The living room was still warm.
Soft voices filled the space.
Low laughter.
The faint clink of cups.
Elias sat near the tree, calm as always.
Dante leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, smirking at something Elias had just said.
Leah stood beside Izana.
Close.
Not touching fully.
But close enough that she could feel his presence beside her.
Steady.
Constant.
Her gaze drifted.
To him.
To the necklace.
It rested against his chest.
Simple.
Exactly where it should be.
He hadn't taken it off.
Not once.
Her fingers twitched slightly at her side.
A small, quiet warmth spread through her chest.
Then—
His hand found hers.
Firm.
Certain.
"…Come with me," he said quietly.
She looked up at him.
"…Now?"
"Yes."
She glanced briefly toward Elias and Dante.
They were still talking.
Unbothered.
Then she looked back at Izana.
"…Okay."
He didn't say anything else.
Just turned.
Behind them, Dante's voice echoed faintly.
"Try not to disappear too long."
Izana didn't respond.
Leah smiled faintly.
And led her out of the room.
The hallway was quieter.
The sounds behind them faded quickly.
Each step softer than the last.
Her hand remained in his.
Warm.
Grounding.
She glanced at him again.
"…Iz?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you doing?"
"A gift."
She blinked.
"…You already gave me one."
"There's more."
Her brows lifted slightly.
More?
He stopped walking.
Turned to face her.
His hand slipped from hers.
Only for a second.
Then he reached into his pocket.
Pulled out a small box.
Leah's breath caught.
"…Iz…"
"Open it."
Her fingers hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then she took it.
Carefully.
Like it mattered.
Because it did.
She opened the box slowly.
Inside—
A bracelet.
Her breath stilled.
Blue stones.
Soft. Deep.
And woven between them—
Hints of red.
Subtle.
Sharp.
Her eyes flickered between the colors.
Then back to him.
"…It's beautiful," she whispered.
"It suits you," he said.
Her fingers brushed over it gently.
The colors.
Blue.
Red.
Her eyes.
His eyes.
Her chest tightened slightly.
"…You thought about this," she said.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No attempt to hide it.
Her chest tightened.
Warmth spreading deeper.
"…Put it on me?" she asked softly.
He took the bracelet from her hands.
His fingers brushed her wrist.
Warm.
Steady.
He fastened it slowly.
Carefully.
Like he had all the time in the world.
His touch lingered.
Just for a second.
Then he let go.
Leah lifted her wrist slightly.
The light caught the stones.
Blue and red.
Together.
Her lips curved faintly.
"…Thank you."
He didn't respond.
Just watched her.
Studying her reaction.
Memorizing it.
Then—
"There's one more," he said.
She blinked again.
"…Another?"
"Yes."
A small laugh left her.
"…Iz, how many gifts did you get me?"
He didn't answer that.
Instead—
"Come."
He took her hand again.
Guided her forward.
Further down the hallway.
They passed their bedroom.
Leah noticed.
Her steps slowed slightly.
"…Iz? Where are we going?"
No answer.
He stopped at the guest room.
Her confusion deepened.
"…What are we doing here?"
He opened the door.
And stepped aside.
Leah walked in slowly.
Then stopped.
The room was empty.
Completely.
No bed.
No furniture.
Nothing.
Just bare walls.
Open space.
Her brows furrowed.
"…What happened?"
"I had it removed."
She turned to him.
"…Why?"
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
His expression softened.
Warmer.
More open than before.
His hand lifted.
Rested gently against her stomach.
Her breath caught instantly.
"…Iz…"
His gaze held hers.
Steady.
Unwavering.
"…What would you think…"
A pause.
"…of this being a nursery?"
Silence.
The words settled slowly.
A nursery.
For their child.
For them.
Her heart skipped.
Then raced.
Emotion rose too fast.
Too sudden.
Her vision blurred.
"…You mean…"
Her voice trembled.
"…for us?"
"Yes."
Simple.
Certain.
Like it was already real.
Her chest tightened painfully.
But not from hurt.
From something deeper.
Hope.
Love.
Fear.
All tangled together.
She stepped forward suddenly.
Wrapped her arms around him.
Tightly.
Holding onto him.
Like she needed him there.
"…I'd like that," she whispered.
Her voice soft.
Breaking slightly.
His arms came around her instantly.
Firm.
Protective.
Holding her just as tightly.
He didn't hesitate.
Didn't question.
He just held her.
Her fingers clutched his shirt.
Her face pressed into his chest.
Tears slipped quietly.
Not heavy.
Not painful.
Just… overwhelming.
They stayed like that.
For a while.
Then slowly—
She pulled back.
Just enough to look at him.
Her eyes shining.
Her lashes damp.
Her lips trembling slightly.
"…Iz…"
He watched her.
Silent.
Waiting.
"…I love you."
The words came out softly.
But they carried everything.
Everything she felt.
Everything she had held back.
Everything she hoped for.
Silence followed.
He didn't answer immediately.
His gaze searched hers.
Taking it in.
Feeling it.
Understanding it.
His thumb lifted.
Brushed gently against her cheek.
Wiping away a tear.
Slow. Careful.
Then—
"…I love you too," he said quietly.
His voice low.
Certain.
Unshaken.
Her breath caught.
A small smile forming through her tears.
"You know that," he added.
She nodded softly.
"I do."
Another tear slipped free.
He wiped it away again.
"…Don't cry," he murmured.
"I'm not sad," she said, her voice soft.
"I know."
He stepped closer again.
Closing the space completely.
His hand still rested lightly against her stomach.
Not moving.
Not leaving.
Like it belonged there.
"…We'll have it," he said quietly.
Not loud.
Not forceful.
Just certain.
She looked at him.
Searching his face.
"…Someday?" she whispered.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just him.
Just his certainty.
She leaned into him again.
Resting against him.
Safe.
Held.
His arms wrapped around her once more.
Stronger this time.
More certain.
The room around them stayed empty.
Bare.
Silent.
But it didn't feel empty anymore.
Not to her.
Because she could see it now.
A crib in the corner.
Soft blankets.
Quiet laughter.
Small footsteps.
A future that once felt distant…
Now closer than ever.
Her fingers tightened slightly against his shirt.
And she smiled.
Soft.
Warm.
Hopeful.
And he didn't let her go.