The Moretti penthouse was quiet that evening.
Not silent - just the peaceful kind of quiet that comes when a home is settled.
Aria sat on the massive living room couch with her feet slightly elevated on a velvet stool. A soft throw blanket covered her legs, though the weather wasn't cold.
Her belly was huge now.
Twin huge.
The movement inside her stomach was constant these days. Strong rolls. Sharp kicks. Little stretches.
She rested one hand on the top of her belly.
Then suddenly-
THUMP.
She laughed softly.
"Okay, that was definitely you, baby A."
Another kick followed immediately.
Then another.
"Or maybe that was baby B..."
From the kitchen island across the room, Leo looked up.
He had an apron tied around his waist.
Yes.
Leo was cooking again.
And he'd gotten good at it too.
"Who's attacking you now?" he asked casually while stirring something in a pan.
Aria grinned.
"One of your daughters just tried to break my rib."
Leo immediately walked over.
He crouched in front of her and placed both hands gently on her belly.
"Which one?" he asked seriously.
Another strong kick landed directly against his palm.
Leo's eyebrows lifted.
"Oh."
Another kick.
Then another.
He chuckled.
"They're definitely Morettis."
Aria laughed.
"They're restless tonight."
Leo leaned closer and kissed the side of her stomach.
"Easy, princesses," he murmured to the babies.
"Your mother is carrying two of you. Show some respect."
Another kick landed.
Aria winced slightly.
"Okay that one hurt."
Leo's face instantly changed.
"Pain level?"
"Relax," she said quickly, grabbing his wrist. "Just strong kicks."
He exhaled slowly.
Even after months, Leo still reacted like every discomfort was a national emergency.
He gently rubbed the side of her belly where the kick landed.
"Try leaning back more," he said softly.
She adjusted slightly.
Another slow roll moved across her stomach.
Leo watched it with complete fascination.
"You see that?"
Aria nodded.
"Baby B."
"That was a whole elbow."
She laughed.
"They're running out of space."
Leo kissed her stomach again.
"Two more weeks," he whispered.
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"You think I'm making it two weeks?"
Leo stood slowly and returned to the kitchen.
"You're making it to whenever the doctor says you're delivering."
"That's not an answer."
He pointed a wooden spoon at her.
"Doctor said twins usually come around 38 weeks. So I'm preparing for any day now."
Aria sighed.
"I'm so tired of being pregnant."
Leo chuckled.
"You say that now. Wait until they're here screaming at 3am."
She smirked.
"You'll be the one holding them."
He didn't even hesitate.
"Obviously."
Dinner was ready twenty minutes later.
Leo helped her stand up slowly.
"Easy."
"I'm pregnant, Leo, not ninety."
"You're pregnant with twins."
He guided her carefully to the dining table.
Dinner was simple but good.
Grilled salmon.
Rice.
Vegetables.
Doctor-approved.
Aria ate slowly.
Halfway through the meal she stopped suddenly.
Leo noticed immediately.
"What?"
She blinked.
"Nothing."
"What happened?"
She tilted her head.
"Just pressure."
Leo froze.
"What kind of pressure?"
She waited a moment.
Then the feeling faded.
"False alarm."
Leo leaned back in his chair slowly.
"You can't say 'pressure' like that and then eat rice calmly."
She smiled.
"Relax."
He shook his head.
"Hospital bag is by the door."
"I know."
"Driver is on standby."
"I know."
"Doctor is aware you're full term."
"I know."
He leaned forward again.
"And your husband is ready to panic."
She laughed.
"Leo."
"What?"
"You're more pregnant than me at this point."
He smirked.
"Impossible."
After dinner, they moved back to the living room.
Aria was walking slowly when another strong kick hit.
She stopped.
"Oof."
Leo was beside her instantly.
"What?"
She grabbed his arm.
"Your daughters."
Leo placed his hand on her stomach again.
Another visible movement pushed across her belly.
"Wow," he murmured.
"They're boxing."
Aria leaned into him slightly.
"They're strong."
"They're Morettis," he repeated proudly.
He helped her sit down again.
Then he knelt in front of her.
His hands gently massaged her swollen feet.
Aria sighed with relief.
"That feels so good."
Leo continued.
"You carried them for nine months. The least I can do is massage your feet."
She looked down at him.
"You've been spoiling me this whole pregnancy."
"Yes."
"No complaints."
"None."
Another kick hit his arm.
Leo paused.
"Okay that one had attitude."
Aria laughed.
"She's already like you."
Leo looked offended.
"I'm calm."
She stared at him.
"You threatened a hospital administrator once."
"He was incompetent."
She laughed again.
Then suddenly-
Her face shifted.
Leo noticed instantly.
"What."
Aria frowned slightly.
"That... felt different."
Leo straightened.
"What do you mean different."
She waited.
A few seconds passed.
Then-
A tight squeeze moved across her stomach.
She inhaled slowly.
Leo's eyes widened.
"Was that-"
She nodded slowly.
"...Maybe."
They both went quiet.
Thirty seconds passed.
Then the sensation faded.
Leo exhaled slowly.
"Contraction?"
"Maybe."
"Pain?"
"Not really."
He stood up immediately.
"I'm calling the doctor."
"Leo-"
"No."
She sighed.
"You're dramatic."
"Yes."
He pulled out his phone anyway.
"Because my wife is carrying two human beings who might decide to arrive tonight."
Aria leaned back against the couch, rubbing her stomach gently.
The babies shifted again.
She smiled softly.
"Girls... if you're coming tonight... try not to destroy me."
Leo returned after speaking to the doctor.
"Doctor said monitor contractions."
"How often?"
"If it becomes regular or painful, we go to the hospital."
She nodded.
Leo sat beside her.
Then pulled her gently into his arms.
She leaned against his chest.
His hand rested on her belly.
Another slow kick pushed against his palm.
He smiled.
"Soon."
Aria closed her eyes.
"Very soon."
The room was quiet again.
But this time...
The anticipation was real.
