Rob pulled Leigh to the car, but she was dragging, looking over her shoulder at the house. It made him laugh. “You really like it,” he said.

“It needs things, like updated tile. Listen to me, acting like I know anything about updating tile! I can put in stitches, deliver a baby and treat the flu, but I can’t even cook a decent dinner! We should agree right now that no matter what happens, you should never let me help with remodeling or decorating. If you do, you’ll be sorry.”

“And I agree not to try putting in stitches or deliver a baby,” he said. “Anything any house needs, don’t worry. Tom and Lola Canaday can do it. That’s what they do—remodel, flip houses, construction and property rejuvenation. I run a pub, you run a clinic, and we should stick to what we know.”

“But tell the truth, we can’t afford something like that. Right?”

While they stood by the car, Claudia got in hers and backed away, giving them a wave.

“I haven’t run the numbers yet,” he said. “But I have a house to sell and we each make a decent living. The thing that might get us—college educations. I put money in college funds for the boys and Finn is getting a little scholarship help, but it’s unbelievable...”

“Oh. Speaking of that. You’re taking Finn to Boulder on Saturday? Do you suppose I could go along? Would he be mortified?”

“I think that would be perfect,” Rob said with a smile.

“I’m sure they’ll get used to me. Eventually. There will probably be a period of adjustment, but when you told them I was pregnant, did they scream, Oh, no?”

He grinned. “Something like that, but not because it’s you. Because they couldn’t believe I was that irresponsible, especially after all the screaming I’ve done about safe sex.”

“I hope they’ll give me a chance,” she said.

He touched her cheek. “We’ll know soon enough. Come on. They’re cooking up something. I hope it’s dinner.”

Leigh’s doubts and fears were fewer after seeing a house that would not only hold them all but represented a fresh start for everyone—for her and Rob, for the boys, even for Helen. Helen was having her own fresh start with Sully, but it brought Leigh great joy to be able to tell Helen there would always be a place for her.

“It’s too big for us, isn’t it? Even all of us?”

“Probably,” Rob said. “But I don’t know what we need yet. Will the guys be around a lot or will they disappear into college and beyond and hardly notice us? Do we need space for a nanny? Will the three of us rattle around in a big old house or will we fill it up? I’ll tell you one thing—I wouldn’t mind sitting on that deck and looking at the mountains.”

“If not for our situation, would you ever have considered another house?”

“Probably not. My whole life was invested in my boys and the pub. I haven’t been sorry. But when I saw that house I thought about how great a Christmas tree would look in front of those French doors.”

Then he pulled into his driveway.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Sean worked today and he asked me if I was taking you out tonight and I said I hoped so. He said to bring you to the house at about six thirty. He said he had something to show you but it’s a surprise. So, act surprised. Then I’ll get you something to eat.”

“Okay,” she said. “Where’s Finn?”

“He was supposed to be spending the day getting all the stuff he’s moving to Boulder ready, but if I know Finn, he was probably at Maia’s most of the day.”

When they walked in, the action in the kitchen was immediately obvious. Good smells, a lot of chatter and laughter and some background music from an iPod gave them away. Sean and Finn were wearing white T-shirts with black bow ties while Maia stood at the counter preparing something. She wore an apron and chef’s hat and a big grin. She saw them first and poked Finn, who poked Sean.

“Madame and Monsieur, dinner is served on the patio,” Sean said with a short bow. “Right this way.”

Leigh and Rob followed to find the patio decorated with little twinkling lights, a beautifully appointed round table with candles and flowers that appeared to be exactly like those in the neighbor’s yard. There was also an easel supporting large cards. On their plates were printed menus. Champagne flutes stood beside water glasses.

Rob held a chair for Leigh. “I should have dressed up,” she said.

“Me, too,” Rob said. “This is crazy.”

Leigh picked up her menu. “Wow, do they know how to make this?” she asked, reading through it. “Chicken cordon bleu, Caesar salad, garlic asparagus, seasoned fettuccini in butter sauce. Wow.”

“I can assure you, I’ve never gotten a dinner like this. I was under the impression they couldn’t eat unless I put something on the table for them.”

“This could change everything,” Leigh said.

