Alva's eyes fluttered open, her heart thudding softly in her chest.
The dream had been strange—full of black trees, silver moons, and the echo of Cody's voice saying her name like a warning.
She reached out sleepily, expecting to find him beside her like always. But her hand touched only empty sheets.
She blinked fully awake.
The bed was cold on his side.
Alone.
Her gaze shifted to the window—and there he was.
Cody sat on the wide sill, his back straight, one knee bent up, the other foot flat on the floor. He wore a loose black T-shirt and soft gray pajama pants. His arms were crossed, and his head was tilted up toward the moon, its silver glow painting his face in cold light.
His hair looked damp. Like he'd just returned from somewhere.
The wind outside was still. The world was silent.
Alva sat up and yawned. "Why are you awake?" she asked softly.
Cody didn't look at her. "Couldn't sleep," he murmured. Then, after a pause, "Why are you awake?"
She stood and padded over to him, wearing one of his oversized shirts—long enough to brush her thighs and smell faintly like him. Her bare legs felt the chill of the floor.
She wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek between his shoulder blades. "I had a bad dream."
His voice was softer now. "About what?"
"About us," she whispered.
Cody finally turned his head slightly, one eye catching the moonlight. He reached back and gently pulled her forward into his arms, lifting her as easily as picking up a book.
He laid her back on the bed, brushing her hair from her face. "Tell me," he said.
"I dreamt you started acting strange. You never came home anymore. You stopped looking at me like you used to…"
He smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm never leaving," he said, lying beside her and staring back at the window.
The moon was directly above them now—huge, full, and unnaturally bright.
Alva climbed onto his chest and rested her head there. His heart beat beneath her ear, steady and warm. He began patting her back softly, like he always did when she couldn't sleep.
But tonight, something in the air felt... off.
He didn't smell like his usual cologne. There was something else… like ash and rain.
"I'm scared," she mumbled.
"Don't be," he said, voice barely above a whisper.
But as she drifted off, the mark on her wrist began to glow faintly beneath the sleeve.
And outside the window, a single black petal drifted down from a tree that shouldn't exist.
*****
Cody and Alva were still lying together, tangled in silence and sleep, when a small thump landed near Alva's leg.
"Maamaa," a little voice called, followed by a giggle and a tiny hand pulling at the duvet.
Alva groaned softly as a tiny fist bopped her cheek. "Ow…"
She blinked her eyes open, only to see two big brown ones staring back at her.
Alice.
Their daughter had somehow crawled into the room, hair tied up into two messy ponytails and her little hands clutching the corner of the blanket like she was on a mission.
Cody opened his eyes next, frowning slightly as he realized they were being watched.
Alva sat up quickly, embarrassed. "Alice!" she gasped, glancing at Cody and then pulling the blanket up to her chest.
Cody, calm as ever, reached out and scooped Alice into his arms. "Papa," she said proudly, pointing at his face.
"Good morning, little monster," he said, lifting her up and spinning her gently. She squealed with delight.
Alva checked the clock on the wall. "Oh no—it's 1 PM?!"
She ran a hand through her hair and quickly tied it up into a ponytail.
"You going to work today?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as Cody walked across the room with Alice.
"Yes, I'm—"
He stopped.
Alva gave him a sharp look. "You promised to stay home today."
"I know, but… it's important."
"More important than Alice and me?"
Cody didn't answer at first. Then he walked over and kissed her forehead.
"No. I'll be back soon. I promise."
She didn't say anything—just took Alice from his arms with a soft sigh.
"I'll go make breakfast," Alva said, brushing her daughter's bangs aside.
As she walked out of the bedroom, Alice tugged on her sleeve. "Mama, where's Aunty Sammy?"
"Hmm… Sam and Tim got a new home, remember? But they're coming to visit today."
Just as she finished the sentence, the front door creaked open.
Standing there was Tim—still as sharp-looking as ever, dark hair perfectly styled. He smiled and waved casually.
Behind him, Sammy burst in with her usual bright energy and rushed toward Alice. "There's my girl!"
Alice squealed and reached out, arms wide.
"Aunty sammy"