𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

three heartbeats and a secret 🌸

In the quiet after war, something new begins.

The Iron Lion base had settled into an unusual calm.

Most of the others were off on supply duties or patching up defenses after the last raid, but Vicky had asked for this, just an afternoon with her girls. 

Just the three, no, four of them. In the old library, where the sunlight poured in warm through high windows, where the dust danced in the beams like tiny fireflies.

Bea, still recovering but sitting tall with her bow propped nearby, leaned against the windowsill. Nancy had curled into a worn armchair, a cup of tea in her hands. Thèrèse sat on the rug, legs crossed, notebook forgotten in her lap.

Vicky stood in the middle of the room, fidgeting, something she rarely did.

Bea narrowed her eyes. "Alright, you're doing the face."

Vicky blinked. "What face?"

Nancy chimed in, "The one you make when you've either been keeping a secret or are about to cause a riot."

"Or both," Bea added.

Vicky exhaled — nervous, then laughing softly. "Okay, okay. Just—listen."

She sat down beside Thèrèse and took a deep breath. Then she placed her hands over her stomach. There was no dramatic pause. No perfect words.

"I'm pregnant."

The world slowed. For just a beat.

Bea's jaw dropped.

Nancy almost spilled her tea.

Thèrèse's eyes widened. "Wait—what?"

"Two months," Vicky said gently, her eyes watering. "I've known for a few weeks. I wanted to tell you when things calmed down."

Bea was the first to move. She surged up and practically tackled Vicky in a hug. "You absolute maniac! You've been running and fighting and I swear if Matt let you lift anything heavier than a spoon, I will murder him."

Vicky laughed through the tears. "He's been... perfect. So careful."

Nancy set her tea down and knelt beside them, brushing Vicky's hair behind her ear. "A baby. Your baby. In this world."

Thèrèse's voice cracked when she said, "You're going to be such a good mother, V. You already are."

Vicky reached out for them all, arms tangled, tears mixed with laughter. For once, the fear didn't overshadow the joy.

"I wanted to tell you first," she whispered. "Because you're my sisters."

Nancy grinned. "That baby is going to have four mothers."

"Five," Bea added, hugging her tighter. "Matt can get in line."

Vicky laughed again. And maybe, just maybe, for the first time since the world ended — she let herself imagine a future.