Limue and Nick returned from the grocery store, arms laden with bags. The lawn was freshly-watered. A thin layer of water temporarily colored the concrete of the walkway a dark brownish tone. As soon as the clouds cleared, it would be gone. Thane Magos met them at the gate with a warm greeting and his trademark smile, the only visible aspect of which was a happy scrunching of the mud around his eyes. He opened the gate for them, took one of the bags out of Limue's arms, and walked with them to the front steps. The smell of clean grass was in the air. With her arms full, Limue could not sign much of a thank-you, so Nick said it for them both.

Into the kitchen they went, four bags of vegetables and fresh pasta and baking supplies. They chatted about the weather for a few moments, exchanged pleasantries, laughed at each other's little poignant observations. The cheery meandering eventually led to a conversation of note. "You've decided to adopt?"

"Yeah," said Nick, as Limue signed the same.

"How wonderful," Thane Magos sighed, eyes crinkling happily.

Nick took the items destined for the top shelf, talking as he worked."But we didn't want to go with the Patch, so we explored a few other options."

Limue signed. There was excitement in her hands.

"Though we won't know for sure for a few days. Plus, we still have to get the house ready." Nick was as realistic as his wife was optimistic, but they shared their enthusiasm wholly.

"I look forward to meeting the new family member! Does he or she have a name?"

Limue corrected with a sly smile.

"We don't want to say too much, in case we jinx it."

Superstition had its powers, Thane knew, and respected the position. "That's probably wise. In any event, I think one has only to step inside this house to know it is already full to the top. I believe these new additions will render it quite overflowing!" The light in his eyes burned with joy for the pair of them.

"If it works out," said Nick, but he was smiling, too, and he sounded confident.

Thane Magos lined up the cereal boxes in the cupboard. "I am sure it will. I can think of no better potential parents than the pair of you."

"And a set of great potential godparents," promised Nick.



It was truly flattering. Thane Magos pressed his hands to his chest in thanks. "I will gladly accept such an honor."



The conversation drifted then to the usual pleasantries, ending when the groceries were finished and Thane returned to his domicile, but the happiness of the upcoming arrivals lingered long after the words were gone.