---
Leo stood beside the bed, scratching his head.
"Which side should I sleep on?"
Eva pointed toward the bed.
"In the middle."
At the same time, Eyan pointed too.
"On the side."
The two of them froze and glanced at each other.
Leo blinked between them, clearly confused.
"Um…"
Eva sighed softly, folding her arms.
"Eyan, let him sleep in the middle."
Eyan shook his head, lips curving slightly.
"No, I think he should sleep on the side."
Eva looked at Leo.
"Leo, which side do you want to sleep on?"
Leo hesitated.
"I'm fine with either."
A silence followed, thick but oddly gentle.
Eva finally smiled faintly.
"Then how about we toss a coin and decide?"
Eyan nodded.
"That's a good idea."
He pulled a shiny gold coin from his pocket and handed it to Eva.
"Here."
Eva turned to Leo and knelt to his level.
"Leo, toss this coin. If it's heads, you'll sleep in the middle. If it's tails, you'll sleep on the side."
Leo nodded seriously.
"Okay."
Both Eva and Eyan watched him like their lives depended on it.
Leo tossed the coin high into the air—it spun, glinting in the soft candlelight before landing in his small hands.
Eva leaned closer, nervous.
"Open your hand."
In her mind, she prayed desperately: Please… please let it be heads…
Leo slowly opened his palm.
"It's tails. I'll sleep on the side."
Eva's face fell, her shoulders slumping.
Eyan, on the other hand, hid a satisfied smile.
"Alright then."
Leo climbed onto the bed, taking his spot near the edge and lying down.
He looked up at them, blinking innocently.
"What's wrong? Come on, sleep already."
Eva blinked out of her daze.
"Oh—right."
She moved to the bed, slipping into the middle and patting the space beside her.
"Eyan, come here."
Eyan joined them, lying on the opposite side.
"Good night, both of you," Eva whispered.
"Good night," Leo and Eyan said together.
Soon, the room grew quiet—only the soft rhythm of breathing filled the air.
---
(In the middle of the night—)
Eva stirred, half-awake, feeling a gentle weight on her stomach.
She blinked and looked down.
Eyan's large hand rested on her abdomen, and over it, a much smaller one—Leo's.
For a moment, she just stared, caught between laughter and tears. She was completely trapped—between her husband and her son, their hands overlapping on her like a fragile bond tying them together.
A tender smile curved her lips.
Slowly, she lifted Eyan's hand and placed it carefully on the bed. Then she did the same with Leo's.
She sat up quietly and slipped out of bed, standing beside it for a moment, watching the two sleeping peacefully.
Her eyes softened.
She bent down and gently picked Leo up, moving him to the middle of the bed.
In her heart, she whispered, Leo, you should sleep beside your father… you won't get a chance like this again.
Eva brushed his hair back lovingly, her fingers trembling slightly.
Then she took her spot at the edge of the bed, lying down quietly—watching the two most important people in her life sleep side by side under the silver light of the moon.
---
(Next morning—)
The early morning light spilled softly through the curtains, brushing against Eyan's face.
He stirred slightly, frowning as he felt a strange warmth pressed against his chest.
His eyes blinked open—and froze.
A small head of tousled hair rested right below his chin.
Leo was sleeping soundly, his little arms wrapped tightly around Eyan's torso, his breathing slow and even.
Eyan blinked, bewildered.
What in the world…?
He stared at the boy, confused.
Why is he in the middle? Didn't he sleep beside Eva?...Did he crawl here in his sleep? Don't tell me… he sleepwalks like Eva too?
He exhaled softly and whispered, "You should be hugging your mother, not me…"
Eyan carefully tried to move Leo's small hands away, but the boy only frowned in his sleep and hugged him even tighter, pressing his face into Eyan's chest.
Eyan froze. "…You've got to be kidding me."
He sighed quietly, shoulders relaxing in surrender. "What do I even do? I can't move him like this."
For a moment, he simply looked down at Leo's peaceful face.
Something inside his heart softened.
Without realizing it, he lifted his hand and gently touched the small fist resting on his chest.
Leo's tiny fingers curled around his finger, gripping it tightly—trustingly.
Eyan's heart ached, yet it was the kind of ache that made him smile.
"He's such a good kid…" he murmured under his breath.
Then, with a faint smile, he added, "But he's got quite the temper when it comes to his mother."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. I understand him though… I was the same when I was a child—always standing in front of my mother, thinking I could protect her from the world.
His gaze lingered on Leo's small hands gripping his shirt tightly. The boy's hold was strong, as if afraid that letting go would make everything disappear.
It must have been hard for you… Eyan's thoughts turned tender. Living all those years in an orphanage, without your mother by your side.
He brushed his fingers lightly over Leo's hair, careful not to wake him.
But don't worry. From this very day onward, you won't have to live without her anymore.
Eyan's eyes shifted to Eva—her soft black hair spilling across the pillow, her face calm in sleep. For a moment, he simply watched her, his chest tightening with quiet admiration and guilt.
Princess..., he thought, his heart aching, you must have endured so much. Hiding this child from the world… bearing everything alone.
He exhaled slowly. But you don't have to anymore.
Eyan's gaze returned to the boy lying in his arms. We'll take care of him together now… you and I.
His fingers brushed Leo's cheek, gentle as a whisper.
I'll give him my name. And I'll do my best to give him the love of a father—the love he deserves.
His voice in his heart grew firm, resolute.
I'll protect you both… even if it costs me my life.
The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, spilling golden light across the bed — a quiet promise of a new beginning.
---