pregnant

Clara Wilson had been feeling off lately—more tired than usual, her energy draining faster than she could replenish it.

She brushed it off as the result of long work hours and restless nights, but Noah Smith wasn't so easily convinced.

He'd been watching her closely, his sharp eyes catching the subtle changes in her demeanor.

The way she'd pause mid-sentence, her hand instinctively resting on her forehead, or the faint shadows under her eyes that no amount of concealer could hide.

One morning, as Clara stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast, the room suddenly tilted.

Her vision blurred, and she reached out to steady herself, but her fingers only grazed the counter before her legs gave way.

"Clara!" Noah's voice cut through the haze, and in an instant, his arms were around her, holding her upright.

His heart pounded against her back as he guided her to a chair, his hands trembling slightly. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

She forced a smile, though her face was pale. "I'm fine, Noah. Just… a little dizzy. Probably skipped breakfast too long."

"This isn't just skipping breakfast," he said, his voice firm but laced with worry. "You've been like this for days. We're going to the doctor."

Clara sighed, knowing arguing with him was pointless. "You're overreacting."

"Am I?" He crouched in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. His gaze was intense, searching her face for answers she didn't have. "You're not fine, Clara. Let's just… make sure, okay?"

Reluctantly, she nodded.

At the doctor's office, the examination felt endless. Noah paced the small waiting room, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When the doctor finally called them in, his expression was unreadable.

"Well," the doctor began, glancing between them, "congratulations are in order. Clara, you're pregnant."

The room fell silent. Clara's breath caught, her eyes widening as she turned to Noah. He stood frozen, his face a mix of shock and disbelief.

"Pregnant?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor nodded, smiling. "About six weeks along, from what we can tell."

Noah's gaze shifted to Clara, his eyes softening as the news sank in. Without a word, he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her protectively, his face buried in her hair.

"Clara," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "We're having a baby."

She laughed softly, tears welling in her eyes. "Looks like it."

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands cradling her face. His thumb brushed away a stray tear, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "Are you okay? I mean… how are you feeling about this?"

She placed her hand over his, her heart swelling with a flood of emotions she hadn't expected. "Scared. Excited. Overwhelmed. But… happy. Really happy."

Noah's lips curved into a relieved smile, and he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Me too," he whispered. "We're in this together, okay? Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."

Clara nodded, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt. For the first time in weeks, the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.

As they left the doctor's office, Noah's hand found hers, their fingers interlacing naturally. He glanced at her, his eyes shining with a mix of excitement and determination. "So… baby names. Any ideas?"

She laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Oh, we've got plenty of time for that."

Clara leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder as they walked. The future suddenly felt vast and uncertain, but with Noah by her side, she knew they could face anything.

Noah stood in the kitchen, his broad shoulders hunched over the counter as he meticulously chopped vegetables for Clara's lunch.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on his focused expression. Clara leaned against the doorway, watching him with a mix of amusement and affection.

"You know," she said, her voice teasing, "I'm pretty sure I can survive without you hovering over me every second of the day."

Noah glanced up, his blue eyes narrowing playfully. "Survive, yes. Thrive? That's my job." He wiped his hands on a towel and walked over to her, gently cupping her face. "You're carrying our baby, Clara. I'm not taking any chances."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "You're being ridiculous. I'm pregnant, not fragile."

"Humor me," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His thumb lingered on her cheek, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with unspoken desire.

Clara's breath hitched, and Noah's gaze dropped to her lips before he stepped back, clearing his throat. "Lunch is almost ready. Sit down."

Clara obeyed, sinking into a chair at the table. She watched as he moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, his every action deliberate and careful. It was both endearing and slightly overwhelming.

"You've been cooking a lot lately," she said, her tone softer now. "When did you become such a chef?"

Noah shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I've been reading up on nutrition. You and the baby need the best." He placed a plate in front of her, the food arranged with an almost artistic precision. "Try it."

She took a bite, savoring the flavors. "This is amazing," she admitted, looking up at him. "You're spoiling me."

"Good," he said, sitting across from her. His eyes held a warmth that made her heart flutter. "You deserve it."

