The apartment was still dim when Bella stirred awake. For a moment she simply lay there, half asleep, listening to the faint sounds coming from the other side of the room.
A zipper. Fabric rustling.
Bella blinked slowly and pushed herself up on her elbows.
Lucas stood near the chair, folding a shirt neatly before placing it into the open suitcase on the bed.
For a few seconds she just watched him. The suitcase made everything feel more real.
"You're up early," she murmured.
Lucas glanced at her. "I didn't want to wake you."
Bella rubbed her eyes lightly before sitting up properly. "Packing is loud."
Lucas gave a faint smile.
"Sorry."
Bella swung her legs off the bed. "It's fine."
She grabbed a sweater from the chair and slipped it on before walking out of the bedroom.
"I'll make breakfast."
Lucas watched her disappear into the kitchen before returning to the suitcase.
The kitchen smelled faintly of toast and coffee a few minutes later. Bella stood at the stove, flipping an omelet carefully while the kettle hissed softly beside her.
Her mind felt strangely quiet. Not sad. Not exactly. Just… unsettled.
She heard footsteps behind her but didn't turn around. Lucas walked into the kitchen and stopped a step behind her.
For a moment he simply watched her. Then he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Bella froze slightly in surprise. Lucas rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Bella finally exhaled softly. "You'll make me burn breakfast."
"You won't."
"You're distracting."
Lucas didn't move. Bella lowered the heat on the stove before glancing at him over her shoulder. "Everything packed?"
"Almost."
"Passport?"
"Yes."
"Laptop?"
"Yes."
Bella nodded slowly. Another quiet moment passed. Lucas spoke softly near her ear. "You'll be alright? Should I arrange someone for the house."
Bella let out a small laugh. "You're going on a business trip, not a war."
Lucas didn't respond to that. Bella turned slightly in his arms so she could face him properly.
"You worry too much."
Lucas studied her face for a second before finally letting go.
"Maybe."
Rachel's bedroom door opened just as Bella finished placing plates on the table.
Rachel shuffled into the kitchen, her hair messy and eyes still half closed.
"Mama... Dada… good morning."
Bella smiled. "Good morning, sweetheart."
Rachel rubbed her eyes before noticing the suitcase near the door. Her expression changed instantly.
"Oh."
Lucas crouched down in front of her.
"Morning, champion."
Rachel walked over slowly and hugged him.
"You're leaving today, Dada."
Lucas nodded gently. Rachel pulled back and looked at him seriously. "You'll come back before sports day?"
"I will try."
"Promise?"
Lucas raised a hand. "Promise."
Rachel seemed satisfied with that answer. Then she suddenly ran to her room. Bella and Lucas exchanged a confused glance.
Rachel returned a minute later holding a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Lucas.
"What's this?" he asked.
"A drawing."
Lucas unfolded it. Three stick figures stood in the center of the page. Rachel pointed proudly. "That's us."
Lucas looked at the drawing for a moment before carefully folding it again.
"I'll keep it."
Rachel nodded seriously. "So you don't forget to come back before sports day."
Bella looked away for a moment. Breakfast passed quietly. Rachel talked about school and her races while Lucas listened.
Bella found herself mostly watching them. Eventually the time came to leave. Lucas lifted his suitcase and walked toward the door. Rachel hugged him again. Her eyes glistened with tears.
"Bye Dada."
"Bye, sweetheart. Take care of yourself and mama."
Bella walked with him to the door. For a moment neither of them said anything. Lucas adjusted his watch absentmindedly. Bella crossed her arms lightly.
"You should go. It's almost time," she said. Lucas nodded. Then he paused.
"Bella."
She looked up at him. He hesitated for a second before simply saying, "Take care of yourself."
Bella gave a small nod. "You too."
Another second passed. Then Lucas finally stepped outside. The door closed softly behind him. Bella stood there for a moment longer than necessary.
From the table Rachel called out, "Mama! I need my water bottle!"
Bella blinked and turned around.
"Coming."
But as she walked toward the kitchen, she glanced once more at the door Lucas had just walked through. The apartment suddenly felt… a little emptier.
Lucas placed the suitcase in the back seat of the car parked near the apartment gate.
The morning air was crisp, the faint chill of early winters still lingering in the quiet street. He checked the time on his watch. He still had enough time to reach the airport without rushing. He opened the driver's door.
"Lucas!"
The sudden sound of his name made him freeze. He turned around immediately. Bella was hurrying toward him as fast as she could.
Her hair was slightly messy, her sweater thrown on hastily, and she was clearly out of breath. Lucas stared at her in confusion. Seeing his pregnant wife running toward him, Lucas went into immediate panic.
"Bella?"
She didn't slow down. The moment she reached him, she threw her arms around him. Lucas barely had time to react before she buried her face against his chest.
Her fingers clutched the back of his jacket tightly. Then he felt it. She was trembling. Soft sobs escaped her as she held onto him.
Lucas went completely still. He had expected crying from Rachel, not from Bella. For a moment he simply stood there in shock. He didn't even know what had happened, and his mind immediately jumped to the worst possibilities.
She had looked calm at breakfast. Calm when he left the apartment. But now… Bella was trembling in his arms like she was trying very hard not to break down.
Lucas quickly wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely.
"Bella… hey. Don't cry."
She didn't answer. Her shoulders shuddered again. Lucas gently placed a hand on the back of her head, his voice lowering. "What happened?"
Bella shook her head against his chest.
"I… I don't know," she murmured between breaths.
Lucas frowned slightly. He began checking her.
"Did something happen? Pain... cramps... blood."
"No."
Her fingers tightened in his jacket.
"I just…"
She couldn't finish the sentence. Lucas sighed softly and pulled her closer. 'Okay so it's not physical pain. Then is she crying because I'm leaving?'
"It's alright, Bella."
Bella wiped her eyes quickly but another tear escaped anyway.
"This is embarrassing," she muttered weakly.
Lucas gave a quiet huff of amusement.
"Why?"
"I was fine five minutes ago."
Lucas brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Pregnancy mood swings."
Bella sniffed. "That's your explanation for everything."
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"It's convenient."
Bella let out a shaky breath, calming down slowly. For a moment they just stood there quietly. Lucas studied her face carefully. Her eyes were still slightly red.
"You scared me," he admitted quietly.
Bella looked down. "Sorry."
Lucas tilted her chin gently so she would look at him.
"You don't need to apologize."
Bella stared at him for a moment before speaking softly.
"Just… come back soon."
Something in Lucas's chest tightened slightly.
"I will."
He brushed his thumb lightly under her eye, wiping away the remaining tear. Then, almost without thinking, Lucas leaned forward and kissed her.
It wasn't hurried. It wasn't demanding. Just warm. Soft. A quiet promise.
Bella blinked slightly in surprise but didn't pull away. For a moment the world felt strangely still and she liked it more than she should have.
When Lucas finally stepped back, Bella looked a little flustered. Lucas rested his forehead briefly against hers.
"I'll come back as soon as the work is finished. Go inside, it's getting cold."
Bella nodded.
"Okay."
Lucas reluctantly stepped away and got into the car. Bella moved back toward the gate. The engine started. For a moment Lucas looked at her through the window.
Bella tried to smile. It didn't quite work. Lucas shook his head slightly before finally driving away.
Bella remained standing near the gate. Watching until the car disappeared at the end of the street. Still a little teary. Still a little flustered. And completely unaware that the tight feeling in her chest had nothing to do with pregnancy mood swings.
Only then did she slowly turn around and walk back toward the apartment. The cold air brushed against her face, cooling the last traces of the tears she hadn't realized were still there.