She crawled onto the bed, sliding up next to him, and patted his belly in a mimic of his own motion. "You're going to be a wonderful father," she said. "I don't think I could have picked anyone better if I'd tried."

He went silent for a moment, putting his hand on top of hers and hold it still. "I never know how to respond when you say things like that," he said quietly.

She kissed his cheek. "You don't have to put a lot of thought into it, silly. You're excited to be a father; you're going to be wonderful with children. I thought...that whenever I did eventually have a child, I'd be going through it alone. And I'm not. I have you."

"Nonsense. You wouldn't be alone regardless." He shivered a little. "It's . . . sometimes this all seems like it's rushing in on me. I'm not quite used to everything yet."

"I'm not either," Dierdre replied. "It's all right, to feel that way, a bit. I'm scared out of my mind, to be perfectly honest. I'm worried I'm going to lose my temper with them, or do something crazy or hurt one of them."

His brows knitted. He hoisted himself to a seat again so as to be on eye level with her. "Nobody," he said, seriously, "is going to let that happen. Nobody."

"I know," Dierdre said softly. "I mean...I don't think I would do that, Duncan, but then I do something like this, and i'm still scared I'll do something stupid."

"Everyone is afraid that they're going to do something stupid with their children, Dee," he said, still quiet. "Especially the first ones. Worse people than us become parents, and they turn out all right. And I'll help you."

"I know you will," Dierdre replied. "And that's why I'm happy to have you, because...I know you'll help. I trust you to be there; I don't think you'll leave or decide you're not so sure you want to be a father...I know you'll be there and I know you'll love our children."

He laughed, nervously. "I do want to be a father but that doesn't preclude entertaining the idea of pulling a runner when things get down to the sticking place." He tried to smile, giving her nose a playful tweak. "You are a worrying broody hen."