The house was alive with a quiet hum, as if everyone had been waiting, barely breathing, for this exact moment. Zaine, a bundle of excitement and nerves, stood at the door with Maggie and Patrick, bouncing on the balls of his feet. His curls were even messier than usual, and his green eyes sparkled with curiosity and an undeniable pride that only a soon-to-be big brother could have.

The front door opened, and there they were—Mars and Billie, wrapped in a glow that seemed to radiate from within. Mars, usually stoic and calm, had a softness about her now, a lightness that softened her sharp features. Billie, her arm around Mars and her eyes bright with exhaustion and pure joy, looked around at her family, her people, and gave a small, contented smile. In her arms, nestled in a cocoon of blankets, was Ivy Leilani Tosin-Williams.

Zaine's eyes went wide, his breath catching as he finally saw her—the little sister he'd been waiting for, the baby he'd been talking to through Billie's belly for the past several months. He hesitated, a rare moment of shyness overtaking his usual bravado, and looked up at his grandparents for reassurance. Maggie gave him a gentle nudge forward, her own eyes misty with tears, and Patrick's hand rested on his shoulder, grounding him.

As Mars and Billie stepped inside, Zaine took a small step forward, and then another, his gaze fixed on the tiny bundle in Billie's arms. The world seemed to shrink around him; it was just him and the new baby, the little sister he'd waited so long to meet.

Mars gently took the baby from Billie and crouched down to Zaine's level, her movements slow and tender, cradling Ivy close but giving Zaine a clear view. "Hey, buddy," Mars murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "This is Ivy. Your little sister."

Zaine's lips parted, eyes widening as he took her in. "She's so tiny, dada," he whispered, almost as if he was afraid to wake her up.

"I know, buddy," Mars replied, her voice a low rumble that matched the warmth in her gaze. She gently ran a thumb over Ivy's cheek, her own gaze flickering between her son and her daughter, like she couldn't believe her luck.

Ivy stirred, a small, soft noise escaping her, and Zaine's face lit up with fascination. He inched closer, unable to look away. Her little fists clenched and unclenched, her mouth puckered as if she was dreaming, and he was utterly captivated.

Zaine leaned in a little too close, ready to plant a kiss on her cheek, but Billie, ever-watchful, gently reminded him, "Don't kiss her face, baby. Not yet. She's still getting used to everything." Her tone was soft, not scolding, just a gentle nudge to keep him from overwhelming his new sister.

Obediently, Zaine pulled back a little, eyes wide with apology. But his curiosity couldn't be contained, and he reached out a hand, hovering just above her blanket-swaddled chest, unsure if he was allowed to touch.

Billie noticed and smiled, nodding. "You can touch her hand, Zaine. She might even hold your finger if you're gentle."

With the utmost caution, Zaine extended a single finger toward Ivy's tiny hand, his movements slow and deliberate. As soon as his fingertip brushed her palm, Ivy's fingers curled instinctively around his, soft and impossibly small, like feathers brushing against his skin. His breath hitched, and he looked up at Mars and Billie with an expression of pure awe.

"She has eyes like Mommy, Momma Maggie, and Grandpop," he observed quietly, still entranced, as Ivy's eyes opened just a sliver, revealing the same bright blue gaze that seemed to run in Billie's family.

Mars chuckled softly, exchanging a look with Billie. "Yeah, she does, buddy. Isn't she beautiful?"

Zaine nodded, still unable to tear his gaze away from his new sister. "She's perfect," he whispered, almost to himself, as if he was afraid speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.

Maggie wiped at her eyes, her heart full as she watched Zaine fall head-over-heels in love with Ivy in real time. Patrick, too, looked on with a quiet pride, his hand never leaving Zaine's shoulder, a steadying presence in the sea of emotions washing over the room.

"Hey, Zaine," Patrick said softly, bending down to meet his grandson's gaze. "You know, you're going to be a great big brother. Ivy's really lucky to have you."

Zaine grinned, looking up at him with a new kind of confidence. "I'm gonna protect her, Grandpop. Just like Dada and Mommy protect me." There was an earnestness in his voice, a fierce loyalty already taking root in his young heart.

