Nimbus Does Something New

At exactly 2:13 a.m., the monitor blinked, right on schedule. The feed returned, and Nimbus was in the crib. But this time, he wasn’t settling into his usual place near Ava’s body. He was moving, slowly, as if deliberately, toward the top of the crib.

He stretched along the rail, head raised, tongue flicking toward the baby monitor itself, like he sensed something beyond the room. Then, Nimbus did something he had never done. He coiled protectively around the top rail and froze, facing the door. Jake noticed it first. “Why’s he guarding the crib?” he asked. Mia didn’t answer, but she was already standing.