**Author's Note!**

Okay, so as I wrote this chapter I found out that there are two ways to spell blond(e), masculine and feminine. While they're both grammatically correct, blond is used for males primarily while blonde is used for females. Well, I've been using blonde for Yuri, and, sue me, I think it fits. He's a kitten whether he likes it or not and I think the feminine form of the word works on him. Either way, I find it hilarious and plan on continuing to do it! Enjoy!

November 16th, 2025- Two Weeks Later- 38 Weeks-

Otabek's POV 1st Person

I hold in my arms the most perfect creature ever to walk the earth. Yuri sleeps softly, his head resting on my chest and his arms wrapped around me. He looks beautiful, face softened by sleep, his lips rest in a small curve and his long eyelashes flutter imperceptibly. He shifts in his sleep and nuzzles closer, his head now just beneath my chin. His silky blonde hair falls around his face, framing it in the morning sunlight and giving the appearance of an angel. I savor this time, he seems so relaxed and comfortable in his sleep, a look he rarely wears anymore.

This whole ordeal has been hard for him, I know it has. The stress on his body would be difficult enough to manage alone, but the fact that this prevents him from skating makes everything ten times worse. He never complains though, just passes the days as easily as he can, now the thing he loves most has been taken away. 

Well, the little voice in my head scolds, happening to sound a lot like Yuri, He loves you and the baby more. And I know he does, I'd know even if he never said it. Just the way he is with me, the way he shows me affection how he does no one else is all I need to be sure he loves me. The thing is though, he does say it. He tells me he loves me and I tell him right back- it's the best thing in the world. The feeling it gives me is indescribable, but so simple, so purely real, it seems almost silly to try. He's perfect, my entire life is perfect, it almost doesn't seem real. It's crazy how happy I am, I never would've thought it possible, but it is. I have everything I need, and will ever need in life, right by my side, and that is wonderful. 

My husband stirs next to me and shifts the covers slightly so his abdomen is clearly visible beneath them. One arm encircles it loosely, protectively, while the other curls around me. He's repositioned so we're closer than ever, the two- three, of us, cocooned together in a sea of warm blankets. The cold winter sunlight filters through the windows and falls across the bed where we lie, making everything seem so gentle and fresh.

Time passes, I'm too wrapped up in my own bliss I couldn't tell you how much, but it does and soon I find my husband's eyelids lifting and him waking up. His eyelashes part and his emerald green eyes stare up at me, a small smile crossing his face as they do. "Morning," I whisper and he leans up to kiss me, moving slowly and sleepily but with a warm expression on his face.

"Morning," He sinks back down against my chest, his purpose fulfilled and adjusts the blankets surrounding us so his stomach is more visible. "Morning," He says very quietly and puts a hand against it. The sight of this tiny interaction makes me happier than I could ever explain in words. He looks back at me again and smiles, one I return without any thought or the slightest hesitation. I put my hand next to his and we stay like that for a while, my left arm around him, hugging him close.

I'm brushing my teeth as my husband leaves the room, wandering, seemingly aimlessly, down the hall. I follow him, deserting my toothbrush and treading his path. He stands in the doorway of the bedroom next to ours, painted a pale pink with white furniture. A rocking chair, changing table, dresser, and crib, line the walls, each meticulously selected and shining. 

Yuuri doesn't notice me behind him and makes his way into the room, brushing one hand against a tiny pink blanket sitting on the changing table. He stops at the rocking chair, slowly lowering himself into it and picking up a small plush cat from its seat. He holds it in his lap and pets it absentmindedly, rocking gently and looking around the room. I'm about to join him when he leans his head on the back of the chair and closes his eyes, a smile crossing his face. I decide against disturbing him and make my way downstairs instead. He was dreaming, the kind of dreaming that can only be done while you're awake. The kind of dreaming that's only real because it is real.

I work my way around the kitchen, picking up the ingredients for breakfast. A small problem arises, however, when I realize we have nothing. I open the fridge and find it nearly empty, as is the freezer, apart from the grocery list pinned to the door. I survey the list and find it to be overflowing, everything we need on it along with a few added extras thrown in. One glance at it, and around our barren kitchen, tells me a trip to the store is non-negotiable, breakfast impossible without it. I put on my coat, the November air chilly, and leave a small note on the counter for my husband. It says that I'll be back in half an hour with some food, as the only sustenance we possess is a lone onion. 

