𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

we're all in this together 🕯️

In a world where everything was once taken from them — family was something they built.

The Iron Lion's dining room still had remnants of celebration — crumbs from cake, empty mugs of cider, a few stray flower petals from the garland Bea had left. 

Vicky's pregnancy news had spread like wildfire. That rare kind of joy had settled in the base like a breath of fresh air.

Vivian had waited until the noise quieted, until the laughter softened into conversations.

That's when she stood.

Vicky, seated beside Matt, looked up curiously. Nancy and Thèrèse were across from her, curled into each other's shoulders. Sonya and Harriet had their feet kicked up on a bench. It was cozy. Unfiltered. Home.

"Mind if I steal a few minutes of your time?" Vivian said, hands resting lightly on the table's edge. "There's something I want to say to all of you."

The room hushed. Matt straightened like he'd just been caught breaking a rule again. Nancy gave Vicky a subtle uh oh glance. Thèrèse leaned in, eyebrows lifted.

Vivian didn't scold. She didn't lecture. She just... looked around.

"I lost my daughter once," she said, voice low but steady. "I held onto the memory of her while this world tried to convince me she was gone."

Vicky looked down at her hands, blinking fast. Matt gently reached for her fingers beneath the table.

Vivian went on.

"And now... I'm watching her build something I never thought any of us would get to have. A future. A baby. A reason to hope again."

She looked at Matt directly.

"You already survived my private talk," she teased softly. The others snorted. "But this isn't just about you. It's about all of you."

She turned her gaze to Nancy, Thèrèse, Sonya, Harriet.

"She's not just your friend anymore. She's going to be a mother. And that means... you're all aunties now."

Nancy's mouth dropped. "Wait..."

"Official auntie status?" Sonya gasped.

"I've been waiting for this," Harriet grinned.

Vivian chuckled. "It also means we protect her. Not just from danger — but from doubt. From fear. From the weight she'll carry every day for that child. You make her laugh. You keep her strong. You remind her she's not doing this alone."

She looked to Vicky with so much pride, it nearly made the room glow.

"And you..." Vivian's voice turned soft again. "You are still my little girl. But I see now, you're also the woman who's going to teach her child how to fight, and love, and rise from ash."

Vicky swallowed thickly. "Thanks, Mum."

Matt squeezed her hand.

Thèrèse sniffled quietly and muttered, "Well now I feel underdressed for this emotionally loaded moment."

Everyone laughed.

Nancy nudged Matt. "Guess that means we all report to Boss Grandma now."

Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Damn right you do."