Vanessa stood in front of the mirror, gently running her hands over her stomach. The soft morning light spilled into the room, and a smile tugged at her lips as she whispered to the little life growing inside her.
"Baby, I love you so much," she said softly. "In just a few months, I'll finally see you, hold you, and tell you how much you mean to me."
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door open behind her. Warm hands suddenly rested on her shoulders, and she gasped, startled by Vincenzo's unexpected presence.
"Vincenzo! I'm trying to have a moment here," she said, her cheeks warming as she realized her robe wasn't fully secured.
He chuckled, his voice low and filled with amusement. "You look beautiful, Vanessa." He kissed the side of her head, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
She sighed but didn't pull away, leaning into him instead. His warmth and steady presence always had a way of grounding her. "You have a way of showing up unannounced," she teased.
"I couldn't help it," he said, his voice soft. "I needed to see you."
---
A Few Hours Later
Vanessa lay on the bed, her legs tucked beneath her as she rested against a pile of pillows. Vincenzo sat beside her, his hand absently rubbing her back. She let out a small groan, stretching to ease the tension in her muscles.
"Vincenzo, I feel sore all over," she said, half-joking, half-complaining.
"Sorry," he replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "But I don't regret spending the morning with you. You're my everything, Vanessa."
She rolled her eyes but smiled, resting her hand over his. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"What were you telling our baby earlier?" he asked, his tone curious.
Vanessa blinked, then chuckled. "Oh, that. I was telling it how much I love it... and how I can't wait to see it."
Vincenzo's expression softened. He leaned forward, resting his head gently against her stomach. "We can't wait to meet you, little one," he murmured, his voice filled with tenderness.
Vanessa felt her chest tighten with emotion, tears pricking her eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair. "I hope our baby knows how lucky they are to have you."
---
Later That Day
The doctor arrived in the afternoon, a calm and professional woman who put Vanessa at ease right away. Vincenzo, however, watched every movement closely, his protective instincts on full display.
"Relax, Vincenzo," the doctor said with a small smile. "Vanessa and the baby are both doing great."
"She's not my wife," Vincenzo corrected, though his tone lacked its usual edge.
"Yet," Vanessa added playfully, making the doctor chuckle.
After a thorough check-up, the doctor left, leaving them alone again. Vincenzo sat on the edge of the bed, pulling Vanessa close.
"You're amazing," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"You've told me that before," she teased, her voice light.
He smiled, kissing her forehead. "I mean it. You've given me something I never thought I'd have—a family. And I'll do anything to protect it."
Vanessa hugged him tightly, her voice steady as she replied, "You don't have to do it alone, Vincenzo. We're in this together."
As the day slipped into evening, Vincenzo held her close, silently vowing to keep the world at bay for as long as he could.