(Lydia)I stared at the little box in my hands, its contents so deceptively simple yet capable of changing everything. The test felt heavier than it should have, as though the weight of possibility was imbued into its plastic frame. Mama stood just outside the bathroom door, humming softly, her presence a steadying anchor in this moment of uncertainty.The instructions were clear, but my hands trembled as I read them over again, double-checking that I hadn’t missed anything. Pee on the stick. Wait three minutes. A simple process, but my heart was pounding as though I were preparing to defuse a bomb.“Lydia, darling,” Mama’s voice came through the door, gentle but tinged with amusement. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that.”I stopped mid-step, realizing I’d been circling the small bathroom like a restless animal. “I’m just…nervous,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.“And that’s perfectly normal,” she said. “But no matter what that little st
(Lydia)The sound of Thomas’s car pulling into the driveway sent a rush of nerves through me. I’d been pacing the living room for the better part of an hour, trying to figure out the best way to tell him. My heart raced as I glanced at the small white envelope on the coffee table, the one I’d tucked the pregnancy test into earlier. It felt surreal, holding this secret so close, knowing it was about to change everything.The front door opened, and there he was. My Thomas. His tie was slightly loosened, and his sleeves were rolled up, a sure sign that it had been a long day. He looked tired but smiled the moment he saw me.“Hey, love,” he said, setting his briefcase down and walking over to kiss my forehead. “You look like you’ve been up to something.”I laughed nervously, trying to steady my voice. “Maybe I have.”He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Should I be worried?”“Not worried,” I said, motioning for him to sit on the couch. “But definitely curious.”He followed my lead, sinki
(Thomas)The day after Lydia told me the news, I couldn’t focus on anything else. At the office, I sat through meetings and reviewed reports, but my mind kept wandering back to her. To us. To the tiny life growing inside her. It felt like a secret so big it could barely stay contained, and I had to keep reminding myself not to blurt it out to everyone I saw.By mid-morning, I’d already called our family doctor and scheduled an appointment for Lydia. The receptionist congratulated me, and I couldn’t help but beam, even though I knew Lydia might roll her eyes at how quickly I’d jumped on it. But I didn’t care. I wanted to make sure she and the baby were healthy, and I wasn’t wasting any time.The rest of the day crawled by. Every time I glanced at my watch, it seemed like only minutes had passed. I finally gave up pretending to work and decided to head home early. Lydia would probably tease me for hovering, but I didn’t care. I wanted to be with her, to share this excitement, to make it
(Ruby)It wasn’t like Lydia to be secretive with me. Sure, she had her moments of needing space, especially after everything that had happened lately, but this felt different. When she and Thomas asked me to watch the kids last night, there was something in her tone, an excitement that I could not miss. It felt like she wanted to tell me, but was holding back for some reason.I didn’t push her. Mabel and Miles were thrilled to have me for the evening, and I figured whatever was going on, Lydia would tell me when she was ready. Still, the thought nagged at me all morning as I made my way to the boutique.The boutique was my sanctuary, the one place where I could channel my energy into something creative and meaningful. The space was quiet when I arrived, the soft hum of the heater filling the air as I flipped on the lights. Racks of carefully curated pieces surrounded me, but my focus was on the mannequin in the back corner. Lydia’s wedding dress.I walked over to it, running my finger
(Jack)Sitting at my desk, I shuffled through the paperwork in front of me, but none of it was sinking in. The numbers, the proposals, the endless email threads, they all blurred together into a meaningless mess. My mind was somewhere else entirely. Or rather, on someone else.Ruby.Her name felt like a constant hum in the back of my head. Ever since I ran into her at the café with Adam, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Seeing her had brought back memories I thought I’d buried. The way her laugh used to light up a room. The way she’d look at me, like I was the only one who mattered.And the way I’d ruined it all.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. What was I even doing? She’d moved on. Or at least, she was trying to. And I didn’t blame her. After everything that had happened, everything I’d let happen, why would she want to give me another chance?But then there was the way she looked at me in the café. That flicker of something in her eyes when our gazes met. Was i
(Jack)The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves outside as I stood in front of Ruby’s boutique. It had been a long day, and I’d spent most of it trying to focus on work, but my mind kept drifting back to her. To Ruby. The way she looked at me when we’d met in that café, the way her smile still lingered in my thoughts.I had thought about her a lot since then, and after talking to Thomas, I realized that I needed to do something about it. I couldn’t keep living in this limbo of “what ifs” and “maybes.” I needed to talk to her. To see where we stood.Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door to the boutique. The soft chime of the bell above the door echoed through the space, and I felt a familiar sense of calm wash over me. The boutique felt familiar to me, like a home, not just because of the elegance and beauty of the place, but because of Ruby.She was standing behind the counter, her head bent over a sketchpad, her brow furrowed in concentration. She looked u
