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It was always a joy getting to watch him still grow used to his new space, the confines of a womb traded for open air and soft sunlight peeking through the trees to reach their living room. Each little finger flexed in turn, legs permitted to wiggle around to their full extent now. Above him, the proud paternal grin grew ever wider.
“Look at him,” her husband said again, marveling at every inch of the child. He glanced over to confirm she was also viewing him like he wanted.
Yor nodded through a tired smile. “I see him sweetheart, yes.”
“He’s just so… little. Little toes, little hands, little ears. Little nose, Yor.”
She shifted her head where it rested on her palm across the back of the couch. “Yes. I think you’ll agree that you’re also quite big, though, won’t you?”
Loid nodded absently. “I am,” he agreed, “but it doesn’t make him any less tiny. His fingers are even smaller than a listening device.”
Between them, their son shifted slightly in his father’s broad palms, breaking into a soft yawn as they spoke. His eyes lit up as he beamed at her, Yor returning him a more muted version of the expression.
“Little yawn?” she said, amused.
“Little. Yawn.”
He returned his adoring gaze to the child. “My hands are bigger than his whole body now,” he observed. “And in a few months, he’ll be as big as my arm. Right?”
She nodded again. It was difficult for her to contribute much to the conversation when he was only stating… facts about their baby and his growth. But she didn’t want to be the one to kill his fun. Loid had softened considerably since their life had shifted from missions and secrets to a more traditional family design. Pregnancy and the newest addition to their world was an entirely different side of him, though; it was like getting to see him experience that childlike wonder she was quite certain had been unfairly taken from him too soon. Far be it from her to stifle it again now.
A sudden ringing filled the space, shut off as quickly as it began by a small hand shooting out and before it could be a disturbance to the baby. The noise’s catalyst would still make sure they got the message, though. Anya shoved the muted egg timer into her father’s face.
“That’s ten minutes,” she said objectively, reaching her hands out. “Give him.”
Loid drew the child closer to himself. “You sped it up while I was distracted with him.”
“No, ten. It’s my turn with him.”
“He’s not your child—“
“He’s my brother and that counts for more.”
“That makes no—“ Yor gently took the baby from his hands before he could put up another argument.
“Just let her have her turn,” she interrupted between them, letting Anya reach out to wrap her arms around the boy. “Ten minutes isn’t so long.”
Loid raised an eyebrow as she eagerly laid the baby down in the bouncer crib near the television. “Be careful with him. He’s not a doll.”
“I know that.”
“Not too much bouncing, alright Anya?” Yor added a little more tenderly. “He just ate.”
“‘Kay,” was all they received in response as her hands pushed the frame up and down with tiny movements. She scooted over a little as Bond curiously stretched his nose out towards the crib to further inspect this small person that was even smaller than the smallest human he knew.
With his hands now free, Yor carefully lifted herself perpendicular into her husband’s lap, letting him do more of the work once he realized what she wanted. She rested her head on his shoulder and leaned her back further into the arm of the couch with a sigh.
“You still tired?” he murmured, bringing his cheek down to the top of her head and stroking a thumb back and forth against the outside of her leg.
“A little,” she admitted, “I think it’s mostly just body aches now. Letting everything resettle.” It was a strange feeling, she would acknowledge, being absent of this weight she’d had with her for so long. Like an essential part was missing. She knew she would adjust soon enough, though. Certainly worth the trade off, she thought with a smile, to have her husband marvel at tiny hands or have Anya excitedly come up with all the things she would get to teach him.
“You like him?” she asked through a soft yawn.
“Do you even need to ask that?” he answered, amusement in his words tickling her bangs.
She giggled a little. “I don’t, but it’s always nice to hear it again.” He wrapped his arms with more intent around her.
“Every day, I think I like him as much as I possibly can,” he began. “...And then the next day comes and I like him even more. Logically it shouldn’t be possible, but it just keeps happening. And I’m alright with that.”
Yor preened at his words, nestling further into his chest.
“As handsome as his father,” she offered in a loving whisper.
“And as perfect as his mother,” he spoke softly into her hair.