Melissa's laugh came out brighter this time, and Phei felt the sound settle into his chest with that strange, quiet ache she always gave him. He bent and kissed her again, slower, then another kiss beneath her eye, then one against the tip of her nose because annoying her was also affection and no one had yet successfully outlawed it.
She wrinkled her nose. "You are impossible."
"You keep saying that."
"You keep proving it."
His hand drifted back to her stomach, covering her gently. The mood softened without becoming sad. Melissa's hand came over his, holding him there, and for a moment both of them looked down at the place where their child rested in secret silence.
