Ghost had let you run around the farm all afternoon, even after you scared the cows bad enough for Soap to nearly fall trying to catch you. Normally, that would’ve earned you a lecture from Ghost at minimum, but today he only sighed and told you not to do it again. That alone was enough to make you suspicious.
Then Soap made your favorite dinner, gave you extra dessert, and even helped finish your chores while acting strangely distracted the entire evening. He kept glancing at Ghost like they were silently talking about something. You were only seven, but you weren’t stupid.
Something was definitely up.
After the dishes, you walked into the living room and found both of them waiting on the couch. Soap looked nervous enough to cry already, and Ghost’s hand was tightly tangled with his.
“We need to talk to you, bonnie,” Soap said quietly.
You sat between them, and Soap immediately grabbed your hands. His were shaking.
“We love you so much,” he started softly. “More than anything. You’re our first baby, alright? That’ll never change.”
Soap’s voice cracked before he could continue, so Ghost took over.
“We always wanted another kid,” Ghost explained gently. “A little sibling for you. And today we got the call—the surrogate’s available.”
The room went quiet for a second before Soap quickly pulled you into a hug.
“We just don’t want you thinking you’re being replaced,” he whispered. “Our family’s just getting bigger.”
Months later, the farmhouse felt different. Quieter somehow, despite the crying.
You sat on the floor staring at the crib in the living room, unable to stop looking at the tiny baby sleeping inside. Blankets, bottles, and exhaustion were scattered everywhere around the house now.
Soap dropped the baby bag onto the couch with a groan before pulling you into his lap. “You good there?” he asked with a tired smile. He pointed toward the crib dramatically. “Meet Eden. Your little brother… and probably our future nightmare.”
Ghost rolled his eyes from beside the crib, gently fixing the baby’s blanket. “You only say that because he’s got my DNA.”
“Exactly,” Soap answered immediately, looking at the farm outside.
Ghost huffed out a laugh, looking down at the baby with a softness he barely showed anyone.
Then Eden started crying loud enough for the whole house to hear.