There was a lot of baby stuff going on. It was crazy, even to Verity. She felt like she was right in the middle of it, too. She didn't mind the tense during the hug, but she stole it, anyway. She made it brief...ish.
"Ooh, thanks." Verity said, giving them both a grin in turn. "My brother and sister-in-law tried to get it for me as a peace offering."
Alice snuck out past Verity while she was speaking, to go join her mother in the kitchen.