The corridor was quiet.
Not empty.
Just controlled.
Leah walked beside Izana.
Slow.
Careful.
One hand resting over her stomach.
The other brushing lightly against his sleeve.
Not holding.
Just… there.
Izana adjusted his pace without looking at her.
Small.
Automatic.
"…You didn't have to bring me here."
Leah's voice was soft.
Not arguing.
Just saying it.
Izana didn't slow.
"…I did."
"…It stopped."
"…It was different."
Leah exhaled lightly.
"…You always say that when you're worried."
Izana's gaze flicked to her.
Brief.
"…I'm not guessing."
"…You never do."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Still feels like overkill."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…If something is wrong, I fix it early."
Leah looked at him.
Studying him.
"…And if nothing is wrong?"
A beat.
"…Then you're fine."
Leah's lips curved faintly.
"…That's your version of reassurance?"
"…Yes."
She shook her head slightly.
"…You're terrible at this."
"…You're still here."
That made her smile a little more.
"…Barely."
They reached the medical corridor.
Doors already open.
Staff already waiting.
Of course they were.
Everything about Izana moved ahead of him.
Prepared.
Ready.
He stepped inside.
Leah followed.
The room was bright.
Clean.
Still.
The doctor stepped forward immediately.
"…Sir."
Izana didn't acknowledge the greeting.
Just—
"…Check her."
Leah sighed under her breath.
"…You could at least pretend to ask me first."
Izana turned slightly toward her.
Not cold.
Not sharp.
Just steady.
"…Do you want me to ask?"
Leah blinked.
Then huffed softly.
"…No."
"…Then sit."
She narrowed her eyes.
"…You're impossible."
"…You've said that before."
"…Because it's still true."
But she sat.
Carefully.
Lowering herself onto the examination bed.
Izana stayed beside her.
Close.
Not touching yet.
But present.
Watching.
The doctor moved in.
Professional.
Calm.
"…How have you been feeling?"
Leah shrugged slightly.
"…Fine."
A pause.
"…Mostly."
Izana's gaze didn't leave her.
"…Define 'mostly.'"
Leah glanced at him.
"…You're not the one asking questions."
"…Answer anyway."
She sighed.
"…He's just been more active."
Izana's voice lowered slightly.
"…That's not all."
Leah hesitated.
Then—
"…It hurt a little."
Silence.
Izana didn't react outwardly.
But his posture shifted.
Subtle.
Tighter.
The doctor nodded.
"…We'll check everything."
Routine began.
Measurements.
Light pressure.
Normal steps.
Leah leaned back slightly.
Trying to relax.
"…See? Nothing dramatic."
Izana didn't respond.
His focus stayed sharp.
Unmoving.
Then—
the doctor paused.
Just slightly.
Leah noticed.
Izana noticed immediately.
"…What."
The word came low.
Controlled.
The doctor looked up.
"…She's measuring slightly ahead."
Leah blinked.
"…Ahead?"
Izana's gaze didn't change.
But something underneath it did.
"…Explain."
The doctor remained calm.
"…It could be completely normal. But I'd like to confirm."
Leah shifted slightly.
"…Confirm what exactly?"
"…Just to be certain."
A pause.
Then—
"…We'll do an ultrasound."
The room felt quieter.
Heavier.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…You see? This is what I mean."
Izana's gaze moved to her.
Not cold.
Not dismissive.
Just steady.
"…Lie back."
Leah stared at him.
"…You're not even pretending anymore."
A beat.
Then softer—
"…I'm not going to risk guessing."
That softened something in her.
Just slightly.
She leaned back properly.
"…Fine."
The doctor prepared quickly.
Efficient.
Precise.
The gel touched her skin.
Cold.
Leah flinched.
"…I hate that part."
Izana's hand moved instantly.
Resting over hers.
Warm.
Firm.
Grounding.
"…Stay with me."
Leah glanced at him.
That was different.
"…I am."
The screen lit up.
Soft glow filling the room.
The doctor focused.
Silent.
Watching.
Measuring.
Seconds stretched.
Too long.
Leah's eyes moved to the screen.
Then to the doctor.
Trying to read him.
"…Say something."
No response yet.
Just concentration.
Izana's thumb moved slightly against her hand.
Slow.
Reassuring.
"…Breathe."
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…I am breathing."
"…Then keep doing it."
She almost smiled.
