The next morning, soft light filtered through the bedroom curtains as I stirred awake, still feeling the warmth from last night’s celebration. As I stretched and opened my eyes, I suddenly heard a faint but urgent sound from down the hall-Ethan, my little one, was crying. I moved to get up, but before I could, I heard footsteps already headed in his direction. Harrison was already there, handling it like the caring father he was. I relaxed for a moment, letting myself enjoy the quiet and the feeling of safety he brought.
After a few minutes, I got out of bed and made my way down the hallway. Standing by the nursery door, I could see Harrison gently cradling Ethan in his arms, talking softly to him until his cries quieted down. He looked up when he saw me, a warm smile lighting up his face.
“Good morning,” he said, still rocking Ethan gently.
“Good morning,” I replied, feeling a smile spread across my face. It was moments like this that reminded me how lucky I was. “Thank you for getting him.”
Harrison shrugged, glancing down at our son with a soft expression. “I heard him before you did, and I wanted to let you sleep a little longer after the night we had.”
I moved closer and brushed a kiss on Ethan’s tiny head, then looked up at Harrison with gratitude. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
Harrison chuckled, brushing off the compliment as he handed Ethan to me. “It’s nothing. I’m just doing what any father would do.”
As we shared a peaceful morning together, somewhere across town, things weren’t so calm. In her apartment, Victoria was having a very different kind of morning.
Victoria paced back and forth in the living room, her face twisted with frustration. She and Alex had returned home late last night, both tense and exhausted after the incident at the engagement party. Alex sat on the couch, watching her as she paced, but his patience was wearing thin.
“Do you even understand how humiliating that was?” Victoria spat, stopping to glare at him. “You just dragged me out of there like I was some misbehaving child. And in front of her of all people!”
Alex sighed, his eyes narrowing as he watched her, clearly reaching his breaking point. “Victoria, you were out of line. What were you thinking, flirting with Harrison at Emma’s engagement party? This is her big moment, and you made it about yourself.”
Victoria’s eyes flashed, and she crossed her arms defensively. “Oh, please, Alex. I was just being friendly. Besides, maybe if you paid a little more attention to me, I wouldn’t have to look elsewhere for someone to notice me.”
Alex’s jaw tightened, and he stood up from the couch, his patience finally snapping. “Is that what this is really about, Victoria? You can’t stand that Emma’s happy and moving on with her life, while you’re stuck here with me, going nowhere?”
A bitter laugh escaped Victoria’s lips as she rolled her eyes. “Oh, right, because being with you is supposed to be the highlight of my life? You hardly ever pay attention to me, Alex. Half the time, it’s like I’m not even here. And now, Emma-Emma, of all people-is engaged before I am! Can you blame me for being a little frustrated?”
“Jealous, you mean,” Alex retorted, his voice sharp. “You’re jealous of Emma. Just admit it.”
Victoria’s face hardened, but she didn’t deny it. Instead, she turned her gaze away, unable to meet Alex’s eyes. “Maybe I am,” she muttered. “Maybe I am jealous. Why shouldn’t I be? She’s got this perfect life, this perfect guy who adores her. And what do I have? A boyfriend who doesn’t even care enough to propose.”
Alex’s expression softened slightly, though his frustration was still evident. “Victoria, if you’re so unhappy with me, then why are we even together? You’re so focused on what you don’t have that you can’t even see what’s right in front of you.”
She looked back at him, her eyes cold and distant. “Maybe I can’t see it because there’s nothing to see, Alex. I need more than just… this.”
For a moment, there was silence as they stared at each other, both processing the weight of what had been said. Finally, Alex sighed and shook his head. “Maybe you’re right, Victoria. Maybe we’ve both been fooling ourselves here.”
Victoria’s face softened, but there was still a hint of bitterness in her gaze. “I just… I don’t want to settle, Alex. And I feel like that’s all I’m doing with you.”
Alex looked down, his face showing a mix of hurt and resignation. “Well, then, maybe it’s time for you to figure out what you really want, Victoria. I’m tired of trying to be enough for you when nothing seems to satisfy you.”
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone in the silence of her apartment. Victoria stood there, her arms wrapped around herself as she processed their argument, the emptiness around her suddenly feeling much heavier.
**********************
Meanwhile, back at our home, the morning unfolded peacefully as Harrison and I spent time together with Ethan. We had breakfast as a family, laughing over small things, and just enjoying each other’s company. It was a stark contrast to the tension-filled night before, and I felt grateful for the love and stability I had.
Later that morning, Rachel stopped by, as she had promised. She gave me a big hug when she walked in, her face beaming with happiness for me. “Last night was perfect, Emma. Well, minus the Victoria drama. But it was beautiful, and you and Harrison looked so happy together.”
“Thank you, Rachel,” I replied, leading her into the living room. “It really was a wonderful night, and I’m so glad you were there. Honestly, I didn’t want anything to ruin it, but Victoria just had to make it about her.”
Rachel rolled her eyes, sinking into the couch beside me. “She’s always been that way. I don’t understand why she can’t just be happy for someone else for once.”
I sighed, thinking back to all the years I’d known Victoria. We’d never been close, but I had always hoped that one day we could at least be civil with each other. However, last night’s events made it clear that her jealousy ran deeper than I’d realized.
“I know. And to be honest, it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to,” I said, a small smile on my face. “I’ve got everything I need right here. She can’t take that from me.”
Rachel reached over, giving my hand a supportive squeeze. “Exactly. And she’ll have to face her own issues. You don’t need to worry about her anymore.”
We spent the rest of the morning catching up, laughing, and planning out some final touches for the wedding. It was heartwarming to have Rachel by my side, her presence a constant reminder of the friends and family who genuinely cared about us.
***************
Later that afternoon, I heard from one of our mutual friends, who had heard about the argument between Victoria and Alex. Apparently, things had gotten even worse after they left the engagement party. They had continued fighting throughout the night, and it was clear that the relationship was hanging by a thread.
As I listened, a part of me felt sorry for Victoria. Even though she had tried to cause trouble for me, it was clear that her actions came from a place of deep insecurity. She was struggling with her own issues, and as much as she wanted to project that onto me, I knew that it wasn’t really about me at all. She needed to figure out her own happiness, just like I had with Harrison.
When the day came to an end, and I was finally alone with Harrison, I leaned into him, feeling grateful for the love we shared.
“Thank you for being my rock, Harrison,” I whispered, looking up at him with a soft smile. “Even with everything going on, I feel at peace because of you.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “Emma, you’ve always been my peace. I love you, and nothing will ever change that.”
As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Life was never perfect, but with Harrison by my side, I knew that I could face anything. Victoria and her jealousy were just a passing shadow, one that could never touch the love and joy that Harrison and I had built together.