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“Are you sure this is the right way to tell him?” Kanchana said for the thousandth time. Her fingers nervously toyed with the silky ribbon on the box she held. “I mean, it’s not even for him.”
“Come on, Chan.” Vera smiled, running her hand through Kanchana’s hair to soothe her. “The boss cares about our happiness. He deserves to know about this.”
“But there’s already been so much going on today,” Kanchana argued. “Andy broke the record, Cody is coming…are you sure Klopp needs any more surprises?”
“The boss needs every good surprise life can offer, and he’ll love this one. He planned our wedding, remember?” Vera planted a gentle kiss on her wife’s cheek. “It’s going to be alright.”
Kanchana drew a deep breath. Glancing at Vera for one last confirmation, she knocked on the hotel room door.
“Come in!”
The couple tentatively made their way into the room. Kanchana’s fear seemed to rub off on Vera, for even she hesitated before closing the door behind her.
“Vera, Chan! Just in time to celebrate Cody’s signing.” Klopp rose from his seat, crossing the room and opening the minifridge. “Would you two like something?”
“Actually…” Kanchana took a seat, rubbing her ankles. “Vera and I just wanted to talk with you. We’ve been married for five months now and…”
“And you’d like to celebrate! I don’t blame you, you and Vera are a lovely couple,” said the German. “Champagne? Oh, I forgot you don’t drink, Chan. How about some eggnog?”
“Actually,” Kanchana blurted before she could stop herself, “I can’t have eggnog. It’s not safe.”
Finally, Klopp seemed to realize something was up. “Why? What’s going on, Chan?”
Kanchana gulped, and Vera squeezed her hand in support. Exchanging looks, they wordlessly handed Klopp the gift box.
Klopp flipped the package in his hands, studying it intently. “The wrapping paper is beautiful. Maybe I should wrap my hat in this,” he joked.
“Just open it already!” Vera hugged Kanchana’s shoulders, bouncing in her seat.
Kanchana tapped her foot, chewing on a fingernail as Klopp unwrapped the box. He was methodical, gently unfolding the wrapping paper instead of tearing it off, and the suspense only built in the room.
“I’ll stay with you no matter what happens,” Vera whispered into Kanchana’s ear.
Kanchana nodded, embracing the Malagasy woman. She couldn’t help but feel herself fall in love with Vera all over again.
Klopp finally lifted the top off of the box, peering inside to see the contents. He lifted out a tiny olive green and pink cotton romper. His evident shock grew when he saw the tag: Hello, old man! See you in May 2023. Love, Baby.
After scanning the note about five times, Klopp finally looked up from the note. His eyes were wide in disbelief. “Chan? You’re…pregnant?”
“For four months now.” Kanchana subconsciously rested a sweaty hand on her stomach. “It’s a baby girl.”
“Wow. Just…wow.” Klopp flashed a smile at the couple, taking their hands. “Congratulations, both of you. Do you have a name picked out?”
“Aya Kamon,” Vera answered before Kanchana could. “Aya is my mother’s middle name, and Kamon means ‘from the heart’. I just know our daughter will have so much love to give, even before she’s born.”
“Aya Kamon Rakotomalala-Khemson.” The German’s blue eyes shone softly, as if in a dream of their own. “That’s lovely. Just like her moms.”