“Ugh,” Claire replied. “I’d give anything for a nice cup of caffeinated coffee.”

Tony smirked. “Sacrifices, my dear.”

“Sure, that’s easy for you to say.”

He reached for Nate’s head. As he stroked the fine hair, the tips of his fingers purposely caressed Claire’s breast. “I believe I’m sacrificing too.”

“Yes, but your sacrifice is a sacrifice for me, too.”

He lowered his lips near her neck, purposely bathing her sensitive skin in his warm breath. “Would I be awful,” he emphasized the word, “if I were glad to hear that?”

Inhaling deeply, Claire sighed. “No. No more awful than you already are.”

As she did the mental math, Tony turned to leave. Just before entering back into their suite, he muttered, “Three and a half more weeks.”

A smile came to her lips and her cheeks rose. That was exactly what she’d been thinking.

THE SOUND OF Madeline’s deep laugh echoed through the foyer as Claire approached the dining room. Turning the corner her heart leapt. Madeline and Francis truly were like family as they sat conversing with Tony over their breakfast. On the island, they used to eat their midday meals together, all four of them. In Iowa, Tony was rarely home for lunch and dinner was an off and on occasion for them all to be together. Though Claire always asked the older couple, Madeline insisted that the evening meal was an important time for the family.

Family was what Claire saw as she stood in the doorway and watched the three casually discussing daily events. Madeline and Francis were as close to parents as Tony or Claire would ever have. Their knowledge and wisdom affected both Tony and Claire in different ways. Claire welcomed Madeline’s advice to the point of seeking it on many occasions. Tony was less forward, yet Francis had found a way to interject his beliefs and wisdom into Tony’s life. Perhaps they were continuing their parent lessons without either Tony or Claire realizing what was happening.

“Oh, Madame Claire, let me hold Nate while you eat,” Madeline said when she turned to see Claire.

As Claire placed Nate in Madeline’s arms, she smiled at the way he nuzzled against the large woman. “I think we’re spoiling him. He could be in his chair.”

Madeline’s dark eyes beamed. “Oh, no. Loving a bébé is not spoiling them. It is making him feel safe so that one day he can be in his chair and know he is still loved.”

Sitting next to Tony, Claire smiled. “Well, he’s definitely loved.”

“And Nichol?” Francis asked.

“She’s loved too,” Claire answered quickly.

“No, Madame el, Nichol? Where is she?”

“Oh,” Claire giggled. “She’s still asleep.” Before they asked, she volunteered, “She slept in our bed again last night.”

“Was she upset?” Madeline asked.

“No,” Tony answered. “When we started to tuck her in, she ran to our room and said she wanted to be close to her brother.” With a scoff, he added, “That sounds all well and good, but so far she’s yet to be any help with the middle of the night feeding.”

“Oui,” Madeline laughed. “She’s a smart one, your daughter. She is very good at reasoning.”

Claire nodded as she sipped her warm, decaffeinated tea. “Too good, but the night before, she slept fine in her bed. I hope…”

Madeline’s knowing eyes peered toward Claire. “Do not worry. She will sleep in her own bed before she goes to university.”

Tony’s cough and laugh filled the dining room. “Well, let’s hope it’s way before that.”

The four continued to chat until they heard the sound of little feet coming through the foyer. They all turned as Nichol made her way into the dining room and walked toward Claire.

“I woked up,” she said sleepily.

“Yes, you did. Did you sleep okay in our big bed?”

Nichol nodded, and then with a grin she said, “Eccept Daddy snores.”

The room erupted with everyone’s laughter, followed by a dark-eyed stare coming from the head of the table. Playfully, Tony replied, “Well then, I guess you’ll need to sleep in your own room from now on.”

Nichol giggled. “I like your snoring, Daddy. It sounds funny.” She looked up at Claire. “Doesn’t it, Momma?”

Stifling her laughter, Claire’s eyes met Tony’s. Truthfully, she’d never noticed. Well, maybe when they first began to sleep together, but Claire always considered it rhythmic breathing more than snoring. Then after they had been separated, once they were reunited, she welcomed the sound of her husband sleeping beside her. “I think it sounds nice. That’s how I know your daddy’s there.”

“Good answer,” Tony declared. “You may have been sharing a bed with Nichol, in her room.”

Claire’s emerald eyes sparkled. “I don’t think I need to be too concerned.”

Tony stood, leaned down and gave Claire a kiss and Nichol a peck on her hair. “That’s it. I’m leaving before you start discussing any more of my bad habits.”

“We can save that for another time,” Claire offered. Peering toward Madeline and Francis, she joked, “I’m sure you don’t want to spend all morning sitting here. The list is rather lengthy.”

Tony shook his head with a grin as he whispered near Claire’s ear, “There’s that smart mouth I love.”