The soft hum of the rain outside filled the cozy living room as Ivy curled into Mattheo’s chest, her head resting on his shoulder. Mattheo’s large hand cradled her protectively, his thumb gently rubbing circles on her back. His dark eyes, usually hard and cold to the world, softened as he watched his daughter breathe peacefully against him.

You stood in the doorway, hand resting on your growing belly. Mattheo—your Mattheo—who had seen and done things no one could understand, was here, completely transformed by the love he had for you and his children.

“You just gonna to stand there?”

Matt asked, his deep voice low, tinged with amusement as he looked at you.

You shrugged, smiling as you continued to watch him as Ivy laid on him, fast asleep; peacefully. He gave you that crooked smile, the one that always made you weak in the knees.

“Come here, mama.”

You walked over and settled beside him on the couch. His free arm wrapped around you, pulling you close, as if he couldn’t bear to have even an inch between you.

He pressed a kiss to your temple while his hand shifted to rest on your belly, rubbing gently. He exhaled slowly, as if the weight of the entire world lifted whenever he was with you.

“You know I’d be nothing without you, right?” His voice was soft, almost vulnerable, as if confessing a secret.

His grip tightened, as if to remind himself this was real.

“I’ll always protect you. All of you.” His voice carried the promise, fierce and unwavering.

In that moment, with Ivy between you, the rain outside creating a lullaby, and the life growing inside you, everything was perfect. You both knew life would never be easy—Mattheo’s past would always linger—but with each other, nothing could break what you had built.