The First Night

The cottage had never felt so full.

Lila lay in bed, exhaustion pressing down on her like a heavy blanket, but she refused to close her eyes. Not yet. Not when she had her in her arms.

Lyra.

Her daughter.

Her miracle.

The tiny bundle in her arms let out a soft sigh, her tiny fingers curled against the fabric of the blanket wrapped snugly around her. Her features were so delicate—rosy cheeks, a little button nose, and the softest wisps of dark hair.

Lila traced a gentle finger over Lyra’s cheek, her heart swelling with emotions too big to name.

Ethan sat beside her, his eyes never leaving their daughter. He had barely moved since Sarah had finished checking them both over, his entire world now reduced to the two people in front of him.

“She’s so small,” he murmured, his voice thick with awe.

Lila smiled, cradling the baby closer. “She won’t stay small for long.”

Ethan let out a slow breath. “I want to remember this moment forever.”

Lila reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. “Me too.”

He kissed her knuckles, his eyes shining in the dim candlelight. “You should sleep.”

Lila shook her head. “Not yet.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “Lila…”

She looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if she needs me?”

Ethan’s face softened, and he reached over, carefully tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “She will. And you’ll be right here when she does.”

Lila exhaled shakily. “I don’t want to miss a single moment.”

Ethan leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You won’t.”

They sat there together, watching as Lyra shifted slightly in her sleep, her little mouth opening in a tiny yawn before settling again.

Ethan reached out, brushing a fingertip over Lyra’s tiny hand. She stirred, her fingers instinctively grasping his.

Lila’s breath hitched.

Ethan let out a quiet laugh, wonder written all over his face. “She’s strong.”

Lila smiled through her exhaustion. “Like her father.”

Ethan shook his head. “Like her mother.”

Lila wanted to argue, but she was too tired. Too overwhelmed.

So she just smiled, tightening her grip on Ethan’s hand.

Together, they watched over their daughter, letting the moment settle around them like a warm embrace.

The night stretched on, and eventually, exhaustion won.

Lila drifted into sleep with Lyra still in her arms, Ethan’s protective presence never leaving her side.

Sometime in the middle of the night, she stirred, woken by a soft whimper.

Her eyes fluttered open, her body already moving before her mind had fully caught up.

Lyra.

She was fussing, her tiny face scrunched in discomfort, her cries small but insistent.

Lila sat up, wincing slightly at the soreness that ached through her body.

Ethan was instantly awake beside her. “What is it? Is she alright?”

Lila nodded, shifting Lyra against her chest. “She’s just hungry, I think.”

Ethan sat up, watching as Lila adjusted her gown, guiding Lyra to nurse for the first time.

The moment their daughter latched, Lila felt something indescribable bloom in her chest.

This was real.

She was a mother.

Ethan watched with wide, reverent eyes, his hand resting protectively on Lila’s thigh. “You’re amazing,” he whispered.

Lila let out a breathless laugh. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Ethan smirked. “Neither do I. But we’ll learn.”

Lila met his gaze, her heart full. “Yeah. We will.”

Lyra’s fussing quieted as she ate, the little noises she made filling the quiet of the room.

Ethan ran a hand over his face, exhaling deeply. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.”

Lila raised an eyebrow. “Used to what?”

Ethan smiled softly. “Having something so perfect in my arms.”

Lila felt tears prick her eyes again.

She leaned against Ethan’s shoulder, resting her head against him as they watched their daughter.

And as the candlelight flickered around them, bathing them in its soft glow, Lila knew—

This was the start of something even greater than she had ever imagined.

Their family.

Their forever.