Chapter 6: New Beginnings, Old Promises

Suddenly, his phone chimed. I glanced at it—it was work stuff. But just as I was about to lock it, I saw Jessie’s name in Messenger. My heart skipped. I opened the chat and saw their conversation from today.

“What are you looking at?” Carter walked in with the wine. I smiled, played it off, and took the glass, but the smell hit me wrong. Nausea rolled in. I rushed to the bathroom, dry heaving. Carter hurried after me, worry written all over his face.

“Carter, I’m pregnant,” I said, voice steady but heart pounding.

He froze, eyes wide, then lit up as the words sank in. He nearly burst into tears, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe, then tore down the hall into our son’s room, not caring if he was awake, shouting, “Son, you’re going to be a big brother!”

I watched him, tears streaming down my face. Carter, I love you.

That night, the air felt different—full of hope, laughter, and the kind of warmth only a real family can bring. No matter what storms came our way, we always, always found our way back to each other.