Pulse of the Beat (Unspoken Vows)

CHAPTER 40: In the Quiet After the Storm

Author's Note:

First off, I owe you all a huge apology for my absence this past month. Life got in the way, but I'm back—and I'm making it up to you with this massive 24,358-word chapter!

Thank you for your patience, your support, and for sticking with this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know what you think!

Now, without further ado... Enjoy!😽😽❤️

The bedroom was bathed in soft morning light, filtering through the curtains in golden streaks. The house was quiet—an unusual but welcome silence. Lucy stirred first, exhaustion still clinging to her limbs, but a deep contentment settled in her chest. She blinked sleepily, shifting just enough to get a better look at the tiny figure nestled in the bassinet beside her.

Leo.

Her heart clenched at the sight of him, small and peaceful, his little lips slightly parted as he slept. Fifteen days old. Fifteen days of midnight feedings, constant diaper changes, and the hazy blur of postpartum exhaustion. But also fifteen days of falling in love with this little face, of feeling her chest swell every time she held him close.

A deep warmth spread through her as she gently traced a fingertip over his cheek, marveling at how impossibly soft his skin was. He stirred slightly but didn't wake, his breath steady and even. She could have stayed like this forever, just watching him, soaking in the tiny details—the delicate curve of his nose, the faint crease between his brows.

A shift beside her pulled her attention.

Tim was still asleep, his face relaxed in a way it rarely was during the day. He lays on his side, one arm draped protectively over her waist, his breath warm against her shoulder. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against her back. For a man so disciplined and structured, he always clung to sleep like it was his greatest weakness, reluctant to leave the warmth of their bed.

Lucy turned slightly, pressing her forehead against his.

"Tim," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

He made a sound—something between a grunt and a sigh—before shifting closer, his arm tightening around her.

"Too early," he murmured, eyes still closed, voice rough with sleep.

Lucy smiled. "You always say that."

Tim cracked one eye open, just enough to glance at her before closing it again. "Because it's always true."

She laughed softly, pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose. He scrunched it in response, making her grin.

"You gonna stay in bed all day?" she teased, brushing her fingers through his hair.

"Mm," he hummed, burying his face against her neck. "Tempting."

Lucy let out a breathy laugh, but before she could say anything else, a faint babbling sound crackled through the baby monitor.

Lena.

Tim groaned dramatically, but she felt him smile against her skin. "There goes our moment."

Lucy smirked. "Like we ever had one to begin with."

Another babble, this time louder and more demanding. Lena wasn't awake enough to be fussy yet, but she was definitely up.

Tim sighed, finally opening his eyes properly. "I got her."

Lucy didn't protest. As much as she loved their kids, her body still ached, and she wasn't about to pass up the extra moment of rest. She watched as Tim reluctantly pulled himself out of bed, stretching briefly before heading toward the nursery.