I stood just inside the screen door as I watched Caspar leading the kids in some kind of martial arts dance. Where had he learned that? There were so many things about this big, gentle man that were still shrouded in mystery. I couldn't wait to unearth them all.

Gideon stood in the front, following Caspar's moves intently, though with less practiced skill than the others. The first day after they had returned, even with Caspar's cracked rib, Caspar had insisted on continuing training, and Gideon had quietly taken his place at the front and it had been that way every day since. 

I shook my head at Caspar's stubbornness. At least he was moving slowly. His ribs still had several weeks of healing, according to my cousin.

I was grateful it was Saturday. I'd been falling asleep at work all week, and I'd slept all morning, and a good portion of the afternoon away. This pregnancy stuff was no joke. Ginny had offered to take over some shifts for me, and I was going to have to take her up on it. At least until this first-trimester exhaustion faded.

Less work meant less money, though, and I could ill afford it. We desperately needed a bigger house, and I had no idea how we were going to manage that on my salary. And honestly, I couldn't imagine Caspar working a normal job. I was sure he would if he needed to, but I just couldn't picture it. I hadn't brought it up to him, but I would need to soon.

Caspar dismissed the children, and they scattered, several of them inside to watch a movie, some of them into the woods, a few raking up leaves to jump in. I stepped outside and Caspar cautiously wrapped his arms around me.

"They're doing well," he said. "We've had no accidents in the last five days."

That was a major accomplishment. I'd lost a few items of furniture to power mishaps, and we'd dealt with several minor injuries, but nothing so bad as Adam's broken arm. 

"So you're saying they might survive until adulthood?"

Caspar buried his nose in my hair. "They might."

* * *

Sunday night dinners seemed to be growing more and more frantic, as if the kids could sense the approach of winter and their pending weather-induced confinement. They ran through plenty of energy outside, but that didn't make dinner any calmer. To make things even more complicated, all of my siblings were there that particular week with all of their kids. There were kids in the dining room, kids in the living room, kids on the porch—the very definition of insanity.

Thankfully, Caspar had taken over kid-corralling duties. I was just too tired to fuss much, and nearly fell asleep in my sweet potato casserole. Ma chased all the hooligans outside after they finished eating, and we adults sat around the table for a while longer, simply talking, until Ma stood and cleared her throat, calling everyone's attention to her immediately.

"Watch out, Ma's got an announcement!" my brother Chris yelled.

Ma picked up a biscuit and expertly nailed him in the head with it. "Not just me. Your father and I have something to say."

Dad stood up next to her and put his arm around her.

"First we wanted to congratulate Theo and Caspar on their addition."

All eyes turned toward me, and I legitimately thought about throwing something at my mother. She hadn't asked if she could spill the beans to the rest of the family. I mean, chances were they already knew, but they'd keep their mouths shut until there was an official announcement. I guess this was it, whether I wanted or not.

"Now, we have a proposal to put forth to the family. We all know this house is just too large for your father and I, but it's too useful to let it go. We've been wanting to move to a smaller place for years now, but something kept saying it wasn't time. Well, we think the time is now."

Immediate cries of disbelief and displeasure rose from around the table.

"Ma, you can't sell the house!"

"Where are we going to have holiday dinners?"

Ma raised her hand, and everyone quieted. "We're not selling the house. What we'd like to know is... Theo and Caspar have twelve kids to take care of. Soon to be thirteen. I don't want anyone else to feel like they didn't get their fair share of the family property, but how do you feel about handing it over to them?"

Silence echoed. Tears pricked at my eyes. I hadn't even considered Ma and Dad giving us their house. "Ma—you can't—" I started, but Dorie interrupted me. 

"That's perfect. I was just afraid I was going to have to host Christmas. But I'm all for dumping it on Theo and Caspar."

The rest of my siblings quickly agreed. 

Ma beamed. "Well, that's done. There's still logistics to figure out, but this house will be Theo and Caspar's soon enough."

"But Ma," I croaked out, "where are you going to live?"

She shrugged. "We'll figure something out. If you don't have plans for your house, maybe we'll just do a swap. It's the perfect size for your father and I."

Of course they could have the house! They could have whatever they wanted. I tried to say thank you, but tears overcame me. Caspar wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said our thanks for me.

As conversation started up again, Dad raised his voice above the hubbub. "Of course, you'll have to get properly mated first."

Caspar kissed the side of my head. "Of course. I've just been waiting for the appropriate opportunity."

My family really needed to stop knowing so much about my sex life. I blushed, thankful my face was already red from crying.