The last of the golden daylight filtered through the grand windows of the Hansen estate as the baby shower came to a cheerful close. Guests laughed and sipped mocktails, colorful balloons bobbed at the ceiling, and wrapping paper lay scattered like confetti across the living room floor. Eleanor was positively glowing, seated in the middle of the room beside Rickard, her hands resting over her belly, her face radiant with joy and exhaustion.
The cake had been cut—pink and blue layers swirled together in delicious mystery—and the guests were lingering in happy clusters. Laughter echoed from the hallway as Matthew and James bickered over who had spilled juice on the carpet, and Chloe tried to act unimpressed while giggling behind her cup.
Emily stood by the large arched window, her fingers
