They were inches apart. He couldn't do anything but look directly into her eyes. "Yes. Yes, of course we are. And, yes, I understand that this could be a second chance to get it right."
Ben paused and sighed. He broke away from her and paced a few steps. He was unsure what to say next. He thought about the first time he had watched Alex get into the back seat of her mother's car, driving away to their new house, and the engine roaring like a lion. He thought about this new child, and adoption paper work, and signing more checks. Ben calculated the age he would be when this child graduated college. Would he even be alive?
And then another image crept in, as if on tip-toe. It made hardly any sound at all. He was in a dark room, sitting in a chair that rocked back and forth, with a warm bundle in his arms, pressed close to his cheek. He breathed deep that wonderful scent of baby shampoo and powder. The door opened ajar, and he spotted Juliet peeking in on him. Hello, Daddy....
Ben closed his eyes--squeezed them shut. A droplet of water rolled down his cheek.