Days later, at midnight, the entire Carter mansion was silent, wrapped in deep, heavy sleep. Too quiet.
Aria shifted in the massive bed, her brows pulling together slightly. Something felt… off. A dull ache. She frowned, placing a hand on her stomach.
"…Ryan," she mumbled softly, eyes still half-closed.
Beside her, Ryan didn't move.
She nudged him. "Ryan…"
Her breath hitched sharply as a sudden, intense pain rippled through her, making her grip Ryan's arm tighter, her face contorting with effort.
He was up instantly. Not slow. Not confused. The second he heard her voice—her voice like that—he was already sitting up, his hand on her face.
"What's wrong?" His tone was low, controlled… but his eyes were alert.
She grabbed his arm tightly. "I—" she inhaled sharply, her face tightening. "It hurts…"
Silence. For one second. Ryan didn't panic, but everything about him changed.
"Contractions?" he asked immediately.
Aria nodded quickly, already breathing unevenly. "I think—ah—yes… yes—"
Another one hit, stronger. She bent forward slightly, gripping his shirt. "Ryan—!"
"I'm here." His voice softened instantly, one hand supporting her back, the other holding her hand firmly. "Look at me. Breathe."
She shook her head, tears welling up as the pain overwhelmed her, feeling helpless and desperate for relief in this terrifying moment.
"I know." His thumb brushed her cheek. "You're okay. I've got you."
Another contraction. Aria gasped, squeezing his hand so tightly her ring pressed into his skin.
"Why is it so strong already?!" she snapped, almost offended. "It wasn't supposed to start like this!"
Ryan almost—almost—smiled, sensing her distress. But his expression stayed calm, offering her a steady anchor.
"We're going to the hospital."
"No!" she snapped immediately, grabbing his arm. "What if I give birth in the car?! Ryan, I am NOT having your child in a car!"
"You won't."
"You don't know that!"
"I do."
She glared at him, breathing hard. "You're too calm. Why are you calm?! Panic a little!"
"I panic when you're not looking," he said smoothly, already helping her sit up.
She narrowed her eyes. "…Liar."
Another contraction hit. Aria groaned, leaning into him. "Call your mom… and my aunt—no, wait—don't call them yet—actually call them—no, wait—"
Ryan gently cupped her face. "Aria."
She froze, looking at him.
"We're leaving. Now." His tone—soft, but final.
She blinked… then nodded quickly. "Okay… okay… but if I die—"
"You won't."
"You don't know that!"
"I do."
He stood, lifting her carefully into his arms like she weighed nothing. Aria immediately clung to him.
"…I can walk," she muttered.
"I know." He didn't put her down.
Downstairs, the mansion lights flicked on one by one. Ryan moved fast—but never rushed. Controlled, precise.
The moment they reached the stairs—
"Ryan?!" his mother's voice echoed, already approaching. "Is it time?!"
"Yes."
That single word changed everything. Footsteps rushed.
Aria's aunt appeared next, eyes wide. "Oh my God—it's happening?!"
"Yes," Ryan repeated, already heading for the door.
Aria clutched his shirt again as another contraction hit. "IT IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING—!"
"Language," her aunt muttered automatically.
"THIS IS NOT THE TIME—!"
Ryan opened the door, cold night air rushing in. The car was already being brought around. Of course it was; everything was always ready for him.
He stepped outside, holding her securely. Aria buried her face in his chest.
"…Ryan."
"I'm here."
Her voice dropped—small, scared now. "… Don't let anything happen to the baby."
His steps slowed just slightly. His grip on her tightened. "Nothing will happen," he said quietly. A pause. "…Or you."
She looked up at him, noticing the flicker of vulnerability behind his calm facade, revealing her fiancé's quiet fear and resolve to protect her.
The car stopped in front of them. The door opened. Ryan didn't hesitate.
"Stay with me," he murmured as he got in with her.
Aria grabbed his hand again, breathing unevenly. "I swear if this baby takes too long, I'm naming it after the pain."
Ryan glanced at her. "… We'll discuss names later."
She glared weakly. "… You're still too calm."
He brought her hand to his lips briefly. "Only for you."
At the hospital, the doors burst open. "Make way!"
A nurse rushed forward the second she saw Aria, already gripping Ryan's arm, her face pale and drenched in sweat.
