ETHANS POV
She tugged me to the floor where we sat cross-legged, leaning against the empty wall. I pulled out my phone and opened a note.
"Okay," I said. "Shoot."
Ava was quiet for a second. Then:
"Love."
"Already checked," I replied, typing it down anyway.
"Laughter."
"Check."
"Patience."
I glanced sideways. "Working on it."
She grinned. "Soft music. Storytime. The smell of vanilla."
"Now it's getting poetic," I said, but I was typing each word with care.
"And one of those fuzzy rocking chairs I keep seeing online," she added with a sleepy smile.
I looked at her then, really looked.
Pregnancy had changed her in subtle ways. Softer in some places. Sharper in others. She had always been beautiful, but now, she radiated something deeper. Something elemental.
"Put 'home' on the list," I murmured, watching her.
She met my eyes. "Home?"
"You. Us. This. All of it."
She didn't answer, but her fingers slid into mine and gave the gentlest squeeze.
---