Clara reached across the table, her fingers brushing against his. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Noah's hand turned, capturing hers in a firm but gentle grip. "Always," he replied, his gaze intense. "I'll always take care of you, Clara. Both of you."

The moment stretched, their connection palpable. Clara felt a rush of love so strong it nearly took her breath away.

She wanted to say more, to tell him how much his devotion meant to her, but words felt inadequate. Instead, she squeezed his hand, hoping he could feel everything she couldn't say.

Noah broke the silence with a smirk, his usual playful demeanor returning. "Now, finish your lunch before I start feeding you myself."

Clara laughed, the sound light and carefree. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he countered, his grin widening.

She couldn't argue with that. As she continued eating, she couldn't help but steal glances at him, her heart swelling with gratitude and affection.

Noah, ever the protector, was also the man who made her feel cherished in ways she never thought possible. And for that, she knew she'd never stop falling for him.

Clara sat on the edge of the couch, her hands gripping the fabric as a wave of inexplicable irritation washed over her. Her emotions had been a stormy sea lately, and she couldn't seem to find her anchor.

Noah, ever perceptive, noticed the tension in her shoulders and the way her lips pressed into a thin line. He moved closer, his presence a quiet assurance.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice a gentle caress. "You okay?"

Clara sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "I don't know. I just feel... off. Like everything's too much and not enough at the same time."

Noah nodded, understanding without needing further explanation. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "Let me help."

With that, he released a wave of his scent, a soothing blend of snow-dusted pines and a subtle metallic tang.

It was warm, grounding, and it wrapped around Clara like a protective blanket. She inhaled deeply, feeling the tension in her chest begin to ease.

"That's better," she murmured, leaning into him. Her head found its place on his shoulder, and she closed her eyes, savoring the calm that his presence brought. "Your scent always knows how to calm me down."

Noah chuckled, the sound low and warm. He pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head, his fingers gently threading through her hair. "Then I'll stay right here, as long as you need me."

Clara smiled, her heart swelling with affection. She tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes searching his. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

He grinned, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "Only because you deserve it."

Their gazes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Noah's eyes dropped to her lips, and Clara felt a shiver of anticipation run through her. She leaned in slightly, her breath catching as their faces drew closer.

But then, Noah pulled back, a teasing glint in his eye. "Not yet," he whispered, his voice a playful promise. "We've got all the time in the world."

Clara laughed, the sound light and carefree. She nudged him with her elbow, her smile widening. "You're such a tease."

"And you love it," he shot back, his grin infectious.

She rolled her eyes, but there was no denying the truth in his words. As they sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth, Clara felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in weeks.

With Noah by her side, she knew she could weather any storm.

The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming jasmine from the garden. The sky above was a vast canvas of twinkling stars, stretching endlessly, as if mirroring the infinite possibilities of their future.

Clara leaned against Noah, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, her hand absentmindedly tracing small circles on her belly. The silence between them was warm, filled with unspoken promises and dreams yet to unfold.

"What do you think our child will be like?" Clara's voice was soft, almost a whisper, as if she were afraid to break the magic of the moment.

Noah's hand instinctively moved to her stomach, his touch gentle yet possessive. He chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Whether they have your eyes or my stubbornness, they'll be the most incredible kid in the world."

Clara tilted her head to look at him, her eyes shimmering with a mix of love and wonder. "You always know how to make me feel like everything's going to be perfect."

He met her gaze, his expression softening. "Because it will be. With you, everything already is." He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

She sighed contentedly, nestling closer to him. "Do you ever think about how far we've come? From those first awkward dates to… this?"

Noah grinned, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Awkward? I thought I was charming."

She laughed, the sound light and melodic, and Noah couldn't help but smile wider. He loved that sound, loved that he was the one who could bring it out of her.

"You did," she admitted, her tone softening. "You made me feel like I could be myself, like I didn't have to pretend."

Noah's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin. "You never have to pretend with me, Clara. Not now, not ever."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

The space between them crackled with unspoken desire, the kind that made her breath hitch and his heart race. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt the air between them grow heavy with anticipation.

They sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth, the stars above bearing witness to a love that felt as timeless as the universe itself. In that moment, the future didn't seem daunting—it felt like a promise, one they were ready to face together.