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The late afternoon light slanted warm and golden through the wide windows of the house, painting long shadows across the stone floors. Somewhere beyond the glass, the lavender fields whispered in the breeze. Inside, the house breathed with life.
Jasmine sat on the terrace lounge with her legs tucked under her, a soft blanket draped across her lap. Aaliyah sat upright against her chest, babbling and tugging at her curls with damp fingers, a tiny drool bib clinging valiantly to her wiggly frame.
Michelle sat close, too close for Jasmine to stretch without brushing her shoulder — and she hadn't moved for over an hour.
"You can relax, Mama," Jasmine said gently, shifting slightly to glance at her. "I promise, I feel fine."
"I know," Michelle replied, a little too quickly. Her eyes flicked down to Jasmine's belly, still just beginning to show beneath the soft stretch of cotton. "You just look a little pale today."
"I'm wearing sunscreen," Jasmine laughed. "And sitting in the shade."
Michelle didn't laugh. She leaned in and whispered, "You'd tell me if anything felt... off?"
Jasmine's smile faded, replaced by something quieter. She nodded. "I'd tell you. But everything's fine."
Michelle nodded but didn't look reassured.
Jasmine reached over and took her mother's hand, threading their fingers together. "I'm okay, Mama."
"I know," Michelle murmured. "I just—sometimes it hits me all over again."
"I know," Jasmine echoed. Her voice was soft but steady. "But this time feels different."
Aaliyah let out a squawk at being ignored, kicking her legs against Jasmine's thigh.
"Okay, okay," Jasmine laughed, "you're still the baby for a little longer."
Just then, the terrace door creaked open. Aubrey stepped out, barefoot, holding a bowl of sliced strawberries in one hand. His eyes locked immediately on Aaliyah.
"There's my girl," he said, voice low and warm.
Aaliyah whipped her head around at the sound. Her face lit up. She let out a little giggle, bounced once in Jasmine's lap—and then it happened.
"Dada!"
Jasmine froze.
Aubrey blinked.
Michelle's mouth dropped open.
Aaliyah blinked innocently, delighted by her own voice. She slapped both hands against Jasmine's chest and said it again, even louder: "Dada!"
Aubrey laughed, but it was the kind that cracked halfway through, his voice hitching as he knelt down in front of them.
"You just said—" His throat bobbed as he looked at Jasmine. "Did she just say—?"
