The descent was smooth.
So smooth it barely felt real.
The steady hum of the jet softened into something quieter, something lower, as it began to land. Outside, the endless stretch of sky slowly gave way to something brighter—
Blue.
Not just sky.
Ocean.
Endless, shimmering beneath the sunlight.
But inside—
Nothing changed.
Leah was still asleep.
Curled gently against Izana's side, her body relaxed in a way it rarely was. One of her hands rested loosely against his shirt, fingers barely curled, as if she had fallen asleep mid-thought.
Her breathing was slow.
Even.
Completely undisturbed.
Izana didn't move.
Not when the jet touched down.
Not when the motion shifted.
Not even when the engines began to quiet.
His arm remained around her, steady and unmoving, keeping her exactly where she was.
Safe.
Undisturbed.
His gaze lowered slightly.
Watching her.
Measuring every small movement.
Every breath.
"…Good," he murmured under his breath.
Satisfied.
When the jet came to a complete stop—
He still didn't move right away.
A few seconds passed.
Then a few more.
As if he was making sure the world itself wouldn't interrupt her.
Only then—
Did he shift.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
One arm slid beneath her knees.
The other supported her back.
And slowly—
He lifted her.
Leah stirred faintly.
A small sound leaving her lips.
Her brows knit slightly—
Then relaxed again.
She didn't wake.
Izana adjusted instantly.
His grip tightening just enough to support her more securely without disturbing her rest.
"Shhh…just asleep," he said quietly.
Not a command.
Not an order.
Just… a quiet wish.
The door opened.
Warm air greeted them.
Soft.
Different from before.
Carrying the faint scent of salt and sun.
The private airstrip here was even quieter than the one they had left.
Minimal staff.
Minimal movement.
Everything prepared in advance.
Controlled.
A man stepped forward as Izana approached.
Professional.
Composed.
"Mr. Grimshaw, welcome. We hope your flight was—. "
He stopped.
His words cutting off mid-sentence.
Because he saw her.
Leah.
Asleep in Izana's arms.
Held with a level of care that didn't match the reputation attached to his name.
Izana didn't pause.
Didn't slow.
"Keys."
The man blinked.
Once.
Then quickly straightened.
"Yes, sir. Of course."
He stepped aside, retrieving a sleek key card from a small case.
"Your honeymoon villa is ready. Everything has been arranged as requested."
Izana shifted slightly, taking the card with one hand.
His movements efficient.
Controlled.
But the arm holding Leah never wavered.
Not even slightly.
"Would you like assistance with your luggage, sir?" the man asked cautiously.
Izana didn't look at him.
"No."
There was no hesitation.
No room for discussion.
And with that—
He walked past.
The path to the villa was quiet.
Stone beneath his steps.
Soft sand lining the edges.
Palm trees swaying gently overhead.
The ocean stretched beyond, its surface catching the light in endless motion.
But Izana didn't look at it.
Not once.
His focus remained exactly where it had been since the moment she fell asleep.
On her.
Leah shifted slightly in his arms as he walked.
Her head tilting faintly against his shoulder.
A quiet breath escaping her lips.
Izana adjusted again.
Instinctively.
Ensuring her comfort.
Ensuring she didn't wake.
"…Not yet," he murmured.
The villa stood slightly apart from the others.
Private.
Secluded.
Exactly as intended.
The door unlocked with a soft click.
Izana stepped inside.
Then closed it behind him with his foot.
Silence.
Real silence.
The kind that didn't feel empty—
Just peaceful.
Large windows allowed sunlight to pour into the space, soft curtains drifting with the breeze. The distant sound of waves filled the air in a steady rhythm.
Everything was open.
Calm.
Uninterrupted.
Izana moved forward.
Slow.
Careful.
Toward the bed.
He didn't rush.
Didn't make unnecessary movement.
Every step measured.
Every motion precise.
He lowered her gently.
One hand supporting her head as it met the pillow.
The other guiding her body onto the mattress.
Leah shifted slightly as she settled.
A faint crease forming between her brows—
Then disappearing just as quickly.
Still asleep.
Izana's hand lingered.
Just for a moment.
Ensuring she was comfortable.
Ensuring she wouldn't wake.
Then—
He pulled back.
He stood there.
Looking at her.
For a moment—
The world outside didn't exist.
Not the ocean.
Not the villa.
Not anything beyond the quiet rise and fall of her breathing.
Just her.
Safe.
Resting.
Untouched by everything else.
His expression softened.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
Then—
He turned.
The suitcase rested near the entrance.
Unopened.
