Sarah"Gosh, Sarah, your love life is like a rollercoaster ride through a maze!" Natalie exclaims, her straw twirling like a tiny tornado in her drink.I roll my eyes. "You think?" I retort."I mean, in the beginning you told me you hate him, saying he is an absolute villain. And now you're saying you love him? What's with the change of heart?" She asks."Well, you know how it goes, Nat. Love is like a box of chocolates—full of surprises and sometimes a little nutty," I quip, stirring my own drink absentmindedly. "And yeah, maybe he started out as the villain, but then he turned into this... I don't know, charming anti-hero or something. It's complicated."Natalie raises an eyebrow, her straw finally settling into her drink. "Charming anti-hero, huh? Sounds like you've been watching too many superhero movies."I shrug, a sheepish grin spreading across my face. "Maybe. But hey, at least my love life is never boring, right?""Hah, you got that right!" Natalie laughs. She suddenly turns
Vincent"Ugh, I have to go on a shopping spree!" Sarah whines as she rummages through her overstuffed closet.I let out an exasperated sigh. "Why? You have a ton of clothes already," I reply.Sarah gives me a mischievous look. "I start college soon, Vincent. I can't be seen wearing the same outfits from high school."I roll my eyes dramatically. "I told you that when we got married, but no, you insisted on dressing like a goddamn teenager even after Sophia picked out some clothes for you."Sarah's lips curl up in a smile. "That's because I knew it annoyed you when I didn't listen to you."The little brat...She strides toward me and grabs my arm. "Let's go," she says.I narrow my eyes. "Go where?""To the mall, obviously," she says, sounding almost frustrated.Hold on. Does she expect me to go shopping with her? She has got to be kidding me!I shake my head in disbelief as a small smile tug at the corner of Sarah's lips. "No way, Sarah. I'm not going shopping with you," I protest, try
SarahVincent and I are walking inside the clinic. His fingers are gently entwined with mine, and I can't help but feel the warmth radiating from him.He kept his promise to me, and now attending my first doctor's appointment."Can you believe we're going to be parents?" I say, my voice filled with excitement.Vincent doesn't smile. But his hand tightens around mine. "I blame it all on myself. For my lack of using protection during sex."I roll my eyes. Of course, he can't just be appropriately excited. Always have to act all moody."Mr. and Mrs. Sterling?" called the nurse, ushering us into the examination room. As we settle into our seats, the anticipation seems to hum through the air like electricity. The doctor, a kind middle-aged woman with a warm smile, enters the room carrying a clipboard."Hello, Sarah and Vincent," she says warmly. "How are you both feeling today?""Excited!" I exclaim while Vincent nods quietly."Good, good," she replies, her eyes scanning the notes on her c
SarahI stand in front of the full-length mirror, gently lifting my shirt to get a better look at my growing baby bump. It's still very tiny, but it's starting to show. My fingers trace the curve of my belly."Look at you, little one," I whisper, smiling at my reflection. "Growing so fast already.""Checking yourself out again?" Vincent's gruff voice startles me as he enters the room, looking slightly disheveled from sleep. His demeanor softens when he sees my reflection in the mirror."I am checking out our baby!" I chirp.Vincent comes closer and stands behind me, his hand hovering just above my belly.Since that day at the clinic, Vincent's protectiveness has reached new heights. He meticulously compiled a list of foods I should avoid and handed it over to Jennifer, who was now preparing special meals for me.Usually, this kind of controlling behavior would annoy me, but this time, I was on his side. I want our baby to be born healthy."Are you ready to work on the nursery?" I ask
SarahLeaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed, I can't suppress the grin spreading across my face.There they are, Vincent and Nathan, each holding a different end of what's supposed to be the sides of the baby dresser. The instructions are spread out on the floor like a treasure map that neither seems able to read."Guys, you do realize that it's just a baby dresser, not a spaceship, right?" I quip, watching as their brows knit even tighter, if that's possible."Easy for you to say, Sarah," Vincent shoots back without looking up, his fingers fumbling with a tiny bolt. "This thing has more pieces than a jigsaw puzzle."Nathan, ever the optimist, chimes in with a chuckle. "We've got this under control. Right, Vincent?""Totally," Vincent says, though his voice lacks any real conviction.I saunter over, perching on the edge of the unfinished drawer that sits upside down on the carpet. "So, which one of you is going to tell me your secret talent is actually carpentry?" I tease
VincentThe room is pitch black when I feel a gentle prodding on my shoulder, barely noticeable at first.I try to ignore it, burrowing deeper into the warm embrace of my covers. But the poking persists, and I reluctantly open one eye to find Sarah hovering over me, her eyes wide with urgency."Vincent," she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. "Wake up."I groan, squinting as Sarah reaches over to switch on the small bedside lamp."Sarah, what the hell?" I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The grogginess clings to me like a heavy blanket, and I fight to shake it off."Vincent," Sarah begins, her eyes searching mine with a mix of curiosity and concern. "I want to know about Lucy. What was your relationship like?"I groan again."Sarah, it's the middle of the night. Can't we talk about this later?" I mumble, hoping she will take pity on me and let me go back to sleep."No, Vincent, I want to know now." Her voice holds an edge of impatience."You've got to be kidding me right n
SarahI am sitting at the clinic, my heart pounding in my chest. I glance around at the other expectant parents, each pair holding hands or exchanging reassuring smiles.Vincent is sitting beside me as we wait for our turn. To my utter shock, he kept his promise and has been coming to all of my doctor's appointments. Maybe I can convince him to join me in one of those cringe birthing classes.I smile at the thought. Oh, how I will enjoy watching him squirm in there!Whispers filled the otherwise quiet room like a chorus of nervous birds exchanging secrets.In the corner, a woman absentmindedly stroked her swollen belly while her partner scrolled through his phone, occasionally looking up to flash her a smile."Vincent," I say, grabbing his hand, "I can't believe we're finally going to find out if we're having a boy or a girl.""Yeah," he replies. His expression is unreadable, but I can tell he is anxious too.My thoughts raced with possibilities. Will our baby have Vincent's piercing
VincentMy breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, the world seems to stand still. A boy. Our son."Really?" Sarah chokes out, her grip on my hand tightening almost painfully. "A boy?""Definitely a boy," the doctor confirms with a smile, pointing to a specific area on the screen. "See right here? That's his...well, let's just say he's not shy about showing off."A deep chuckle bubbles up from deep within me, breaking through the tension. "That's my boy."Sarah rolls her eyes. "You know," she begins, casting a teasing glance at me, "I just hope our son doesn't inherit your grumpiness."I snort. "Grumpy? Me?" I feign innocence, placing a hand on my chest in mock offense. "I'm as cheerful as a lark when I wake up.""Sure, a lark with a severe case of bedhead and a desperate need for coffee," Sarah retorts."Would you like a printout of the ultrasound image to take home?" the doctor offers, breaking into our argument."Yes please," Sarah chirps."Of course." The doctor presses a f