Chapter 43: Morning Whispers of Love

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Ethan lay next to Olivia, watching her sleep. She looked peaceful, her hair cascading over the pillow, her chest rising and falling in a slow, rhythmic pattern. He smiled, still trying to wrap his head around the idea that in just a few months, they'd have a little one of their own.

His heart swelled with emotion as his eyes fell to her tummy, partially revealed under the sheets. A quiet curiosity tugged at him. Gently, so as not to wake her, he lifted her shirt ever so slightly, revealing her still flat belly. Ethan bent down and pressed a tender kiss on her flat stomach, his heart brimming with love and awe.

"Hey there, little one," he whispered softly. "I just want you to know that I already love you more than anything. Your mom—" his voice caught slightly with emotion, "—she's the most incredible woman in the world, and I promise I'll be the best dad I can be for you. You're so lucky, baby. So lucky to have her."

Unbeknownst to him, Olivia had woken up the moment he had moved her shirt. She listened in silence, her heart melting with each word he said. When he paused, she smiled softly, her voice a gentle whisper.

"Mamma loves Papa too… so much."

Startled by her voice, Ethan quickly looked up, his face flushed with surprise, but his lips soon curved into a warm, tender smile. Without a word, he leaned forward, capturing her lips in a kiss filled with love, gratitude, and quiet devotion.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, and Ethan's voice was barely a murmur. "You're awake..."

Olivia chuckled softly, still holding him close. "I woke up the moment you started talking to our little one. I couldn't help but listen."

Ethan smiled, shaking his head lightly. "I guess I'll have to be more careful with my morning conversations."

"Don't be," she replied softly, her fingers brushing his cheek. "I loved hearing every word."

A moment of silence passed between them, a peaceful understanding shared through their gaze. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, Ethan slid his arms under her and lifted her up in one swift motion, making Olivia giggle in surprise.

"Ethan! What are you doing?"

"Carrying my beautiful wife to freshen up," he replied, heading toward the bathroom. "Then I'm bringing you right back to bed to relax."

Olivia smiled, resting her head against his chest as he carried her. "You're spoiling me already."

"And I'll keep doing it every day," Ethan said, placing her gently by the sink. "You deserve nothing less."

As she began to freshen up, Ethan stood by the door, his heart full. He realized that this—these quiet moments of love and care—were what he cherished most. This was their life now, and it was more perfect than he could have ever imagined.

Once she was finished, he scooped her up again and carried her back to bed, laying her down gently.

"You're not going anywhere today," he whispered, tucking her in. "It's a day of rest for both of you."

Olivia smiled up at him, her hand resting on her stomach. "Fine by me. As long as you're here with us."

"Always," he promised, sitting beside her and placing a hand on her belly. "Always."

Ethan entered the bedroom with a tray in hand, filled with a meticulously prepared breakfast. The dishes were carefully curated, every ingredient chosen for Olivia's health and the baby's well-being. He'd spent the early morning researching the best foods for a pregnant woman in her first trimester, determined to make this journey as easy as possible for her.

Olivia raised an eyebrow as she looked at the tray, her surprise evident. "This looks... different," she said with a smile, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

Ethan grinned, setting the tray down in front of her. "Trust me, it's good for you. I did my homework." He pointed to a glass of juice, its vibrant green color making Olivia squint a little. "Start with this. It should help with the morning sickness."

She eyed the juice suspiciously but knew Ethan wouldn't steer her wrong. With a deep breath, she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. To her surprise, it tasted fresh, almost sweet with a tangy kick. "Wow, this is... actually good!" she exclaimed, taking another sip, and before she knew it, she had finished the entire glass.

As soon as she placed the glass back down, a loud burp escaped her, causing both of them to laugh.

"I'm glad you like it!" Ethan chuckled, watching as she dove into the rest of the meal. There were fluffy scrambled eggs, whole-grain toast, fresh fruit, and a small bowl of quinoa salad. Olivia didn't just enjoy the food—she savored it. Each bite was delicious, light, and surprisingly soothing to her stomach. For the first time in days, she didn't feel the familiar queasiness creeping in.

"I think this is the first time I've eaten without wanting to run to the bathroom," Olivia said between bites, her voice filled with relief.

Ethan's smile widened, pride filling his chest. "That was the plan."

After finishing the last bite, Olivia leaned back with a contented sigh. Ethan wasted no time clearing the dishes and returning with another surprise—a warm bath. He had drawn it while she ate, filling the tub with essential oils and rose petals, their soft fragrance filling the air.

"Your bath awaits, my queen," he said playfully, extending a hand to help her up.

Olivia's eyes lit up at the sight. "You thought of everything, didn't you?"

"Only the best for my wife and our little one," he replied with a wink, guiding her to the bathroom.

The warmth of the bath enveloped her as she slipped into the water, the soothing scent of lavender and chamomile helping to relax her muscles. As she closed her eyes, she could feel the love and care Ethan had poured into every detail of this morning, making her feel cherished in a way that brought happy tears to her eyes.

Ethan leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a soft smile. "How do you feel?"

"Like I'm the luckiest woman alive," she murmured, her eyes still closed. "This is perfect, Ethan. Thank you."

"You deserve nothing less," he said, walking over to sit by the tub. "But we've got one more thing to do today."

Olivia cracked one eye open and looked at him curiously. "What's that?"

"We're heading to the hospital for a checkup once you're ready," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I want to make sure everything's going smoothly with the baby."

Olivia smiled warmly, touched by his concern. "That sounds like a good idea. But don't worry, Ethan. I feel... I feel really good."

"Still, I want to hear it from a doctor," he insisted gently. "Just to be sure."

She nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for this man who loved her so deeply. "Okay. Let me enjoy this bath a little longer, and then we can go."

Ethan leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Take all the time you need, Liv."

As she relaxed in the bath, Olivia realized that with Ethan by her side, this new chapter of their lives was going to be filled with love, care, and endless support. She couldn't wait for what was to come.