The baby project~~

3.

Ace~

As the evening wears on, Nova heads upstairs with Emily in her arms. She looks exhausted, each step up the stairs seeming like a monumental effort. She pauses halfway and calls down to Liam and Noah, her voice gentle but weary.

"Come on, sweethearts, time to get ready for bed," she says, trying to muster some energy.

Liam and Noah, their earlier excitement now giving way to sleepy reluctance, slowly make their way to the stairs. I notice the way Nova leans against the railing, her exhaustion evident in every movement. Despite her best efforts, she's clearly worn out.

I feel a twinge of something – maybe concern, maybe something else – as I watch her struggle. "You need any help?" I call out, trying to keep my tone casual.

Nova glances back at me, her eyes tired but grateful. "Yeah, actually. Can you get the boys ready for bed? I'll handle Emily."

I nod and head towards Liam and Noah, who are now halfway up the stairs. "Alright, you two, let's get moving," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "Time to get ready for bed."

Liam and Noah look up at me with wide eyes but follow me up the stairs. As we reach the top, I see Nova heading into one of the bedrooms with Emily, her shoulders slumped with fatigue

Nova~

I finally reach the top of the stairs, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. Emily is still in my arms, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt as she dozes off. I head towards one of the bedrooms, feeling like each step is a Herculean effort.

When I open the door, I'm struck by how big and beautiful the room is. There's a large, comfortable-looking queen-sized bed against one wall, and next to it, a lovely baby cradle. I can't help but smile a little, despite my exhaustion.

I finally manage to get Emily dressed and settled, her soft breathing a small comfort in the quiet room. I sit down in the rocking chair next to her crib, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to gather the strength for the rest of the night.

Suddenly, I hear small footsteps approaching. Liam and Noah peek into the room, their faces a mix of curiosity and sleepiness. "Mumma, can we say goodnight to Emily?" Liam asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, sweetheart," I reply, motioning for them to come in.

They tiptoe over to the crib and gently kiss Emily on the forehead. "Goodnight, baby sister," Noah whispers, and my heart swells with  love.

I turn to see Ace standing in the doorway, watching the scene with a strange look on his face. He catches my eye and gives a small nod, as if to say he's got things under control.

"Thanks," I whisper to him, my voice barely audible.

After about an hour, I hear the bedroom door open. Ace walks in, the house now quiet and still. I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, my hands cradling my head, feeling completely drained from the day.

Ace walks over and sits next to me. I look up and offer him a small, tired smile.

"Hey," I say softly, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Hey," he responds, his tone softer than usual. "What happened? You okay?"

I nod slightly, but the emotions I've been holding back all day start to overwhelm me. Tears begin to well up in my eyes. "I just... it's been so hard. I'm so tired, and I feel like I'm not doing anything right."

Ace's eyes widen in panic as he sees my eyes. Without thinking, he pulls me into a hug. It's a bit  surprising, but there's a strange comfort in his unexpected gesture.

"Hey, it's okay," he says, his voice unsure but earnest. "You're doing fine, nov. We'll get through this."

I'm shocked by the sudden hug, but I'm too tired to resist. I let myself lean into him. It feels strange, but also reassuring to have someone here, someone who understands.

We stay like that for a moment, both of us a bit surprised by the closeness. Eventually, Ace pulls back slightly, looking at me with concern. "Get some rest, okay? I'll keep an eye on the kids tonight."

I nod. "Thanks, Ace. That means a lot."

He shrugs, trying to play it off. "No big deal."

Ace~

I see Nova slowly drifting off to sleep on the bed. She looks so tired and worn out, and I can't help but feel a bit protective. Despite trying to stay awake, my own exhaustion catches up with me.

I lie down next to her. It's a bit awkward, but the bed is too small to stay on opposite sides. I try to keep some distance, but I find myself getting more comfortable.

Watching Nova sleep so peacefully, I feel a strange mix of emotions. I didn't expect to care so much, but there's something about her tired face that makes me want to stay close.

I close my eyes, feeling more tired than I realized. As I start to drift off, I realize that I might be feeling something I didn't expect. It's confusing, but I can't deny it.

With a tired sigh, I let myself fall asleep next to her, not sure what tomorrow will bring but feeling a surprising sense of comfort.