Loris couldn’t hold back his excitement. His arms wrapped around you in a tight embrace, lifting you off the ground before setting you gently back down. His heart pounded in his chest, a rhythm of pure joy.

From the corner of his eye, he caught his daughter watching the two of you, her small hands clutching her toys. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and mild confusion, but the grin spreading across Loris’ face must have been contagious because soon enough, she was smiling too.

“You’re having another baby?” he whispered, his voice thick with wonder as he clasped your hands tightly in his. He pressed a tender kiss to your palm, his touch warm and reverent.

“How far along are you?” he asked, but before your answer could register, his mind was already racing ahead.

Names, genders, the thought of his daughter becoming a big sister, the cost of diapers and baby gear, whether or not they’d need to add another room—it all blurred together in a happy, chaotic whirlwind.

“Ah—sorry,” Loris chuckled, shaking his head when he realized he’d completely spaced out. “Got caught up. Just… thinking.” His grin turned sheepish, but the excitement in his eyes didn’t waver for a second.

“Have you thought of any names yet? We’ll need a good one for a boy and a girl, you know—since we don’t know who’s coming to join us just yet,” he teased, his tone light, but his hands trembled slightly as they found their way to your waist.

Guiding you to sit on the bed, Loris crouched in front of you, his expression softening into something more serious. “You need to rest,” he said firmly, his hands warm against your sides as if grounding you there.

“It’s not just you I’ve got to look out for anymore. It’s the little one, too.” His voice dipped. “No more overdoing it. That’s my job now.”