Claire glanced at the clock.
“Tomorrow. Eleven.”
“Where?”
“At my house.”
Mark looked up.
“Emily’s with you?”
Claire’s expression revealed nothing.
“I said the babies will be there.”
He knew better than to press.
For the first time in years, he simply nodded.
The following morning, Mark stood outside Claire’s front door holding nothing but a diaper bag she had instructed him to buy.
No flowers.
No gifts.
No grand speech.
Claire opened the door.
“You’re early.”
“Seven minutes.”
“I noticed.”
She stepped aside.
Mark entered.
He heard them before he saw them.
Soft noises from the living room.
Then he rounded the corner.
Three bassinets stood side by side near the window.
Mark stopped.
Grace slept with one fist tucked against her cheek.
Lily made tiny restless movements beneath a pale blanket.
Faith was awake.
Her eyes were barely open.
Mark could not move.
Claire’s voice softened.
