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A hearty laugh leaves my throat. "You're a magician with words, Brown."
"Then you better be ready to be under my spell. Because I'm only beginning to woo you over, Miss Campbell."
"Hm, I'm not complaining."
"Good morning,"Charlotte yells as she enters the kitchen. Nick is sitting at the breakfast table, and she takes a seat with a face that resembles sunshine. "My birthday is coming soon!"
I walk over to her. “Yes, you’ll turn eight. Time is moving fast,” I say, placing a plate with sliced bread on the table. I sit next to Nick and take a sip of my tea.
"Have you made a birthday wish list?" Nick asks.
Charlotte takes a slice of bread and lifts her face. "Yes, I have."
"So what is number one, because I have to buy that," he says with a wink.
"You can't buy it," she says.
Nick raises a brow. "Why not? What do you want?"
"I want to have a baby brother or sister," she says before taking a bite of her toast. Nick and I stare at her. Then our eyes meet, and we discuss without words. What to do? Do we tell her or wait? My eyes wander over Charlotte, who is eating in peace. And I know my answer. While placing my hand on Nick's under the table, I whisper to him, "It's time."
His eyes dilate as he realizes what I'm going to do.
"Are you sure?" he whispers back.
I give him a slight nod before focusing my attention on my sweet girl.
"Honey, we need to talk."
Charlotte, who has her mouth full, looks at me. She looks like a hamster who is hoarding for the winter. She places her hand in front of her mouth as she giggles. When she swallows her bite, I continue.
"Do you know what it means to be a big sister, sweetheart?"
Her eyes sparkle as she thinks.
"Yes, it means I can teach the baby everything I know. And I can play with it when it's older."
Nick's eyes sparkle at her reaction.
"But there will be times I have less time to do things with you because of the baby," I say seriously.
She shrugs. "I can help you with the baby. Or ask Nick, Auntie Alisha or Bella if they can do things with me." Her eyes beam with fun as she says this, and I have my answer.
"Wait here for a moment." I get up and grab the package I ordered from the bedroom and place the box on the table.
"This is for you, honey."
Charlotte's attention goes to the package in front of her.
"Really?" She claps her hands, and after placing herself on her knees, she removes the tape. Her hands glide inside, and she pulls out the contents.
Her eyes inspect the back of the t-shirt. "Why is the left side pink and the right side blue?" Nick, who sees the front, has a hard time holding his composure.
"Maybe you should turn it around," he says, roaming his hands through his hair.
Charlotte turns the shirt and sees the text. She holds it up and reads out loud while Nick and I hold hands, awaiting her reaction.
"You're going to be a BIG SISTER." For a moment, nothing happens. Her eyes are traveling over the words repeatedly. And then it hits her. Her tiny chin trembles, and when her eyes go upwards and find ours, her shoulders move, and her fingers dig into the t-shirt as she cries.
