The early morning sun spilled over the water, casting golden light across the waves, as Dom stared out from the deck of their beach house. The whole place smelled like salt and sea air, and even with the sand constantly dusting their floors and their son's toys scattered everywhere, it felt like paradise.
Brian stepped out to join him, carrying two mugs of coffee. He pressed one into Dom's hand, chuckling as Dom rubbed his swollen belly with the other. Dom looked at him, a playful glare in his eye.
"You try carrying this kid around all day, and we'll see how calm you are," he muttered, taking a sip of coffee.
Brian laughed, wrapping an arm around Dom's shoulders. "Soon enough, big guy. Then we're going to have double the mess on the floor, and you'll be begging me to go back to the 'easy days.'"
Dom rolled his eyes, but a soft smile crept over his face. This life—quiet mornings, sunny days, raising their family in peace—was everything they'd fought for. No more high-speed chases, no more looking over their shoulders. Just them, the beach, and their two-year-old son, David.
But the calm of their morning wouldn't last long.
As the day went on, Dom found himself resting on the couch, his feet up, David nestled against his side, watching cartoons. Brian had just stepped out to check the surfboards they kept outside when Dom felt the first tight, insistent pang in his abdomen. He shifted slightly, brushing it off as a Braxton Hicks contraction—he'd been having plenty of those lately.
But as the minutes ticked by, the pains grew stronger. Dom clenched his jaw, trying to breathe through it, not wanting to worry Brian just yet. However, when a sharper, unmistakable wave hit, his hand shot out, gripping the edge of the couch.
Just then, Brian walked back inside, his gaze instantly locking onto Dom's tense expression.
"Dom?" he asked, his voice steady but alert. He crouched beside him, reaching for his hand. "Is it time?"
Dom let out a shaky breath, meeting Brian's eyes. "Yeah," he muttered, unable to hide the anxiety that slipped into his voice. "This is it."
Brian's eyes softened as he cupped Dom's face, pressing a reassuring kiss to his forehead. "We're going to do this together. Right here, at home."
For a moment, Dom's worry faded. The idea of staying here, in the place that symbolized all their new beginnings, felt right.
Brian moved swiftly, gathering supplies and getting David settled with his toys in the next room. As Dom's contractions became stronger, Brian stayed by his side, helping him through each one, never letting go of his hand.
The sound of the ocean waves mingled with Dom's labored breaths, grounding him, keeping him steady. He leaned on Brian, sweat beading on his forehead, each contraction testing his endurance. But Brian was right there, steady and calm, whispering words of encouragement, rubbing his back, and breathing with him.
"You're doing amazing, Dom," Brian murmured as another wave passed. "Just a little bit longer. We're so close."
Dom closed his eyes, focusing on Brian's voice, his touch, and the love that radiated between them. They'd faced impossible odds together before, but nothing compared to this moment.
When the pressure became almost unbearable, Dom knew it was time. With one final push, he felt the release, heard the newborn's first cry, and let out a shuddering breath, his body finally relaxing.
Brian, eyes filled with awe, held up their son, the tiny baby wailing as if protesting the sudden brightness of the world. Carefully, he placed their son in Dom's arms, and Dom felt an overwhelming surge of love and relief wash over him.
"Hey there, little guy," Dom whispered, gazing down at their son. He reached a trembling finger to the baby's hand, watching in amazement as tiny fingers curled around his. "You're finally here."
Brian wrapped an arm around them both, pressing a kiss to Dom's temple, his voice thick with emotion. "We did it, Dom. He's perfect."
Dom leaned into Brian's embrace, letting himself bask in the quiet, sacred moment. After everything they'd been through, here they were—complete, safe, and together.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the room, their son David wandered over, his eyes wide as he peered at the new addition to the family.
"Is that my brother?" he whispered, a little awe-struck.
Dom chuckled, reaching out to ruffle David's hair. "Yeah, bud. That's your little brother."
David leaned in, gently brushing his tiny fingers against the baby's cheek, a smile breaking across his face.
Brian wrapped his arms around his family, his heart swelling with gratitude. They'd traded the roar of engines and the thrill of danger for moments like this—quiet, filled with love, with the sound of waves outside their window and the warmth of their family close.
And as they sat together, watching the sun sink beneath the horizon, Dom and Brian knew they'd found the life they'd always dreamed of.