LOGINAmara woke at 2:17 a.m. to a pain that felt different.Not the usual heaviness. Not the dull ache she had grown used to during the last weeks of pregnancy.This one wrapped around her stomach and tightened.She inhaled sharply.Beside her, Elijah shifted slightly in his sleep.Another wave came.Stronger.“Elijah,” she whispered.He stirred immediately. Even half asleep, he always responded to her voice.“Hmm?”She gripped the edge of the mattress.“Elijah.”He was upright instantly.“What’s wrong?”She swallowed, trying to measure the pain.“I think… it’s starting.”His brain clearly lagged for half a second.“Starting?”Another contraction hit and she squeezed his hand hard enough to make him wince.“Our baby,” she breathed.Everything in his face changed.Not panic.Not fear.Just overwhelming alertness.“Okay. Okay,” he said quickly, already getting out of bed. “Hospital bag. Keys. Phone. Doctor. We practiced this.”She tried to sit up and laughed weakly.“You’re talking too fast.
The morning after the wedding felt different. Quieter. Softer. Amara stirred slowly beneath the sheets, sunlight spilling across the room. For a moment, she forgot everything — the ceremony, the dancing, the laughter. Then she felt the ring on her finger. And the arm around her waist. She smiled before even opening her eyes. “Good morning… wife,” Elijah’s voice murmured against her hair. She let out a soft laugh. “You’re enjoying that, aren’t you?” “Very much.” She turned slowly to face him, studying his expression in the gentle morning light. “You’re still here,” she teased. “I told you. Forever.” Her fingers traced lightly across his jaw. “Husband.” He kissed her slowly, unhurried, warm and full of meaning. Not rushed. Not desperate. Just deep and certain. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his. “Yesterday was perfect,” she whispered. “It was,” he agreed. “But this? This is my favorite part.” She raised an eyebrow. “Lying in bed doing nothing?”
Amara woke before the sun rose, her eyes opening slowly as the realization settled into her chest.Today.She was getting married today.For a moment she stayed still, listening to her heartbeat, feeling both nervous and unbelievably happy. A soft knock came at the door.“Bride awake?” Vicky’s voice whispered loudly from outside.Amara smiled instantly. “Yes… come in.”The door opened and Vicky rushed in holding two cups of coffee, already dressed and glowing with excitement.“Good,” she said, handing one over. “Because today is historic. No backing out allowed.”Amara laughed softly, sitting up. “I feel like I might faint.”“No fainting,” Vicky replied firmly. “You’re marrying the love of your life, not running a marathon. Drink this.”Amara took a sip, breathing a little easier. “Okay… okay. I can do this.”“You already did the hard parts,” Vicky added. “You survived drama, fear, kidnappers, family tension, pregnancy emotions… this is the reward part.”That made Amara laugh for real
The house buzzed with quiet excitement.Suit bags hung neatly along the wall. Gift boxes sat stacked on the table. Phones kept buzzing with last-minute confirmations.Amara stood in the middle of the bedroom, staring at everything.“I can’t believe the wedding is tomorrow,” she whispered.From behind her, Elijah wrapped his arms gently around her waist.“Tomorrow,” he repeated softly. “You ready to marry me?”She turned in his arms, smiling nervously.“I’ve been ready. I’m just… emotional.”He brushed a thumb under her eye.“No crying yet,” he teased. “Save that for the aisle.”She laughed quietly.“You’re the one who promised to cry first.”“I absolutely will,” he admitted. “No shame.”Family DinnerDownstairs, both families had gathered for a small pre-wedding dinner.Elijah’s mother was arranging plates while Amara’s laughter floated from the dining room where she was talking with Vicky.Elijah’s father cleared his throat.“Son… a moment?”Elijah nodded cautiously and stepped aside
The bridal boutique smelled like fresh flowers and new fabric.Amara stood just inside the doorway, suddenly nervous.“I don’t know why my heart is racing,” she whispered.Vicky grabbed her arm.“Because this is THE dress day. This is history. This is photos-your-kids-will-see day.”Amara laughed shakily.“Okay, when you say it like that, I feel like running.”“No running,” Vicky said firmly, pulling her inside. “Only trying dresses and looking stunning.”A cheerful consultant approached them.“Welcome! You must be Amara. We’ve prepared a fitting room for you.”Amara nodded, still overwhelmed.As they followed her, Vicky leaned closer and whispered,“Breathe. You’re not choosing forever today. You’re just finding the one that makes Elijah forget how to stand.”That made Amara smile.“Okay,” she said softly. “Let’s do this.”Dress OneThe first dress was elegant. Satin. Clean lines. Simple.Amara stepped out slowly.Vicky tilted her head.“Mmm… beautiful. But not the one.”Amara looked
Elijah raised both hands in surrender.“I’m guessing this is where I disappear?”Vicky pointed at the hallway like a strict director.“Yes, groom. Out. Dress discussions are classified.”Amara laughed. “Go. We’ll call you when we’re done.”Elijah leaned down, kissing her forehead softly.“Don’t choose anything uncomfortable,” he whispered.“I want you smiling all day, not suffering for fashion.”Her heart melted. “I promise.”“And no matter what you pick,” he added, voice softer, “you’ll be the most beautiful woman in the world.”Vicky clutched her chest dramatically.“Okay wow. Leave before I start crying and ruin my makeup.”Elijah chuckled and walked off toward his office.The second he was gone, Vicky grabbed Amara’s hands.“Alright. Tell me everything. How are you really feeling?”Amara exhaled slowly, smiling.“Happy. Scared. Excited. All at once.”“And the baby?” Vicky asked gently.Amara’s hand drifted to her stomach.“I still can’t believe it. Sometimes I wake up and think it
The apartment felt different when Elijah wasn’t in it. Not empty—just quieter, like the walls themselves were waiting for his laughter to come back and fill the space again. I sat curled up on the couch, phone in my hand, scrolling mindlessly. I’d opened the same app three times and closed it ag
The afternoon was quiet, but my mind wasn’t. Elijah was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone. He had been quiet for a while, and I noticed it immediately. He wasn’t the quiet-for-no-reason type. “Elijah?” I called from the couch. He looked up. “Yeah?” “You’ve
Morning felt different.Not rushed. Not heavy.I woke up slowly, aware first of warmth, then of an arm around my waist, then of Elijah’s steady breathing behind me. For a moment, I stayed still, afraid that moving would break whatever spell we’d fallen under.“Good morning,” he murmured, voice roug
I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing. “Elijah,” I mumbled, nudging him. “Your phone.” He groaned. “If it’s the world ending, tell it to wait.” I picked it up and smiled when I saw the name on the screen. “It’s your mum.” His eyes flew open. “My mum? What time is it?” “Too early for panic







