Morning came gently.
Soft light spilled through the curtains.
Warm. Quiet.
Still.
Leah was awake.
Lying on her side.
Watching him.
Izana stood near the bed at first.
Already dressed.
Dark clothes.
Composed.
Ready.
But he wasn't leaving.
Not even close.
Because now—
he wasn't standing anymore.
He was lying beside her.
Close.
Very close.
His head resting gently against her stomach.
One arm draped across her waist.
The other resting protectively over her.
As if he belonged there.
As if he had no intention of moving.
Leah smiled softly.
"…You're supposed to be leaving."
No response.
Just a soft breath against her.
Then—
another kiss.
Light.
Careful.
Pressed to her stomach.
"…You're ignoring me," she murmured.
"…Yes."
Quiet.
Simple.
Another kiss followed.
Lingering slightly longer.
Leah let out a quiet laugh.
"…You have a meeting."
A pause.
"…I know."
"…With the others."
"…Yes."
"…The important ones."
"…Yes."
She tilted her head slightly.
"…And you're still here."
A small pause.
Then—
"…I am."
Another kiss.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…You're going to be late."
This time—
he lifted his head slightly.
Just enough to look at her.
"…I'm the boss."
A pause.
"…I decide when I'm late."
Leah blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"…That's not how time works."
He lowered his head again.
Ignoring that completely.
"…It is for me."
Another kiss.
Soft.
"…You're impossible."
"…Mm."
Not denying it.
His hand shifted slightly.
Resting more firmly over her stomach.
Thumb brushing lightly.
Slow.
Absent.
"…Are you comfortable?" she asked softly.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…You've been like this for a while."
"…I know."
"…You're not moving."
"…No."
She smiled.
"…You really don't want to go."
A small pause.
"…No."
Honest.
Quiet.
Another kiss.
Then—
his voice lowered.
Softer.
"…Good morning."
Leah blinked slightly.
"…To me?"
"…No."
A pause.
"…To them."
Her expression softened immediately.
Her hand moved to his hair.
"…You're saying good morning already?"
"…Yes."
His fingers tapped lightly against her stomach.
Barely there.
"…You're awake now."
A pause.
"…You should be."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…I don't think they're on your schedule."
"…They should be."
Another light tap.
"…We start early."
Leah laughed quietly.
"…You're already strict."
"…I have to be."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…But not too strict."
His thumb brushed gently again.
"…You can stay a little longer."
Leah shook her head slightly.
"…You're negotiating with someone who can't respond."
"…That means I win."
A faint hint of amusement in his voice.
She smiled wider.
"…That's not fair."
"…It is."
Another kiss.
This one slower.
More deliberate.
Leah's fingers moved through his hair again.
"…You're really enjoying this."
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
A pause.
Then—
"…I missed this."
Leah stilled slightly.
"…You just found out yesterday."
"…I still missed it."
Quiet.
Honest.
Another kiss.
Then—
his voice softened further.
"…Don't make her sick today."
Leah laughed softly.
"…You keep saying that."
"…Because it's important."
A pause.
"…She shouldn't be uncomfortable."
"…I'm fine," Leah murmured.
"…You will be," he corrected.
His hand pressed lightly.
Grounding.
"…Take care of her."
A small pause.
"…And yourself."
Leah watched him.
Soft.
Warm.
"…You sound like you're leaving for a long time."
"…I'm not."
A pause.
"…But still."
Another kiss.
Then—
Leah nudged him gently.
"…Iz."
"…Mm."
"…You really have to go."
A pause.
He didn't respond immediately.
Just stayed there.
Still.
Then—
"…Five more minutes."
Leah blinked.
"…You said that ten minutes ago."
"…Then five more again."
She laughed softly.
"…That's not how it works."
"…It is for me."
A small pause.
She sighed softly.
Not annoyed.
Just… amused.
"…They're all waiting for you."
"…They can wait."
"…Even Dante?"
A pause.
Then—
"…He'll complain."
"…He will."
"…But he'll wait."
Leah smiled.
"…You're very confident."
"…I am."
Another kiss.
Then—
slowly—
he exhaled.
A little deeper this time.
Reluctant.
"…Fine."
Leah raised a brow slightly.
"…That easy?"
"…No."
A pause.
"…But I'll go."
He pressed one last kiss to her stomach.
Lingering.
Softer than before.
"…Be good," he murmured quietly.
"…Don't cause problems."
A faint pause.
"…And listen to her."
Leah smiled.
"…Now you're being reasonable."
"…Only a little."
Another gentle brush of his thumb.
Then—
he lifted himself.
Slowly.
Carefully.
His hand lingering just a second longer.
Before finally leaving her stomach.
Leah watched him.
"…You're really going now?"
"…Yes."
He leaned down.
Pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Warm.
Familiar.
"…Rest."
"…I will."
"…And call me if anything changes."
"…I will."
A pause.
Then—
his gaze shifted briefly.
Back to her stomach.
Just for a second.
Softening.
Then back to her.
"…I won't be long."
"…We'll be here."
He nodded once.
Then turned.
Walking toward the door.
Hand on the handle.
But he stopped.
Just for a moment.
Then looked back.
At her.
At the bed.
At them.
His gaze softened again.
"…Don't move too much."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…Go."
A small pause.
Then—
he left.
The door closing softly behind him.
Click.
Silence returned.
Gentle.
Still.
Leah exhaled slowly.
Her hand drifting down.
Resting over her stomach.
Both hands now.
Soft.
Protective.
She looked down.
A small smile forming.
"…He's already attached to you," she whispered.
A pause.
"…Very attached."
Her fingers brushed lightly.
Slow.
"…You heard him, didn't you?"
A soft breath left her.
"…Talking to you like that."
Another pause.
"…You're going to be very loved."
Her smile deepened.
Warmer now.
"…By both of us."
She leaned back into the pillows.
Still holding her stomach.
Still smiling softly.
"…So be nice to him too," she murmured.
A faint laugh escaped her.
"…He's trying his best already."
Silence wrapped around her.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Her fingers brushing lightly.
Back and forth.
Slow.
"…We'll wait for him," she whispered.
Soft.
Certain.
And the room—
felt full.
Even without him there.