Evening settled slowly.
The mansion was quiet.
Warm.
Soft light filling the room.
Leah sat at the edge of the bed.
Still.
The ultrasound picture rested in her hands.
Small.
Delicate.
Important.
Her fingers traced the edge of it.
Careful.
Almost like she was afraid it might disappear if she held it wrong.
A soft breath left her.
"…Hi," she whispered quietly.
Her hand shifted.
Resting lightly over her stomach.
"…It's just me right now."
A faint smile.
"…But not for long."
Silence followed.
Gentle.
Comfortable.
She looked back down at the picture.
Studying it again.
Even though she already had.
Even though she didn't fully understand it.
It didn't matter.
It was real.
"…He's going to see you soon," she murmured.
A pause.
"…Just not yet."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Then relaxed.
She reached for the envelope beside her.
Plain.
White.
Simple.
She opened it slowly.
Sliding the picture inside.
Careful.
Deliberate.
No rush.
This mattered.
Everything about this mattered.
"…You'll stay safe here," she whispered.
A soft breath.
"…Until his birthday."
She sealed it gently.
Pressing along the edge.
Making sure it stayed closed.
Secure.
Her thumb brushed over the front.
A small pause.
"…I hope you like it," she added quietly.
Then she stood.
Slow.
Steady.
Moving toward the bedside table.
The drawer opened softly.
She placed the envelope inside.
Tucked between a few things.
Hidden.
Protected.
Her hand lingered there for a moment.
"…Just a little longer," she murmured.
The drawer closed.
Soft click.
She straightened slightly.
Taking a breath.
Her body felt lighter today.
Not perfect.
But better.
The nausea hadn't followed her like it had been.
"…That's new," she whispered.
A small smile.
"…I'll take it."
She glanced toward the door.
"…He should be back soon."
A pause.
Then she moved.
Out of the room.
Into the hallway.
Quiet.
Still.
The mansion settling into evening.
Her steps were slow.
Careful.
But steady.
She reached the stairs.
Stopped.
Resting her hand against the railing.
Looking down.
Waiting.
"…It's been a while," she murmured.
A soft breath.
"…I haven't done this in days."
Her fingers curled lightly around the railing.
"…I missed it."
Silence followed.
The kind that stretched.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
Then—
The front door opened.
A soft sound.
Footsteps.
"…He's back."
Izana stepped inside.
Calm.
Controlled.
His presence filling the space immediately.
His eyes moved across the room.
Then—
Stopped.
On her.
At the top of the stairs.
Waiting.
"…Li."
A pause.
He moved instantly.
Faster than usual.
Crossing the space between them.
"…You should be resting."
His voice low.
Firm.
But not harsh.
Concern clear.
She watched him quietly.
"…I feel better today."
A small pause.
"…Much better."
He stopped a few steps below her.
Still looking up.
"…That doesn't mean you should be standing."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…I wanted to wait for you."
A pause.
"…I haven't done it in a while."
His expression shifted slightly.
Softer now.
Warmer.
"…You don't need to do that."
"…I know."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…But I wanted to."
Silence.
Just for a second.
Then—
A quiet breath left him.
"…You shouldn't push yourself."
"…I'm not."
"…You are."
A small pause.
Her lips curved slightly.
"…Maybe a little."
He stepped closer.
Now only a few steps away.
His gaze still fixed on her.
Careful.
Watching everything.
"…How do you feel?"
"…Better."
"…Honestly."
"…Honestly."
A pause.
"…No dizziness?"
"…No."
"…No nausea?"
She hesitated.
Just slightly.
"…Not right now."
His eyes narrowed faintly.
"…Not right now isn't the same as no."
She smiled softly.
"…It's close enough."
A breath.
Then—
Without warning—
He stepped up.
Closing the distance completely.
His hands reached her.
Firm.
Steady.
"…Iz—."
But he didn't stop.
He lifted her.
Effortless.
Like she weighed nothing.
Her breath caught.
"…Izana, be careful."
He paused slightly.
Mid-step.
"…Careful?"
Confusion flickered briefly.
"…I am careful."
"…I know but—."
She stopped herself.
A pause.
"…Just… be careful."
He studied her for a second.
"…You're acting like I'll drop you."
A faint smirk.
"…I won't."
Her arms rested lightly against him.
Not resisting.
Just… aware.
"…I know you won't," she murmured.
A small pause.
"…Just don't be rough."
"…I'm never rough with you."
Quiet.
Certain.
He adjusted his hold slightly.
More secure.
More careful.
Even if he didn't understand why.
Then he started up the stairs.
Steps measured.
Steady.
"…You're still lighter than you look," he murmured.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…That sounds like an insult."
"…It's not."
"…It felt like one."
"…It wasn't."
A small breath of laughter left her.
Soft.
Familiar.
He glanced down at her briefly.
"…You're smiling."
"…I feel better."
"…You said that."
"…Because it's true."
A pause.
"…I like it when you're like this."
He didn't answer immediately.
Just kept walking.
Then—
"…So do I."
Quiet.
Almost softer than usual.
They reached the bedroom.
The door already slightly open.
He pushed it gently with his shoulder.
Stepping inside.
The room warm.
Still.
Waiting.
He moved toward the bed.
Slow.
Careful.
Lowering her gently.
Feet first.
Then guiding her back.
Making sure she was comfortable.
Supported.
Safe.
"…There."
His voice quieter now.
She looked up at him.
"…You didn't have to carry me."
"…I did."
A pause.
"…You would have walked."
"…I could have walked."
"…You shouldn't."
Silence.
Then—
She smiled softly.
"…You're worse today."
"…I know."
"…You're not going to stop, are you?"
A beat.
"…No."
Her fingers brushed lightly against his wrist.
"…Okay."
He pulled the covers over her.
Careful.
Tucking them slightly around her.
Without thinking.
Without hesitation.
His hand rested briefly on her arm.
Then—
slightly lower.
Close.
Too close.
Her breath caught again.
Soft.
Barely there.
He noticed.
"…What."
She shook her head quickly.
"…Nothing."
A pause.
His gaze lingered.
Watching.
Trying to understand.
"…You keep doing that."
"…Doing what?"
"…Reacting."
A small silence.
Her fingers curled into the blanket.
"…I'm just tired."
"…That's not what that was."
Another pause.
"…It's nothing."
Softer now.
He didn't push further.
Didn't press.
Just stayed there.
Watching her.
Careful.
Always careful.
Her hand moved slowly.
Resting over her stomach again.
Unthinking.
Natural.
She didn't move it away this time.
Didn't notice she was doing it.
But he did.
Of course he did.
His gaze flickered there briefly.
Then back to her face.
"…You should rest."
"…I will."
"…Properly."
"…I will."
A pause.
Her eyes softened slightly.
"…Stay for a bit?"
He didn't hesitate.
"…I'm not going anywhere."
Relief crossed her face.
Small.
But real.
"…Good."
Silence settled.
Warm.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Her gaze drifted slightly.
Toward the bedside table.
Toward the drawer.
Where the envelope was hidden.
A small smile touched her lips.
"…Just a little longer," she whispered softly.
"…What?"
He caught it.
Of course he did.
She looked back at him.
"…Nothing."
A pause.
Then—
"…You'll know soon."
Quiet.
Almost to herself.
He didn't understand.
Didn't question it.
Just stayed.
Close.
Watching her.
Protecting her.
Without knowing
what he was protecting.
And inside the drawer—
hidden—
waiting—
was everything.