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Jora stirred at the sound of his voice, consciousness coming back in soft, gentle waves rather than all at once. For a split second she was disoriented—warm, heavy, cocooned in blankets—until his words registered, and then her eyes flew open. “She’s awake?” she whispered, already pushing herself up a little despite the lingering exhaustion. A smile spread across her face, bright and unrestrained, the kind that came straight from her chest. “Oh—Sage,” she breathed, emotion catching just slightly. She reached out instinctively, fingers brushing his arm and then the baby he held so carefully. Seeing Caspian nestled there, peaceful and impossibly small, grounded her all over again. “You’ve been here the whole time,” she murmured, a mix of gratitude and affection in her voice. “Thank you.” Jora shifted, wincing only faintly as she sat up more fully, then took a steadying breath. “Okay,” she said, soft but resolute, smoothing her hair back and glancing toward the door. “Let’s do this right.” Her gaze lifted to meet Sage’s, eyes shining. “I want her to see them together,” she added quietly. “I want her to know this isn’t something being taken from her—it’s something being added.” She squeezed his hand once, grounding herself in him, then nodded. “I’m ready.” |
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Sage grinned down at Jora when her eyes blinked open, focusing on his face and then the baby in his arms. "Yeah," he noted softly. "She's finishing breakfast and then selene will bring her in," he informed her lightly. When she thanked him for staying he chuckled softly. "Well ...where else would I be," he asked, knowing full well there wasn't anywhere else he'd rather be than right at her side, with their children around them. It didn't get any better than that. He shifted to help her sit up, moving gently to shift her and then move the pillows behind her so she was comfortable. "She'll be happy," he reassured her. "She knows she's getting something out of this." As if right on cue, the door creaked open, and selene peered in, noting they were ready before opening it further so Lyra could run in, eyes wide as she took on her new siblings, grin evident on her face. |
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Jora stirred slowly, the haze of sleep giving way to warmth first—Sage’s voice, the weight of blankets, the steady presence she’d learned to anchor herself to. Her eyes blinked open, unfocused at first, then found him… and then the tiny bundle in his arms. Her breath caught, soft and reverent. “Good,” she murmured, a sleepy smile curving at her lips as he explained where Lyra was. The thought of her finishing breakfast—oblivious and excited and safe—made something ease deep in Jora’s chest. She reached out automatically, fingers brushing the baby’s blanket before her hand found Sage’s wrist instead. When he joked about where else he’d be, she let out a quiet huff of a laugh. “You’re impossible,” she whispered fondly, eyes warm. “But… thank you. For staying.” She let him help her sit up, trusting him completely as he shifted pillows and adjusted her until she was comfortable. Jora sighed once she was settled, shoulders relaxing as much as they could after everything. At his reassurance, she nodded. “I know,” she said softly. “She’s been so patient. She’s going to be such a good big sister.” The creak of the door drew her attention, and Jora turned just in time to see Selene usher Lyra inside. Her heart swelled instantly. Lyra burst in with barely contained excitement, eyes going impossibly wide as she took in the sight of the babies. Jora smiled through the sudden sting of tears, holding her arms out just a little. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said gently, voice warm and careful not to overwhelm. “Come here. Do you want to see them?” She glanced up at Sage then, sharing the moment with him before looking back to their daughter—ready to guide her through this, together. |
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Sunny and Warmer