The walk to the store is a quick one, the local corner store having everything we need and being located only a few blocks away.  The brisk morning air rushes past me and picks up leaves from the ground, dancing them into the air with the chilly sunlight. I round a bend and find myself in the town center, my destination on my right. A gush of heat hits me in the face as I enter the shop, bringing with it a cheery hello from the man behind the counter. I wave in return and can't help but notice how storybook my life seems to be, not that I'm complaining. The quintessential small-town charm accompanied by the hustle and bustle of Saint Petersburg, all mixed together into an idyllic blend of familiarity and exploration. God, I sound like an adult.

I remove the list from my pocket and scan its contents, a slight smile appearing on my face as I read one of the items. Gummy worms. I grab the packet and head to the checkout, entertaining small talk with the cashier from before. Soon, I'm out in the sunlight once again, laden with bags and making my way home, enjoying the fresh air. 

I set the bags down on the kitchen table and start to put things away when I notice my note still sitting there, untouched. I lay down the requested gummy worms and look through the doorway into the living room; empty. It's been half an hour since I left, as promised, and I'm surprised Yuri's not downstairs by now. He's probably just in the bathroom, I reason and continue putting away the groceries. 

Fifteen minutes later, however, my husband's conspicuous, lack of presence is worrying me slightly and I head upstairs, confused about where he might be. I poke my head into our bedroom and find it unoccupied, which I expected, and continue on to the nursery. There I find Yuri, still in the rocking chair with his back to me, right where I left him. I walk into the room and come up beside him, a hand on the arm of his chair and facing it. Yuri sits with both arms around his abdomen, staring at it with a strange look on his face. "Are you alright?" I ask him, recognizing the expression he wears and finding it disconcerting. I sit down on the ottoman placed in front of him and look into his eyes, still downcast. "Yuri?" He shakes his head slightly,

"I'm fine Beka," But his voice betrays him, shaking slightly. 

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" I ask him, noting how secure his grasp on his abdomen is. He shakes his head and continues staring at a fixed point just between his outstretched hands. "Yuri?" I prod gently, knowing something's wrong. "What is it?"

He doesn't look at me but his hand trembles slightly, "I'm not good with kids," He says quietly, his voice shaking. Oh. I place a hand on his and he looks at me finally, his eyes brimming with tears. "They don't like me, I-" He stops, "I'm mean Beka, I don't play with them right. How am I going to raise a child? I can't screw this up I-"

"Hey," I cut him off gently, "Don't worry about that now, you'll be a great parent," He shakes his head, the tears in his eyes spilling over.

"What if I'm not?" He looks at me, the anxiety in his face evident, "What if I hurt her? I can't hurt her, I w-" I cut him off once more, standing up and giving him a hug. 

"Kids love you," I tell him and brush away his tears, "Think about Maria, you're so good with her," He shakes his head, 

"She makes it easy though, she's adorable, it doesn't count," 

"Okay, well, what about that kid at her birthday party a few months ago? You saved her," He looks at me like I'm insane,

"I stopped her from falling down, that does not qualify as a successful interaction with a child," 

"Of course it does," I raise an eyebrow, "You could've just let her fall,"

"No one just lets a kid fall," He shakes his head, "And even if I did, she'd bounce, it would've been fine,"

"Exactly, kids bounce," I reason and his eyes widen, vehemently shaking his head. 

"Infants don't!" He cries and looks absolutely terrified, "What if I drop her or step on her or Potya kills her o-"

"Yuri," I take his shoulders in my hands firmly, "That won't happen, I promise you, she'll be alright,"

"I can't do this," He says almost in a whisper,

"That's okay," I tell him gently, "You won't be doing it all alone, I'm here. I'll be with you every step of the way. If there's something you can't handle we'll just do it together." He looks me in the eye and seems to calm down slightly,

"Really?" He looks like a small child in need of reassurance and I nod, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"I promise," I give him a hug and he seems to release the tension in his being. "Now," I say and right myself. "Breakfast?" He nods and begins to heave himself out of the chair but I intervene, helping him up and putting a steadying arm around him.

"Beka?" He says as we leave the room, "Thanks," He gives me a kiss, smiling suddenly against my lips as a small kick lands. 

"Any time," I reply and put my hand on his stomach, "I love you,"

**Author's Note!**

I love this chapter so much and nothing on this earth will ever convince me otherwise. This entire thing was basically a fluffy one-shot but part of a full-length story. I hoped you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it, see you next time!