"Well, I thought I'd start here..." he murmured, then abruptly caught her and swung her off her feet, spinning in a circle with a joyful whoop, dissolving into laughter as he finally fell, hauling her into his lap as he hit the floor.

"And," he went on, still breathless and chuckling, "I wanna tell people. Lots of people. I know you prolly don't wanna...but it'll be good for the baby." Resting a hand on her stomach, he leaned in to steal a kiss.

"I know you're scared." he murmured, brushing her hair away from her cheek. "But fear kills. Before anything else, babe...fear can kill my kind. You of all people oughta know that."