"Of course..." She stood up and swang Niamh into the air gently, then wiggled her, earning a big grin from the babe. "Ye can hold me princess, I will hold me prince." She passed the chunky girl over, who looked up at Lorn with wide, inquisitive eyes. She was a miniature of her mother. Then Karen moved to pick up Harold and began to bounce him, "Aboom, boom, boom." Harold cracked a smile too, then stuffed his fist in his mouth to gnaw on his knuckles. He held up his spitty hand then and Karen laughed softly. "Ye may keep that, young man."

She sat on the floor again and Harold was laid out on the blanket. He started flailing his limbs and cooing. One thing was clear, she was able to raise happy babies despite her grief.