Array
(
[text] =>

---

The ride back from the hospital felt strangely quiet. Alex drove with one hand on the wheel, his other hand resting protectively on Zayn’s thigh. Zayn’s fingers gently traced over Alex’s knuckles, both of them lost in their own thoughts. The news they had just received was still fresh still sinking in.

When they pulled into the driveway, the familiar sight of Alex’s parents’ house made Zayn feel a wave of warmth. As soon as they stepped inside, Alex’s mom hurried toward them, her face full of anticipation.

“What happened? What did the doctor say?” she asked, almost breathless.

Zayn didn’t answer with words he simply nodded, his lips curving into the smallest smile. His eyes glistened with unspoken happiness.

“Oh, my goodness!” Alex’s mom gasped before pulling Zayn into a tight hug. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”

The hug lingered, filled with genuine affection. Then Alex’s dad stepped forward with a wide smile, wrapping Zayn in a warm, fatherly embrace. “I’m so happy for you both,” he said, his voice deep with emotion.

The four of them moved toward the living room, settling down on the large, cozy sofa. The air felt lighter now, full of unspoken joy.

Alex glanced around, then called out softly, “Ari, baby, come here.”

From down the hallway, the sound of tiny footsteps echoed. Ari small, energetic, and full of curiosity appeared in the doorway. His bright eyes landed on Alex, and without hesitation, he ran into his father’s open arms.

Alex lifted him onto his lap, holding his little hands in his own. “Ari,” Alex began gently, his tone carrying both excitement and tenderness, “do you want a younger sister or brother?”

Ari blinked, tilting his head as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “A… younger sister or brother?” he repeated, frowning in confusion. Then, slowly, his eyes widened as understanding dawned. “Yes! I want!” he said eagerly, his small voice bubbling with excitement.

Alex chuckled at his reaction. “You do, huh?”

“Yes!” Ari nodded, almost bouncing in his father’s lap. “I want!”

Alex smiled warmly, glancing at Zayn, whose cheeks flushed softly at the moment. “Well,” Alex continued, his voice carrying that teasing edge he used when building suspense, “we have a surprise for you.”

Ari’s jaw dropped. “A surprise?! I love surprises!” he squealed, looking between both his parents with excitement written all over his tiny face.

Everyone in the room smiled at the pure innocence in his voice. Alex’s parents exchanged a fond glance, their hearts swelling at the joy radiating from their grandson.

“Okay, baby,” Alex said, holding Ari’s hands a little tighter. “Your mumma is pregnant. That means…”

“That means…” Ari interrupted, trying to piece it together before Alex could finish. His eyes suddenly went huge. “That means my mumma will give me a younger brother or sister?!”

Zayn’s eyes softened as he watched Ari’s reaction.

“Yes, baby,” Alex confirmed with a grin.

“YEAHHHH!” Ari shouted, the sound so loud it echoed through the room. “My mumma will give me a younger brother! YEAHHH!”

Laughter filled the air. Alex’s mom covered her mouth, trying not to cry from how adorable the moment was. Alex’s dad chuckled, shaking his head.

“I told you,” Alex said, looking at Zayn with pride. “I told you our Ari would be the happiest of all.”

Zayn, overwhelmed with love and gratitude, leaned his head on Alex’s shoulder. “You were right,” he whispered, his voice trembling just enough to give away how deeply moved he was.

Ari, still buzzing with excitement, jumped down from Alex’s lap and ran to Zayn, hugging him tightly. “Mumma, thank you! I will take care of the baby, I promise!”

Zayn bent down, hugging Ari back and kissing the top of his head. “I know you will, sweetheart.”

Alex’s mom spoke up, her voice soft and full of warmth. “This baby is already so lucky to have all of us, but especially to have a big brother like you, Ari.”

Ari beamed at the compliment, puffing out his little chest with pride. “I will be the best big brother in the world!”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of joy. They all sat together, talking about baby names, wondering whether it would be a boy or a girl. Ari kept switching his answer every five minutes sometimes insisting on a brother so they could play football, and other times dreaming about a little sister he could “protect from bad people.”

Zayn watched them all with a full heart, his fingers intertwined with Alex’s. For so long, life had been filled with challenges, but in that moment, surrounded by love, he felt truly at peace.

Alex pulled Zayn close, kissing his temple softly. “I love you,” he murmured.

Zayn turned to him, smiling the same smile that had melted Alex’s heart years ago. “I love you too.”

And this time, when Alex kissed him, it wasn’t just a kiss it was a promise.

---

[text_hash] => 22c5c666
)