One day,
Ron and Dream went for a checkup.
When they returned home, something had changed.
Ron was brighter—more alive, more present. Dream noticed it immediately. He smiled more, spoke more gently, moved as if the world itself had suddenly become fragile.
Every step Dream took, he followed.
Every sigh, every small flinch—he noticed.
That night, moonlight spilled through the windows as Dream sat on the edge of the bed. Ron returned from the kitchen carrying toast with nut butter, Greek yogurt, and berries. He set the tray beside her with careful hands.
"You should rest," Dream said softly, taking a sip. "You don't have to try so hard."
"I do," Ron replied without hesitation. "I want to be here for every little kick… every little movement."
Dream smiled, but a quiet thought lingered behind her eyes.
He's here with me. I wish time could stop.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, Dream woke to find Ron asleep on the couch beside the bed. A tray rested on his lap—breakfast prepared for her.
She gently took it and began to eat, watching him as she did.
That afternoon, Ron stood behind Dream on the balcony.
She turned toward him. To Ron, she looked impossibly beautiful. He fell in love all over again.
"Ron," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I've noticed something… unusual."
His throat tightened. "What is it?" he asked, forcing calm.
Did she notice?
Does she know I'm from the future?
"You've always taken care of me," Dream said gently. "But lately… the way you care for me—it makes me feel like I've done nothing for you."
She smiled. "Still, I'm grateful. I'm happy… to be cherished by you."
Ron hugged her suddenly—careful, gentle, as if holding something fragile. Not too tight. Not too loose.
"You're the one who always looks after me," he said, his voice trembling. "You're the one who—"
He couldn't finish.
Dream noticed. She hugged him back and said nothing.
They went inside, hand in hand.
Dream sat on the couch while Ron brought food from the kitchen. He sat on the floor and fed her with one hand. Dream smiled, eating happily.
But deep inside, sadness crept in.
Ron was from the future and He remembered to well that Dream only had a few years left.
After she finished eating, Ron placed the tray on the coffee table and returned to the floor. Dream leaned back while Ron knelt beside her, one hand resting on her belly.
Both were lost in their thoughts.
Ron pretended he knew nothing of the future.
Pretended he couldn't hear the clock ticking.
He knew this happiness would vanish one day.
All he wanted was this—to live together, love together… and if fate allowed, end together.
His eyes grew wet.
Dream noticed a few strands of white in his hair. She reached up and rested her hand on his head.
"I'll keep you and our child safe," Ron said quietly—trying to convince himself more than her.
"I know you will," Dream replied, smiling through the pain.
"Are you hungry?" Ron asked.
Dream nodded.
He walked to the kitchen.
A few tears slipped from his eyes.
That night, Ron helped her into bed, gently brushing her hair aside.
"You're going to be fine," he whispered. "I won't leave. Never."
Dream laughed softly, resting against the pillow.
"You've been saying that for months. Now I think you really mean it."
Late into the night, pain came—as it often did—but Ron didn't move. He held her hand, whispering gently until it passed.
When she finally relaxed, she murmured,
"You're too good to me."
"And you deserve it," Ron replied.
His thoughts drifted to Wulkranoth's words during his early training.
"Ron, one day you'll grow stronger than all of us old folks," Wulkranoth—Dr. Thomas—had said.
"But new threats will rise. You'll think of going back in time to stop everything at the beginning. Don't."
"Why?" Ron had asked.
"Because it would lead to a far greater disaster."
Ron returned to the present.
He looked at Dream, watching her breathe, memorizing her.
"I will live in the present," he vowed silently.
"I don't care about the future. When it comes… we'll face it together."
Dream, half-asleep, thought to herself:
I will live in this moment. I will cherish my present—with Ron and our soon-to-be-born child.
And she drifted to sleep.
Then…
The day came.
The day Ron and Dream's child was born.