(Lydia)The morning of the doctor's appointment arrived with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I had been feeling off for days, and now, the moment of truth was here. Thomas and I had been eagerly awaiting this confirmation, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety that lingered in the back of my mind. The idea of being pregnant again was thrilling, but it also came with a weight of responsibility that felt almost overwhelming.Thomas had insisted on coming with me, of course. He’d been so supportive throughout everything, and now, with this new chapter ahead of us, he was even more determined to be by my side. As we drove to the clinic, I could feel the tension in the air. It wasn’t that we were unsure, deep down, I knew we were both hoping for the same outcome, but there was still a sense of anticipation, as if the universe could surprise us at any moment.When we arrived, Thomas immediately took my hand, his grip tight and reassuring. He was always protective, but today, it felt l
(Lydia)The next day, the test results came back, and everything was healthy. I could hardly believe it, but the confirmation made it all feel so real. I was pregnant. And not just any pregnancy, this was our baby. Our third child after the twins and this time around, Thomas would be here with me. The joy I felt was overwhelming, a rush of love and hope for the future.I couldn’t wait to tell everyone, but we had decided to keep it a surprise for one more day. Thomas and I wanted to share the news with our closest circle first, in the way that felt right. We planned a dinner for the evening, a casual get-together with family and a few close friends. It wasn’t anything extravagant, just a simple gathering with the people who meant the most to us.I spent the day in a haze of excitement, making sure everything was perfect. I didn’t want anything to feel out of place, this was a special moment, and I wanted to savor it. Thomas helped me with the preparations, always attentive, always ri
(Lydia)The reception was everything I had dreamed of and more. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The venue, bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights, felt magical, as though we were all living in a dream. Thomas and I had just shared our vows, but now the celebration was in full swing, and the joy in the air was palpable.Mabel and Miles were the stars of the evening, as expected. They had barely left the dance floor since the music started, their little feet moving in uncoordinated yet adorable ways. Miles was trying to spin in circles, his arms flailing around as Mabel, ever the perfectionist, tried to keep him in check. They were a sight to behold, so carefree and full of life. Their giggles and shouts of “Look at me!” filled the room, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with them.Thomas was by my side, his hand gently resting on my back as we watched our children steal the show. The evening felt like it was slipping by in the most
(Thomas)The day had finally arrived. Our wedding day.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for the fifth time, trying to focus on the simple task instead of the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn’t stop the memories from creeping in, images of Lydia in a wedding dress years ago, her radiant smile lighting up the room, and the way my heart had soared knowing she was about to become my wife.And then, the accident. The chaos, the pain, the years we spent finding our way back to each other.Today wasn’t just about vows or rings. It was about us. About the journey we had taken, the battles we had fought, and the love that had carried us through it all.A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Jack stepped in, looking sharp in his suit, his usual easygoing expression replaced by something softer.“You doing okay?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.I nodded, though my reflection betrayed me. “Just...a lot to process.”Jack walked over, clapping
(Lydia)With only a week left until the wedding, the house felt like a beehive, everyone buzzing with purpose, energy, and, occasionally, a touch of chaos. I stood in the middle of it all, both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed.Ruby was in the corner of Mama’s room, hunched over her sewing machine, her brow furrowed in concentration. My wedding dress hung on a nearby mannequin, almost complete but still needing those final, intricate touches that only Ruby could master. She was doing this here because if she needed to know any adjustments, I would just be a few rooms away.She was holed up in Mama’s room because she didn’t want Thomas to get a glimpse of the wedding dress, not until the day of the wedding as I walked down the aisle.“Are you sure you don’t need a break?” I asked, holding out a cup of tea for her.Ruby looked up, her eyes tired but determined. “Not until this hem is perfect. You’re going to look stunning, Lydia. Just trust me.”“I do,” I said softly, setting the te
