𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

did she just-?

[SETTING.📟] Iron Lion cafeteria, a couple hours after Nico's return.**

The cafeteria was packed. Tables moved aside, lanterns strung up on hooks, someone even managed to find a working speaker for music. The air was warm with laughter and food. 

Frypan outdid himself (again), Brenda smacked his hand every time he tried to sneak an extra roll, and Sonya was yelling at Matt to "sit down before your wife throws you."

Nico, freshly bandaged and cleaned up, stood near the center of it all, a hand resting on Bea's back like he still couldn't believe she was real.

She looked tired. Radiant. Glowing.

And he looked completely smitten.

"Alright, alright!" Gally clapped his hands. "Can we just take a second to say welcome back to Nico — former pirate, rebel knight, father-to-be, man who nearly died seven times in one trip!"

The room erupted in cheers.

Minho shouted, "He punched a pirate captain for love!"

Vicky: "That's so romantic I could scream."

Matt, holding Isabelle. "You already did, earlier, remember?"

Frypan lifted a cup. "To Nico and Bea... and the little one kicking around in there!"

And just like that... THUD.

Everyone paused.

Bea blinked. Her hand flew to her belly.

"...Did she just—?"

Nico straightened. "Did she just kick?!"

Bea's mouth fell open. "She— she did! She really did!"

"She heard her name!" Vicky practically squealed.

Matt: "Wait, is this her first kick?"

Bea laughed, leaning into Nico as he dropped both hands to her belly in disbelief. "First that hard, yeah."

She winced again, another kick. "Oh! Okay, okay, she's definitely awake."

Nico's face was pure awe. "She's already dramatic."

Bea smirked. "Wonder where she gets that from."

"Rude," Nico said, looking like he might cry again.

Thomas leaned over to Minho. "Bet you five bucks he cries again."

Minho: "You're on."

Brenda grinned. "You two are gonna be such a mess when she's born."

And as everyone laughed, teased, celebrated and fussed...

Nico bent down and whispered against Bea's belly, "Alright, little one. That's enough kicking your mother around tonight. Let her eat some cake first."

Bea looked at him, teary-eyed and grinning. "She's just excited."

Nico kissed her temple and whispered, "Me too."