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Chapter 122 – Arya's POV
"Mama's Almost There"
The sun was unusually gentle that Sunday morning.
Light filtered in through the curtains in golden waves, warming the soft rug beneath my bare feet. The house smelled like pancakes — Damon's doing, of course — and in the distance, I could hear him humming in the kitchen.
But the best part of the morning wasn't the sun or the smell of syrup.
It was Liam.
"Mama, you're too slow!" he giggled, running around the living room with his superhero cape flapping behind him. "I'm faster than the Flash!"
I clutched my belly with both hands and lowered myself carefully onto the couch, chuckling. "That's because Mama's carrying your baby sister in here," I said, pointing at my very round stomach. "She makes me move like a turtle."
He ran back to me, out of breath but grinning ear to ear. "Can she hear me if I talk to her?"
I nodded and watched as he knelt in front of me, placing both hands on my belly. "Hi, baby," he said, his voice softer now, gentler. "I'm Liam. I'm gonna be the best big brother ever, okay?"
My heart melted instantly.
"Did she kick?" he asked, eyes wide.
"Let's see if she responds to kisses," I whispered.
He leaned forward and pressed a noisy kiss against the side of my belly. A few seconds later, there was a faint thump against my ribs.
"There!" I gasped. "She heard you!"
Liam squealed. "She kicked me back! She's saying hi!"
I laughed, running my fingers through his curls. "She already loves you."
We played like that for a while — him talking, me answering for her in a funny voice, and her occasional flutters in response. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this light. No pressure, no work stress, no rush. Just… peace. A stillness I didn't even know I'd been craving.
"Do you think she'll like dinosaurs?" Liam asked suddenly, flopping beside me.
"She'll love whatever her big brother loves," I said, leaning back with a wince. My back had been hurting on and off all morning. I figured it was just the weight.
"And… Mama?"
"Hm?"
"Will you still have time to play with me after the baby comes?"
My heart squeezed.
I turned to him and cupped his little face in my hands. "Liam, no one will ever take your place in my heart. You made me a mama. You're the first piece of me that ever existed outside my body. No matter how many babies come after… you'll always be my first magic."
He blinked, and then threw his arms around me, nearly knocking me back.
"Oof! Easy, baby!" I laughed.
"Sorry," he giggled.
I kissed the top of his head. "You're allowed to feel anything, okay? Happy, excited… even jealous. It's normal. But I'll always be here. For both of you."
He nodded, then pulled away to grab his toy car. "Let's race! Me, you, and baby!"
"Oh wow, that's totally unfair," I teased, "You've got wheels, I've got feet swollen like balloons, and she's not even out yet."
"She can be on your team!" he announced.
"Alright," I said, adjusting myself on the couch, "Team Mama and Baby versus Speedy Liam."
Just as he revved the plastic wheels against the coffee table, I shifted forward to reach for my cup of tea…
And then I felt it.
A sudden warm gush of liquid.
My body froze.
"Liam," I said carefully, eyes wide, "Can you go call Daddy for me?"
"Why?" he asked, confused. "You're leaking water, Mama."
"I know, baby," I said, trying to keep calm, though my heart had started to race. "That's because the baby's ready to come meet us."
His eyes widened. "Now?!"
"Soon," I said quickly. "Not this second. But yes… very soon."
He bolted from the room like a lightning bolt.
I leaned back, trying to steady my breathing. It wasn't a contraction yet, just the water breaking. But the reality of it made my whole body tense.
This was it.
She was coming.
The baby I painted about. Dreamed about. Worried and prayed over. She was finally making her way into the world.
"Arya!" Damon's voice echoed from the hallway, followed by the thunder of his feet. He appeared in the doorway a second later, spatula still in hand, eyes wide.
"Water broke?" he asked, already moving toward me.
I nodded slowly, watching as he gently examined the wet rug, then knelt in front of me, his palm instinctively going to my belly.
"Contractions?"
"Not yet."
He exhaled with relief. "Okay. Okay, we've got time."
"Don't panic," I teased, brushing my thumb over his cheek. "I'm okay. She's okay."
But I could see it in his eyes — the love, the fear, the readiness.
Liam peeked from behind the door. "Is the baby coming now?"
Damon turned and scooped him up. "She's getting ready. Just like you did when you packed your superhero backpack."
Liam blinked. "Should I get it?"
"Yes," Damon said, kissing his head. "And bring the teddy bear for your sister."
As Liam ran off again, Damon looked at me.
"She chose the perfect moment," he whispered. "You were playing with Liam, just like you wanted."
I nodded slowly, my emotions catching in my throat. "I didn't want to be rushed. I wanted to feel the shift. The exact moment the calm became change."
He leaned forward and kissed me — slow and steady. "Then let's ride the change together."
I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder.
Our little girl was on her way.
But for now, in this soft pause before the contractions came, I held onto the peace… and the love that surrounded me on all sides.
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End of Chapter 122 – Arya's POV