Sam called with the news on an ordinary spring afternoon, his voice carrying a barely contained excitement that Lucien recognized instantly, even before his son had managed to fully articulate the reason for the call.

“Yuki’s pregnant,” Sam said, the words tumbling out in a rush he’d clearly been holding back with considerable effort. “We just got the confirmation this morning. Dad, Papa — you’re going to be grandfathers.”

The word landed with an unexpected weight, and Lucien felt tears spring immediately to his eyes, Ezra’s hand finding his across the kitchen table where they’d been having their own quiet morning coffee, both of them absorbing the news with matching,...