathroom like conspirators. Remi gripped Evangeline’s hand so hard her knuckles turned white. "I'm so nervous."

They’d done this so many times before, waiting for that single, mocking line to appear. Over time, the anticipation had died, replaced by a dull, routine disappointment. But the child’s innocent comment from before had reignited a tiny flame of hope, one Remi was terrified to see snuffed out.

"Stop overthinking it. Just do it."

"Fine, fine! Don't rush me, I can't even go now!"

Evangeline pouted, blowing air at her. "Pssssst—"

"Oh, stop it!"

"Alright, alright. I'm kidding. Just get it done."

Finally, the sample was collected. They leaned in, eyes locked on the plastic strip. As the fluid climbed, the first line appeared. They held their breath, fingers intertwined.

Then, the second line bled into view—a faint, unmistakable shade of pink.

"Oh my god! Ha! It’s real, it’s actually real! Evangeline!"

Remi shrieked with joy, throwing her arms around Evangeline and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"Remi, keep that up and people will think the baby is mine!"

"Waaaah, I really thought there was something wrong with me... this is the best news ever."

Evangeline wiped away her friend’s tears with a smile. "No more crying. You and this little one were always meant to be."

"I know!"

The two women huddled in the bathroom, laughing and sobbing in turn. Remi sniffled, wiping her nose. "Aurora is such a little lucky charm. I’m buying her the biggest gift tomorrow."

"Pretty sure that credit goes to Damian," Evangeline teased, covering her mouth to hide her smirk.

"Right! Damian! I have to tell him!"

Remi wiped her eyes, grabbed the test, and started running toward the door.

"Hey, take it easy! Don't run!"

Hearing Evangeline’s warning, Remi switched to a brisk power-walk. If this were an Olympic race, she’d have the gold medal in the bag.

Damian saw her coming from across the hall, her eyes red and puffy. He jumped up, rushing to meet her. "What’s wrong, Remi? Are you okay?"

She looked distraught, her lower lip trembling—a perfect picture of woe.

"What’s wrong, babe? Tell me?"

Remi caught her breath, then thrust her clenched fist out toward him.

"Here."

"What is it?"

Damian cautiously opened his palm to receive the item.

"It’s a pregnancy test! Two lines!"

His voice cracked, soaring an octave as he stared at the plastic strip like it was a holy relic.

"Damian, we’re having a baby."

"HOLY—I’m actually going to be a dad!"

A roar of laughter tore through the night air, shattering the silence. He scooped Remi into his arms, spinning her around and peppering her face with kisses. "Remi, you’re amazing! Ha! I’m amazing, too!"

Evangeline leaned her head against Marcellus’s shoulder, watching the scene unfold. The sheer joy was contagious; she felt almost as excited as if she were the one expecting.

"Marcellus, should we have another one?"

It was a ridiculous thought—who sees someone else get pregnant and immediately wants to sign up for the same ordeal?

Marcellus leaned down, whispering in her ear, "Evangeline, have you already forgotten the pain? Or are you just looking for an excuse?"

A bucket of ice-cold reality washed over her. The memory of childbirth still felt fresh, and she couldn't help but shiver.

"Never mind. Aurora is quite enough for us."

Marcellus chuckled, rubbing his palm over her hair. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To enjoy the process of making one."

The line was so smooth, Evangeline’s face turned bright red. She glanced over at the couple still wrapped in their own bubble of happiness; thank God they weren't paying attention, or she would have died of embarrassment.

The next morning, everyone gathered in the dining room. Damian was positively glowing, radiating so much self-satisfaction he looked like he might burst.

"Daddy... that uncle is scary."

Aurora peered at him, shivering as she burrowed deeper into her father's arms.

Marcellus extended a long leg under the table and gave Damian a sharp kick.

"Damian, wipe that grin off your face! You’re scaring Aurora."

Damian winced, but his smile didn't falter for a second. "I'm sorry, Aurora, don't be scared... heh heh heh..."

"Waaaaah!"

That did it. Aurora began to cry.

Remi looked at the man beside her: Yeah, his expression was definitely a bit unnerving. She rubbed her temples, sighing. "Can you please try to act normal?"

"Yeah, yeah!"

He nodded, but the grin remained plastered on his face.

Marcellus glared at him, picked up Aurora, and covered her eyes with his palm. "Good girl, Aurora. Daddy’s taking you away. We don't need to look at this weirdo."

Evangeline bit her lip to keep from laughing as she followed them.

Remi sighed, exhausted. "Damian, can you please pull your tail in? It’s wagging so hard you’re going to take flight!"

"Remi, I’m just happy!" He nuzzled his head against her neck, cooing.

Remi laughed, wrapping her arms around his back. "You’re acting like such a softie right now."

"Huh?"

Damian sat up straight, squaring his shoulders. "Am I not man enough for you?"

"Manly, sure, sure. Now just eat."

"Are you brushing me off?"

Remi gave him a sharp look. "Stop stalling!"

The man turned obedient in an instant. "Eating, eating! Here, honey, this is delicious, you have to try it..."

Remi scoffed: the speed at which he changed his attitude was faster than a professional stage actor.

That morning, they went in for a blood test to confirm the results. Remi handed the report to Noah Mitchell with a sheepish look. "I just got back from my honeymoon, and now I have to ask for maternity leave. I feel terrible."

Noah laughed, dry and incredulous. "So the two of you are just out to make my life miserable, right?"

"Hey, if you hadn't stayed single, you wouldn't be the only one stuck with the workload. Don't blame us!"

"So, what, single guys are just targets now?"

Remi and Evangeline exchanged a look and nodded in perfect unison.

"Fine. When I get married, I’m taking double the time off you two did. Deal?"

Evangeline’s eyes widened. "Wait, do you actually have someone, Noah?"

"…No."

"Hahaha!"

The cold, hard sound of their mockery filled the office. Noah leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them with a faint, amused smile.