Emily looked at him, and he could see that her eyes were full of tears. Luke gazed back at her, his heart so full that he was sure it would burst.
“How is it possible that something so tiny could be so perfect?” he whispered.
“I do not know.” Emily answered. “But I did not know I could love so deeply.”
“Nor did I.” Luke settled onto the bed beside her, and she leaned her head against him. “Nor did I.”
A few hours later, Emily woke alone in her bed. She felt a momentary stab of panic and sat up.
“Luke?” she called.
“I am here.” Luke was standing by the window, his tiny son in his arms.
“What are you doing by the window?” Emily asked, wincing as she got out of bed and made her way gingerly over to her husband.
“It is snowing.” Luke gestured outside. “I wanted him to see the first snow fall of the year.”
Emily stumbled as she approached them, and Luke caught her in a free hand and guided her to a chair. He gently placed their son in her arms, and moved the chair with her in it, so that she could peer out of the window at the freshly falling snow.
The wind brushed through the grounds, sweeping the snow into swirling mists as it fell gently upon the trees. The fire crackled merrily beside them, and Emily breathed in the comforting smell of wood.
“It is beautiful.” Emily murmured. “I love the snow. I love the way it makes everything so quiet, so still. It is like for a moment, the whole world has taken a breath, and we are just waiting for the exhale.”
“The quiet is the same colour as the word tranquility.” Luke added. “And the crunch of snow underfoot always makes me smile.”
The sound of music floated through the door, and Emily could hear singing distantly. She knew that the rest of her family would be celebrating, singing and toasting to her and the new babe’s good health.
“Do you want to join them?” Luke asked, turning to her.
Emily shook her head. “Not yet. I want to stay here a little while longer, with you and our son. I know it is not really proper to keep everyone waiting now that I am awake again.”
“I think today, propriety can wait.” Luke kissed her forehead gently, the warmth of his lips sending shivers through her body. “Perhaps it is selfish, but I want the gift of this moment. This is just ours, and I want to savour it.”
Gift.The word stirred something in Emily and she looked down at her son. “Nathaniel.”
“Pardon?”
“It means gift of God.” Emily gently kissed her son’s head. “And that is what he is. A divine gift.”
“Nathaniel.” Luke sounded out the word as he looked at the falling snow, his smile widening. “It is the same colour as the snow!”
“It is the colour of the trees in winter to me.” Emily said.
“Either way, it is perfect.” Luke looked down at Emily and Nathaniel, beaming at them both. “Our little Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel made a small burble, and Luke and Emily laughed. She leaned against her husband, the warmth of him easing some of the aches and pains she felt.
“I forgot, I had some good news for you. I meant to tell you at breakfast, but well…” Luke gestured towards her.
Emily had gone into labour over breakfast, and Luke had been swiftly escorted from the room. She had completely forgotten that he had been about to tell her something.
“What was it?” Emily asked, her curiosity piqued as she saw the glint in Luke’s eye.
“It is about the Marquess of Snowden.” Luke’s smile widened, reminding Emily of a wolf in pursuit of prey.
“Oh?” Emily canted her head towards him.
“Apparently, he has fallen onto rather hard times. He has lost everything and, well, he has had to rent out his stately home to make ends meet.” Luke rubbed his hands together. “Apparently, he is living in a tiny cottage on his estate as he has had to sell his London house altogether.”
