Bridgeport

Dimitri skipped through the castle. Skipped and jogged- much like his parents told him many, many times not to do- but he had to find papa. Immediately, mama said.

He rounded the corner down to the lab and collided with his father. Andrei barely caught himself on his staff when he felt the excited pulling of the young boy's hand on his sleeve.

"Papa! Papa guess what! Guess what papa!"

Andrei curtly pulled his coat sleeve from Dimitri's hand. "What did I tell you about running around corners like that? And in the lab! What if I was holding something dangerous?"

Dimitri rolled his eyes. "Yeah I'm sorry but GUESS WHAT!"

"You don't sound sorry."

"PAPAAAA!" He whined loudly.

Andrei sighed. "Alright. What?"

"Mom says I'm going to be a big brother!" He beamed with a bright smile.

Andrei's scowl melted into confusion. "She... told you that, did she? Just now?"

"Uh huh!" He nodded.

Ana made an appearance down the hall. She made eye contact with her husband with a warm, slightly misty eyed smile.

"You meant it, then?" Andrei asked her somewhat shakily and approached to wrap her in his arms.

"You know I mean it, dear." She took his hand and rested it on her belly. Still too flat to show that anything special might be inside.

"Well." He grinned. "Looks like we will have to get ready."