𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

talk to me, little one

The room was still again.

Vicky's breathing had evened out, soft and slow. One hand rested gently on the curve of her belly, the other curled beneath her cheek.

Matt stayed awake.

He didn't move much, not wanting to disturb her. But after a few minutes of silence, he scooted down the bed and turned slightly on his side, facing her.

Then he reached out and very gently placed his hand where he'd felt the last kick.

"Hey," he whispered, barely audible.

No response, obviously.

But Matt smiled anyway.

"I know you can't talk yet. Or hear me properly. But I thought... maybe I'd start practicing. Talking to you. So you'll know my voice when you come out."

He rubbed a slow circle over the blanket covering her belly.

"I'm your dad," he said, quietly, like he was still getting used to the word. "The one who's been running around on boats and dodging sea monsters like an idiot."

He paused.

"I'm not perfect. I've messed up a lot. Been gone too much. Said the wrong things. I don't come from much. No legacy. No castle. Just a ship and too many stories."

His fingers stilled.

"But I'm here now. And I'm learning. Every time I come home, I learn how much I want to stay."

A soft kick rolled under his hand again, slower this time, like a sleepy reply.

Matt chuckled, throat tight.

"You've already got your mother's timing. Of course you do."

He looked up at Vicky. Her eyes were still closed, but he saw the edge of a smile twitching at her mouth.

So he kept going.

"You know... when you show up, when we finally meet, I'm not gonna have all the answers. I probably won't know how to hold you right. Or stop you from crying the first time."

"But I'm gonna try."

"I'm gonna be the kind of dad who stays. Even when it's hard. Even when the sea calls."

His voice cracked a little, and he pressed his forehead gently to the blanket.

"I'm gonna love you more than stories. More than maps. More than freedom."

Vicky exhaled softly, not asleep, not fully and her fingers found his under the blanket, squeezing.

Matt lifted his head and kissed her knuckles.

"So come find me when you get here, little one," he whispered. "I'll be right here."