Skulduggery's look of indignation came a second delayed, as if it had taken him a moment to remember that he had a face and could shoot pointed looks like that now. Valkyrie might have been more interested in joining Gabriel's teasing if she wasn't completely and utterly preoccupied with what her mum had just said.

She couldn't speak at first, even though she was making noises. Her eyes traveled down to where Melissa was touching her stomach, and the noises grew in pitch until she could form actual words. "You're serious?"

"I certainly hope so," Des answered for his wife. He stood up and walked over to put an arm around Melissa's shoulders, smiling at Valkyrie. "Or I've just been needlessly worrying for the past few nights."

Valkyrie squealed again and leaped up to hug them both, ignoring how awkward the angle was, what with her mum still sitting. "I think getting a pet is a brilliant idea. Did I say that? It's a brilliant idea. I think it's the best idea you've had since you decided to have me. Can I help look after her? Or him. Can I teach her how to walk? Can I just quit school and look after her all the time?"

God, Valkyrie was glad she was here to hear this, instead of the reflection. This wouldn't have been nearly as magical of a moment if she'd had to watch the memories of being excited about it later. A brief memory of the reflection hiding up in her room flashed through her mind, but there wasn't enough room for it to stay. Valkyrie was going to get a little sibling. A little sibling.She couldn't even worry about looking like a fool in front of everyone else.