Beginnings

she smiled. “i love you, you know.”

“i love you too. you’re incredible.”

she smiled brightly. “it’s going to be a boy.”

andrew paused for a second, smiling. “you know, i kind of felt like it would be.”

“Next time you’re by a piano just play a G, then an F sharp, then a B and an E and see if he starts crying. That’ll probably be a good way to tell.”

“i’ll do it onstage, so someone will get it on film on a fancam. you know, just in case i miss the moment.”

“i know…what gender. if you want to know.”

“i...yes. please. please tell me.”

“none. i made them appear with magic.”

“impressive. i’m impressed.”

“If it ever gets that bad, I’m sure still way too much black lipstick left over at Alpha.”

“i’ll keep that in mind if he ever decides to step it up.”

“you’re more prepared now than you were for the other four though, right?”

“oh, without a doubt.”

“with something that big, i suppose not. congratulations, by the way. it may be late and all, but congratulations.”

“better late than never. thank you-- i appreciate it.”

“eighty-three.”

“and is that all with one woman, or...”

“i’m a girl. girl’s don’t get to be successful, you know.”

“that’s hardly true.”

“hey– one down one to go?”

“arguably the biggest change up next, though.”

“yeah, well, it worked out. she’s good for you.”

“i’m quite glad you think so, nathan.’

“I guess, take it as a good thing that you’re stressed, because the fact that you’re stressed shows how invested you are in it all going well. If you weren’t stressed, I think that would be more concerning.”

“you make a fair point. i just....it’s a lot of big steps all at once.”

“that’s not how it works.”

“oh? how many kids do you have?”

“who said you can’t retire?”

“me. i said it. just now.”