𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

you're real

The base was finally silent.

The generator hummed softly in the background, the wind brushing against the metal walls outside. Somewhere in the far hall, someone coughed in their sleep. 

But otherwise... peace.

And in that quiet, Nico Marrow couldn't sleep.

Not because of nightmares.

Not because of sea shanties echoing in his head.

But because she was here,

Bea, lying beside him, her chest rising and falling in the slow rhythm of deep sleep. One arm draped protectively over her belly. Her curls spread across the pillow like ivy in spring.

And Nico?

He lay on his side, barely breathing, his hand gently pressed against the swell of her stomach.

Waiting.

Every so often, she twitched. Adjusted. Breathed a little deeper.

But the little one?

Still.

"C'mon," he whispered, voice low and sweet. "One more. Just one. I know you're in there, little troublemaker."

He smiled faintly. "You kicked your mom right in the ribs earlier. What, no love for your old man?"

Nothing.

Nico huffed softly, thumb brushing slow circles over the fabric of Bea's nightgown. "You're stubborn. That's definitely from your mom."

And yet... the truth?

He didn't mind the silence.

He'd take this — her, this peace, this tiny miracle growing with every hour, over a thousand loud victories at sea.

And then... Tap.

It was faint, but it was there. A little bump. Right under his palm.

Nico's eyes widened.

He froze.

"...Hi," he whispered, eyes glimmering. "There you are."

Another soft bump.

A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Okay, now I believe it. You're real."

Bea stirred beside him, mumbling sleepily, "She likes the sound of your voice."

Nico leaned closer, kissed her temple. "I like the sound of yours."

Her voice was still drowsy, thick with sleep. "You're supposed to be resting."

"I am," he whispered, his voice hoarse with love. "I'm resting in the only place I ever wanted to be."

She smiled softly. "Go to sleep, Nico."

"I will," he murmured, settling in closer, one hand still resting over the life they made. "After one more kick."

Bea laughed, quiet, muffled by the dark. "You're impossible."

"And hopelessly yours."

And as sleep finally came for him, Nico whispered again:

"I love you, both of you. So much it hurts."