>> Today, I needed the comfort and reassurance that this story has in spades. <<

Yay! :D

>> I also had a bit of a jolt when I realized that Mallory's at the stage of her pregnancy when I was born-- extremely premature, right at the limit of viability for that decade <<

Yikes.

>> and it puts her indecision in a whole different light, since just a touch more stress could have put her into labor the same night. <<

Wow, I hadn't even thought of that. I think it would've been much more likely to happen if she had not found Maisie, Heron, and other supportive folks.

>> Heron is definitely his father's son, with his own focus and favorite ways to take care of others. <<

So very true. :D I think Heron is adorable.

>> However, now that Mallory's made a decision, the planning and backup planning that he learned from his mother is going to kick in a little more. <<

Yep. He'll still have to nerf it a bit to avoid spooking Mallory, who just has no context for that level of support. But it will help to work on things a little at a time, like the basket of baby things in the basement or the binder of planning worksheets.