Juliana''s shout caught the attention of everyone on the hospital floor.


    Anastasia stopped in her tracks. "What happened?"


    With a scream like that, had something really seriouse up?


    "Anastasia, Anastasia!" Juliana was practically shaking with excitement, words tumbling out of her mouth. "Look at this look! What does this mean? ''Early pregnancy''... Does it mean I''m pregnant?"


    Anastasia nced at the paperwork. The test results were clear: early intrauterine pregnancy.


    She knew Juliana and Scott had been hoping for a baby for ages. Seeing this, Anastasia''s face lit up. "Congrattions! You''re going to be a mom. Try not to get too emotional, though. Too much excitement isn''t good for the baby."


    Pregnant women needed to keep things steady.


    "Oh, right, right," Juliana said, nodding quickly. She patted her chest and took a deep breath, doing her best to calm herself, though the joy inside her just kept bubbling up-she was finally pregnant.


    Just when she''d given up hope, ready to raise Layna as her own, life had surprised her.


    Anastasia gently reminded her, "You need to be careful with what you eat now. It''s still early-skip the ice cream for a while, it''s too cold and could upset your stomach."


    "Got it, got it,” Juliana nodded, taking Anastasia''s advice to heart. "What else do I need to know? I have no idea what I''m doing. You''ve got experience, so tell me everything."


    Anastasia couldn''t help butugh. Right now, Juliana was just an overjoyed mom-to- be, caught up in her happiness—-impossible not to like.


    "No strenuous exercise, watch what you eat, and keep your spirits up," Anastasia said. Then she remembered something and added, "Oh, and for the first three months, it''s best to keep the news to yourselves. Don''t spread it around yet."


    "Why not?" Juliana was so happy she could barely contain herself—she wanted to tell both her family and Scott''s right away.


    "There''s an old superstition," Anastasia exined, "that babies in the first three months are shy. The more people who know, the more likely the baby is to hide away. It''s tradition, but it might be worth following. Also, you should find a quiet ce to rest. Maybe spend some time at the vi on Maple Hill. And one more thing -they say unborn babies don''t like being around other little kids at home, it can be unlucky. So I really think you should stay at the hilltop vi for a while."


    The Stranz family''s vi on Maple Hill was right next to the Salstrom estate.


    Herman had a ce up there too, though he only went from time to time, just for the asional getaway.


    Anastasia had another reason for suggesting it. She''d noticed how jealous Layna could be smart but a little too intense and self-centered for her age. Anastasia was worried Layna might act out.


    Before this, Juliana had poured her love into Layna. But with her own baby on the way, her focus would shift for sure.


    Of course, Anastasia couldn''t say all this out loud. Juliana wouldn''t believe her anyway-she''d just think Anastasia had it out for Layna


    So she only suggested Juliana spend her pregnancy up at the vi, away from Layna, and to keep the news quiet for now.


    But Juliana, floating on cloud nine, barely took it in. She just nodded along Alright, going to find the doctor. Anastasia, thank youso much for today."


    This time, her thank you was heartfelt.


    "Go ahead," Anastasia said. "Scott should be here soon."


    "How would he know? Did you tell him—”


    Before she could finish, Scott came rushing in, breathless. “Juliana, Juliana, are you okay?"


    He''d clearlye running, worry etched all over his face.


    “Honey!” Juliana grinned and threw herself into his arms.


    Scott froze. It had been forever since Juliana had hugged him like


    him


    this-forever since she''d called "honey" in that yful, affectionate, way.


    He couldn''t even remember thest time.


    “Juliana, are you not feeling well?” he asked, concern in his eyes.


    Juliana put her hand on her belly, a big smile on her face. “Here.”


    Anastasia quietly slipped away, giving the couple some privacy.


    Scott looked worried. “Your stomach? Did you see the doctor? What did they say?"


    "There''s a little baby in there," Juliana said, practically bursting with excitement. "Honey, you''re going to be a dad."


    Scott stared at her, stunned. "Y-you''re pregnant?"


    “Yep, look!” Juliana handed him the test results. "See? It says right here early pregnancy, confirmed."