Vanessa stared out the window, the late afternoon sunlight casting long shadows across the room. She tried to focus on the beauty of the moment—the quiet serenity of the moment—but the discomfort in her body kept her mind restless. The weight of her pregnancy was more than she expected, and the constant aching in her legs and lower back was wearing on her.
She shifted uneasily on the bed, her feet propped up, but nothing seemed to ease the pain. She sighed deeply, wondering when this would all end, or if it would end.
Just as she was about to close her eyes and let the exhaustion take over, the door to the room creaked open.
Vanessa looked up, her heart lifting slightly as Vincenzo stepped inside. His eyes immediately softened when they met hers, a tenderness that only he could exude in a world full of chaos. His usual commanding presence was replaced with something more gentle—something that made her feel safe.
He walked over to her slowly, taking in her exhausted form. "How are you, bella?" His voice was low, rich with concern.
Vanessa offered him a small, tired smile. "Tired," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's fine. I'm just…" she trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
Vincenzo reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek with a softness that sent a warm shiver through her. "I hate seeing you like this," he murmured, his thumb caressing her skin. "You deserve to be happy, not in pain."
She closed her eyes at his touch, allowing herself a moment to breathe. "It's just temporary," she said, though even she wasn't sure if she believed it.
He didn't respond right away. Instead, he carefully sat beside her, his large hand gently resting on her swollen belly. His touch was warm and soothing, and Vanessa couldn't help but lean into him. The pain in her legs seemed to fade for a moment, replaced by the comforting presence of the man who had become her rock.
"You know," he said softly, his lips brushing against her hair as he spoke, "sometimes I wish I could carry all of this for you. You shouldn't have to carry the weight of the world… or the weight of our child, alone."
Vanessa turned her head slightly to look at him, her heart full. His eyes were filled with love, a love that had been tested but never broken, not once. "I don't mind," she said quietly. "I'm stronger than I look."
He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I know you are," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "But even the strongest need help sometimes."
Without another word, Vincenzo leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was slow and soft, the kind of kiss that made everything else fade away. All that mattered was this moment, their love, and the life they had created together. It wasn't urgent, it wasn't fiery—it was gentle and full of devotion.
As he pulled away, he looked down at her with such tenderness, it took her breath away. "Rest, my love," he whispered. "You need it. And when you wake up, I'll be here."
Vanessa smiled, feeling a peace settle over her that she hadn't known for days. "I don't want to sleep yet," she murmured, her fingers tracing along his jawline. "Stay with me a little longer."
Vincenzo didn't hesitate. He settled beside her, pulling her into his arms, his warmth enveloping her as they lay together in silence. The wolves outside howled faintly in the distance, but inside, there was only the steady rhythm of their breaths and the quiet promise of a future they would face together.
"Can I ask you something?" she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.
"Anything," he replied, his hand tracing slow patterns on her back.
"Will you still love me… when this is all over? When the baby's here, and I'm not so tired anymore?" She hesitated, feeling vulnerable as she asked the question.
Vincenzo tilted her chin up gently, his eyes locking with hers. "I'll love you, always. More than you know. I love you now, just as you are. And I'll love you even more when we meet our child. Nothing will change that."
Vanessa's heart swelled with emotion, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt truly at peace. The pain in her legs, the weight of her pregnancy—it all seemed so small in this moment, with Vincenzo beside her, his love surrounding her like a protective shield.
As she closed her eyes and let sleep finally claim her, she knew that no matter what came next, they would face it together.