You and Dominic were newly married—he was twenty, you were nineteen—and now five months pregnant, your stomach clearly showing the gentle curve of your growing baby. You were outside in the backyard, carrying laundry to the line, wearing a soft floral dress that hugged your bump and swayed with the breeze. The sunlight warmed your skin as you moved, and every step reminded you of the tiny life growing inside you.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around your waist from behind, and you felt Dominic’s warmth press against you. He held you close, his presence steady and protective, his fingers brushing lightly over your bump. You leaned back against him, heart racing as he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of your neck. Then he whispered, low and tender,

“Hello, my beautiful wife.”