Adrian stared at Ethan.
Then Lucas.
Then Noah.
Then Miles.
He looked back at me.
“Claire.”
“Merry Christmas.”
His mouth opened.
“No.”
There it was.
Again.
Eight years later.
No.
Ethan heard it.
He moved closer to me.
I said:
“They’re eight.”
Adrian’s face changed.
“Eight?”
“Yes.”
“Quadruplets?”
“Yes.”
His mother covered her mouth.
Adrian’s father whispered something I could not hear.
Vanessa turned sharply toward Adrian.
“You knew she was pregnant?”
Adrian did not answer.
I did.
“I told him.”
Adrian finally said:
“She said she was pregnant.”
I stared.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Are you Major Adrian Vale?”
Adrian looked directly at him.
Something broke in his face.
“Yes.”
“I’m Ethan.”
Lucas introduced himself.
Then Noah.
Miles remained beside me before quietly giving his name too.
Adrian looked as though each name landed physically.
Then he asked me:
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I actually laughed.
