The doctor's office still smelled like antiseptic and hope. I touched my stomach gently as Ace helped me into the car, his hand immediately covering mine in that protective way that had become second nature to him over the past week. "Everything looked perfect," Dr. Jake had said, his smile genuine as he handed us the ultrasound photos. "Strong heartbeat, good positioning. You're doing everything right, Lily." Six weeks and three days. Still so early, still so fragile, but somehow more real now that we'd heard that tiny, rapid heartbeat filling the examination room. "You okay?" Ace asked, starting the engine but not pulling away from the curb yet. "You've been quiet since we left." I leaned back against the headrest and closed my eyes. "Just processing, I think. It's happening, isn't it?" "It's happening." His voice carried the same wonder that had been there since I'd first told him about the pregnancy. Like he couldn't quite believe this miracle was ours to keep. "I
Last Updated : 2025-09-01 Read more