The announcement

It was quite convenient that everyone with whom Eve wanted to share the news was still within the walking distance. She could tell them her discovery in person instead of sending a message and then wait for the messenger to come back and forth. And for the further convenience, she gathered them all together first.

When the word was spoken, the shocked silence fell in the living room, before everyone erupted with exclamations of congratulations, questions and other commentary.

"I'm so happy for you, Eve! I wish you an easy pregnancy, and for your future kid—many siblings," Xia said with a bright smile and came closer. She looked at Eve's stomach with a mix of curiosity and adoration that made Eve uneasy enough that she had to force herself not to step away. "You aren't far along, are you, Sister?"

"Six weeks." She checked the dates on the logs in her core. "Where are you looking at, Xia? My stomach will stay flat for a while longer, I hope."