The nursery was quiet.
Soft.
Still untouched in the way something waits.
Leah stood just inside the doorway.
One hand resting lightly over her stomach.
She looked around slowly.
Taking everything in.
The crib.
The shelves.
The neatly folded blankets.
Everything was there.
Everything was ready.
Or at least—
it was supposed to be.
She stepped further inside.
Careful.
Measured.
Her hand brushing lightly over the edge of the crib.
"…This should be enough."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Right?"
A small movement answered her.
Zarek.
A light kick.
Leah exhaled faintly.
"…You don't sound convinced."
Another small kick.
Leah moved toward the dresser.
Opened a drawer.
Checked inside.
Clothes.
Organized.
Folded.
She adjusted one of the smaller shirts.
"…You're not even here yet and you already have more clothes than me."
A pause.
"…That's unfair."
A slightly stronger kick followed.
Leah paused.
Her hand moving to her stomach.
"…Okay."
Another.
Stronger.
Leah frowned faintly.
"…You're active today."
She closed the drawer slowly.
Turned slightly.
Another kick.
Sharper this time.
Leah inhaled lightly.
"…That was harder than usual."
Silence.
Then—
another.
Her hand pressed more firmly against her stomach.
"…Hey."
Another kick.
Immediate.
Stronger.
Leah's brows pulled together.
"…Zarek."
A pause.
Then—
another.
Too fast.
Too strong.
Leah stepped back slightly.
Her breathing shifting.
"…Okay… that's enough."
It didn't stop.
Another kick.
Then another.
Not spaced out.
Not calm.
Just—
constant.
Leah moved toward the armchair.
Sat down slowly.
One hand gripping the armrest.
The other pressing gently over her stomach.
"…Hey…"
Her voice softened.
Trying to steady.
"…Calm down."
Another kick.
Sharper.
Leah winced slightly.
"…That hurts."
Her fingers moved slowly over her baby bump.
Rubbing gently.
The way she had seen him do it.
Slow.
Circular.
"…It's okay…"
Another kick.
No change.
Leah swallowed lightly.
"…You don't like this room?"
A pause.
Then—
another kick.
Harder.
Leah leaned back slightly.
Her breathing uneven now.
"…Zarek…"
She exhaled slowly.
Trying again.
"…Daddy's not here."
A pause.
Her voice quieter.
"…He's at a deal."
Another kick.
Immediate.
Almost like a reaction.
Leah frowned faintly.
"…I know."
Her hand moved again.
Trying to soothe.
Trying to copy the same rhythm.
"…He'd be doing this right now."
Another kick.
Leah winced again.
"…Yeah… like that."
Her voice softened more.
Almost a whisper.
"…He'd be talking to you too."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Telling you to calm down."
Another kick.
Still strong.
Still restless.
Leah's fingers pressed a little more firmly.
"…You only listen to him, don't you."
The words came out softer than she meant.
Not accusing.
Just… honest.
Another kick.
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
"…You're not being fair."
Her breathing slowed deliberately.
Trying to stay calm.
Trying not to let it get to her.
"…I'm here too."
Another kick.
Leah exhaled sharply.
"…Okay… okay…"
Her hand kept moving.
Gentle.
Steady.
"…Just relax…"
But it didn't stop.
It didn't slow.
If anything—
it felt sharper.
More restless.
Leah leaned her head back against the chair.
Eyes half closed.
"…You're going to make me tired before you're even born."
Another kick.
She huffed quietly.
"…That's impressive."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…But still not allowed."
Another kick.
Leah's fingers tightened slightly.
"…Zarek…"
Her voice dropped.
Barely above a whisper now.
"…please."
Silence.
Then—
another movement.
Still there.
Still strong.
Leah's breathing uneven again.
Her hand pressing more firmly now.
Trying to ground him.
Trying to steady herself.
"…Just calm down…"
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…He'll be back soon."
The room stayed still.
Except for the movement.
Except for him.
Leah swallowed.
Her voice softer now.
"…You miss him that much?"
Another kick.
Immediate.
Leah let out a small breath.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…Me too."
Silence.
Then—
the door opened.
Leah didn't react at first.
Didn't turn.
Too focused.
Too caught in the moment.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Familiar.
Close.
Leah froze.
Slowly—
she turned her head.
Izana stood in the doorway.
Watching her.
Still.
Focused.
Leah blinked.
"…You're not supposed to be here."
Izana didn't answer immediately.
His gaze dropped.
To her stomach.
To her hand.
To the tension.
Then back to her.
"…It finished early."
Leah stared at him.
"…You left."
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…You weren't there long."
"…Long enough."
He stepped inside.
Closed the door behind him.
Didn't rush.
Didn't hesitate.
Just walked toward her.
Leah watched him.
Still slightly stunned.
"…You said it would take hours."
"…It didn't."
Another kick hit.
Strong.
Izana's gaze sharpened slightly.
He reached her.
Kneeling in front of the chair.
Without a word—
his hand replaced hers.
Settling over her stomach.
Firm.
Steady.
Grounded.
"…Calm."
Low.
Quiet.
Directed downward.
The movement didn't stop immediately.
Another kick.
Then another.
Izana's thumb moved slowly.
Same rhythm.
Controlled.
"…Enough."
Another pause.
Then—
it slowed.
Slightly.
Leah watched.
Her breathing still uneven.
"…He wasn't stopping."
Izana didn't look up.
Just kept his hand there.
"…I can tell."
Another small movement.
Softer this time.
Izana's voice dropped even lower.
"…Stay still."
Directed downward again.
The kicking slowed.
Then softened.
Then—
just a small shift.
Leah exhaled slowly.
Her shoulders relaxing.
"…You did that in seconds."
Izana finally looked up at her.
"…He listens."
Leah let out a small breath.
Half tired.
Half relieved.
"…Clearly."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…I tried."
Izana's gaze didn't leave her.
"…I know."
Another small movement.
Gentle this time.
Leah leaned back into the chair.
Her hand resting over his.
Still on her stomach.
"…You really came back early."
"…Yes."
"…Because of this?"
A pause.
Izana didn't answer directly.
"…I was finished."
Leah studied him.
Then—
a faint smile.
"…Liar."
Izana didn't react.
Just kept his hand steady.
Another small movement followed.
Calm now.
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
"…He missed you."
Izana's thumb moved once.
"…I know."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…So did you."
Leah didn't deny it.
Her fingers tightened slightly over his.
"…Yeah."
Silence settled again.
But different this time.
Not tense.
Not sharp.
Just—
grounded.
Leah opened her eyes again.
Looked down at his hand.
Then at him.
"…You always show up at the right time."
Izana didn't respond.
Just stayed there.
Hand steady.
Presence firm.
Unmoving.
And for once—
that was enough.