The morning sun bathed the mansion in its golden glow as Dante sat by the balcony, sipping his coffee. He glanced down at the garden where Isla walked slowly, one hand resting on her swollen belly. It was the ninth month of her pregnancy, and her every movement carried a grace and caution that made his chest swell with pride and love.
He set his coffee mug aside and made his way downstairs to her. “Isla,” he called out softly, approaching her. “You should be resting.”
She turned to him with a small smile. “Walking helps. Besides, your daughter loves it. She’s been quite active this morning,” she said, patting her belly fondly.
Dante placed his hand gently over hers, feeling the subtle kicks beneath her skin. “She’s going to be a little warrior, just like her mother.”
Isla laughed lightly. “Or maybe she just loves annoying me already, just like her father.”
Dante chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, let’s get you inside. The doctor said you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
Settling In
Back in the living room, Isla sat on the plush couch, propped up with pillows. Dante brought her a tray with a plate of freshly cut fruits and a glass of juice.
“Doctor’s orders,” he reminded her when she made a face at the sight of the bland snack.
“You’re treating me like a fragile doll,” she teased, though she appreciated the care. “I’m pregnant, Dante, not broken.”
“Yes, but you’re carrying my world inside you,” he said, his tone serious. “So forgive me if I’m a little overprotective.”
Isla rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. His overprotectiveness, though occasionally overwhelming, made her feel cherished. She picked at the fruit as Dante sat beside her, his hand resting on her belly.
“She’s moving again,” he noted with awe as a tiny kick pushed against his palm. “She’s so strong.”
“Just like her father,” Isla said softly, her eyes meeting his.
“Hopefully with more of her mother’s patience,” Dante added with a grin.
Over the next few days, the mansion buzzed with preparations. Dante had taken charge of organizing everything for the baby’s arrival. He personally supervised the setup of the nursery, ensuring every detail was perfect, from the soft pink walls to the custom crib.
Isla watched him from the doorway one afternoon as he carefully arranged stuffed animals along the shelves.
“You know she won’t care about any of this for months, right?” she teased.
“I don’t care,” Dante replied without looking up. “I want everything ready for her. She deserves the best, just like you.”
Isla’s heart melted at his words. Despite his stoic exterior and often commanding presence, Dante had a softer side that came through in moments like these.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “For everything.”
He turned to her, his gaze tender. “You’re my everything, Isla. You and our baby. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you both.”
Later that evening, Isla was resting in bed when she felt an intense movement in her belly. She gasped, her hands flying to her stomach.
Dante, who had been working on his laptop at the desk, was by her side in an instant. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
“No, no,” Isla reassured him, though her breath was shaky. “She’s just… moving a lot. I think she’s excited.”
Dante placed his hand on her belly, his brow furrowing as he felt the strong kicks. “She’s definitely eager to meet us,” he said with a nervous laugh.
Isla smiled through the discomfort. “She’ll come when she’s ready. For now, we just have to be patient.”
But Dante wasn’t one for patience when it came to her well-being. He called the doctor immediately to ensure everything was normal, only relaxing once he was reassured that such movements were common in the final stages of pregnancy.
As the days passed, Isla began to feel the weight of her pregnancy more acutely. One evening, she broke down in tears after struggling to get comfortable in bed.
Dante woke to find her sobbing quietly. “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.
“I’m just… tired,” she admitted between sniffles. “I can’t sleep, my back hurts, and I feel like a whale.”
Dante tilted her chin up, making her look at him. “You’re not a whale. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Isla.”
She let out a shaky laugh. “You’re just saying that because you have to.”
“I mean it,” he said firmly. “You’re carrying our child, and that makes you more beautiful to me than ever before. But if you’re tired, let me help. Tell me what you need.”
“Just hold me,” she whispered.
Dante complied, wrapping her in his arms and holding her close. He whispered soothing words until her breathing evened out and she drifted to sleep.
A Father’s Anticipation
As Isla rested, Dante found himself lying awake, his mind racing. He was equal parts excited and terrified about the impending arrival of their baby. He wanted to be the best father he could be, to give his daughter the love and stability he hadn’t always known.
The next morning, he surprised Isla with breakfast in bed. “You need to keep your strength up,” he told her as he placed the tray in front of her.
“You’re going to spoil me,” she teased, though she appreciated the gesture.
“You deserve to be spoiled,” he replied, kissing her gently. “Especially now.”
As she ate, Dante talked about his plans for their family, from trips they could take once the baby was older to the kind of father he wanted to be. His excitement was contagious, and Isla found herself smiling despite her discomfort.
The Final Countdown
By the end of the ninth month, the reality of their impending parenthood had fully sunk in. Isla spent her days alternating between resting and preparing, while Dante hovered nearby, always ready to help.
One evening, as they sat together in the nursery, Dante pulled Isla onto his lap, careful not to hurt her. “Do you ever think about how much our lives have changed?” he asked, his voice soft.
“All the time,” she admitted. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Neither would I,” he said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You’ve given me more than I ever thought I deserved, Isla. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you and our daughter are happy.”
Isla leaned into him, her heart full. Despite the challenges they’d faced, she knew they were ready for the next chapter of their lives.
And as the countdown to their baby’s arrival continued, they held onto each other, ready to face whatever came next.