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Chapter 131 — Arya POV
The ride home from the hospital was quiet, peaceful — the kind of silence that comes after something monumental. Damon drove slowly, one hand on the wheel and the other resting gently on her thigh, as if to reassure himself that she was really there, safe and whole.
Arya sat in the backseat, cradling Hope in her arms, wrapped in a soft, lavender blanket. The baby's breathing was rhythmic, soothing. Her little fingers twitched now and then, and Arya couldn't help but stare. She had stared at her like this for hours — every tiny yawn, every wrinkle in her forehead, every blink like magic.
Liam sat beside her, unusually calm, his small hands folded neatly in his lap. He had already met his sister at the hospital, and though he hadn't said much at the time, his wide eyes and soft smile had spoken volumes. Now, he kept glancing over, just watching.
"She's still sleeping," he whispered.
Arya nodded. "Babies sleep a lot at first."
"When will she play with me?"
She smiled. "Soon, sweetheart. But for now, she needs to grow a bit more."
They pulled into the driveway, and Damon came around quickly, opening her door and helping her out. Her body still felt sore and heavy, but she let him help — just this once. Hope stirred slightly, but didn't cry. The sunlight kissed her little cheeks, and Arya felt her heart swell all over again.
The house smelled faintly of fresh flowers. Arya paused as they stepped into the living room. Everything was clean, warm, ready. Her gallery had sent a basket with flowers and a handwritten card. Ethan and Amara had already visited again earlier that morning, bringing a bag of meals and gifts for Liam.
"Welcome home," Damon whispered, holding the door as she stepped in.
Arya smiled. "It feels different now. Like everything's new."
"It is," he said, brushing a kiss to her temple. "This is Hope's first home. It's her beginning."
They set Hope down in her new bassinet in the living room so Arya could rest on the couch. Damon brought her a soft pillow, and Liam sat cross-legged on the carpet, drawing a new picture for his baby sister.
"I think I'll draw a castle for her," he said, "with stars and pink clouds."
Arya's chest filled with affection. "She'll love that."
She tilted her head back against the cushion, watching Damon move about the room. He looked different now. Still the same man — her Damon, fierce and loyal — but softened by fatherhood, grounded by love. He kept checking on Hope, tucking the blanket in, adjusting the angle of the bassinet ever so slightly.
"You're going to hover, aren't you?" Arya teased lightly.
Damon turned with a sheepish smile. "Only for the rest of my life."
She laughed softly. It felt good to laugh.
"I missed home," she admitted quietly. "But I think… what I missed more was feeling this kind of peace."
Damon came over and knelt beside her, his hand slipping into hers. "You deserve it. After everything, you deserve soft days and easy mornings."
They sat there like that, surrounded by quiet love — their son drawing stars on paper, their newborn sleeping peacefully, and the golden glow of late afternoon sun filtering in through the curtains.
Later that evening, after a light dinner and a hot shower, Arya changed into a cotton nightgown and sat in the nursery for a few moments alone. Hope was dozing again, her chest rising and falling in tiny, perfect rhythm.
"You're here now," Arya whispered, brushing her fingers gently over the baby's tiny head. "And I'll protect you, just like I promised Liam. I'll give you everything I never had."
A tear slipped down her cheek, not out of sadness, but from the overwhelming weight of love.
Damon appeared at the door quietly, holding a cup of warm milk for her. "Come rest."
She stood, and he pulled her gently into his arms. "I've got her tonight. You sleep."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. I'll be here."
Arya let herself melt into his chest for a moment before finally nodding.
Hope was safe. Liam was happy. Damon was present.
And for the first time in years, Arya didn't feel like she had to fight.
She could just… be.
She closed her eyes that night with a full heart and the soft sound of her family breathing around her. Home had never felt so real.