The Weight of Wonder

Barcelona – One Week Later

Aria watched the sonographer roll the probe over her belly, the cold gel slick against her skin. She had imagined this moment before—quiet, powerful, intimate. But never like this.

Never with fear dancing at the edge of her excitement.

The screen flickered to life.

"There's the heartbeat," the nurse said, turning the monitor toward them.

Ronan leaned forward, eyes wide, breath held. And then—lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub—steady and fierce.

A single tear slid down his cheek.

Aria reached for his hand, squeezing tightly.

That was their child. Real. Alive. Existing beyond their fears and failures.

"I can't believe it," he whispered.

"I know," she said. "Me either."

Later That Day – Ronan's Apartment

They sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by takeout boxes and medical pamphlets. The city pulsed beyond the balcony, but inside, the world had narrowed to this tiny miracle growing inside her.

"Have you told anyone?" he asked.

"Only Ava," she said. "I needed someone to panic to."

He smiled. "I'm glad you picked her and not, like, Ethan."

"God, no. Liam would have told his whole rugby team by now."

They laughed—but the laughter faded fast.

"What about you?" she asked. "Have you told your dad?"

He hesitated. "Not yet. I... want to. But I need to be ready."

"You don't have to be perfect, Ronan. You just have to show up."

He looked at her, quiet. "You make me want to be better. Every damn day."

She leaned in, pressing her lips to his. "Then be here. That's all I need."

Three Days Later – Tension Mounts

The Paris residency team called again.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the coordinator said. We'd love to offer you the spot, but we need a decision in forty-eight hours.

Aria stared at the wall after the call ended. The words felt heavy now. Once-in-a-lifetime.

She picked up her brush, dipped it in ochre, and paused. The painting in front of her—meant to be about liberation—suddenly looked like a trap. Like she'd painted herself into a choice that had no right answer.

Later that night, she told Ronan everything.

His face didn't change much, but she saw it in his shoulders—in the way they curled inward.

"You should take it," he said.

"You don't mean that."

"I do. If this is what you've worked for…"

"I didn't work for this alone, Ronan. You're part of this now."

"And so is the baby," he said, voice taut. "And I don't want either of you resenting me because I held you back."

She stood, agitated. "Why does it have to be either-or? Maybe we find a way—maybe we figure it out together."

"People don't build families on maybes, Aria."

She went cold. "Is that what this is now? A bad idea?"

"No," he said quickly, standing. "God, no. I want this. I want you. I'm just trying not to screw it up."

"Well, stop trying to be a martyr and just talk to me."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't have the answers."

"Neither do I! But I don't want to make decisions out of fear. Not anymore."

Silence stretched.

Then she whispered, "I'm scared too. But I'd rather be scared with you than safe without you."

Ronan stepped forward slowly, wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close. His chin rested atop her head.

"Then let's be scared together."

Dublin – One Week Later

Ronan flew home.

He told his father.

The news didn't explode—it settled, gently, like snow. His father cried. Not from anger, or disappointment. From something that looked like… hope.

For the first time in years, they sat at the kitchen table and spoke like men rebuilding something that once broke.

"I'll try, Ronan," his father said. "For you. And for… them."

It was all Ronan needed to hear.

Barcelona – Two Days Later

Aria opened the email from the residency board.

Her fingers hovered over the reply button.

Then, in slow, deliberate keystrokes, she typed:

Dear Selection Committee,

Thank you for your generous offer. After much reflection, I must decline…

She hit send.

And when she closed her laptop, her chest was lighter.

She didn't give up a dream.

She chose the dream that hadn't existed until now—the one with heartbeat echoes and ocean light, with Ronan's voice in the morning and sketchbooks full of maybes.