The excitement and joy he felt heightened Freya's own elatement of the news. Whomever the father was (Daniel, August, the milk man) mattered little when she contemplated that she would, finally, become a mother. An heir for Daniel, a bright life for her to devote her life to as her mother had done for her. Freya simply couldn't wait.

Grinning broadly, Freya threw her arms around her husband's neck and hugged him tightly. Such was a rare show of affection between them, but she could scarcely contain herself. "Oh, Daniel," she sighed happily.