Sweeney had been ready to offer soothing assurance that he is here now, safe if somewhat worse for wear, but the way she moves his hand causes the words to die before they fully take shape. His focus follows it down, and a small crinkle cuts into his brow as he tries to understand.
Then he feels it.
His eyes flicker wide, bouncing from her belly to her face and back a few times. Looking for some other sign, now that he has the context, the next kick is far more noticeable, even as small as it is. Sweeney's smile blossoms, riding on a soft sound, like a laugh that surprised itself quiet before it gets rolling.
A second later, he drops to his knee, the pain in his side only pinching for a moment. Sweeney barely notices the weight of all his layers; the whole of the world is her and her belly and the treasure inside. His other hand moves to cradle it.
"Hello, little one," he murmurs with affection. Sweeney kisses the swell delicately, though it's out of reverence and not concern. This is his. Theirs. How could a man not be struck dumb in that realization?
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Then he feels it.
His eyes flicker wide, bouncing from her belly to her face and back a few times. Looking for some other sign, now that he has the context, the next kick is far more noticeable, even as small as it is. Sweeney's smile blossoms, riding on a soft sound, like a laugh that surprised itself quiet before it gets rolling.
A second later, he drops to his knee, the pain in his side only pinching for a moment. Sweeney barely notices the weight of all his layers; the whole of the world is her and her belly and the treasure inside. His other hand moves to cradle it.
"Hello, little one," he murmurs with affection. Sweeney kisses the swell delicately, though it's out of reverence and not concern. This is his. Theirs. How could a man not be struck dumb in that realization?