Mars exchanged a look with Billie, her chest tight with love and pride for the boy standing before them. She'd worried, somewhere deep down, about how Zaine would handle this change, how he would adapt to sharing his parents' attention with a new baby. But here he was, stepping into his new role with a depth of love and protectiveness that left her speechless.

Billie's hand found Mars's, fingers interlocking as they watched their family—this beautiful, imperfect, fierce little family they'd built together. She squeezed Mars's hand, her eyes reflecting the same mixture of pride, relief, and overwhelming love.

"Alright," Maggie said, clearing her throat and taking charge, as she often did in family moments. "Let's get you all settled. I bet Ivy's hungry, and I know Zaine probably has about a million more questions."

They all laughed, the sound warm and easy, filling the house with the kind of happiness that only comes from being surrounded by people who love you. Mars, Billie, and the kids made their way to the living room, where blankets were spread out, pillows fluffed, and a gentle fire crackled in the hearth. It was cozy, safe—a perfect haven for a first family gathering.

Billie eased herself down on the couch, Ivy still in her arms, as Zaine climbed up beside her, pressing as close as he could without jostling the baby. Mars settled on the other side, an arm draped around Billie's shoulders, and Maggie and Patrick took their seats across from them, their eyes never leaving the new addition to their family.

"So," Maggie began, smiling at Zaine, "what do you think, kiddo? Ready for this big brother stuff?"

Zaine's chest puffed up with pride, his little chin lifting as he nodded. "I'm ready, Mama Maggie. I'm gonna teach her everything. Like how to make pancakes and... and how to climb trees." He shot a look at Mars, as if seeking approval, and she nodded encouragingly.

"That sounds like a good plan, bud," Mars replied, her voice filled with warmth. "But remember, she's got a little bit of growing to do first. She's still pretty new to all of this."

"Like, new new," Billie added, laughing softly. "She's still learning how to be a person. Right now, all she really knows how to do is eat, sleep, and... well, cry."

Zaine giggled, his eyes wide with wonder. "Does she know me, though? Like, does she know I'm her brother?"

Mars and Billie shared a look, smiling softly. Billie brushed a hand over Zaine's curls, her expression tender. "She might not know everything just yet, but she'll feel it. She'll know you're someone special, someone who's going to be there for her. She might not understand it now, but she will."

Zaine considered this, looking down at Ivy with a newfound determination. "I'm gonna be her best friend," he announced, his tone solemn as if he were making a lifelong vow.

"That's all she'll ever need," Mars said, her voice soft with emotion. She leaned over and kissed the top of Zaine's head, grateful for the boy she'd been blessed with and the family they were building together.

As the hours went on, Zaine asked question after question, his curiosity unending. He wanted to know everything—why Ivy's skin was so soft, why she made funny noises when she slept, if she would like dinosaurs just as much as he did. Mars and Billie answered each one with patience, their hearts swelling with love each time Zaine looked at his sister with that bright-eyed fascination.

At one point, as Ivy began to stir and fuss, Maggie took her gently from Billie's arms, her grandmotherly instincts kicking in. She rocked Ivy softly, humming an old lullaby that had been passed down through her family, her voice weaving a blanket of comfort around the baby.

Billie leaned back against Mars, sighing in contentment, and Mars wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. They watched as Ivy's tiny eyelids fluttered open for a moment, her blue eyes meeting Zaine's, who was once again completely captivated.

"She's looking at me!" Zaine whispered excitedly, as if sharing a secret with Ivy. He reached out, gently touching her tiny hand again, and Ivy's fingers curled around his for the second time, a quiet bond forming between them, unspoken but deeply understood.

And in that moment, Mars and Billie knew they'd done something right. They'd brought this little girl into a family that would love her fiercely, protect her without question, and nurture her with everything they had. Ivy would grow up with Zaine by her side, with grandparents who adored her, and with parents who would move heaven and earth to make sure she felt loved.

As night began to fall and the house grew quiet, Zaine finally drifted off to sleep, curled up beside Mars with his head resting on her shoulder. Ivy slept soundly in Billie's arms, her tiny body rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

And in that cozy, love-filled home, surrounded by the people who would be her world, Ivy—her tiny hand still wrapped around her big brother's finger, a quiet promise for all the days to come.