A few days passed.
The mansion settled again.
Not silent.
Just… steady.
Leah sat on the bed.
Back against the headboard.
One hand resting over her stomach.
Slow circles.
Careful.
Focused.
"…You're doing it again."
A kick answered her.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Leah exhaled lightly.
"…You don't get tired, do you."
Another kick.
Stronger.
She adjusted her hand.
Tried again.
Slower.
"…Like this…"
A pause.
Then—
another kick.
Leah frowned.
"…No."
She shifted slightly.
Focused harder.
Tried to copy what she remembered.
The pressure.
The rhythm.
But—
another kick.
Persistent.
Leah sighed.
"…That's not it."
The door opened.
She didn't look up.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Familiar.
Izana stepped inside.
Stopped.
Watched her.
Quiet.
Leah spoke first.
"…He's not listening."
Izana walked toward the bed.
Unhurried.
Calm.
"…You're rushing."
Leah glanced at him.
"…I'm not."
He stopped in front of her.
Studied her hand.
Then her face.
"…You are."
Leah frowned slightly.
"…Then fix it."
A beat.
Then softer—
"…Please."
Izana didn't respond.
Just moved.
He stepped onto the bed.
Settled behind her.
Close.
Careful.
Leah stilled slightly.
His legs on either side of her.
Not trapping.
Just holding her in place.
Secure.
His chest close to her back.
One arm bracing beside her.
The other—
moving over hers.
Guiding.
Not forcing.
Just adjusting.
"…Slower."
Leah let out a quiet breath.
Let him move her hand.
"…Like this?"
"…No."
He shifted her fingers slightly.
Adjusted the pressure.
More precise.
"…Less."
Leah swallowed.
"…You're very specific."
"…He reacts to it."
Another kick came.
Izana didn't stop.
His hand stayed over hers.
Guiding the rhythm.
Steady.
Consistent.
"…Don't stop when he moves."
Leah's voice softened.
"…That's hard."
"…Do it anyway."
She followed.
Carefully.
Letting him guide her.
His presence steady behind her.
Grounding.
The movement shifted.
The kicking slowed.
Not immediately.
But gradually.
Leah noticed.
"…Wait…"
Izana's voice stayed low.
Close.
"…Keep going."
She did.
Slower now.
More controlled.
The kicking softened.
Then—
just a small shift.
Leah exhaled.
"…He's calming down."
Izana's thumb moved once over her hand.
Still guiding.
"…Now stop."
Leah slowly lifted her hand.
Waited.
Nothing.
No kick.
Just stillness.
She blinked.
"…He actually listened."
Izana leaned back slightly.
But didn't move away.
Still close behind her.
"…You did it right."
Leah turned her head slightly.
Looking at him over her shoulder.
"…You make it look easy."
Izana met her gaze.
Close.
"…It isn't."
She studied him.
"…Then why does it work for you every time."
A pause.
Then—
"…I don't hesitate."
That landed.
Leah looked down at her stomach again.
Her hand resting there.
Gentle now.
"…I think too much."
"…Yes."
She huffed softly.
"…Rude."
"…Accurate."
Leah leaned back slightly.
Letting herself rest against him.
Careful.
Relaxed.
"…You're good at this."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand stayed near hers.
Didn't leave.
Silence settled.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
A small movement followed.
Soft.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…He's calm."
Izana's hand rested briefly over hers again.
"…Stay like that."
"…I am."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Thank you."
Izana didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…You're learning."
Leah let out a small laugh.
"…That's your version of encouragement?"
"…Yes."
"…You're terrible at it."
"…You're still improving."
She smiled anyway.
—
Night came slowly.
The room dim.
Quiet.
Leah lay on her side.
Facing him.
One hand under her cheek.
The other resting over her stomach.
Izana was awake.
Still.
Watching her.
"…You don't sleep."
Leah's voice was soft.
Half awake.
Izana didn't look away.
"…I do."
"…Not enough."
A pause.
She shifted slightly closer.
"…You're thinking."
"…Yes."
Leah studied him.
Even in the low light.
"…About today?"
"…No."
"…Then what."
Silence.
Brief.
Then—
"…Him."
Leah blinked.
"…Zarek?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…I don't know if I'll be good at it."
Leah stilled.
Fully awake now.
"…At what."
Izana's voice didn't change.
But something underneath it did.
"…This."
A pause.
"…Being his father."
Silence filled the room.
Not heavy.
Just real.
Leah moved closer.
Slow.
Careful.
She reached for him.
Her hand touching his arm.
"…Come here."
Izana didn't hesitate.
He shifted closer.
Leah guided him gently.
Down.
Carefully.
Her hand resting on the back of his head.
Guiding him lower.
Until—
his head rested against her stomach.
Right over Zarek.
Leah's fingers moved into his hair.
Soft.
Slow.
"…Listen."
Izana didn't speak.
Just stayed there.
Still.
The room was quiet.
Completely.
Then—
the sound.
Faint.
Steady.
A heartbeat.
Zarek's.
Izana's hand moved.
Resting over her stomach.
Closer now.
Leah watched him.
"…What do you hear."
A pause.
Then—
"…Strong."
Leah smiled softly.
Her hand still in his hair.
"…He's calm."
Izana didn't move.
Didn't lift his head.
"…Because you're here."
Leah's voice softened further.
"…No."
A pause.
Then—
"…Because of you."
Izana stilled slightly.
Leah continued.
"…He listens to you."
Her fingers brushed through his hair gently.
"…He settles for you."
A small movement followed.
Soft.
Calm.
Right under his cheek.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…See?"
Izana stayed there for a moment longer.
Then—
he lifted his head slightly.
Just enough.
His hand moved over her stomach.
Slow.
Gentle.
Grounding.
Then—
he leaned down.
Pressed a soft kiss to her baby bump.
Not rushed.
Not light.
Just… certain.
His hand followed.
Rubbing gently.
Same rhythm.
Same control.
Zarek didn't move.
Stayed calm.
Leah watched him.
Her expression soft.
"…You're already good at it."
Izana didn't respond.
But his hand didn't stop.
Didn't leave.
Leah's hand moved over his.
Holding it there.
"…You don't even realize it."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…He does."
Silence settled again.
But warmer now.
Izana leaned slightly closer.
Resting near her.
Not fully down.
Just close.
Present.
Leah shifted.
Careful.
Resting lightly against him.
Her hand still over his.
Over Zarek.
"…Stay."
Izana didn't hesitate.
"…I will."
Another small movement.
Gentle.
Then stillness.
Leah's breathing slowed.
Even.
Calm.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't look away.
His hand stayed where it was.
Steady.
Grounded.
And for once—
he didn't question it.
Didn't doubt it.
Just stayed.
Exactly where he was needed.