Rian's POV
"This room," Luca says, pointing to the guest room next to ours. "For the nursery."
"Perfect." I'm already planning—crib here, changing table there, rocking chair by the window.
"You're overthinking this."
"I'm preparing. There's a difference." I pull him close. "Want our baby to have the perfect room."
"The baby won't care about decor."
"But I do. Humor me?"
He laughs, kissing me softly. "Fine. Let's build the perfect nursery."
We spend the day shopping—cribs, clothes, toys, everything a baby might need.
"We don't even know the gender yet," Luca protests as I add another stuffed animal to the cart.
"Don't need to. This wolf is gender-neutral." I squeeze it. "And adorable."
"You're adorable." He takes my hand. "Never seen you this excited."
"I'm going to be a father. Our baby is coming. Of course I'm excited." I kiss him in the middle of the store. "Can't wait to meet them."
"Five more months."
"Five months to prepare. Make everything perfect."
That evening, we start setting up the nursery. Painting walls a soft cream, assembling furniture, arranging decorations.
"It's coming together," Luca observes, standing in the doorway.
"It's perfect." I wrap my arms around him from behind, hands on his growing bump. "Like our family."
He leans back against me. "Think we'll be good parents?"
"I know we will. We're already a good team."
"This is different from pack leadership."
"It's the same principle. Love, protection, guidance." I turn him to face me. "We'll make mistakes. But we'll figure it out together."
"Together," he agrees.
Later, christening the nursery properly—against the changing table, careful of his condition—we both laugh breathlessly.
"We're terrible," Luca says.
"We're happy." I kiss him. "And our baby will grow up knowing their parents are crazy in love."
"Good lesson to learn."
That night, lying in bed, I can't stop thinking about the future. Our baby in that nursery, Luca and me as parents, our family complete.
"You're thinking loud," Luca murmurs. "I can feel it through the bond."
"Just excited. Happy." I kiss his stomach. "Can't wait to meet you, little one. You're already so loved."
"They're lucky. To have you as a father."
"We're lucky. To have this. Each other. Our baby." I pull him closer. "Thank you, Luca. For giving me this family."
"Thank you for wanting it with me."
We fall asleep tangled together, dreaming of the future.