Work Text:
The room was mostly dark, with just the timid candlelight on the nightstand, a very calm ambient despite the cold and the torrent pouring outside. A woman entered with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate, her belly clearly showed her pregnancy. A child followed her in tow carrying a plate full of cookies. The woman had her medium ginger hair tied back with a headband, the same as the kid. Lightning flashes through the window and a thunder reverbed, making the little girl shrug terrified.
“C'mon now, Angie.” The woman placed the mugs on the free nightstand and sat on the bed, tapping the space next to her. “You're a big girl, and you're going to be a big sister right? Are you going to protect them from the thunder or are you going to let yourself be scared?” Her gentle gray eyes observed the five year old, who swallowed and raised her head.
“I'm protecting my little sisters!” She exclaimed. “But thunder is very loud… And it takes the light away.” She sat crossing her legs and nibbling on a cookie.
“Here, blow it so you won't burn your mouth.” The mother gave the smaller mug to the child, who widened her eyes and gave a beaming smile as she picked it up.
Another thunder stroke and the woman's hands trembled a little, but she kept a firm smile for her daughter, who placed a shaking hand on her belly and rubbed.
“You don't have to feel scared.” She looked over. “It's just a little thunder.”
The woman stroked the girl's hair tenderly. “You're going to be a great big sister.”
After they finished the chocolates, the woman tucked the little girl in bed. Her eyes were already dropping, she was much calmer now that it was just raining.
Angelica blinked hard. “I don't want to sleep.”
The mother caressed her head. “You need to, my love. Do you want mama to sing to you?”
The kid pulled her covers until her chin and nodded.
“When I was just a little girl...” She began softly. “I asked my mother: what will I be?”
“Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?” The kid continued with a gleeful smile.
“Here's what she said to me...”
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“Que sera, sera...”
The voice resonated in the room, the woman lulling the baby across the room. It was a warm cream color, painted with blue birds and foxes on the walls, really fitting with the birds singing outside for the dawn. A cat tree was in the corner and the calico queen observed the scene wiggling the tip of her tail.
“Whatever will be, will be… The future's not ours to see.”
The month old baby waved her hands towards the mother's face, who gave a finger for the girl to grab tightly.
“Que sera, sera...” She whispered. “What will be, will be...” Angelica laid the baby back on the bassinet.
“My lovely wife with our beautiful baby girl.” Her husband approached, hugging her waist and leaning over her shoulder. “She's finally asleep.”
“After hours...” She sighed, caressing the dark fluff on the baby's head. “Funny you come here now, airhead.”
“Didn't want to interrupt your brill singing.” He tilted his head curious. “Your hair looks redder today, who do you wanna kill, Angie?”
“You.” She answered in a heartbeat. “You put the bat in the cave.”
He pressed his lips together to contain the smile and stepped away raising both hands. “You went on with it, cherry. And our little blossom is adorable.”
Angelica rolled her eyes. “Now I'm going to work, have fun with the kid.”
“Sure thing ma'am.”
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Angelica heard the melody from the doorstep, the only lights on were the one in the counter where there was a plate with dinner and her daughter's bedroom. She hung her bag and coat, took off her shoes leaving them next to the door and walked silently to the room, almost sliding with her socks. She rested her back on the wall and closed her eyes, listening to her husband.
“When I grew up and fell in love...” The man sang to the girl laying on his chest, she observed him with beautiful brown eyes, the shape of her mother's and his color. “I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead?”
“Wiww we have wainbowsh day afther day?” The toddler sang while playing with her shirt.
“Here's what my sweetheart said...”
Camelia snuggled closer to her dad, listening to his fast heartbeat. She closed her eyes, humming to the song and enjoying dad's pets. It was warm and safe.
She barely felt dad pulling the blankets ok top of her, and the kiss he gave when he tucked her in. She fell asleep with a smile.
“You love being a father, don't you?” Angelica whispered the moment he left the room.
He tilted his head. “Why didn't you enter?”
“Didn't want to interrupt you two.” She leaned to kiss him. “I love you.”
“You goldfish.” He smiled against her lips. “Just because I'm the perfect stay at home husband.”
“Glad you know it.” She kissed him again. “Make me company?”
“Of course.”
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The living room was warm, with the fireplace turned on. The two couches perpendicular to each other, the siamese was sleeping soundly on the colourful wool carpet, as the white cat was curled up on top of the blankets over the couch. Holiday songs were playing in the background. Camelia huddled in the couch, with her legs under herself as she read. The baby in the car seat in front of her made some occasional noises and babbles as she played with the toys floating above.
The girl glanced at the baby, at the book in her lap, back and forth until she sighed. Folding the tip of the page before closing and placing the book on the coffee table. Camelia swung the seat and the ginger baby laughed voiceless, enjoying the new movement.
She began humming the song her dad used to sing when she was younger.
“Que sera, sera...” She whispered. “Whatever will be will be...” She felt her heart tighten. “The future's not ours to see.” She said, the words hitting harder as she felt their truth in her skin. “Que sera, sera… What will be, will be.”
══❀══
The room was illuminated with the soft afternoon sun, with the chilly spring air no one would want to leave the bed. Dwyn was nestled under the blankets as she nursed Noah, the blond baby was also protected by their own blanket full of ladybugs and poppies.
“Now I have children of my own...” She sung enamored by the sight. “They ask their mother: what will I be?” She cleaned their face and helped them burp. “Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?” Dwyn raised her head and saw Ailre standing on the doorstep with Felix in their arms. “I tell them tenderly...”
Her husband smiled and came to join her in bed, snuggling close and kissing her curls. She chuckled, leaning to kiss her older baby's head.
“Que sera, sera… Whatever will be, will be.” She sang with a smile in her voice. “The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera...” Ailre joined with a content humming. “What will be, will be… Que sera, sera.”
