CHAPTER 116: A LULLABY FOR YOU

Zeke gently strokes Claire’s hair, his voice soft. "Maybe someday, Princess. When you’re a little older... then you can have a baby brother or sister."

Claire’s smile fades a little. "Okay," she says quietly, nodding as if she understands.

Cassidy takes her tiny hands, her voice gentle.

"How about Mommy sings you a lullaby instead? It might help you fall asleep faster."

Claire glances at her, then at Zeke, before pulling the blanket up to her chest. "Okay," she whispers.

Cassidy takes a breath and begins to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Zeke never knew Cassidy could sing like that. He finds himself staring, captivated. Her voice is soft, soothing, almost dreamlike.

He usually lies awake for hours. But with her voice filling the room, the tension in his body begins to melt. His body relaxes. It feels like she’s singing to both of them.

He blinks, trying to stay awake. But when he looks at Claire, she’s already fast asleep, quiet and peaceful, like a little angel.

Cassidy finishes the lullaby with a tender kiss to Claire’s forehead. "Goodnight, sweetheart," she whispers.

Zeke’s voice comes from the other side of the bed, low, rough from sleep. "Your voice is beautiful... Like a real singer. I never knew you could sing like that."

Cassidy chuckles softly. "I’m not a performer. I just sing in the shower when no one’s around."

"Then I guess I’m lucky," Zeke murmurs. "I got to hear something special."

With a knowing look, Cassidy says, "Go to sleep, Zeke. I saw your eyes drifting just now."

Zeke exhales. "Truth is, I’ve had terrible insomnia for years. I usually need sleeping pills or I push myself until I’m too exhausted to stay awake. But tonight... hearing you sing, it calmed me. I feel sleepy for once."

Cassidy turns to look at him, surprised.

Back when they were married, Zeke always seemed like he had everything under control. Maybe he stayed up late sometimes, but this? Needing pills to sleep? She never knew.

What changed? she wonders.

Then he speaks again. "Can I ask for a little favor?"

She nods. "What is it? If I can help, I will."

Zeke looks at her, serious now. "It’s about my insomnia. Since your voice somehow helps me... would you mind singing for me?"

Cassidy blinks. "You... want me to sing for you? Right now?"

Zeke quickly shakes his head. "No, no. Not right now. Unless you want to, of course. But that’s not what I meant."

Cassidy narrows her eyes, still flustered. "Then... what exactly do you mean by that?"

Zeke rubs the back of his neck, suddenly looking a little shy himself. "I was thinking... maybe I could record your singing. So when I can’t sleep, I can play it."

Cassidy pauses. "Wait, you mean you want to listen to my voice when you can’t sleep?"

He nods. "Yes. If you don’t mind."

She doesn’t answer right away.

She did say she’d help if she could and technically, it’s not a hard request. Just a song. Just her voice.

But still... she isn’t sure how to feel about her ex-husband falling asleep to her voice every night.

Zeke must sense her hesitation because he adds softly, "But if you’re not comfortable, it’s okay. Really."

That makes her feel a little guilty. She exhales. "No, it’s fine. I can do it."

A quiet smile tugs at his lips—relieved and almost boyish. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. I told you earlier, if I can do it, I will."

"Thank you," he says, sincere.

Cassidy softens. "So how should I record it? Do I just sing into my phone or something?"

"Yeah," Zeke nods. "Something like that."

She tilts her head, thinking. "Okay. So... is it alright if I just record it now?"

Zeke blinks, startled by her readiness. "You want to do it now? Here?"

"Yeah. Right now, right here. No need to drag it out. It’s just me singing, not that hard."

He laughs under his breath, still surprised. "You’re... right."

She holds out her hand. "Where’s your phone?"

"Huh?"

"I’ll use your phone to record. Since you’re here anyway."

"Oh, right." He turns and grabs his phone from the nightstand. He’d turned it off earlier just in case someone tried calling. For once, he didn’t want interruptions.

He hands it to her, and their fingers brush for a second.

Cassidy clears her throat and glances away. "What song do you want me to sing?"

Zeke doesn’t answer right away. He’s watching her with a soft, unreadable expression—something quiet, something only he fully understands.

Then, with a faint smile, he says, "The one you always sing in the shower?"

Cassidy lets out a light laugh. "You actually want to hear that?"

"I want to hear your favorite shower song."

She smiles, amused. "Alright. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But before I start... can you turn off the light?"

"Sure." Zeke stands and walks over to the door, flipping the switch.

The room dims, now lit only by the soft glow of the nightstand lamp. It makes everything feel calmer, more intimate.

He returns to the bed, his steps slower this time, eyes still on her.

"Okay, I’ll start," Cassidy says, then pauses. "But... can you not look at me? I get shy when someone’s watching me sing."

Zeke chuckles. "Alright. I won’t look. I’ll just admire the ceiling instead."

Cassidy taps the record button on Zeke’s phone. She takes a slow breath, then starts singing When We Were Young by Adele.

Zeke lies back, eyes on the ceiling. But as her voice fills the room, gentle, calming, familiar, his eyes begin to close. Her voice feels like a warm breeze, wrapping around him. Slowly, his breathing becomes steady, and before long, he falls asleep.

When Cassidy finishes the song, she turns her head to look at him. Zeke is sound asleep now, just like Claire. The two of them lying quietly side by side.

A faint smile touches her lips. Her gaze softens.

"Good night, Zeke," she whispers, then pulls the blanket up over her chest and closes her eyes, hoping sleep will come to her too.

***