The evening had settled softly over the house, the hum of distant city sounds fading into a gentle hush. I sat cross-legged on the living room rug, flipping through a baby name book, my face thoughtful. The pages were starting to blur together. Amara. Elise. Nia. Nothing felt like *her* yet.
I heard Zaire before I saw him. His footsteps were always quiet, but I’d gotten used to listening for them. He came down from his study, and the warmth of the moment pulled him closer. He settled down beside me without a word, letting the silence speak.
It wasn’t awkward. It hadn’t been in a while. With him sitting there, shoulder almost touching mine, the house felt less big. Less empty.
After a few pages, I looked up, catching his gaze. A small smile tugged at my lips.
"You ever think about what
