Hollow

Forty Nine | Waves

Killian POV

I stroll into the living room find Zahra sound asleep on the couch. One thing she'll do is sleep. It doesn't matter what time or what place, she's gonna sleep. I shake my head in amusement as lift her into my arms and make my way upstairs. Entering my room, I carefully lay on the bed and place a gentle kiss on her head before strolling out.

Walking down the stairs, I hear loud shrieks from the foyer. Isla beams with happiness as she sees me and starts to run toward me. I bend down, stretch my arms as she runs into me. I hug her tightly and release her to turn to Noah. I pick him up, hugging and twirling him around before setting him down on the ground. As soon as his feet set the ground, he runs off.

"Tio, where's Zahra?" Noah asks, a huge grin on his face.

"She's asleep, sweetheart."

"I wanted to tell her about the animals we saw at the zoo." He pouts.

"Tell you what. You guys can tell her when she wakes up, hmm?" I reply before reaching to take his little hand in my large one. He nods happily. "Okay. Let's go, Isla."

I watch them settle on the carpet where cars are aligned in a line seemingly going to start a race. I let out a sigh and head to the terrace. I sit on one of the chairs and stare at the ocean while cradling my phone in my hands. A million thoughts are running through my mind. Should I give it to her? Is it too much? She'll hate it. I'm overthinking all of this.

"Jól vagy?"

I lean back in my seat and watch my mother sits next to me. "Yeah, I'm fine." I sigh still staring at the picture on my phone.

"Is that what I think it is?" She gasps placing a hand over her mouth in shock. I don't even get time to speak because she instantly pulls me into her arms.

"Thank you, anya." I laugh awkwardly as we pull back. "But it's not what you think it is."

"My beautiful boy. I am pr—"

"I'm not proposing, at least not yet." I explain, showing her the picture of the ring. She wipes the tears from her eyes as she looks at the picture then she shifts her gaze back to me, confusion on her face. "I came across this ring when I was shopping and I know she loves rings a lot, so I got it for her."

"You know, I raised a brave, loving and confident man. So why is he worried about a present he got for his girlfriend?"

I sigh, putting my phone away.

"If the both of you are not ready for that kind of commitment, you need to let the other know. It's okay." Anya places a hand over mine and smiles softly. "She will love it because it comes from you. In fact, I think she'll be thrilled that it's not an engagement ring."

"How do you have us figured out already?"

"A mother is never wrong." She laughs before standing up and placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you."

She nods, grinning. "Now, get up and come taste your sister's muffins."

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Zahra POV

I sit up, letting out a content yawn as I rub the sleep from my eyes. I hear a soft knock on the door and furrow my brows in confusion before muttering a reply. The door opens, revealing a smiling Kurenai. She walks in revealing with a plate of blueberry muffins and extends it to me. I motioning for her to come sit.

"You don't rest very much, do you?"

"I wish I could." I reply, biting into my muffin. "Damn, this is really good."

"Wanna know what I do to relax or when I'm not going over cases?" She asks. I nod. "It was personal at first but Derek and the others bullied me into showing people my art. Killian went as far as buying some of my pieces, and well, some of his friends got them too."

"Wait, so the paintings I saw at his house are yours?"

She laughs, nodding as I take a large bite out of my muffin, moaning at how good it is and quickly gulp down the remaining part. "I know life can make it seem like you have to have it all figured out, and I have a feeling you feel that way sometimes but take it easy on yourself."

"You sound exactly like Killian." I laugh.

"He's my brother for a reason." She chuckles, shaking her head.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

"Be careful!" Kyriel's panicked voice cries as Killian holds up a happy Luna who's mumbling little cute sounds, her legs wiggling in front of his face.

"Call us if you need anything."

"I know how to look after a child, okay?"

"I know but I—"

"Leave your sister alone." Xenia sighs as she places a kiss on her daughter's temple before turning to Killian. "But seriously though, call us if you need anything."

Killian rolls his eyes and carefully places a hand on Luna's bottom and the other under her little arm, rocking her gently. I let out a chuckle as I watch Kyriel and Xenia kiss their daughter goodbye before heading out. I avert my gaze to Noah and notice his eyes are struggling to keep up with the cartoon that's on the TV. I nudge Killian, nodding my head towards a very sleepy Noah.

"Okay, little one, go take a nap."

"But I'm not slee—"

"Ahora."

Noah doesn't budge and they have a staring contest. I stand and hold out my hand for him to hold. Killian comes forwards, placing a kiss on his nephew's forehead.

"Te veré pronto, okay?"

"Okay."

And on that note, I grab his little hand and lead him upstairs where Kaia and Isla are already napping. Reaching his room, I gently bring him down and tuck him into his bed and wipe the stray hairs from his face.

"Do you really have to go?" He asks looking at me through his little sleepy eyes.

"Yes, but I promise we'll come back soon."

"Promise?"

I chuckle, placing a little kiss on his forehead. "I promise."

He does as he is told and soon, his eyes are fully closed. I stand up and make my way out of his room, taking a last look before walking out.

"Is he asleep?" Killian asks as I step back into the living room.

I nod, letting out a yawn. "You should have seen Noah's face when he asked if we were leaving.."

"Reminds me of the time I took them to a bakery and they refused to leave because they couldn't choose between a chocolate or a vanilla frosted eclair. I nearly cried." He chuckles lightly. "They use it on Kaia too. I don't know how they found about TikTok but they always have her doing these cute dances."

"They're like little bubbles of energy."

"That they are."