The first morning in North Bridge was colder than Oliver expected. Not bitter, just crisp—the kind of cold that made your breath visible in bursts and encouraged layers. He stood on the small balcony of his new apartment, one hand resting on the railing, the other gently rubbing his belly. The twins were quiet this morning. Still. Settled.

A low sun hung just above the rooftops across the street, casting the whole block in pale gold. He watched as the bakery on the corner opened up, the smell of yeast and sugar drifting all the way up to the second floor. A young man in a red hoodie walked by with a husky, both of them yawning in sync.

This wasn’t home yet—but it could be.

The apartment itself was small, but not cramped. Clean lines. Big windows. A little worn around the edges in a way that felt comforting, lived-in. The walls were off-white, the kind that warmed up under natural light, and the wooden floor creaked faintly when he walked barefoot to the kitchen.

The first box he unpacked had been the one labeled “baby stuff.” Not because it was practical, but because he needed to see it. He’d lined up the tiny socks and bodysuits on the changing table, smoothed out the soft blue blanket he’d picked out at a thrift shop two towns over. He liked the way it looked here—like it belonged.

The moving company had been efficient. Two polite guys and a woman with sharp eyes and fast hands, all three working like they’d done this a hundred times. He’d tipped them generously. Now everything he owned was finally under one roof. A clean slate.

That first day passed in quiet productivity. He made himself tea. Found the closest grocery store. Answered client emails. Rearranged the furniture three times before settling on the original layout.

By nightfall, he was too tired to think much, which was maybe a blessing. He fell asleep with one hand over his belly and the other resting near the edge of the mattress, like he was waiting for something. 

Until the next morning,

Oliver woke up, used the bathroom, and just when he went to the kitchen. *bang* Oliver jumped, he looked everywhere quickly. *clank* Panicked, Oliver went to the balcony. There he looked everywhere until he saw a man standing a few feet away from the building.

"HEY!!!" *clank* "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" *BANG* Oliver screamed to get his attention, but the man couldn't hear over the loud noise. Is he a construction worker? Building a fence this damn early!

Seriously. What is up with this guy? The guy in question looked tall maybe 6 ft tall, fair skin, lean muscles. His dark hair look wet, maybe from the sweat. Wearing a dark green tank top with khaki pants and combat boots. But could he be the neighbor or a worker? Thought Oliver as he looked the man from behind. 

It seems like he was working on my neighbor's lawn. I wonder why the neighbor is getting a fence done at this time of the day. Oliver checked the clock near the balcony door inside, it read 5:35 am. 

Why am I wake at this time?! I need my beauty sleep before the babies are born! I just know I will barely have any! 

"Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!" Oliver screamed like he was about to be murdered. Panicked, the man dropped the nail gun and hammer to look around quickly trying to find out what happened.

Once he looked across the sidewalk at Oliver, he froze for a minute. "Was it you who screamed?!"

"Yes, to get your attention. You didn't hear me, so I screamed."

"Next time, maybe just wave or walk over."

*Inhale* ooo *Exhale* Oliver repeated his breathing exercise, before speaking to the man. 

"It's 5 in the morning, who would go in their pajamas when its chilly cold over there?! And pregnant too?!" The man just looked at Oliver with a tight, fake smile and narrowed eyes. 

"Then wave, or better yet, don't talk to me." Oliver looked at the man annoyed before narrowing his eyes.

"..." Oliver stared at the man and the man stared back. "..." Both stare intensely before the man sighed and broke the silence. 

"Who are you? And what do you want from me?" Oliver leaned his hands on the balcony railing before replying.

"My name's Oliver and I moved next door. The noise bothered me this early, can you keep the noise down?" The man crossed his arms over his chest, took a deep breath, *sigh* before focusing his attention on Oliver.

"I'm fixing this fence early in the morning because I am booked this week at work, which is why I'm doing it now. I'll try to keep it down, okay Oliver."

"Thank you ...uh... what's your name?"

" My name is John And I'm your neighbor. Please try to be polite, that way we can get along instead of being enemies."

"Sorry, john. I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just I'm pregnant and sometimes my hormones can make me feel easily annoyed by anything."

"Oh, In that case congratulations. And don't worry I understand." Oliver looked at john with a relieved expression, thinking 'I have a hot neighbor.'

John looked visibly calmer then before, he uncrossed his arms before waving at Oliver. "Go eat or sleep, whatever it is you do in the morning."

"Okay,thank you for being understanding. See you later." Oliver smiled genuinely, before turning and heading inside.

John smiled once he saw Oliver turn.