Chapter Text
The night was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the sheets as Callum shifted slightly to get comfortable. Rayla lay beside him, her head resting on his shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips as his fingers gently traced circles on her stomach. She was sitting up slightly, the glow of the moon filtering through the window, casting a gentle light on them.
Little Rian, their unborn son, was being quite active that night. Rayla could feel the tiny movements, the little kicks and nudges that made her smile. Callum’s hand followed each movement, his touch soothing and tender.
“He’s really active tonight,” Callum murmured, his voice filled with wonder.
Rayla smiled, her eyes fluttering shut as she relaxed into his embrace. “Yeah, he’s giving me quite the workout,” she teased softly, her words laced with warmth.
Callum chuckled, his gaze fixed on her stomach, watching in awe as Rian moved. “I still can’t believe this is real,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Rayla opened her eyes, tilting her head to look up at him. “It is,” she assured him gently, her hand covering his, pressing his palm more firmly against her. “He’s our son, Callum. And he’s perfect.”
Callum’s eyes softened as he looked down at her, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. “You’re perfect, too,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.
Rayla laughed softly, her breath tickling his neck. “You’re such a sap,” she teased, but her voice was filled with affection.
Callum grinned, his lips brushing against her temple. “Only for you,” he murmured, his voice full of love.
They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying the quiet moments, the warmth of each other’s presence, and the tiny, miraculous life growing between them. Callum’s fingers continued their gentle dance on Rayla’s stomach, soothing both her and their little one until the movements slowed and Rian settled down.
“Thank you,” Rayla whispered after a while, her voice barely audible.
“For what?” Callum asked, his thumb brushing over her skin in slow, comforting strokes.
“For this,” she said, her hand still resting on his. “For being here. For loving me.”
Callum’s heart filled with the depth of his feelings for her. “I’ll always be here, Rayla,” he promised, his voice unwavering. “Always.”
—
The dim light of the nursery cast a soft glow as Rayla sat on the edge of Rian’s bed, her fingers gently brushing through his white hair, which was already showing signs of the tiny blue horns that would someday match hers. Stella, ever the loyal cuddlemonkey, was already curled up beside the little halfling, her eyes drooping as she nestled closer.
Rayla smiled down at the two of them, her heart full as she began to sing a lullaby, her voice soft and soothing. It was the same lullaby she had sung to Stella many times, the same one her parents had sung to her when she was little. But tonight, she sang in Elvish, the ancient language of her people, the words flowing from her lips like a gentle breeze.
“Ged tha ‘n t-adhar dorch’ an nochd,
Tha mi ‘n soills’ air do shon, a ghràidh.
Tha a’ ghealach nas motha na a solas,
tha mi faisg; tha mo ghaol an seo.”
The melody was soft and lilting, each note carrying a promise of comfort and love. As Rayla sang, she watched Rian’s eyelids grow heavy, his little hand clutching Stella’s fur as he drifted closer to sleep. Stella, too, was lulled by the gentle song, her small body relaxing fully against Rian’s side.
Unbeknownst to Rayla, Callum had quietly finished his task of blowing out the candles downstairs and had come to the nursery, drawn by the sound of her voice. He leaned against the doorway, his heart swelling with love as he watched her. Just when he thought he couldn’t fall any more in love with her, Rayla always managed to surprise him.
Rayla’s song tapered off into a soft hum, and when she was sure both Rian and Stella were asleep, she carefully laid them down, pulling the blanket up to their chins. She pressed a gentle kiss to Rian’s forehead, then to Stella’s, before standing up.
Callum moved towards her, wrapping his arm around her waist from behind. He pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice a soft murmur in her ear. “You sound like an angel, love.”
A coy smile tugged at Rayla’s lips as she leaned into his embrace. “You’re such a sap, you know that?”
Callum just chuckled, his breath warm against her skin. “It’s true,” he said softly, tightening his hold on her.
Rayla sighed contentedly, letting herself relax fully in his arms. “I suppose I can’t argue with that,” she teased, tilting her head back to look up at him.
He met her gaze with a playful smile, his eyes twinkling with affection. “And I don’t mind one bit,” he added, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
Rayla rolled her eyes, but her smile never wavered. “You’re impossible.”
“Only because I love you so much,” Callum replied, his tone sincere as he brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Rayla’s expression softened, her heart swelling with love for the man she had chosen to spend her life with. “I love you too, Callum,” she whispered, turning in his arms so she could face him fully.
Callum’s hands slid to rest on her hips as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the love, all the gratitude he felt for the life they had built together. When they finally pulled apart, they stood there for a moment, foreheads touching, just breathing in each other’s presence.
“We’re so lucky,” Callum said softly, his voice full of emotion.
Rayla nodded, her eyes shining as she looked into his. “Yeah, we are.”