Gabriel finished a sip of coffee and replied calmly.

“I’m waiting for an answer. But don’t work yourself into anxiety. Honestly? If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be working outside the home right now. But I respect your choice—as long as you don’t push yourself beyond your limits. You and the babies come first.”

“I need to work, Gabriel. I want my own home and to get there I have to save money. What I make from writing still isn’t enough to support us, and soon the babies will be born and I’ll have to take a little break.”

“Patience, Celina—that’s all you need right now,” he said, in that irritatingly calm tone.

“The cost of living here is high, you know?” she shot back, sharp.

Gabriel looked at her and smiled.

“At last we’re seeing a little bump. Good morning, beautiful babies from Uncle Gabriel.”

He bent down and stroked her belly tenderly. Celina smiled.

“Don’t change the subject, Mr. Gabriel. But I confess I can’t wait to have a huge belly!”

“Did your mom carry big, Cel?” he aske