Morning came slower this time.
No rush.
No tension pressing at the edges.
Just quiet.
Soft light stretched across the room.
Leah was awake.
Still.
Her hand resting over her stomach.
Three months.
A small curve now.
More noticeable.
Real.
Her fingers traced over it gently.
A small smile followed.
Then—
movement.
Izana shifted beside her.
Not getting up.
Not leaving.
Instead—
he moved down.
Careful.
Measured.
His head settled against her stomach.
Like it belonged there.
Leah let out a quiet breath.
"…You're not even pretending to wake up first anymore."
No answer.
Just warmth against her skin.
Then—
"…You're awake," he murmured.
"…I've been awake."
"…You should sleep more."
"…I'm fine."
A pause.
Then—
a kiss.
Soft.
Right against her bump.
Then another.
"…You behave today."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…You're talking to them again."
"…Yes."
"…Every morning."
"…Yes."
"…Even when you're busy."
A pause.
"…Especially then."
Another kiss.
"…We're going out today."
Leah nodded slightly.
"…Furniture."
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…We'll finish the room."
Her smile softened.
"…Together."
"…Together."
Outside.
The car waited.
Black.
Still.
Dante leaned against it.
Arms crossed.
Already tired of the idea.
Elias stood nearby.
Calm.
Watching.
Leah stepped out.
Slow.
Careful.
Izana beside her immediately.
Hand at her lower back.
Guiding.
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You're worse today."
No response.
Izana opened the door for Leah.
Waited.
Closed it once she was in.
Then got in himself.
Dante slid into the driver's seat.
Elias followed.
The car moved.
The furniture store was quieter.
Larger.
Open space.
Rows of cribs.
Dressers.
Shelving.
Soft colours.
Leah slowed as they entered.
Taking it in.
Her hand resting over her stomach again.
"…This feels different."
"…How."
"…More real."
A pause.
Izana's gaze moved across the room.
Then back to her.
"…It is."
Dante exhaled.
"…We're really doing this."
"…You're not," Izana said flatly.
"…I'm standing here."
"…That's all you're doing."
Leah laughed softly.
Elias stepped forward slightly.
Looking at one of the cribs.
"…This is well built."
Leah moved toward it.
Her fingers brushing along the wood.
"…It's nice."
Izana followed immediately.
Close.
Watching her more than the crib.
"…It's stable," he said.
Dante blinked.
"…It's a crib."
"…It needs to be stable."
"…They don't move."
"…They will."
Dante shook his head.
"…You're already preparing for chaos."
"…I prepare for everything."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…He's not wrong."
A pause.
She looked at Izana.
"…What do you think?"
He looked again.
Carefully this time.
Longer.
Then—
"…We'll take it."
Dante scoffed.
"…That fast?"
"…Yes."
"…You didn't compare anything."
"…I don't need to."
Leah laughed quietly.
"…We're not buying the first thing we see."
Izana's gaze shifted to her.
A pause.
Then—
"…Fine."
Dante smirked.
"…There it is."
"…Be quiet."
Elias moved to another section.
Gesturing slightly.
"…There are others."
Leah followed.
Slow.
Izana stayed right beside her.
Never more than a step away.
She stopped at another crib.
Softer design.
Lighter colour.
Her fingers brushed over it.
"…This one feels nicer."
Izana watched her.
Not the crib.
Her.
"…Then we take this one."
"…You didn't even check it."
"…You like it."
"…That's not how this works."
"…It is now."
Leah shook her head.
Smiling.
"…We'll look a bit more."
A pause.
He didn't argue.
But his hand stayed at her back.
Firm.
Protective.
They moved deeper into the store.
Dressers.
Shelves.
Small furniture pieces.
Leah picked out a small chair.
"…This is cute."
Dante glanced at it.
"…It's tiny."
"…That's the point."
"…Everything here is tiny."
Elias nodded slightly.
"…That is intentional."
Dante sighed.
"…I hate this place."
Leah laughed.
"…You don't have to like it."
"…Good."
Then—
it happened again.
Movement.
Close.
Too close.
A worker passing by.
Carrying something large.
The corner of it came near Leah.
Not touching.
But close enough.
Too close.
Izana's hand moved instantly.
Pulled her back.
Firm.
His arm wrapping around her again.
Shielding.
The worker froze.
"…Sorry—!"
Izana didn't answer.
Didn't look away.
Cold.
Sharp.
Leah placed her hand over his.
"…Iz."
A pause.
"…It's fine."
Silence.
Then—
slowly—
he let go.
But not fully.
Never fully.
Dante exhaled.
"…You're going to start a fight in a furniture store."
"…They should be more careful."
"…They work here."
"…Then they should be better."
Leah sighed softly.
"…I'm okay."
A pause.
He looked at her again.
Checking.
Then—
a small nod.
"…Stay close."
"…I am close."
"…Closer."
Leah didn't argue this time.
She stepped closer.
Right against him.
His hand returned to her back.
Elias watched quietly.
Then spoke.
"…You cannot guard against everything."
Izana's voice stayed calm.
"…I can try."
A pause.
"…That is enough."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Then—
Leah reached for another piece.
A small shelf.
"…What about this?"
Izana glanced at it.
Then back to her.
"…If you want it."
"…I do."
"…Then we take it."
Dante shook his head again.
"…This is pointless."
"…You're still here."
"…Unfortunately."
Leah smiled faintly.
The moment softened again.
But not completely.
Because something lingered.
Unseen.
Unnoticed—
by most.
But not entirely.
Izana's gaze shifted again.
Scanning.
Watching.
There—
for just a second.
A figure.
Across the aisle.
Still.
Watching.
Gone the next second.
Izana's eyes narrowed slightly.
Subtle.
Barely noticeable.
"…Dante."
Low.
Dante's posture changed instantly.
"…Yeah."
"…Someone's watching."
A pause.
"…Where."
"…Left side. Aisle three."
Dante didn't turn immediately.
Just shifted his stance.
Casual.
Eyes scanning through reflection.
"…I don't see them."
"…They moved."
Leah looked between them.
"…What?"
Izana's hand pressed more firmly at her back.
"…Nothing."
"…Iz."
"…Stay close."
Her chest tightened slightly.
"…Okay."
Elias stepped forward slightly.
Calm.
But sharper now.
"…We should leave soon."
Izana didn't argue.
Didn't hesitate.
"…We're done."
Leah blinked.
"…Already?"
A pause.
He looked at her.
Softer now.
"…We can come back."
"…Together."
Leah nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
But something had changed.
The air.
The space.
Everything felt tighter now.
And somewhere—
just out of sight—
someone was still watching.
Waiting.
Closer than before.