The letter

Calling her might put her on the spot, especially since she just found out about the pregnancy barely 24 hours ago," he suggested. "But wait, do you have her contact information?"

Mateo nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "Yes, I received her contact information and her address from Doctor Hannah yesterday," he confirmed. "How about I send her something to her address as a start? Maybe a small gift or a thoughtful gesture. It might make her happy or at least help her feel a sense of calm."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow, considering Mateo's idea. "Hmm, I'm not a woman, so I can't say for sure, but it's worth a try," he replied. "Since your heart approves of it, go ahead and give it a shot. Show her that you care and are there for her."

*****

Ariana's shoulders slumped as she lowered her head, her hands resting on the couch. "I don't think it's something incredible, Julia," she murmured, her voice clouded with sadness. "I never wished for something like this to happen. Accepting the baby is not the issue, but the thought of him wanting to be involved in our child's life... It's something else entirely."

Julia listened attentively, her face expressing empathy and understanding. "That should be the beauty of it all, Ariana," she gently replied. "It's like having a complete family, with both parents sharing the responsibility and joy of raising a child. But I can't tell you what to do or what choice to make. Ultimately, it's solely up to you. What I do know is that you need to make the right choice for yourself and the baby."

Ariana sighed, her mind filled with conflicting emotions.

Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting Ariana and Julia's conversation. They exchanged a quick glance, curiosity sparking in their eyes. "I'll go get the door," Julia offered, rising from the couch and making her way toward the entrance, leaving Ariana seated.

Julia swung open the door, revealing a delivery guy standing on the other side. He held a vibrant bouquet of flowers and a bountiful basket of fruits. "Are you Miss Ariana Wyatt?" the delivery guy inquired, his voice polite and professional.

"No, I'm not. I'm her friend. I can take it to her," Julia replied, reaching out to accept the delivery on Ariana's behalf.

The delivery guy quickly moved back hesitating, a sense of responsibility written on his face. "I'm sorry, but I was specifically instructed to ensure that I give it to Mrs. Ariana Wyatt and have her sign for it," he explained, his tone apologetic.

Julia considered the situation for a moment, then called out towards the living room. "Ariana, there's something for you!" she called, her voice carrying a sense of intrigue and excitement.

Ariana, now standing, made her way towards the door, her curiosity piqued. "Something for me?" she asked herself softly, her heart fluttering. As she reached the entrance, her eyes fell upon the delivery guy standing before her.

"Are you Ariana Wyatt?" the delivery guy asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, that's me," Ariana replied with a warm smile.

The delivery guy handed Ariana a single piece of paper. "I need your signature, please," he requested, presenting her with a pen.

Ariana took the pen and carefully signed the paper, her mind buzzing with curiosity about the unexpected delivery. As she handed the paper back to the delivery guy he nodded respectfully, and handed her the flower and fruit. and then bid her a good day before retreating down the hallway.

Once the delivery guy left, Ariana and Julia closed the door behind them. "Who sent these?" Julia inquired, to which Ariana replied, "I don't know."

Julia noticed a letter attached to the arrangement. "Oh, there's a letter," she exclaimed. Ariana made herself comfortable on the couch, placing the fruits on the table, while Julia leaned in closer to read the letter alongside her. Gently Ariana carefully opened the envelope, revealing its contents. As she began to read it aloud, Julia listened intently.

"Good day, Ariana. I hope you are fine," the letter began. "I'm sending this letter not to make you feel pressured or put you in a tight spot. I just want you to feel at ease, knowing that I am here for you and our baby. I understand that you haven't met me before, and it may seem like a stranger is sending you this, but please don't think of it that way. I don't want you to feel pressured. I'll always be here for you and our baby. Please enjoy the fruits, my regards to you and our baby."

"Wow, Ariana, your baby daddy is so damn serious about you," Julia exclaimed, breaking the silence.

Ariana shook her head gently, a hint of sadness in her voice. "He's serious about his child, not me, Julia. There's a difference," she clarified.

"But the baby is inside of you!" Julia exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and concern. As Ariana processed the weight of those words, a notification sound chimed on her phone, drawing her attention away from the conversation. She quickly picked it up and glanced at the screen. "Hi, it's me, Mateo," the message read.

Excitedly, Ariana raised her phone to show Julia. "He just sent me a message," Ariana said, getting nervous. Julia, eager to see what Mateo had to say, encouraged Ariana to reply. "Reply now," she advised.

Nodding in agreement, Ariana began typing her response. "Good day, Mateo," she wrote, trying to strike a balance between friendliness and caution. Almost instantly, a new message appeared on the screen, indicating Mateo's swift reply. Ariana's eyes scanned the words as she absorbed their content.

"I hope you don't feel pressured by my gifts and the texts," Mateo asked.

Ariana shook her head and typed her response, assuring him, "Not at all."

The conversation continued as Mateo posed another question, his desire to meet face-to-face. Ariana paused for a moment, considering her availability. "I don't know yet, but I think maybe tomorrow," she replied, still uncertain. Mateo, eager to make arrangements, inquired about the location. "Where would you like us to meet?" he asked.

Ariana pondered for a moment before replying, "At the New Zeal Restaurant." Mateo wasted no time and swiftly asked about the meeting time. "At 10 a.m.," Ariana confirmed.