Lila woke before dawn again.
Not from pain.
Not from fear.
From awareness.
Her body felt… different this morning. Heavier in a way that wasn’t uncomfortable, but undeniable. Like something inside her had shifted its center of gravity and expected her to notice.
She lay still for a long moment, one hand resting over her stomach, listening inward instead of outward.
The baby moved—slow, deliberate, almost thoughtful.
“You’re awake too,” she whispered.
Caleb slept beside her, one arm curved protectively near her waist, his breathing deep and even. She watched him for a few seconds, memorizing the quiet strength of his face, the way his brow relaxed when he wasn’t carrying the pack on his shoulders.
She didn’t wake him right away.
Instead, she tested her body gently, rolling onto her
