MARIA POV
The boxes dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Oh my God, look at you!” Sam’s voice rang out—unmistakable, loud, and filled with that familiar flair of drama and warmth that had always felt like a hug for the soul. Before I could even process what was happening, he'd tossed the packages aside like they weighed nothing and swept me into his arms.
“Sam!” I gasped, my laughter bubbling out like champagne. My arms went around his neck, as best they could with the mountain of a belly wedged firmly between us.
He squeezed gently, then pulled back to give me a full-body once-over, his eyes widening theatrically. “Sweet cheeks, you’re enormous! I love it. Twins, huh? They’re cooking good in there.”
I rolled my eyes, swatting his chest. “Oh, shut up. You’re not supposed to say i
