The hum of the jet echoed softly through the cabin. In just three hours, they would land in Paris. Nora was curled on top of Zayan, fast asleep with him. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her lulled her into peace. Zayan had headphones on, a soft playlist running as they both slumbered together.
Across the cabin, Asher and Aaila were quietly talking.
"Do you know you're very beautiful?" Asher said, staring at her with those warm, curious eyes.
Aaila blushed instantly. "You're soooo cute, my baby boy," she giggled.
Asher leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek, smiling like she was the only person in the world.
A little while later, Nora stirred, yawning as she slowly blinked her eyes open. Zayan was still asleep, headphones on. Not wanting to wake him, she simply snuggled closer and turned her gaze toward the window, watching the clouds drift by.
Eventually, Zayan stirred, sensing the movement.
"When did you wake up, love?" he asked, voice low and raspy.
Nora looked up at him and smiled. "A minute ago."
The jet touched down in Paris. Sleek black cars were already waiting on the runway. They were quickly escorted to a luxurious black villa on the outskirts of the city — their final trip together before returning to their busy lives.
Inside, everyone settled in, basking in the rare calm.
Asher approached Zayan quietly. "I'll be heading back to Norway soon. There's a project I need to finish."
Aaila's face fell. She hadn't expected him to leave so soon. At the door, Asher gave Nora a warm hug and said goodbye to everyone, then turned to Aaila. His eyes lingered on her face.
"I'll be back. I promise, love."
"I'll miss you, Ash," Aaila whispered, trying to hold back tears.
"I'll miss you too, my baby girl," he replied, pulling her into a long, tender kiss.
At the airport, Nora hugged him tightly. "Bye bye, Ash. I love you," she said tearfully.
Asher smiled, but his eyes were wet. "I love you too, little sis. I'll be back in four months, okay?"
With one last wave, he boarded his flight and disappeared behind the gate.
Back at the villa, silence settled like a soft blanket. Nora was quiet, her mood dim. Aaila, too, sat alone, clearly missing Asher already.
Zayan had meetings and conferences to attend. While he was busy with work, Nora and the girls went shopping — baby clothes, new dresses, and more tiny essentials for the nursery.
Two weeks later, they returned to London.
Catalina and Aveline welcomed them home with warm arms.
"Hi, Mommy!" Nora said, rushing to hug Aveline.
Aveline gasped, noticing the soft swell of Nora's belly. "Congratulations, baby. You're going to be a mommy!"
Nora giggled, cheeks rosy.
The next day, Zayan took her for her ultrasound.
"What are we doing again?" she asked curiously.
"We're going to see the baby doctor, love," Zayan said with a gentle smile, placing his hands on her shoulders. "We're going to see our baby."
Her eyes widened. "We're going to see the baby in my tummy?"
"Yes, darling. We are."
At the hospital, they waited twenty minutes before a cheerful voice called out.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" said Dr. Maia, their gynecologist. "Hello, Mrs. Kai. How are you feeling today?"
"I'm okay," Nora replied with a smile.
"All right. Lay down here," the doctor instructed.
Nora laid back as the gel was applied to her stomach. Zayan held her hand gently as the scanner began to move.
"There," Dr. Maia said softly, turning the screen.
They both stared as the flickering image appeared — a tiny heartbeat pulsing strong.
Nora gasped. "Z… it's our baby!"
Zayan smiled wide, eyes misting. "Yes, love. It is."
He quickly snapped a picture of the scan and sent it to Asher.
Asher responded immediately: "Yayyy! I'm getting more baby things. And I hope it's a girl!"
Later that evening, Asher video-called Aaila. "Hey, pretty mama. What's up?"
Aaila blushed. "I miss you, love."
"I'll be back soon. I promise."
She smiled, her fingers tracing his image on the screen.
Back home, Nora was napping while Zayan worked in the study. Over the next two months, doctors closely monitored her progress. Her baby bump grew rapidly. Hormones made her emotional — she cried over commercials, music, and even when Zayan didn't get her the exact cinnamon bun she craved.
She once demanded a snack made of banana, watermelon, and cinnamon bun all in one.
Zayan blinked. "Huh? Sorry… you want what again?"
Nora burst into tears.
"Okay, okay! I'll get it, love. Please don't cry," he laughed nervously, already grabbing his phone to order the odd combination.
He made sure she stayed inside, safe and calm. She painted during the day, always on video calls with Asher.
"Happy birthday, Ash!!" Nora shouted one afternoon, holding the phone up. Aaila stood behind her, grinning.
"Thank you," Asher said with a deeper voice. He was maturing — but still the same soft heart inside.
Aaila had also changed her look — she was glowing, despite missing Asher.
Later, Asher called Zayan.
"I'm coming back next week," he said. "I got a ton of things for Nora, the baby… and of course, my girl."
Zayan chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Lover Boy."
They both laughed, their bond unshaken by the distance.
Back at dinner, Nora hugged Rex tightly.
"You're the best brother ever."
He hugged her back. "You too, sissy."
That night, she and Zayan fell asleep together again — his hand resting protectively on her belly, rubbing slow circles as she drifted into dreams.