Light of Heart (LGBT+) ✔

Growing space

"Come on, sweetie. Let's get you all buckled up already." Noah lifts Lilah up and puts her in her car seat.

She looks up at him, showing off her small teeth. "Where is mummy?"

"She's still getting Esther ready, but she'll be here soon and then you and Esther can go to babu and bibi, yeah?"

"Can we go to the playground?"

"You'll have to ask that again to babu and bibi, but if you ask nicely, I'm sure they'll say yes."

"Okay!" Noah kisses her forehead and brushes some of Lilah's auburn hair to the side. He hears the front door opening and turns.

"Can you put Esther in her seat as well?" Leila asks. "I need to go to the toilet before we leave."

"Alright." Leila hands over their one-year-old and as always, she drowns in Noah's arms. It was the same with Lilah; he always felt as if she was going to fall right through his arms, especially in the beginning. At least now he has gained some confidence in his 'paternal skills'.

Esther is babbling nonsense that vaguely resembles words and she grabs his ear while he is bent over her to fasten the seat belt.

He catches her hand in between both of his. "No, no, little miss. You don't get to do that. That's my ear. Now I'll have to punish your bad little hand. What should I do? Shall I keep it? Shall I bite off all your little fingers?" He motions as if he's biting down. Esther screams happily and pulls back her hand. Noah laughs and ruffles her hair.

Leila rushes out of the house. "I'm ready. Do we have everything? Is the buggy in the trunk? And the diapers?"

"Yes. It's just for a day and my parents can buy diapers if we don't bring enough."

"Okay." Leila exhales and relaxes. "It's just ... You know ..."

"I know." Noah smiles at her over the car before opening the passenger door.

***

They drop Lilah and Esther off at his parents'. Leila fusses again and Noah watches slightly amused and slightly annoyed. He'd prefer to still find a parking spot; it's the end of November, so they won't be the only ones shopping today, even if it's a Friday.

Baba is holding Esther, who is wriggling around in his arms and Lilah is running around the yard, getting dirt and grass on her leggings already, while mama and Leila are talking. Eventually, Lilah tugs on mama's loose pants and her conversation with Leila dies out. They say goodbye and Noah's parents and daughters wave at them, before mama ushers everyone inside.

Leila starts the engine. "What are we doing first? Clothes or toys?"

Noah glances at her. "Clothes." His smirk seeps into his tone. "You are harder to please than them."

Leila scoffs indignantly. "I hope you aren't going to complain all day. You were the one to suggest we also buy some things for me today. I can always go another time with Fatima."

"I know, babe. It was just a joke. You deserve some spoiling."

They stop at the red lights and Leila asks: "Is this your secret present for our fifth wedding anniversary?"

Noah shrugs and grumbles: "Kinda."

The cars before them start driving again. Leila waits to reply until they've turned right: "Thank you." Noah hums in acknowledgement. He prefers to keep his presents subtle and not to be put on the spot for them, but after ten years together, Leila knows him too well to be fooled by the seeming casualness of them and growing up in a poor, emotionally distant immigrant family, she has always been one to appreciate the little things and small acts of love. It's one of the things he loves most about her.