When Hope was two, Lina discovered she was pregnant again.
She stared at the test, shocked. They'd talked about more children eventually, but eventually wasn't now.
Kai found her sitting on the bathroom floor.
"Lina? What's wrong?"
Wordlessly, she held up the test.
He stared. Looked at her. Looked at the test again.
"We're having another baby?"
"We're having another baby."
He dropped to his knees beside her, pulling her into a hug. "This is amazing. This is—are you okay? You look scared."
"I am scared. Hope is so little. What if I can't love another one as much? What if I don't have enough love to go around?"
Kai pulled back, cupping her face. "Your heart will expand. That's what happens. You'll love this one just as much, differently but just as much. I promise."
She wanted to believe him.
The second pregnancy was different.
Easier in some ways—she knew what to expect. Harder in others—chasing a toddler while exhausted was no joke.
Kai took over more, giving her rest when he could. He'd take Hope to the park, to the piano, anywhere that let Lina nap.
"You're carrying our child," he said when she thanked him. "The least I can do is handle the toddler."
"She's your toddler too."
"Exactly. So I'm handling my toddler while you grow our other child. Fair division of labor."
She laughed. "I love you."
"Love you too. Now rest."
They found out the gender at twenty weeks.
A boy.
"A son," Lina whispered. "We're having a son."
Kai's eyes were wet. "A boy. Another baby."
Hope, oblivious, played with blocks at their feet.
"She's going to be a big sister," Lina said. "Hope is going to be a big sister."
They held each other, imagining the future—two children, a family of four, their hearts expanding to make room.