Julius did not sleep that night while Lyra eventually fell asleep with her head resting against his chest, but Julius remained awake, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. There was nothing there that he could feel yet. No movement, kick or tiny heartbeat beneath his palm. Still, he couldn't bring himself to move his hand.They were going to have a baby and the thought kept repeating in his mind. After everything they had survived, after all the worlds that had collapsed around them, after thirty-seven timelines and countless versions of their lives, they had somehow been given another chance.Julius looked down at Lyra who was sleeping peacefully..He brushed a strand of hair away from her face."I won't lose you," he whispered.He knew promises could not control life, he had learned that lesson too many times but he could still choose to love them and he would completely.By morning, Julius had become unbearable. Lyra discovered this when she woke up to find him standing be

By the time Lyra entered her fifth month of pregnancy, the entire household had accepted one undeniable truth. The baby had already taken control of the house. Nobody had officially announced it,there had been no meeting,decree or discussion. It simply happened.If Lyra wanted something, someone found it, if Lyra was tired, everyone would be quiet and if Lyra complained about the heat, three people would immediately open windows while another went searching for a fan and if she woke up in the middle of the night craving something strange, Julius was expected to solve the problem regardless of how impossible the request sounded.Julius had stopped complaining mostly, rather he had also developed a habit of asking Lyra what she wanted before she even knew herself. It has become a source of amusement for everyone.That afternoon, Lyra was sitting beneath the tree with Sophia, Seraphine, Elara, and Lily when Julius walked past carrying several baskets of fruit.Lyra watched him, "What are

By midday, the house had completely changed. There was a strange quietness in the corridors, the kind that came from everyone being afraid to make too much noise around a newborn but it lasted exactly twenty-three minutes then Noah dropped a wooden toy. The crash echoed through the hallway and everyone froze.Noah looked at the toy, then at the bedroom. Then at Julius, who had appeared in the doorway with an expression that could have frightened an ancient god,“I didn't mean to”Julius stared at him, “You almost woke your sister”“But she didn't wake” he saidJulius opened his mouth but before he could say anything, a tiny cry came from the bedroom.Noah's face fell, “I think she heard it”Julius sighed while Sophia, standing behind him, covered her mouth to hide her laughter, “You're learning already,” she whispered.“Learning what?” Julius asked “How difficult it is to raise children” she replied Julius looked at Noah then at the baby crying inside and back to Sophia, “I've faced

The morning began with an argument, not a battle, an invasion and not even anything remotely dangerous.It was an argument over a wooden sword, “Aria, give it back!”“No!” she argued “It belongs to me!” Noah cried out“I found it!” She said“You found it beside my bed!” Noah yelled“Then it was waiting for me!” Aria saidJulius opened his eyes. For a few seconds, he remained still, staring at the ceiling. Beside him, Lyra pulled the blanket higher over her head “Don't get involved”Julius turned toward her, “Our children are fighting”“They do that every morning” Lyra said“I should stop them” Julius argued “You should sleep” Lyra suggested Another shout came from outside, “Father!”Julius sighed, “I've been summoned”Lyra peeked out from beneath the blanket, “Good luck”Julius kissed her forehead before leaving the room. When he reached the garden, he found Noah standing with his arms crossed while Aria held the wooden sword behind her back.Aria was three years old and had alread