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“You can’t promise someone that nothing bad will ever happen to them. That’s not how life works.”

I stare down at my hands.

“But you can make sure they don’t have to face it alone,” he continues. “That’s what you’ve done for her.”

I swallow past the tightness in my throat.

“So, don’t promise me you’ll protect her from everything, Dean. You can’t.” His eyes move back toward Blair. “Just promise me that when life gets ugly, she won’t have to stand in it by herself.”

I don’t hesitate. “She won’t.”

Jerry gives me a faint smile before clapping me on the back. Then he puts on his coat and goes outside to join my girls.

* * *

The knock comes just after twelve.

Blair left twenty minutes ago to grab groceries for dinner, and Jerry disappeared upstairs to shower, leaving Pen and me sprawled across the couch watching a Christmas movie she’s already seen at least six times.

“I’ll get it,” I tell her, pushing myself up.

Courtney is standing on the porch when I open the door, a scarf wrapped around her neck and several presents tucked beneath one arm.

“Hey.” I step aside and gesture for her to come in.

“Hey.”

Aspen hears her voice and comes running from the living room.

“Mom!”

Courtney barely has time to put the presents down before Pen throws herself into her arms.

“Hi, baby.” Courtney kisses her cheek. “Have you had a good morning?”

“Yes. Blair and I made snow angels, and Jerry is here, and Daddy nearly made Santa not come.” Aspen pulls away abruptly. “I have to get my stuff. And go to the bathroom. Quickly.”

She says the last word like she’s announcing an emergency before bolting down the hallway.

Courtney laughs. “Still dramatic, then.”

“You have no idea.”

I glance toward the hallway to make sure Aspen is out of earshot. Blair and I agreed Courtney should hear our news from one of us before Pen inevitably let it slip, and I’m starting to think we’ve already pushed our luck.

“Actually, while she’s gone, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”

Courtney’s expression shifts. “Okay.”

“Blair’s pregnant.”

She blinks, staring at me for several seconds.

“Pregnant?”

“Yeah.”

Courtney’s eyes flick toward the hallway before returning to mine. “Does Aspen know?”