You’re sitting on the couch, a tired smile on your lips as you rock your daughter to sleep. Her little body is relaxed in your arms, her face peaceful, as if she hadn’t been crying just minutes ago.

Max and Pietra are sitting on the other side of the living room. Pietra gives you a warm smile, her voice gentle as she asks about the baby’s rhythm, how breastfeeding is going, whether you’re getting any rest.

Max, on the other hand, is quiet.

Too quiet.

You know he hasn’t processed it yet. That his best friend is now the father of his niece. That you, his little sister, are no longer just the clingy girl who's secretly in love with Lando’s smile.

You carry Emilia into the bedroom, gently laying her down in the bassinet next to your and Lando’s bed.

After an hour of rocking, humming, bottles, pacing the room with her in your arms and nearly crying yourself, she's asleep.

Your whole body feels exhausted, not just from the birth, the sleepless nights, but from the constant tension.

Especially when Max is around.

You take a deep breath, gently brushing your daughter’s forehead, then quietly return to the living room.

Lando is leaning casually against the kitchen counter. “She’s finally asleep…” You say with an exhausted but proud smile as you lean into him.

He grins, wraps his arm around your waist and pulls you close, while he presses a kiss on your temple.

These little touches have become so natural. No second guessing, no hesitation.

You’re together. And you’re parents.

Max watches you silently from across the room, then drops his gaze to the floor.

Pietra tries to keep the mood light with small talk, but there’s something in Max’s expression that you recognize instantly.

You don’t need a second to see it. Something is growing inside him again, simmering beneath the surface as he stares at the floor with clenched teeth.

“I wonder if he’s dreaming already?" Lando murmurs suddenly, smirking a little, just loud enough for Max to hear.

You shoot him a look. “Lando. Not now.”

Max lifts his head. “What?”

Lando shrugs, trying to play it off. “It was just a joke.”

“A joke? You think any of this is funny?” Max snaps, his voice rising. “You got my sister pregnant and now you’re making jokes while I’m trying not to completely lose it?”

“I’m not making jokes. I’m just trying not to drown everything in drama." Lando says calmly.

“Lando. Max…” You begin, but Max raises a hand.

“I can’t just switch it off, alright?” He hisses, eyes locked on Lando. “You slept with my little sister. You have a baby with her. And I…I can’t get that out of my head, mate!”

“You think I planned this?” Lando fires back, his tone sharpening. “You think I woke up one day like ‘Hey, let’s make a baby with Max’s sister’? It was a mistake, Max! A one night stand! It happens!”

“Stop it! Am I the only one here who realizes how insane this all is?!” Max shouts, and Pietra flinches slightly.

Lando steps forward. “I don’t just love her like a friend or something casual, Max. I take care of her. Of our daughter. I chose to stay. So if you’re angry, maybe it’s not because I screwed up, but because you don’t know how to deal with it.”

You step between them. Your voice is quiet, but firm. “Can you both just…be normal for once? Emilia just fell asleep. I just calmed her. I haven’t slept more than two hours in days. I’m done!"

It’s a moment where you feel like you could scream, cry, or laugh all at once. Because as twisted as this all is, you wouldn’t undo any of it.

Max looks at you. You see him breathe in, then out. Pietra tugs gently on his sleeve.

He presses his lips together. “I’m sorry. It’s just…a lot, okay? I don’t know how to process all this.” He mutters and turns to Lando. “I know you’re here. And I see that you love her…but I need time. More than just a few weeks, alright?”

Then he looks back at you, his expression softer, more honest. “You’re my sister. And now you’re a mother..it's just..hard.”