Marcus swiftly scooped him up, ensuring a careful distance from Melissa.

“Gentle now, buddy! Mommy's carrying a little one."

Cradled in his father's arms, Matthew peered at Melissa's tummy, a blush coloring his cheeks. "When will the baby sister arrive?" he inquired with caution.

Marcus replied with gravity, "She'll be here in about eight and a half months."

Matthew's gaze lingered, full of wonder.

With a comforting hand, Marcus smoothed back Matthew's hair. "You and I will be bunkmates for now, letting Mommy and your sister get the rest they need, alright?"

Contemplating the arrival of his new sister, Matthew gave an earnest nod.

He was so taken with the idea that he offered his beloved Minnie to keep Melissa company. “At night, when sleep evades me, I find comfort in the buttons on Minnie's belly. She's such good company," he confided.

Melissa, puzzled by his remark, looked to Marcus for clarification.

"Buttons?"

Marcus, cheeks tinged with a sudden flush, clarified quickly, "He's referring to Minnie's dress!"

But Matthew persisted, adamant. "No! She has two rows of buttons on her belly, maybe six or eight."

Realization dawned on Melissa about the innocent observation.

The explanation, however, was not forthcoming to Matthew.

Yet, the confusion was short-lived as the topic soon slipped from the young boy's mind.

Once the children were nestled in their beds, Marcus checked in on Melissa.

Fresh from the shower, Melissa donned comfortable pajamas and was absorbed in a pregnancy guide. Marcus, seating himself beside her, eyed the manual curiously. “When did this come into our home? I never noticed it before."

Melissa's voice was soft as she answered, "It's been with me for quite some time."

Marcus playfully feigned shock, teasing, “Have you been scheming our future for that long, Mrs. Fowler?"

Melissa couldn't help but roll her eyes at his remark.