Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 91 - 86 – “Nest of Light”

Chapter 91: Chapter 86 – “Nest of Light”

Rain shimmered on the countryside grass as morning light poured through the glass-paneled windows of their modern hilltop home. The silence inside was peaceful—but not idle.

Ren stood in the middle of the living room, a digital blueprint floating in front of him, projected by Lucia. His hoodie sleeves were rolled up, his hands slightly smeared with oil and dust. Despite his fame in the tech world now, he had returned to being just... Ren. The man who wanted a quiet life.

"I’ve finalized the new plans," Lucia announced calmly. "Safer flooring, upgraded filtration system, temperature stability, noise reduction, and every room is now equipped with biometric locking synced to your vitals."

Ren nodded. "Good. Convert the garage into an emergency medical pod too. Just in case."

"Affirmative."

The AI whirred away, organizing hundreds of changes across the property. But this was more than protection—it was a nest. A place where Aoi could heal, and their baby could arrive in peace.

Ren turned his attention to the garden now being transformed into a quiet zen patio, with soft stone paths and benches surrounded by white hydrangeas—Aoi’s favorite. The steps were lowered, railings added, and everything was made soft, wide, and easy to navigate. In the bedroom, the bed was lowered with adjustable comfort settings, Lucia adding voice controls so Aoi wouldn’t need to move unless she wanted to.

Every corner of the house now whispered safety, warmth, and love.

Later That Evening

Aoi sat on the couch wrapped in a pale blanket, legs curled under her, eyes following Ren as he paced with a small brown envelope in his hand.

She raised an eyebrow. "What’s that?"

"My resignation letter."

"What?!"

He knelt in front of her. "I’ve thought about it for a long time. I built everything—my company, the AI, the tech—to give us freedom. Now I want to use that freedom."

She blinked. "But Ren... your work..."

"I’m not abandoning it," he smiled gently. "Lucia and the team will continue. But me? I want to watch our child grow from the first day. I want to be here. With you. Always."

Her eyes welled up, lips trembling as she reached out to pull him into a hug.

"You idiot," she whispered. "You make me fall for you every damn day."

Nightfall

Lucia dimmed the lights automatically as the two of them lay together in bed. Aoi’s head rested on Ren’s chest, her fingers slowly tracing the center of his shirt—right above where the AI core of the Mark LXXXV suit once powered up.

"It’s quiet now," she said sleepily. "No stress... no noise."

"Exactly the way it should be," Ren replied.

He kissed her forehead, and the two fell into a soft, quiet slumber—knowing their days ahead would only grow warmer, brighter, and more full of life.

Meanwhile...

In a dimly lit apartment, Saki watched from afar. A blurry shot of Aoi’s growing belly appeared on her cracked tablet screen. Her breath hitched.

"You think a baby will keep him?" she muttered.

The screen flickered.

"But I was his first love."