Chapter 118:
Zara sat cross-legged on the floor of their quarters, facing Leo as he balanced on his little feet, babbling excitedly. His curls were a tangled mess from the towel, his cheeks flushed with the enthusiasm only a three-year-old could muster.
The warm light from the overhead lamp cast long shadows, but Zara’s mind was elsewhere, spinning over what Leo had been saying.
"Bigger," he said again, stretching his arms as wide as they could go. "And, and, and—brighter."
Zara nodded. "I know, baby. You told me that before."
Leo frowned, brows scrunching, like he was trying to pull something from the depths of his toddler vocabulary. His tiny hands made erratic gestures, fingers curling and unfurling. "It’s... hum-hummy now."
"Hummy?" Zara echoed, leaning in.
He nodded seriously, his little face earnest. "Like... like when the walls talk."
A cold shiver worked its way up her spine. She fought to keep her expression neutral, but her pulse picked up speed.
"Hummy how, Leo?" she pressed, soft but firm.
He twisted his lips in frustration, clearly struggling to explain. "Like when Daddy’s car sleeps! When it goes mmmm and shakes!"
He shook his little arms for emphasis, his tiny fingers wiggling like they could mimic the vibrations. "Not scary! Just... wake-wake."