"She's fully dilated," the nurse said quickly after a brief check. "The baby is almost here—we need to move now."
Aria's eyes widened. "WHAT?!" she cried, clutching Ryan tighter. "No—no, I'm not ready—Ryan, I'm not ready—!"
"You are," he said firmly, already walking beside the moving bed as they rushed her down the corridor. His hand never left hers. "I'm right here."
"Don't leave me!" she panicked.
"I'm not going anywhere." And he meant it. No one even tried to stop him as they pushed into the labour ward.
Everything moved fast. Too fast. Lights. Voices. Equipment. Hands everywhere.
"Alright, Aria, listen to me," a doctor said, positioning quickly. "When I tell you to push, you push, okay?"
Aria shook her head weakly, tears already falling. "It hurts—" her voice broke. "Ryan, it hurts so much—"
Ryan was at her side instantly, gripping her hand, his other hand brushing her damp hair away from her face. "I know," he said softly, his voice low and steady despite the storm in his chest. "I know, baby. You're doing so well."
She cried out as another contraction hit, her whole body tensing. "I can't—! I can't do this—!"
"Yes, you can." His grip tightened. "You're stronger than this."
But inside, he was breaking. Every time she cried, something inside him tore apart. Every time she winced, his chest felt like it was being crushed. He had never felt this helpless. Never.
"Push!" the doctor instructed.
Aria screamed, squeezing Ryan's hand so hard it almost went numb. "THAT HURTS—!"
"I know," he whispered, pressing his forehead briefly against her hand. "Just a little more… I'm right here."
Another push. Another cry. Her body trembled, exhaustion taking over.
"I feel like I'm dying…" she whispered weakly, her head falling back slightly.
Ryan's expression shattered for a second. "Don't say that," he said quickly, his voice rougher now. "Don't ever say that."
Her grip on his hand loosened slightly. "I'm tired…"
His heart dropped. "No." He leaned closer, his voice urgent now. "Aria, look at me."
Her eyes fluttered.
"Stay with me."
Another contraction hit—and she cried out again, barely conscious now.
"Push!" the doctor urged.
Ryan swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. "Come on," he whispered, almost pleading now. "Just one more… for me."
For him. For their baby.
Aria gathered the last bit of strength she had left and pushed—
A sharp cry filled the room. A baby's cry. Small. Fragile. Alive.
Silence—then relief.
"It's a girl," the nurse said quickly, lifting the baby.
Ryan exhaled for the first time in what felt like hours, his forehead dropping slightly.
But then, the doctor's expression changed. "Wait—"
Aria barely registered anything, her eyes half-closed.
Ryan looked up instantly. "What?"
The nurse froze for a second, staring. Then she looked at Ryan, shock written all over her face. "…Sir—"
Another cry. But this one—it wasn't the same.
The doctor moved quickly again. "There's another baby!"
Ryan's eyes widened. "…What?"
Everything started moving again—fast, urgent.
Aria weakly turned her head. "What…?"
"You're not done," the doctor said firmly. "There's another one—Aria, you need to push again!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "ANOTHER ONE?!" she cried weakly. "NO—NO ONE TOLD ME THAT—!"
Ryan was frozen for half a second. Another baby? That wasn't possible. The ultrasound—but there was no time to think.
He grabbed her hand again. "Aria—listen to me," his voice dropped, intense, grounding. "One more. Just one more."
She looked like she might pass out. "I can't—"
"You can."
"I'm going to kill you after this—"
"Deal."
That almost made her breathe out a broken laugh.
Another contraction hit. "Push!" the doctor commanded.
Aria screamed again, summoning everything she had left. Ryan's grip tightened, his heart pounding violently. “Come on… come on…”
And then, another cry filled the room—louder, stronger.
The room went still for a second.
"… It's a boy," the nurse said, stunned.
Silence. Ryan just stood there. A girl. And a boy.
His eyes slowly moved between the two tiny crying babies. Twins.
Aria collapsed back against the bed, completely exhausted, barely conscious. "…Ryan…" she whispered weakly.
He snapped out of it instantly, turning to her, his hand cupping her face. "I'm here."
Her lips moved faintly. “…I did good… right?”
His throat tightened. For the first time, his composure cracked. "You did perfect," he said quietly, his voice thick. "More than perfect."