Almost.
Then—
the doctor spoke.
"…Everything looks normal."
Leah's body relaxed instantly.
"…Okay."
Izana didn't relax yet.
"…Continue."
The doctor nodded.
"…Heartbeat is strong."
The sound filled the room.
Clear.
Steady.
Leah's eyes softened.
"…That's good."
"…Yes."
The doctor adjusted the angle.
Looking closer.
"…He's measuring larger than average."
Leah blinked.
"…Larger?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…Not unhealthy."
Izana's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Clarify."
The doctor didn't hesitate.
"…He's developing normally."
Another pause.
"…He just has a larger frame."
Leah looked at the screen.
Then at Izana.
"…So he's just big?"
"…Yes."
A small silence.
Then—
"…He's likely going to be tall."
The doctor's eyes flicked briefly toward Izana.
Subtle.
But clear.
Leah caught it instantly.
A soft laugh slipped out.
"…Of course he is."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand stayed where it was.
Leah turned her head toward him.
A faint smile forming.
"…He's already like you."
No reaction.
She tilted her head slightly.
"…That explains the kicking."
A small movement answered.
On the screen.
Leah's smile softened.
"…And the attitude."
Izana's thumb moved once.
Slow.
"…He's responsive."
Leah huffed quietly.
"…That's one way to put it."
The doctor finished.
Wiping the gel away.
"…Everything is fine."
Final.
Certain.
Leah leaned back fully.
Relief settling in.
"…So all that worrying…"
She looked at Izana.
"…for nothing."
Izana met her gaze.
"…Not for nothing."
A pause.
Softer now—
"…You were in pain."
Leah blinked.
Caught slightly off guard.
"…It wasn't that bad."
Izana's tone didn't change.
But it wasn't cold either.
"…You still felt it."
That landed.
Leah's expression softened.
"…You always notice that part."
"…I don't ignore it."
A small silence followed.
Warmer now.
Leah pushed herself up slowly.
Izana's hand moved immediately.
Steadying her.
Not overbearing.
Just there.
"…Careful."
Leah looked at him.
"…I'm fine."
"…I know."
He didn't let go immediately.
Leah noticed.
Then smiled faintly.
"…You're still worried."
"…No."
She raised an eyebrow.
"…You left a deal."
"…It was finished."
"…Convenient."
Izana didn't answer.
Leah leaned slightly closer.
"…You don't have to hide it."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…I don't mind."
Izana held her gaze.
Then—
"…I know."
Leah smiled.
Soft.
Real.
A small movement followed.
Gentle this time.
Zarek.
Leah placed her hand over her stomach.
"…See? Calm now."
Izana's hand followed.
Resting over hers.
Familiar.
Steady.
"…He listens."
Leah looked at him.
"…Only to you."
A pause.
Then lighter—
"…I'm starting to get jealous."
Izana's thumb moved slightly.
"…He responds to you too."
"…Not like that."
"…He will."
Leah tilted her head.
"…You're very confident."
"…I don't guess."
She laughed softly.
"…There it is again."
Another small movement.
Leah exhaled.
Relaxed now.
"…He's going to look like you too, isn't he?"
Izana paused.
Just slightly.
Then—
"…Probably."
Leah smiled wider this time.
"…That's going to be trouble."
Izana's gaze stayed on her.
Softer now.
"…I'll handle it."
"…You always say that."
"…Because I do."
Leah leaned back slightly.
Still watching him.
"…He's already stubborn."
"…He'll manage."
"…Like you?"
A beat.
Then—
"…Better."
Leah's smile softened.
"…He already is."
Silence settled again.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just—
quiet.
Izana's hand didn't leave her stomach.
Didn't move away.
Leah covered it with hers.
"…You really don't like not being in control."
Izana looked at her.
"…This isn't about control."
"…Then what is it."
A pause.
Then—
"…You."
Leah blinked.
Just once.
Then softer—
"…That's worse."
"…No."
"…It means you'll worry more."
"…I already do."
She let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah."
A small moment passed.
Then—
"…Thank you."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…You're fine."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…That's not what I meant."
He looked at her.
Held her gaze.
Then—
"…I know."
Another small movement followed.
Calm.
Steady.
Leah leaned slightly into him.
Not fully.
Just enough.
And for once—
nothing felt uncertain.
Nothing felt out of place.
Just—
steady.
And enough.