Night had settled fully.
The mansion quiet.
Lights dimmed.
Everything still.
Izana walked the halls.
Steps measured.
Controlled.
The bag in his hand.
Held carefully.
Not loose.
Not careless.
A pause outside the bedroom door.
Just a second.
Then—
he opened it.
Quiet.
The room was warm.
Soft light.
Curtains drawn.
Leah was in bed.
Turned slightly to the side.
Asleep.
Peaceful.
Her hand rested over her stomach.
Protective.
Instinctive.
Izana stopped just inside.
Watching.
A long pause.
His gaze didn't move.
Didn't need to.
Then—
he stepped closer.
Slow.
Silent.
Careful.
He sat on the edge of the bed.
The mattress shifted slightly.
Leah didn't wake.
Still.
Calm.
His gaze dropped.
To her stomach.
To the small curve.
There.
Real.
His hand moved.
Rested gently over hers.
Warm.
Steady.
A quiet breath left him.
Then—
his other hand moved.
Into the bag.
Slow.
Deliberate.
He pulled it out.
The bear.
Small.
Soft.
Red ribbon.
Perfect.
He looked at it.
Just for a second.
Then—
placed it beside her.
Near her stomach.
Close.
Where it belonged.
He adjusted it slightly.
Turning it toward her.
His fingers brushed the ribbon.
Fixing it.
Straightening it.
"…This is yours."
Low.
Quiet.
Barely above a whisper.
His thumb tapped its nose lightly.
"…Don't lose it."
Silence.
Then—
Leah stirred.
A small shift.
Her brows pulled slightly.
Then—
her eyes opened.
Slow.
Unfocused.
Then—
they found him.
"…Iz?"
Soft.
Sleep-warm.
He didn't move.
"…You're awake."
"…I came back."
A pause.
Her gaze drifted.
Down.
To the bear.
Still.
Right beside her.
She blinked once.
Then again.
"…What's this?"
Izana watched her.
"…It's yours."
"…Mine?"
"…Yours."
A pause.
Her fingers moved.
Slow.
Careful.
She picked it up.
Soft fabric between her hands.
Her thumb brushed the ribbon.
"…It's cute."
A small smile.
Soft.
Real.
She looked back at him.
"…When did you get it?"
"…On the way back."
"…You stopped?"
"…Yes."
"…For this?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
Her smile widened slightly.
"…You stopped the car."
"…Yes."
"…For a bear."
"…Yes."
She laughed quietly.
Soft.
"…You're serious."
"…I am."
She looked at it again.
Then—
at him.
"…It's for the baby."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Her fingers rested over the bear.
Then—
over her stomach.
Holding both.
"…They'll like it."
Izana's gaze softened.
Just slightly.
"…They will."
Silence.
Warm.
Then—
Leah shifted.
Closer to him.
"…You didn't wake me."
"…You were resting."
"…You could have."
"…No."
A beat.
"…You need it."
She studied him.
Quiet.
Then—
"…You've been staying up again."
"…No."
"…That's not true."
Silence.
"…You didn't come to bed right away."
"…I finished work."
"…That's the same thing."
No answer.
Leah exhaled softly.
Then—
"…Come here."
He didn't hesitate.
Moved closer.
Careful.
His hand returned.
Resting over her stomach again.
Instinct.
Natural.
His thumb moved slightly.
Small motion.
Leah watched.
Then—
"…You're talking to them again."
"…Yes."
"…Even now?"
"…Especially now."
She smiled faintly.
"…What are you telling them this time?"
A pause.
Then—
he leaned down.
Closer.
His voice softer.
Lower.
"…You got something today."
Leah smiled.
"…That's it?"
"…For now."
A beat.
Then—
"…Don't cause trouble tonight."
Leah laughed.
Quiet.
"…You're still blaming them."
"…I'm observing."
"…Unfair."
"…Accurate."
She shook her head.
Still smiling.
Then—
she lifted the bear slightly.
"…What should we call it?"
Izana looked at it.
A pause.
"…It doesn't need a name."
"…Everything needs a name."
"…No."
"…Yes."
A small silence.
Then—
"…You can name it."
Leah blinked.
"…You're letting me decide?"
"…Yes."
"…That's new."
No response.
She looked at the bear again.
Thinking.
"…Maybe something simple."
"…Simple is fine."
"…You like simple."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…We'll decide together."
A beat.
Izana nodded once.
"…Together."
Silence settled.
Comfortable.
Leah shifted closer.
Resting against him.
The bear between them.
Her hand over it.
Over her stomach.
"…You really stopped for this."
"…Yes."
"…You didn't even think about it."
"…No."
"…You just saw it."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…And decided it was theirs."
"…Yes."
Her fingers curled slightly.
Holding it closer.
"…You're already spoiling them."
"…No."
"…You are."
"…This is not spoiling."
"…Then what is it?"
A beat.
"…Preparation."
She smiled softly.
"…Of course it is."
A quiet moment passed.
Then—
"…Did the shopkeeper ask anything?"
"…Yes."
"…What did you say?"
A pause.
Izana's gaze lowered slightly.
Not avoiding.
Just… thinking.
Then—
"…He asked if it was for a boy or a girl."
Leah watched him.
"…And?"
"…I said I don't know."
A beat.
"…And that it doesn't matter."
Leah's expression softened.
"…You really don't care?"
Silence.
A pause.
Then—
"…I did."
Leah blinked.
"…Did?"
His hand pressed slightly more firmly against her stomach.
Protective.
Grounded.
"…Before."
A beat.
"…I thought… a girl."
Leah's eyes widened slightly.
"…You did?"
"…Yes."
Quiet.
Honest.
"…Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"…She would look like you."
Soft.
Low.
Leah's breath caught slightly.
Her fingers tightened around the bear.
"…Iz…"
He didn't look away.
"…But now—."
A small pause.
"…I don't care."
A beat.
"…Boy or girl."
Another.
"…It doesn't matter."
His hand moved slightly.
Resting fully over her stomach now.
"…As long as you're both safe."
Leah didn't speak for a second.
Her eyes softened.
Warm.
Then—
"…We will be."
Quiet.
Certain.
He looked at her.
Really looked.
A pause.
Then—
he leaned forward.
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Lingering.
Then—
lower.
Careful.
To her stomach.
The fabric shifted slightly.
His lips rested there.
Warm.
Still.
"…You got your first gift."
Soft.
"…Take care of it."
A pause.
Then—
quieter—
"…And take care of her."
Leah's fingers moved through his hair.
Gentle.
"…They will."
Silence followed.
Soft.
Safe.
Then—
Izana shifted slightly.
Pulling back just enough to look at her.
"…Did you like it."
Not a question.
But still—
asked.
Leah smiled.
Soft.
Real.
"…I love it."
A pause.
"…They will too."
He nodded once.
Satisfied.
Then—
his hand adjusted the bear slightly.
Placing it closer to her stomach again.
Perfect.
Leah watched him.
Then—
"…You're going to keep fixing it."
"…Yes."
"…Even when it's already fine."
"…Yes."
She laughed quietly.
"…You're impossible."
"…No."
"…You are."
A small pause.
Then—
"…It has to be right."
Leah shook her head slightly.
Still smiling.
Then—
she leaned closer.
Resting fully against him now.
The bear between them.
Their hands overlapping.
"…Stay for a bit."
"…I am."
"…Not just sitting."
"…I'm not leaving."
A pause.
"…Good."
Silence settled again.
Warm.
Heavy.
Comfortable.
And between them—
something small—
already becoming everything.