Maya's POV
Arthur's response to learning he would become a great-grandfather exceeded every expectation I had harbored.
He sat completely still for several heartbeats after Sebastian delivered the news, as though his mind struggled to process what he had just heard. Then moisture gathered in his eyes, and the most radiant smile I had ever witnessed transformed his weathered features.
"A baby," he breathed, his voice quavering with raw emotion. "A baby in our family again after all these years."
What happened next took my breath away. He launched himself from his chair with remarkable energy and enveloped both of us in an embrace that seemed to last an eternity. Words poured from him in a beautiful mixture of languages, pure happiness spilling over.
"This is the most wonderful news!" he exclaimed, pressing kiss after kiss to the top of my head. "Our family's baby! At last!"
Our quiet dinner transformed into an unexpected celebration.
