“You don’t need to perform for them.”
“I know. I know.” She relaxed, pressing further into him. “But since I’m not going to those dinners, I want to be seen doing something. I don’t want to talk with Stella or give her any reason to come here.”
“You won’t,” he said. “I told her not to bother you.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes,” Atlas spat out. “Stella said her piece and made her deal. There’s no reason to come now other than to cause trouble.”
“Well, if she does, I’ll bake something.” She grinned. “I’ve got the ingredients now. I’ll be so kind it will kill her.”
“Good,” he put his hand over hers. “The phrase is kill them with kindness, but she’s still not allowed here.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll save my baking for you.” Anna rested her head on his shoulder. “You’ve been the best. Thanks for bringing everything. It really feels like home here now.”
“Of course, Anna.”
She hummed a few notes on his shoulder and then fell into silence. Only this time, he noticed every shifting of her muscles on his left side. The press of her cheek on his shoulder. How she began to lean heavier on him the longer they sat. He adjusted for every minute change, every hum. And leaned closer, feeling her steady pulse. Rightness fell into every part of him. This was a moment he could freeze in and live in forever.
And he did, until there was a change in her breathing.
Atlas whispered. “Anna?”
She was asleep. Her face gentled in the setting sun, resting on his arm. His gaze softened. Her heartbeat was slow and steady,not fighting against the neurochip’s restraints. Which meant she either trusted that nothing would hurt her here, or she was too tired from walking around and moving boxes all day.
Atlas’s processors warmed. It was probably a bit of everything.
But the important thing was she felt safe here. Safe enough to sleep. Finally. Even if it was a struggle for her.
“Well.” He mumbled down to her. She was asleep here on his arm. “What do I do now?”
He already wasn’t planning on leaving, but he’d wanted to talk about it with her first.
When she was awake. So now what?
He refused to move a circuit, not wanting to disturb her. Her lips were slightly parted, and her brown hair made a halo around her heart-shaped face. Everything in him flushed. She looked so peaceful.
Well. Anna was peaceful. Another part of her was not at all.
The baby in her belly was so active that Anna’s belly moved as little feet pressed on the side from the inside. Atlas watched, fascinated. He counted the kicks for a minute, watching her belly move. “I see you too. You’re busy in there.”
He tentatively reached out and put a hand on her belly. Little feet pressed back on his hands. “You’re going to come out soon.”
She was, wasn't she?
Anna was due in a few weeks. Atlas had been a part of hundreds, thousands, of births. His hand stilled. Sometimes excess medical knowledge could be a curse. Childbirth could be dangerous.
When Clara passed away, he didn’t feel much other than confusion about what he should do with his time, and then he moved on to his plants and projects. And he never felt anxiety like this as she aged.
Already, he cared more for Anna. The thought of anything happening to her. . .Everything in him seized up. Logically, heknew everything about childbirth but how could you predict the unknown?
Humans.They are so fragile.But then the baby kicked, visually moving as Anna slept.But they are also capable of this.
Anna sank lower on his shoulder. He fingered a stray piece of hair that fell over her cheek, then shifted himself to compensate and not jar her.She should be inside.Sitting here was not ideal. As much as he enjoyed this, the sooner he moved her the better.
He slid his arms under hers. “Anna?”
“Mmmph.”
