Chapter 11: A Dash of the Unexpected

Two months later, life in Bellwood Falls had settled into something Amara had once thought impossible: peace.

Not perfection. Not silence. But peace.

The house Luca bought was now their home. Noah’s room was indeed painted like outer space tiny glow-in-the-dark stars scattered across the ceiling, and a big poster of Mars above his bed. Amara’s old apartment was empty now, save for memories and leftover spice jars.

They had routines now.

Mornings started with Luca making espresso and Noah begging for chocolate chip pancakes. Amara would pack school lunches while teasing Luca about his “gourmet avocado obsession.” Then came school drop-offs, followed by long hours in the kitchen, new recipes, and laughter woven between orders.

But one quiet Friday morning, something changed.

Amara stood in the bathroom staring at a tiny white stick.

Positive.

She blinked.

Looked again.

Still positive.

Her heart dropped into her stomach, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

Later That Day – The Kitchen

The restaurant was alive with its usual buzz—chopping, clanging pans, and Luca singing softly in Italian as he stirred a giant pot of roasted tomato bisque.

Amara stood near the prep counter, watching him, her mind racing.

She hadn’t told him yet.

Not because she didn’t want to—but because she hadn’t yet figured out how.

This wasn’t like telling someone you burnt the garlic. This was huge. Life-altering.

And terrifying.

She was about to step forward when Sofia walked in.

Again.

This time, dressed in a charcoal trench coat, eyes sharp.

“Still here?” she said with a smirk.

Amara straightened. “Still building something worth staying for.”

Sofia’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Just thought I’d drop by before my flight. I hear Luca’s taking the restaurant national. Didn’t think he’d tie himself to a town this small.”

Amara smiled sweetly. “Big hearts live in small towns.”

Sofia’s lips twitched. “You’re feisty. I’ll give you that.”

“Funny. I was going to say the same thing.”

They stared at each other a moment longer before Sofia gave a sharp nod and turned, her heels echoing on the tile.

Luca appeared behind Amara just as the door swung shut. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, facing him. “Actually… there’s something I need to tell you.”

He wiped his hands on a towel and tilted his head, concern creeping in. “What’s wrong?”

Amara took a deep breath.

“I’m pregnant.”

The world slowed. The kitchen sounds faded.

Luca blinked. “You… what?”

“I just found out this morning,” she said quickly, rambling now. “I didn’t plan this. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t even think I could again. And I know this is a lot”

Luca stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms.

“You’re having my baby?”

Her voice cracked. “Yes.”

He pulled back just enough to look at her—his eyes stunned but glowing.

“I’ve never been more sure about anything,” he said. “I love you, Amara. And this? This is ours.”

She blinked back tears. “You’re not overwhelmed?”

“Oh, I’m absolutely overwhelmed,” he laughed. “But I’m also thrilled. Terrified. Grateful. All of it.”

Noah ran in from the front of the restaurant, waving a paper in the air. “Mom! Luca! I got  100 on my science quiz!”

Luca turned to him. “You know what that means?”

Noah grinned. “Pizza night?”

“Pizza and news,” Amara added, smiling at her son. “You’re going to be a big brother.”

Noah stared at her. Then at Luca.

“Wait like a baby baby?”

“Yes,” she said.

He grinned. “Can I help name it?”

Luca laughed. “Let’s not start with ‘Spiderman,’ okay?”

That Night  At Home

Later that evening, with Noah asleep and the kitchen cleaned up, Amara sat with Luca on the couch, her head resting on his chest, his fingers stroking her hair.

“I thought I’d be more scared,” she whispered.

“Why aren’t you?”

“Because you stayed,” she said. “Because every time I looked for a reason to run, you gave me one to stay.”

He kissed the top of her head. “This isn’t the end of the story, you know.”

“I know.”

“It’s just the next chapter.”

She smiled. “And for once, I’m excited to see what comes next.”