After a nice dinner, Eleanor announced it was time for dessert. She cut a large slice of pie and, while Sarah distracted Mark with a story about her day, she slipped a small note under his plate. Mark, relaxed and in a good mood, was sharing news from the office, clearly enjoying the warm atmosphere.
He had no idea what the occasion was. Whenever he asked, the women just smiled mysteriously, promising to reveal the secret after coffee. As Mark finished his pie, he noticed the corner of a white slip of paper peeking out from under the rim of his plate.
He frowned, pulled the note out, and asked, “Mom, why is there a piece of paper under my plate?” “It’s not just a piece of paper, Mark,” Eleanor said gently. “It’s a message. Read it.”
Mark unfolded the slip, his eyes scanning the short sentence. He froze. He read it again, his gaze darting between his wife and his mother. “Is this for real?” he whispered.
“It’s the truth,” Sarah said, her face glowing. “You’re going to be a father.” “That’s incredible!” Mark shouted, jumping up to pull Sarah into a bear hug, spinning her around the kitchen.
He kissed his mother, unable to contain his excitement. Seeing his reaction, Sarah finally let her guard down. For the next few weeks, Mark was the perfect husband: he brought home treats, took her to the movies, and went on long walks with her in the local park.
Eleanor suggested they turn one of the guest rooms into a nursery, and the couple spent hours picking out paint colors and furniture. Eleanor was constantly looking out for Sarah, making sure she was eating well and staying hydrated. When Sarah mentioned she was worried about the baby having allergies, Eleanor didn’t hesitate to have all the old carpets professionally removed from the house.
Together, they dreamed about the nursery and browsed baby boutiques. When it came time for the first ultrasound, Mark couldn’t make it due to a deadline at work. Eleanor stepped in happily, eager to support her daughter-in-law.
In the darkened exam room, they watched the monitor with bated breath, trying to make sense of the grainy image of a new life. The ultrasound photos soon found their way onto the fridge and into frames around the house. Mark even kept one in his wallet, proudly showing it to his colleagues.
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