A tear slipped down before he could stop it. He leaned down, pressing his forehead gently against hers. "Thank you."
For them. For everything.
In the background, two tiny cries filled the room: a girl and a boy. And just like that, their world changed forever.
Hours later, the hospital room was no longer quiet. It was full of voices, soft cries, whispers, and disbelief.
Aria lay against the pillows, completely exhausted but awake now, her hair slightly messy, her face still pale—but glowing in a way that hadn't been there before.
Beside her were two tiny bundles: one wrapped in soft pink, the other in light blue. Twins. Even now… it didn't feel real.
"I'm still not over it," Katy said for the fifth time, pacing at the foot of the bed. "Like—what do you mean ONE baby turned into TWO babies?! That's not how math works!"
Aria let out a weak laugh. "I thought I was dying, Katy…"
"You were screaming like you were summoning ancestors," Katy shot back dramatically. "I almost fainted—and I wasn't even the one giving birth!"
"Can you lower your voice?" Ryan said calmly from beside the bed. But his tone? Cold. Sharp. Very different from how he spoke to Aria.
Katy froze mid-step, blinking. "…Right. Scary fiancé. Got it."
Aria smiled faintly.
Ryan didn't even look at Katy again; his attention was completely on the babies.
Mr and Mrs Carter stood nearby, still trying to process everything.
"Twins…" Mrs Carter whispered, her hand over her chest. "A girl and a boy…"
Mr Carter shook his head slightly, stunned—but smiling. "In one night… our family just doubled."
Aria's aunt was even worse. She stood near the bed holding a tissue, crying non-stop. "My baby had babies…" she sobbed. "Oh my God—look at them—they're so small—Aria, you did so well—"
"Auntie…" Aria said softly, trying not to laugh. "You're going to scare them."
"I can't help it!" she cried, dabbing her eyes. "They're perfect!"
Katy leaned closer to peek at the babies again. "Okay, but seriously…" she whispered, eyes wide. "Why are they actually so cute? Like—this is unfair. Newborns are supposed to look weird."
Aria chuckled softly. "They're mine," she said weakly.
Katy pointed dramatically. "Confidence! I love that!"
Ryan finally spoke again—but this time, softer. "They look like you."
Everyone went quiet for a second. Aria turned her head slightly, looking at him. "…Both of them?"
He nodded once. "Especially her," he added, glancing at the baby girl.
Aria's expression softened instantly.
Ryan carefully reached down, adjusting the tiny blanket around the baby boy with surprising gentleness. No hesitation. No awkwardness. Just… instinct.
Katy noticed it immediately. "…Wait," she whispered to Aria, leaning closer. "Since when is he like this?"
Aria smiled faintly, watching him. "Only with us."
Ryan heard that. He didn't deny it.
Mrs Carter stepped closer, her eyes soft. "Can I…?"
Ryan looked up. For a second, that cold, unreadable look returned: protective, guarded. The room held its breath.
Then he nodded once. "Carefully."
Katy blinked. "…Did he just allow that like a bodyguard?"
Aria laughed quietly.
Mrs Carter gently picked up the baby girl, her hands trembling slightly. "Oh… she's so light…" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "My granddaughter…"
Mr Carter moved closer, looking down at the baby boy still beside Aria. "And this little one…" he said softly, "already looks stubborn."
Ryan glanced at him. "… He'll be fine."
Aria looked between them, her heart full in a way she couldn't even explain.
Her aunt sniffled again loudly. "I can't believe this… two babies… Aria, you're not leaving my sight for months!"
Katy gasped dramatically. "Wait—does this mean double birthdays? Double shopping? DOUBLE DRAMA?!"
Ryan looked at her. "…Lower your expectations."
Katy blinked. "…I don't like how calm he is."
Aria reached for Ryan's hand weakly. He immediately took it without hesitation.
She looked up at him, her voice softer now. "…We have two babies."
Ryan looked at her, then at them, then back at her. His expression didn't change much—but his thumb gently brushed over her hand. "I know." A pause. And then, quietly—"…You did well."
Simple words. But coming from him—they meant everything.
Aria smiled, her eyes slowly closing as exhaustion finally started pulling her under again. The room was still full of voices, still full of emotion.