The look on his face is wonderful to her, and reminds her of how he looked at her on their wedding day, the mix of pride and wonder and love, and deep happiness. "I do not think fault is the right term." She tilts her face to kiss his cheek, then turns back to look at their child.

Their child. That is an amazement. It does not yet seem real. She runs a finger gently down the babe's nose, and he scrunches up his face and mewls a little.

The rush of love and delight that fills her all at once makes her gasp, and she bends over a little, clutching at him. She cuddles him in tight, kissing his forehead, her eyes closed. A few tears gather.