The last three months

Moments of joy

Agatha and Rio were curled up together on the couch, wrapped in a thick, cozy blanket. Their hands rested together on Agatha's belly, fingers intertwined just above the soft curve where their son stirred beneath her skin. Each little kick was a reminder of the life they were about to meet, a life who would bring a new kind of joy and wonder into their world.

The room was calm, softened by the fading light of the afternoon, casting warm tones around them. Agatha felt Rio's fingers tracing gentle circles along the back of her hand, each touch grounding her in the moment. She imagined their future together—tiny hands reaching for them, the sound of their baby's first laugh. Her heart swelled with the weight and sweetness of it all. Life was about to change in ways she couldn't fully grasp, yet each kick brought that future closer.

"I wonder," she murmured, glancing up at Rio with a soft smile, "if he already knows your voice."

Rio chuckled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "You think so?" She leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to Agatha's belly before picking up a well-loved book from the side table. Its cover was worn, pages softened by the countless times they'd shared it, every word now a part of their lives. She began to read aloud, her voice low and comforting, the familiar cadence flowing through the quiet room.

As she read, Agatha felt their son shift, as if listening, and she let out a soft laugh filled with wonder. She didn't know what made her happier—the idea of their baby recognizing Rio's voice or the way Rio looked at her just then, with such love and devotion.

——💜💚——

Later, they were in the nursery, surrounded by tiny clothes and blankets, their anticipation woven into each detail they added to the room. Rio was carefully folding a stack of clothes, handling each one with a care that made Agatha's heart ache with tenderness.

They paused, overcome with the weight of all that lay ahead. Rio turned to her, her voice soft and steady. "I'll do anything to protect you both. Always."

Agatha reached up, brushing her fingers along Rio's cheek before taking her hand. She held it to her heart, feeling its steady beat, grounding herself in the moment. "We're building something beautiful together," she whispered, her words a promise of every quiet moment, every shared laugh, and every tear to come.

That night, as they lay in bed, Rio's hand rested on Agatha's belly, tracing gentle circles as though memorizing the shape of their future. When the baby kicked, she leaned down, pressing a kiss just below Agatha's belly button, her eyes lighting up in joy. The baby moved again, responding to her touch, and they both laughed softly, basking in the rare happiness of this gentle connection.

——💚💜——

As they lay side by side, Agatha held Rio's hand tightly, feeling a gratitude that ran so deep, words seemed too small to hold it. She closed her eyes, letting the calm wash over her, treasuring this quiet moment before their lives would change.

In each other's arms, they drifted to sleep, feeling grounded and ready—ready to meet their son, to welcome the life they'd dreamed of, and to face whatever came next, together