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The nursery was bathed in the warm glow of a single lantern.
Vesper had insisted on two stories, one song, another drink of water, and one final hug before finally drifting to sleep. Vex smiled fondly as she tucked the blanket a little higher over her daughter and brushed a kiss across her forehead.
"Sleep well darling."
She straightened slowly. Or rather, she tried to. At thirty-eight weeks with twins, the weight at the front of her body felt immense. Her hands instinctively pressed against the underside of her swollen abdomen as she pushed herself upright, a quiet breath escaping through clenched teeth.
"Oh..."
She paused, waiting for the ache in her lower back to ease. It didn't.
Behind her, Percy had been leaning against the nursery door, watching with the quiet attentiveness that had become second nature since this pregnancy.
He crossed the room without a word. Vex was so focused on catching her breath that she barely noticed him until his arms slipped carefully around her from behind.
"What are you—"
One arm wrapped securely around her waist while the other slid beneath the curve of her belly. Then, ever so gently, he lifted. Not enough to move her. Just enough to take the weight.
The effect was immediate. Vex's entire body relaxed as if someone had untied dozens of invisible knots. Her shoulders dropped. The tension left her hips. A long, helpless sigh escaped her lips.
"Oh, gods..."
Her eyes drifted shut as she leaned back into him.
"...Percy..."
He smiled against her hair, holding her as though she were made of glass.
"Better?"
She let out a soft laugh that bordered on a groan of relief.
"That feels... incredible."
He adjusted his grip just a fraction higher.
"How about now?"
Her head tipped farther back onto his shoulder.
"Mmm..." she hummed happily. "Don't you dare let go."
A quiet chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"I hadn't planned to."
He pressed a kiss to her temple before letting his cheek rest lightly against her hair.
"Our little ones seem to be weighing their mommy down."
Vex smiled, one hand coming to rest over his where it supported their children.
"They've decided they're quite comfortable in there."
"I can tell."
"They've been practicing synchronized kicks all afternoon."
"As engineers do."
She laughed softly.
"They are absolutely not becoming engineers."
"We shall revisit this discussion in eighteen years."
She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't stop smiling. For several moments they simply stood there.
Percy continued holding the weight of her abdomen, his arms steady and gentle.
Vex hadn't realized just how exhausted her muscles had become until they no longer had to work.
"I didn't know I needed this," she admitted quietly.
"I know."
She turned her head slightly.
"You've been arching your back whenever you stand. You rub your hips after you've been walking. And every time you get up from a chair, you pause for a moment before taking your first step."
His voice remained soft.
"I imagine carrying two babies is rather demanding."
Vex swallowed around the sudden lump in her throat.
"You notice everything."
"When it concerns you," he murmured, kissing her hair once more, "I try to."
The twins chose that exact moment to shift. Percy's eyebrows lifted as he felt the unmistakable movement beneath his hand.
"There they are."
"They know their father is talking about them."
"They're probably wondering why Mother suddenly sounds so relaxed."
Vex laughed, the sound light and genuine. She reached back, threading her fingers through his.
"I could stay like this for hours."
"If that's what my wife requires..."
He gently lifted her belly just a little more.
"...then that's exactly where I'll be."
Another blissful sigh escaped her.
"You spoil me."
Percy smiled.
"Vex'ahlia..."
He kissed the side of her head.
"You are carrying our son and daughter while somehow still chasing after Vesper every day."
He squeezed her hand.
"The very least I can do is carry them for a few minutes when they're making their mother tired."
Vex's eyes glistened as she smiled.
"I do rather love you, Percival."
He smiled warmly.
"I was rather hoping that was still the case."
She laughed, turning just enough to steal a quick kiss.
"I think I'll keep you."
"I was rather hoping for that as well."
Neither of them hurried to leave the nursery. Instead, they remained there in the quiet, Percy supporting the weight of their unborn twins while Vex rested safely in his embrace, savoring a few precious moments where, for the first time all day, she didn't have to carry the burden alone.