Part 2/5:
For nearly two weeks, Lou had successfully kept the surprise a mystery. The anticipation grew each day, especially as he resisted the urge to spill the beans. This morning, however, as he accompanied Charlotte to drop-off, Lou felt a bubbling urgency to share his secret with her, an eagerness that almost burst from him. Through it all, he remained strong-willed, holding back his impulses in the name of friendship and surprise.