Love protection (book 1: to be loved)

First time seing you

Abby POV:

Abby awoke slowly, her mind still foggy from the anaesthetic, her eyelids heavy. At first, she felt her body go numb, an immense fatigue invading her, then, little by little, her senses came back to her. The soft, delicate murmur of a baby, an almost imperceptible babble, reached her ears. It was a sound so light, so tender, that at first she thought she was dreaming.

She opened her eyes slowly, searching for the source of the soothing sound. Her blurred gaze roamed the room until it landed on Samuel, sitting next to her. He was holding Luna. Their daughter.

Luna was there, snuggled in her father's protective arms, her little hands waving slightly as she made peaceful little sounds. The sight immediately brought tears to Abby's eyes. A wave of immense, uncontrollable love washed over her. It was as if the whole universe had shrunk to that very moment, to that little being she had carried, and who was now there, real, in front of her.

— Luna...' she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. Her eyes filled with tears, which she couldn't hold back.

She tried to move, to get closer, to touch her daughter, but her body was still weak, slowed by the effects of the operation. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out for Samuel and their baby. She had never felt such strong emotion, such immediate, intense love. Her tears mingled with a trembling smile, overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment.

Samuel looked at her, his eyes also full of tears, an emotional smile lighting up his face. He approached Abby gently, sensing the intensity of her feelings in his eyes. Without a word, he pulled Luna towards her, placing her gently in his arms, as if the whole world had stopped for that simple gesture.

— She's...' he murmured, unable to finish his sentence as the emotion suffocated him.

Abby looked at Luna for the first time, more closely, her little eyes closed, her breathing calm and regular. Her soft skin, her new— born smell, all of this shook her to the core. She placed a trembling hand on her daughter's cheek, her fingers brushing against her fragile skin. A silent sob shook her chest.

— Luna... she repeated, crying a little more, unable to believe that their daughter was finally here, in her arms. Her heart overflowed with love, so intense it almost hurt.

She looked up at Samuel, their eyes meeting, sharing the same emotion, the same relief, the same infinite gratitude. He was crying too, awkwardly wiping away his tears as he continued to smile.

— She's perfect,' she whispered, her voice broken by tears of joy. Our Luna...

She couldn't take her eyes off their daughter. Every little movement, every sigh, every sensation seemed to be engraved in her. Abby bent down slightly, caressing her, another sob choking her. It was as if she was discovering a love she had never known possible. A love without limits, without end.

— I love you...' she began to say, her voice broken with emotion. She cried some more, tears of relief, tears of happiness, tears of a love so vast that it seemed to overtake her. Luna woke up, fidgeting. Abby reassured her, meeting her eyes for the first time.

Samuel looked at her with infinite tenderness, unable to contain his own tears. He gently placed a hand on Abby's shoulder, then leaned over to tenderly kiss the top of her head.

Abby hugged their little girl a little tighter, feeling his warmth, his reassuring presence, like a promise that everything would be all right. This was the happiest day of her life, despite the fear, despite the ordeal they had just been through. All that seemed far away now, erased by the wonderful reality of their daughter in her arms. She gazed at Luna, who was chirping softly. She tenderly caressed her little cheek, her heart overflowing with happiness. I love you both so much...

And in that suspended moment, all she could feel was a deep, infinite love for this little life she had just given to the world.

A few hours later, Abby's bedroom was bathed in soft light. Calm had settled in after the intense emotions of the birth. Luna, asleep next to her, was breathing peacefully, a small steady breath warming her mother's heart. Samuel was beside them, watching with infinite tenderness, his gaze wavering between Abby and their daughter.

The door opened softly and Astoria entered in silence, followed by Draco, holding Scorpius. Both had kind smiles, but also a glint of emotion in their eyes. They approached Abby's bed, their steps silent so as not to disturb Luna's rest.

— How are you feeling?' asked Draco, placing a hand lightly on the edge of the bed.

Abby looked up at him and smiled. She felt tired, of course, her body still aching after the operation, but just having Luna against her filled her with such pure happiness that she almost forgot her aches and pains.

— I'm fine,' she said softly, her smile widening. I've got Luna with me, and that... that changes everything.

She looked down at her daughter. Her little hands had closed into delicate fists, and she looked so peaceful that it soothed Abby even more. Astoria reached over and laid a hand lightly on Abby's shoulder, her smile reflecting the deep emotion she was feeling.

— She's beautiful,' murmured Astoria, her eyes shining as she stared at Luna.

— Yes,' said Abby, shaking her head. I still can't quite believe it... She's so small. ... But I understand now. I understand how you felt with Scorpius. That love...

She paused, her voice trembling with emotion. The memory of Scorpius's birth, of how Draco and Astoria must have felt, suddenly seemed so clear. That instant, indestructible bond, that all— consuming love.

— This love that's so big it almost hurts,' she added softly, her tears threatening to fall again. I understand at last.

Draco nodded, a slightly bigger smile stretching his lips, though his eyes remained serious.

— Yes, it's beyond anything we can imagine,' he replied calmly. It's both frightening and... wonderful. Nothing will ever be the same again, Abby. That's a good thing.

Abby nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She looked at Samuel, who was watching the scene with tenderness, his hand still resting on Abby's. They exchanged a knowing glance, a touch of friendship. They exchanged a knowing glance, full of silent understanding. Scorpius fidgeted in Astoria's arms, not really understanding.

Astoria and Draco stayed a few moments longer, exchanging sweet words and watching Luna in wonder. Then, as fatigue began to weigh on Abby again, they discreetly took their leave, leaving the new trio to savour the moment together.

When the door closed softly behind them, Abby looked at Samuel, a serene smile on her face.

— She's so loved,' she breathed.

Samuel nodded, moving closer to her and Luna. He kissed her tenderly.

— She's so lucky to have a mum like you,' he murmured tenderly.

Abby looked at him, warmth flooding her heart.

— And a dad like you,' she replied softly.

They remained silent, surrounded by the love they had for their daughter and the promise of a happy future together.