𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

the kick, the glare, and the regret

The room was quiet.

Almost.

The baby's cradle sat untouched in the corner, waiting. A half-finished blanket draped over the armchair. 

A few baby books lay open and upside down, their pages bent, as if someone (Matt) had tried to study and failed miserably mid-way through.

Vicky lay curled on her side, pillows fortressed all around her belly, a silk scarf holding back her auburn curls. One eye was cracked open.

Matt, stretched out beside her like he hadn't just returned from a near-death voyage, was snoring softly... and talking.

"—no, Captain, I said I wasn't kissing the sea monster, she just looked like Brenda for a second—"

Vicky blinked.

"—and then I told Gally, 'You swim with a pitchfork if you're so brave—'"

She exhaled slowly through her nose.

"—and then I heroically leapt across the reef—"

THUMP.

Matt's voice jumped an octave. "Ow!"

He sat up, groaning and clutching his side.

"Did something just—did our baby just kick me?"

Vicky, eyes closed again, replied flatly: "You deserved it."

Matt blinked in the dark. "Wait, for what?"

Vicky slowly turned her head, one eyebrow arched. Her green eyes glinted with murderous clarity even in the shadows.

"Brenda?" she said.

Matt blanched. "No-no-no-no. I didn't mean—She was a siren. A sea siren! I was sleep-talking!"

Vicky sat up just enough to glare properly. "You better pray this baby looks like me."

Matt held up his hands. "Of course they will. Strong genes. The curls. The terrifying stare—"

"Matthew."

He squeaked. "I mean gorgeous terrifying. Goddess-tier terrifying."

Vicky dropped back against her pillow and muttered, "If you keep sleep-talking about other women, I'm naming this baby after Gally out of pettiness."

Matt gasped. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Another small kick rolled under her belly and she smiled, just a little before curling back into her pillows with a smug look.

Matt, now lying awkwardly with a bruised rib and injured pride, sighed deeply into the mattress.

"I'm being bullied by a baby."

Vicky yawned and patted his arm.

"Welcome to fatherhood, sweetheart."