The hotel room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting shadows on the walls as the night deepened. The twins, Sofia and Mateo, were still sound asleep in the bed, their gentle breaths a steady rhythm in the stillness of the room. Isa lay propped against the headboard, her eyes heavy with exhaustion but not yet willing to fully surrender to sleep. The quietness of the night gave her a rare moment of clarity, where her thoughts were less chaotic and more reflective.

Jey, still awake, sat near the edge of the bed, watching Isa. He had been quiet for a while now, and though he didn't speak, there was something about the way he looked at her that made her heart ache. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, a softness that hadn't been there in years, and it tugged at the places in her that were still healing.

Sensing the stillness between them, Jey shifted, moving slowly, as if unsure whether he should intrude on the moment. He had been distant for so long, but tonight-tonight felt different. Without a word, he reached over and gently took Isa's hand, the touch warm and tentative, as if asking permission for something unspoken.

Isa looked down at their intertwined hands, her heart skipping a beat at the closeness. She didn't pull away. Instead, she squeezed his hand, the simple gesture full of meaning. It was a subtle invitation, a quiet acknowledgment that, maybe, they could start over.

Without another word, Jey shifted closer to her, his movements slow and deliberate. He rested his head gently on her stomach, his cheek pressing softly against the fabric of her shirt. The weight of his head felt comforting, and Isa's breath caught in her throat at the intimacy of the gesture. It was the kind of closeness that had been missing for so long, the kind of touch that reminded her of what they had once shared-before everything had become so complicated.

As Jey settled in, his breath warm against her skin, Isa's mind was drawn back to another night, years ago, when things had been simpler. A night when she had been pregnant with the twins, when Jey had been there, when his presence was a comfort she had desperately needed.

Flashback

It was a quiet evening in their small apartment, the soft glow of the kitchen light spilling over the counter as Isa sat, cradling her pregnant belly. Her body ached from the weight of carrying twins, and the exhaustion was starting to set in. Jey, ever the doting partner, had just returned from a long day of training. His hands were still rough from the workout, but his face held a softness Isa hadn't seen much of lately.

"Hey, you okay?" Jey asked, his voice low and gentle, a concern in his eyes that she always appreciated.

Isa smiled tiredly, her hand resting on her round belly. "Just tired. It's a lot to carry."

Jey smiled back, his expression warm, and he came to her side, dropping down to his knees. He placed his large hands on her stomach, feeling the gentle kicks of their twins as they moved inside her. Isa sighed contentedly, a smile curling at the corners of her lips. The feeling of Jey's hands on her had always been soothing, but tonight, it felt like something more-something deeper, more grounded.

Without a word, Jey shifted closer, his head resting gently on her stomach as his arms encircled her, pulling her close to him. The moment felt timeless, as though nothing else existed but them and the life they were about to bring into the world. Isa felt the warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart against hers, and for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to breathe easily, knowing that everything would be okay because they had each other.

"Do you think we're ready for this?" Isa asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair.

Jey didn't hesitate, his voice full of certainty as he looked up at her, his forehead resting against her belly. "We've got this, Isa. I'm not going anywhere. We'll do this together."

The words felt like a promise-one she believed in wholeheartedly in that moment. She had no doubts about their future, about the family they were building. As he laid his head back down, his hand resting on her side, Isa closed her eyes, comforted by the closeness. In his presence, she felt safe, secure, loved.

End Flashback

As Isa lay there now, with Jey's head on her stomach once again, the memory of that night echoed through her mind. It was a bittersweet reminder of the tenderness they once shared, of the man who had been her rock when they were about to become parents for the first time. The intimacy of that moment, the way he had always been so willing to comfort her, was something she had longed for, even in the midst of all the pain and distance that had followed.

Jey, sensing her shift in mood, lifted his head slowly, his eyes meeting hers. "I've missed this," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I've missed you, Isa."

The words were simple, but they struck Isa deep in her chest. She didn't know how to respond, didn't know if she was ready to give him the forgiveness he seemed to crave so badly. But in that moment, with his head resting on her stomach and his hand on her waist, she felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in so long-hope.

She didn't answer right away, instead choosing to let the moment speak for itself. She simply closed her eyes, resting her hand on his head, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against hers.

Jey remained where he was, his body melting into the comfort of Isa's presence. He had no expectations, no demands. He was here, with her, and that was enough. The guilt of the past and the years they had lost seemed to fade in the quiet of the room, replaced by the warmth of the moment.

As they both lay there, the minutes stretching into hours, a sense of calm settled over Isa. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't thinking about the past or the mistakes they had made. She wasn't thinking about the future and all the uncertainties that came with it. For this moment, it was just the two of them, their bodies close, their hearts steady, and the soft breath of the twins in the background.

Isa didn't know what the future held, didn't know if she was ready to trust Jey again. But as she felt him there, his warmth seeping into her skin, she realized that maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back. One step at a time.

She kissed the top of his head, her lips soft against his hair. It was a small gesture, one that spoke of something she wasn't ready to name yet. But it was a start.

Jey looked up at her then, his eyes searching hers. There was a question in his gaze, a silent plea for reassurance, but Isa didn't have the answer. Not yet.

But in this moment, with him curled up beside her, she didn't need an answer. They didn't have to figure everything out right now.

For the first time in a long time, Isa felt a sense of peace. And maybe, that was all they needed for tonight.