(Euryale's POV)
Everyone says I'm the prettiest boy in the village.
Ma always smiles when people say that, brushing back my hair and saying, "He's more than pretty—he's kind." But I think she likes hearing it. I don't really know what makes someone pretty, but if it means Ma laughs more when I'm around, then I don't mind.
Silas, on the other hand, is not very quiet about things. He runs through the house with jam on his face and tangled curls in his eyes, shouting, "Look! I'm a dragon!" while dragging one of Ma's scarves behind him like a tail.
He's a funny kid.
A messy, loud, adorable kind of funny.
I used to wonder what it meant to have a sibling. But now I think it's like... having a little star that never leaves your sky. Even when he bites me or pulls my hair, I still love him. Even when he gets me in trouble, I still want to protect him.
Ma's belly is round like the moon now.
Every time the baby kicks, Silas giggles and hides behind me.
"Euryale, the baby kicked my ear!"
"That's because your ear was in the way."
"Maybe it wants to fight me."
"No baby wants to fight you, Silas."
"But what if it does?"
"Then I'll protect you. I'm the big brother, remember?"
He beams when I say that.
We spend a lot of days inside now. Ma gets tired more quickly, and Pa doesn't want her walking too far.
I help with the chores without being told. I've gotten good at folding laundry and carrying water without spilling it. Silas usually follows me around like a duckling, singing made-up songs that barely rhyme. Sometimes I write them down in my notebook just to remember how silly they are.
We've made a nest of blankets and pillows near Ma's chair where she reads to us while rubbing her stomach.
Sometimes, I lie beside her and listen to the baby's heartbeat.
It's soft, like rain far away.
"Do you think the baby will like frogs?" Silas asks one night.
"Everyone likes frogs," I answer.
"What if it cries all the time?"
"Then we'll take turns holding it."
"What if it's a monster?"
"Then it'll be our monster."
He's quiet for a second, then nods like that makes perfect sense.
I've been growing too.
I can help Pa carry baskets. I can climb trees and run without falling. My voice is a little stronger now, my legs longer, and when I smile, Ma touches my cheek and says, "You look older today."
Sometimes I catch glimpses of myself in the mirror and think I almost look like someone else. But I don't know who.
Still, I'm me. Euryale. Ma and Pa's son. Silas's big brother.
I don't need to be anything more.
One morning, Ma says, "It's almost time."
I blink. "For what?"
"The baby."
I look at her carefully. "Now?"
"Soon," she says, smiling gently. "Maybe tonight."
The house suddenly feels smaller, like it's holding its breath. Pa takes out the clean cloths. I help sweep the floors. Silas draws a big heart on the wall and writes, "WELCOME BABY" in shaky letters underneath it.
That night, Ma starts breathing heavy, her hands clutching Pa's sleeve. He's calm, strong, focused. I take Silas to our room and tell him everything will be okay.
"But what if it's not?"
"It will be," I say firmly. "Pa's there. I'm here. We're together."
He snuggles against me, smaller than ever.
I lie awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
I wonder if the baby will look like Silas or Ma or Pa. I wonder what name they'll choose. I wonder what it'll feel like to have someone smaller than Silas in the house.
But mostly, I feel something soft and bright blooming in my chest—like waiting for the first snow, or seeing stars for the first time.
Our family is about to grow.