(Thomas)The moment we pulled up to the venue, I felt a mix of anticipation and pride. The sprawling garden, framed by blooming flowers and soft sunlight, looked like something out of a dream. This was it, the place where Lydia and I would officially start the next chapter of our lives.Mabel and Miles were already buzzing with excitement, craning their necks to get a better look as the car slowed to a stop.“Is that where we’re going to walk with the flowers?” Mabel asked, pointing to the long stone pathway that led to the main garden.“It is,” I said, glancing at Lydia, who was smiling softly.“It’s so pretty!” Miles added, practically bouncing in his seat.Once we were out of the car, the kids ran ahead, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. Lydia and I followed at a slower pace, her hand tucked into mine.“Can you believe it’s almost here?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.I shook my head. “It feels surreal. But seeing this place again...it makes it all feel real.”T
(Lydia)Sitting at the dining table with Thomas, a notebook in front of me and a pen in hand, I felt an odd mix of excitement and dread. Finalizing the guest list for our wedding should have been a straightforward task, but when Margaret got involved, nothing ever stayed simple for long.I glanced at Thomas, who was scrolling through his phone, cross-checking names. He looked calm, but I knew better. We were both bracing ourselves for the inevitable drama.“Are we really going to put up with Margaret’s list of distant cousins and relatives we’ve never met?” I asked, my voice low but pointed.Thomas sighed and set his phone down. “You know how mother is. She thinks a wedding is a chance to show off family connections.”“Well, it’s not her wedding,” I said firmly. “It’s ours, and I want it to feel personal, not like some society gala.”Thomas reached over and squeezed my hand. “I agree with you. But let’s try to handle this delicately. You know how she can get.”Before I could respond,
(Thomas)The house was alive with energy, and it all revolved around two very determined little people: Mabel and Miles. Ever since we’d told them they were going to be the flower girl and flower boy at the wedding, their excitement had reached a whole new level. They were taking their roles very seriously, perhaps even more seriously than Lydia and I were taking the rest of the wedding planning.This morning, the focus was on their outfits. Lydia and I had arranged for a tailor to come to the house to ensure everything fit perfectly. Mabel was already dressed in a soft pink dress with layers of tulle that made her look like a little princess. She twirled in front of the mirror, her curls bouncing with every spin.“Do you think I need a tiara, Daddy?” she asked, her big brown eyes wide with sincerity.I crouched down to her level, brushing a stray curl from her face. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are, sweetheart. But if you really want a tiara, we can look for one.”Mabel c
(Lydia)The morning sun streamed through the windows as I parked outside Ruby’s boutique. My heart fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement. In just two weeks, I would be walking down the aisle to marry Thomas, the man who had stood by me through everything. But today, all I could think about was my first fitting for the wedding dress Ruby had been tirelessly designing.As I stepped into the boutique, the soft chime of the bell announced my arrival. Ruby appeared from the back room, her face lighting up with a smile that instantly put me at ease.“You’re here!” she said, walking over to hug me. “I’ve been waiting for this all week.”“I’ve been counting down the days,” I admitted, hugging her back. “I’m nervous, though. What if the dress doesn’t feel right? What if-”Ruby placed her hands on my shoulders, her expression firm but kind. “Stop right there. This dress is going to be perfect because it’s made for you, by me. Trust me, Lydia.”I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I t
(Lydia)The sunlight poured down as I stepped out of the car, grocery list in hand. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder or scanning the parking lot for anything suspicious. Ben, my personal bodyguard, walked a few paces behind me, his presence a quiet reassurance. But today, I didn’t feel like I needed him as much as I had in the past.The air felt lighter, and so did I. It was as if the dark cloud that had loomed over my life for so long had finally dissipated. Nathan was gone, Lucien was behind bars, and the world was moving on. So was I.Inside the grocery store, I grabbed a cart and started down the aisles. It felt good to do something as ordinary as picking out apples and comparing cereal brands. For so long, I’d avoided public places, afraid of the whispers and stares. But today, there were none. People walked past me, absorbed in their own lives, and it was blissfully normal.I paused by the bakery section, tempted by the scent of fre
(Lydia)The sleek glass doors of the event management company slid open, and Thomas and I stepped inside. The lobby was stunning, a perfect balance of elegance and modernity. Polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandelier lights, and a gentle floral scent wafted through the air. A cheerful receptionist greeted us, offering sparkling water while we waited for our meeting.Thomas leaned toward me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. “This place screams ‘perfect wedding,’ doesn’t it?”I smiled, squeezing his arm. “Let’s see if they can live up to the hype.”It was Margaret who had given us the name of this event management company after making her calls and asking around for suggestions. And as far as I could tell, the place looked like the sort of company I would have chosen for myself.Moments later, a tall, impeccably dressed man approached us with a wide smile. His tailored navy suit and silk pocket square spoke volumes about his attention to detail.