*+*Unexpected*+*

|7| {Unsteady Paths}

By the third trimester, everything felt heavier—Aiden's steps, his breath, his worries. Nights were restless, his back ached constantly, and sometimes the mirror felt like an enemy.

James noticed it all.

One evening, Aiden sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his lower back with a frustrated sigh. "I feel... unsteady. Like I can't carry myself anymore."

James was at his side instantly, kneeling in front of him, hands on Aiden's knees. "Hey, sunshine. Look at me." He kissed Aiden's knuckles one by one, then rested his cheek against them. "You're not carrying this alone. You've got me. Always."

Aiden's voice cracked. "I hate feeling like this. Weak. Fragile. What if I can't... what if I'm not enough for her?"

James's chest ached, but he smiled anyway, lifting Aiden's hands to his lips again. "Babe, you're already enough. You're more than enough. She kicks when you sing. She calms when you touch your belly. She knows her dad. And so do I."

Tears slipped down Aiden's cheeks. James leaned forward, kissing them away before pressing his lips to Aiden's forehead. "Every scar, every ache, every ounce of doubt—I'll love you through all of it. You're my sunshine, my sugar booger, my everything."

Aiden let himself collapse into James's arms, burying his face against his chest. "You make it sound like I can actually do this."

"You can do this," James murmured into his hair, rocking him gently. "And you are doing this. Look at you, babe. You're carrying our little girl. You're the bravest person I know."

⸻

The days blurred into a rhythm of care. James became the housekeeper, chef, and comedian all rolled into one. He cooked Aiden's favorite meals, rubbed his swollen feet, and sang silly songs during laundry just to make Aiden laugh.

Some nights, Aiden would curl up against him, restless and sore. James would cradle him, tracing circles on his back, whispering nonsense until the tension eased.

"Pretty sure our girl is going to come out loving lullabies and bad dad jokes," James whispered one night, pressing a kiss to Aiden's temple.

"She'll roll her eyes at you," Aiden murmured sleepily.

"Just like you do," James teased, kissing him again. "But she'll still love me. You both will."

Aiden opened his eyes, meeting James's gaze. "You really believe that, don't you?"

"I don't just believe it," James said softly, cupping his cheek. "I know it. Because I already feel it. Every time you let me hold you. Every time she kicks. Every time you smile, even when you're exhausted. That's love, sunshine. That's us."

Aiden pressed his forehead to James's, whispering, "I love you."

James kissed him slow and lingering, his hand resting protectively on Aiden's belly. "I love you more. And her too. Always."

⸻

The third trimester was hard, but in every groan, every restless night, every tear, there was also James's steady voice, soft kisses, and unwavering devotion.

And for Aiden, that made the unsteady path feel just a little more solid.