The front door creaked open as Zayden pushed it gently with his shoulder, careful not to jostle the car seat in his arms.
"Careful with her head," he muttered under his breath for the third time since they left the hospital.
"I got it, Zay," Elena murmured from behind, carrying Elio. "I'm not made of glass."
"You literally just pushed out twins. You're absolutely made of glass right now."
Elena smiled but didn't argue—partly because she was tired, and partly because she secretly loved this side of him.
The house looked different. Or maybe it felt different. As soon as they stepped inside, the familiar luxury of Zayden's home now looked like something new: a nursery, a sanctuary, a beginning.
The soft scent of vanilla candles welcomed them, and she noticed the subtle changes immediately—cribs set up in their bedroom, baby monitors in every corner, and baby bottles arranged with military precision on the kitchen counter.
Zayden had been busy.
He took Liora upstairs first, tucking her into the little bassinet near their bed with reverence, like he was placing the crown jewels in a vault. Then he came down, scooped Elio from Elena's arms, and did the same with him.
"You should lie down," he told her, gently guiding her to the bed.
"I can walk, Zayden."
"Not on my watch," he said, already grabbing a tray. "You're on full princess treatment."
Elena gave in with a soft sigh, letting him ease her onto the bed and tuck a pillow behind her back. Within minutes, he returned with a tray—soup, toast, fruit, and her vitamins arranged like a Michelin star meal.
"You don't have to feed me," she said with a raised brow.
"I want to," Zayden said, sitting beside her, spooning soup like she was royalty. "You took care of them for nine months. Let me take care of you now."
Elena's eyes welled up slightly. "You're being ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love," he said without blinking. "And ridiculously terrified you'll lift a finger before your body's ready."
She laughed softly, letting him continue.
That night, the house stayed quiet—until 2:47 AM.
Both babies woke up at the exact same time.
Elena sat up quickly, but Zayden was already halfway across the room. "Nope. I got them," he said quickly. "You rest. Doctor said sleep is your medicine."
"But Zay…"
He turned around, one baby in each arm, swaying like a seasoned pro. "I'll feed them, burp them, sing lullabies if I have to. Just rest."
Elena watched him, her heart doing flips.
Zayden Wolfe—the man who used to bury himself in work, who rarely let anyone in—was now dancing around the nursery in boxers and a robe, whisper-singing off-key lullabies to Elio and Liora.
She couldn't help but record a short clip on her phone.
"What are you doing?" he asked when he caught her.
"Just proof," she said with a sleepy grin. "So when you pretend you weren't a baby-whisperer in ten years, I have evidence."
He rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips. "I'd do this for the rest of my life."
Later, after the twins had settled and Elena had finally drifted to sleep, Zayden sat beside her on the bed. He watched her breathe, her hair fanned across the pillow, her hand resting where Elio had slept just hours ago.
His voice was barely a whisper as he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"You gave me a world I never knew I needed, Elena Wolfe. And I swear, I'll protect it with everything I have."
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