"We will face it."
"What if something happens this time? Tell me."
Nathaniel folded the newspaper. "I am still frightened."
She sat beside him. "You, who?"
"I had an excellent teacher."
"You have learned." She laughed.
"I can panic while drinking tea."
"You are drinking tea."
"I can panic if necessary."
"A little. Would you prefer panic?"
He looked up from his newspaper. "You are too calm."
Evelyn was not; Nathaniel was calmer. The second pregnancy was nothing like the first.
Years passed. Their son grew. Evelyn became deeply involved in the estate; Nathaniel became less obsessed with control. They still argued often: about money, about horses, about whether their son should be allowed to climb trees. Evelyn always won the last argument. Nathaniel claimed this was because she cheated; she claimed it was because she was usually right.
One summer afternoon, their son came running into the garden. "Papa!"
Nathaniel looked up. "What?"
"I found a frog."
"Congratulations."
"Mother says I cannot keep it."
Nathaniel looked toward Evelyn. She was standing several feet away with her arms folded. "She is correct."
The boy looked disappointed. "Why?"
"Because your mother is wise."
Evelyn smiled. The boy frowned. "Papa, you always agree with Mother."
Nathaniel considered. "That is because your mother is usually right."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Usually?"
Nathaniel smiled. "I am allowed one mistake a year."
Their son laughed, then ran away. Evelyn sat beside Nathaniel.
"You remember the first thing you said to me?"
"Yes. You asked me for an heir."
"I did."
"You were very arrogant."
"I was frightened."
"Very well." He looked at her. "What would you say if we had never needed a child?"
She thought for a moment. "I would still have wanted to meet you."
Nathaniel smiled. "And would you have liked me?"
"No." He laughed. "Honest as ever. But perhaps I would have."
"Perhaps. You were difficult."
"I remain difficult."
"Yes." She leaned closer. "But I love you."
He kissed her forehead. "I love you, too."
The boy returned with muddy hands. "Papa!"
Nathaniel looked at him. "What now?"
"I need help."
"With what?"
"The frog."
Evelyn laughed. Nathaniel stood. "I suppose this is my duty."
"You wanted an heir."
"I did."
She smiled. "You got one."
He looked at his son, then at his wife. "I got everything."