Chapter 16

Alice sat at the kitchen table, lost in thought. Her four children, Harriet, Harry, Henry and Hannah, were playing in the living room, but she could hear their laughter and chatter from where she sat. Alice was still processing what Nathan had told her earlier that day. He wanted her to adopt the kids and become his wife. It was a lot to take in, but Alice couldn't help the smile that crept across her face as she thought about it.

"Mom, why are you smiling?" Harriet's voice brought Alice out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, what's so funny?" added Henry.

Alice's smile widened. "It's not funny, it's great news. Nathan wants to adopt you guys and have me as his wife."

The kids' eyes widened in shock and then filled with joy.

"Really, Mom?" Hannah's voice trembled with excitement.

Harry jumped up from the floor. "That's awesome! Does that mean we'll have a new dad?"

Alice nodded, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Yes, it does. And I couldn't be happier about it."

The kids' excitement wa