Waiting.
Izana walked over.
Lifted it effortlessly.
Set it on a nearby surface.
And began.
He worked quietly.
Methodically.
Unpacking wasn't rushed.
It wasn't careless.
Every item had its place.
Every movement deliberate.
Clothes folded neatly.
Hung properly.
Arranged without excess.
Nothing out of order.
Nothing overlooked.
He paused when he reached her things.
A soft dress.
Light fabric.
He held it for a second longer than necessary.
Then placed it carefully inside the wardrobe.
Separate.
Organized.
Easy for her to reach later.
Behind him—
Leah shifted again.
A faint sound escaping her lips.
Izana's head turned instantly.
His attention snapping back to her.
Watching.
Waiting.
But she didn't wake.
Her breathing remained steady.
Uninterrupted.
He turned back.
Continued.
The room slowly changed.
From untouched—
To theirs.
Not loud.
Not overwhelming.
Just subtle signs.
Presence.
Belonging.
When everything was finished—
Izana closed the suitcase.
Set it aside.
Then looked back at her.
Leah hadn't moved much.
Still resting exactly where he left her.
One hand near her face.
Fingers loosely curled.
Her hair spread softly across the pillow.
Completely unaware.
Completely at ease.
He walked back to the bed.
Slowly.
Then sat at the edge.
Careful not to disturb the mattress too much.
Just enough to be close.
His hand lifted.
Paused briefly.
Then gently—
He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face.
Light.
Careful.
Intentional.
Leah shifted slightly at the touch.
Her expression softening even more.
Relaxing.
Not waking.
Izana watched her.
Silent.
Still.
Then leaned forward slightly—
And pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Brief.
Gentle.
Unseen.
When he pulled back—
He didn't move far.
He stayed there.
One hand resting lightly against the bed beside her.
Close.
But not touching.
Outside—
The ocean moved endlessly.
Waves rolling in steady rhythm.
The breeze drifting through the open space.
Warm.
Calm.
Uninterrupted.
Inside—
There were no interruptions.
No voices.
No expectations.
No past reaching in.
Just quiet.
Just stillness.
Leah shifted again.
Her fingers moving faintly against the sheets.
A soft breath escaping her lips.
"…Izana…"
The word barely formed.
Half-asleep.
Unconscious.
But real.
Izana's gaze didn't move from her.
"I'm here."
His voice was low.
Quiet.
Certain.
Even if she couldn't fully hear it—
It was still said.
A few more minutes passed.
Then—
Slowly—
Leah began to wake.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Her fingers twitching faintly.
Her breathing shifting.
"…Mm…"
Her eyes fluttered.
Half-open.
Unfocused.
She blinked once.
Then again.
The light filtering through the curtains catching her attention.
"…Where…?"
Her voice was soft.
Distant.
Izana didn't move.
"You're here."
Leah turned her head slightly.
Her gaze finding him.
Still sitting beside her.
Still watching.
"…We're here?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
Her eyes softened.
"…You didn't wake me."
"No."
"…You carried me, didn't you?"
"Yes."
A small smile formed.
Sleepy.
Warm.
"…Of course you did."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand moved slightly closer.
Resting near hers.
Leah shifted just a little—
Then paused with a faint wince.
"…Still sore," she muttered quietly.
Izana's expression changed instantly.
Subtle.
But immediate.
"I told you not to move too quickly."
Leah huffed softly.
"You didn't tell me. You just… hovered."
"That is the same thing."
She smiled faintly.
"…It's not."
A small pause.
Then—
She looked around.
Taking in the room properly this time.
The light.
The space.
The quiet.
"…It's beautiful."
"Yes."
Leah looked back at him.
Then smiled softly.
"…You did all of this."
"I arranged it."
"You unpacked too, didn't you?"
"Yes."
She blinked.
"…While I was asleep?"
"Yes."
Leah stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"…You're unfair."
Izana tilted his head slightly.
"How?"
"You're making it very hard to complain about anything."
"That isn't my concern."
Leah laughed softly.
Then reached out—
Her fingers brushing lightly against his hand.
"…Thank you."
Izana looked at her.
Then—
"…Rest."
Leah smiled.
"…Okay."
She shifted slightly.
Carefully this time.
Settling back into the bed.
Izana didn't leave.
Didn't move away.
He stayed exactly where he was.
Close.
Present.
And for the first time—
There was nowhere else he needed to be.
Nothing else demanding his attention.
Just this.
Just her.
Just them.
In a place where—
For once—
Peace didn't feel temporary.
It felt real.