Next came Finn, towel over his arm, presenting a bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. When Rob nodded his approval, Finn poured it into the flutes. And then the boys, comical in their T-shirts and bow ties, stood on either side of the easel. Finn took off the top poster; the next one, in bold black letters, said:

Welcome to Casa Shandon.

Leigh couldn’t help it; she had to cover her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh out loud.

We pick up after ourselves and keep our bathroom pretty clean.

Then Sean pulled away the card to reveal the next one.

I will do better. Love, Sean.

She smiled at him and reached for Rob’s hand.

And I’ll be at school, doing my own laundry. Love, Finn.

They were so stoic, taking turns pulling the cards, standing on either side of the easel, wearing their serious faces.

We know how to be quiet.

No. Really.

We’re incredibly helpful.

And funny.

I can burp quietly. Love, Sean.

We know how to stop being annoying.

Seriously, you’ll find us adorable in no time.

We like babies. Mostly.

We can help with everything except poop.

We’re even willing to learn that. Please go slow.

We promise to get excellent grades.

I will stop watching internet porn. Kidding. Love, Sean.

I will never call from school after ten.

I can detail your car every month. Love, Sean.

We will do everything we can to be less expensive.

We got the message our dad loves you.

Because he’s very smart and aims high.

It’s not a big house, but there’s room.

(You’re not that big.)

Aunt Helen will like us a lot.

Will you please marry our dad?

Because otherwise he’ll be pathetic.

Say yes and we will give you dinner.

It’s an excellent dinner. Maia made it.

Leigh had tears in her eyes. She leaned toward Rob and whispered, “Do they know we went to look at a house?”

He shook his head.

“And you didn’t know about this?” she asked.

He shook his head again. He put a hand against her jaw and lifted her chin. “You don’t have to give them an answer if you’re not ready. They’ll understand.”

“But I’m hungry,” she said with a sniff.

She looked at the boys, their eyes shining expectantly. She gave them a nod and they yelled, grabbing each other like teammates who had just scored a goal. Then they pulled one last card.

Yay!

She got up from the table and let herself be hugged by both of them. Then Rob joined in the group hug.

“I find you adorable,” Leigh said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”

“As long as we do it,” Finn said. “We’re a family. We can’t change that.”

“We’ll take care of you,” Sean said.

“And I’ll take care of you,” she said. “Mostly. Please go slow.”

* * *

A couple of days later, Leigh went with Rob, Finn and Sean to check Finn into his dorm room. Dakota and Sid were also there since they lived in Boulder now. Plus what seemed like millions of students, just moving in. Some were moving in for the first time and some were returning and being reunited with friends.

Leigh had made Finn a box that was like a portable medicine chest—analgesics for headache, anti-inflammatories for strained muscles or toothaches, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea meds, bandages, Ace wraps, ice packs, cold medicine, cough medicine, anything that might send a young man to the clinic. “This is awesome,” he said. He put it under his bed.

Finn had met some of his dorm mates during orientation, just as Rob had met some of the parents. The air of excitement and celebration suggested that the freshmen were ready for the parents to leave so they could start having some fun. And Sean acted like he hoped they’d forget and leave him behind.

Finn walked with them to the parking lot. Sean gave his brother a slug in the arm and headed for the car. Rob lingered for a moment and then gave Finn a man-size hug, letting go and turning away quickly. He had his head down as he crossed the parking lot. When Leigh looked back at Finn, she was surprised by the tears in his eyes.

“Take care of him, Leigh,” Finn said. “He thinks he can handle anything alone but we all know he needs us. As much as we need him.”

She put her arms around him, holding him. He was as tall as his father. He was strong and smart. And while she hugged him, he felt like her boy. Off into the world. “I’ll take care of him, don’t worry. And Sean—I’ll watch over Sean. We’re not so far away, Finn. Call us. Have fun and study hard.”

“I will.”

Rob was waiting at the car. He was a little misty and choked up. He shrugged. “It’s not like sending him off to visit his grandparents. How’d he get to be eighteen?”

“He’ll be fine, Rob. Let’s go home. We have a very long list of things to do. We have to get married, find a house and have a baby. Hopefully in that order.”