Every father wants to give his daughter everything she wants within reason. But Oscar was having trouble with 3-year-old Melissa's request that she have a little brother or sister. "My friends at daycare do," she'd say plaintively. But Oscar knew this wasn't possible as he and his wife Roxanne hadn't had close relations for over a year. And he wondered why.

Oscar soon got his answer. While driving to the airport to claim a valuable old artifact for his antique art sales business, he spotted Roxanne's car parked near the home of his silent partner Craig. Deciding to investigate, he crept around Craig's house, finally peering through a window whose curtains had not been pulled fully shut. There he saw Craig and Roxanne, sitting on Craig's bed, laughing and drinking champagne.

Crestfallen, Oscar resumed his errand, wondering what to do about the state of his marriage. If he confronted his partner, Craig could call in his loan and push the business into bankruptcy. Worse, it could result in him and Roxanne divorcing, creating a situation very harmful to little Melissa.

Later at his warehouse, Oscar unpacked the artifact, a crystal sphere with numerous facets carved into its side. It came with a scroll written in Aramaic, and ancient language that Oscar, as an authority on Middle Eastern art, could read. The scroll indicated that the crystal could magically grant each new owner one major wish, provided that it made somebody other than the owner extremely happy. Oscar thought about what he'd wish for, and then grinned very slyly.

That evening, when Oscar returned home, he saw Roxanne's car on the driveway. A very joyous Melissa then greeted him at the door. "Daddy! Daddy! Mommy came home with a baby brother. He's so cute! Can I hold him?" Melissa bubbled. "Perhaps when he's a little older," Oscar smiled.

Oscar greeted Roxanne with a kiss, but she was as sour as always. "Shame that you couldn't get away from that business of yours long enough to bring me home from the hospital with our new son Craig," Roxanne sniffed. She handed the baby to Oscar.

Oscar looked deep into baby Craig's eyes. He could tell that Craig was somewhat aware of the change, but couldn't figure out how it happened. And he was way too young to verbalize any complaints. "Cheer up, Craig," Oscar whispered to the baby. "You got what you wanted, to live with Roxanne and be cuddled by her day and night. Only not as you planned," he added. Melissa eagerly ran up to Oscar holding a 4-oz. baby bottle. "You think baby hungry?" she chirped. "I'm sure he's expecting it," Oscar grinned as he offered it to the wiggling Craig, who soon would resign himself to being Melissa's adored little brother. But not yet! "Yaaaaaaaaaah!"


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