𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 || Luke Crane ||
A/n: I'm obsessed with Luke again, and babies 🤭
The nursery was bathed in the soft glow of the nightlight, its warm glow casting a golden hue over the room. Tiny stars danced across the ceiling, part of the projector Luke had installed just days before the baby arrived. In the crib, baby Nell lay on her back, her small hands reaching toward the air, her tiny lips forming soft coos and giggles.
In the corner of the room, unseen but ever-present, stood Nell Crain’s ghost. She smiled softly, her translucent form shimmering faintly in the dim light. Her expression was a mix of joy and bittersweet longing as she gazed at the child named in her honor.
“You’re so loved, little one,” Nell whispered, her voice soft and full of warmth. “Your mom and dad are going to give you everything I wished for—everything we didn’t get to have.” Her gaze softened as she took a step towards the infant.
Baby Nell cooed again, her bright eyes seeming to follow something unseen. She giggled, her tiny fingers stretching toward the ceiling as though she were reaching for Nell herself.
The sound of the nursery door creaking open broke the quiet of the room. Luke stepped inside, a soft smile spreading across his face as he saw his daughter’s tiny hands waving in the air. He leaned against the doorway for a moment, watching her with quiet awe before stepping closer.
“What’s all this, huh?” Luke asked, his voice low and playful. “What are you cooing about, little Nell? Are you telling secrets already?” Making his way towards the crib.
He reached down, gently scooping her into his arms. The baby nestled against his chest, her soft coos continuing as if in response to his question. Luke chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“You’ve got a lot to say, don’t you?” he murmured, swaying gently as he held her. “Just like your mom. Always keeping me on my toes.”
As Luke rocked his daughter, Nell’s ghost lingered nearby, her expression filled with pride and tenderness. She stepped closer, standing just behind Luke, her gaze fixed on the baby.
“She’s perfect, Luke,” Nell whispered, though she knew he couldn’t hear her. “And so are you. You’ve come so far, and I’m so proud of you.”
Baby Nell giggled again, her tiny hand reaching up toward Luke’s face, her gaze fixated on the woman who would have been her aunt. Luke smiled down at her, his heart swelling with love not realizing his sister was the cause of it.
“What’s so funny, huh?” he asked softly. “You got a joke I don’t know about?”
For a moment, Luke felt a faint warmth behind him, as though someone had brushed a hand across his shoulder. He glanced back, but the room was empty, save for the soft light of the stars dancing across the walls.
Eyes glancing around the room, his daughter coo's pulled him back as he then returned his attention back to her a smile forming on his lips as he looked down at his daughter, his voice growing quieter. “You’ve got a big name to live up to, little one. But I know you’ll do it. You’ve already got her kindness, her light. And we’re gonna make sure you know her, okay? Who she was. How much she meant to all of us.”
Baby Nell cooed again, her bright eyes locking onto his. Luke smiled, his heart full. His eyes growing misty with tears.
“And I’ll protect you, always,” he promised, his voice thick with emotion. “No matter what.”
Behind him, Nell’s ghost nodded silently, her smile widening. “She’s in good hands,” she said softly before fading into the golden glow of the nightlight, leaving Luke and baby Nell together in the warmth of their love.
