"Yes."
"How did it get in there?"
Lev's eyes go wide. "Mila—"
"Did you swallow a seed? Is that how babies work?" She tilts her head. "Because Elena said babies grow from seeds, but I don't understand how you eat a seed, and it becomes a person. That doesn't make sense."
Despite everything, I almost laugh. "It's not exactly a seed—"
"Then what is it? How did the baby get inside you?" She's genuinely curious now, fear temporarily forgotten in favor of seven-year-old logic. "Did Papa put it there? Can he make babies appear?"
"This is not a conversation for breakfast." Lev looks mildly panicked. "We'll explain when you're older—"
"I'm seven! That's practically grown up!" She crosses her arms. "And if there's going to be a baby, I should know how it works so I can help."
I bite my lip to keep from smiling. "Your papa and I will explain more when you're a bit older. But yes, we made the baby together."
"Like a project?"
"Something like that."
"And it's growing in your tummy right now?" She reaches out tentatively, hand hovering over my stomach. "Can I feel it?"
"Of course." I guide her hand to the small bump. "The baby is very tiny still. About the size of a lemon."
"A lemon?" Her eyes light up. "That's so small! How does a whole person fit in a lemon?"
"They grow. Over time. By the time the baby is born, they'll be much bigger."
"When will that be?"
"August. Late summer."
She does mental math on her fingers. "That's five more months! That's forever!"
"It'll go faster than you think."
She's quiet for a moment, hand still on my stomach, processing. Then, quietly: "Am I going to be a big sister?"
"Yes,Cielo." Lev strokes her hair. "You're going to be a big sister. Is that okay?"
"Will the baby love me?" The question is small. Vulnerable. "Even though I'm not their real sister?"
My heart cracks. "You are their real sister. You’ll have the same blood flowing through both of you, Mila. And you're going to be the best big sister in the world."
"I am?" She looks up with watery eyes.
"You are." I pull her into a hug. "You're going to teach them everything. How to be brave. How to make your papa laugh. How to sneak extra cookies when Elena isn't looking."
That gets a small giggle. "Papa says I'm not supposed to do that."
"Papa does it too when he thinks no one's watching." Lev shoots me a look but doesn't deny it. "So you're going to be an excellent teacher."
She's quiet again, then: "Will you leave? After the baby comes? Will you go away like Mama did?"
The question breaks me. "No, baby. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you and your papa and the baby. We're a family."
"Promise?"
