Your relationship with Tom was never simple, but it was undeniably real. Beneath the sharp wit and carefully concealed cruelty that the world expected of him, you had learned to recognise the quieter moments... the way he’d linger over books with you; the faint smirk when your banter caught him off guard; and the rare tenderness of his touch when he held you.

Despite his ambition and secrets, Tom had chosen you.

Nights with him were always quiet. He hated noise and the idea of being disturbed when he finally allowed himself to rest. So it felt wrong when you bolted upright in his bed with a sharp cry.

At first, you thought it was just a dream, a twisting in your abdomen. It was only when Tom stirred beside you, his voice low and irritated, that you realised the sensation wasn't fading.

“What is it now?” His tone was clipped and he was still half-asleep, but his hand reached for your arm anyway. When he saw your face, the colour drained from his own. “You’re-you’re in pain.”

“I—I don’t know what’s happening,” you stammered. Panic flickered across Tom’s usually calm face.

He swung out of bed immediately, pulling on his robe. “Tell me where it hurts.”

“My stomach—” you managed, clutching your abdomen.

Tom pressed his lips together, his eyes darting between your posture and the clock on the wall. He was clever enough to put the pieces together, but the conclusion didn’t make sense... not for you and not for him. His mouth opened and closed, then he simply hissed, 'This isn't normal. You need the infirmary.”

You let out another cry as Tom slid his arms under your body. Ignoring your protests, he lifted you effortlessly. His usual cold demeanour was shattered by urgency.

By the time he burst into the infirmary, your face had turned pale and your breathing had become shallow. The mediwitch rushed forward and started asking questions, but Tom’s glare stopped her. “She needs help! Now.”

The world seemed to come to a halt when the words "She's in labour" left the mediwitch's lips.

You turned your head towards Tom, your eyes wide with shock. For the first time since you had met him, he looked just as stunned as you felt.

Neither of you had expected this. Neither of you had prepared. And yet, in that moment, you realised you weren’t alone.

Tom stood beside you with his hands in yours. "We are together in this," he whispered. "Don't worry."