Evelyn
After Bianca’s relentless ‘barking’-Jacob’s words, not mine-we finally escaped the room and sat at the breakfast table. What followed was a long, scolding lecture where she chastised us for acting like children. Jacob, of course, dismissed her entirely, declaring he refused to take advice from someone who was single. That hit a nerve. The next few minutes turned into a verbal battle while I quietly enjoyed the “healthy breakfast for pregnant women” Bianca had learned from a YouTube tutorial. It tasted good, though I had no clue what it was.
Their bickering stopped as suddenly as it had started, both glaring over their plates like five-year-olds. Weird, right? Or maybe normal-I wouldn’t know since I was an only child. Unless Dad and Clara surprised me with a sibling, which seemed unlikely, especially after my news.
“We need to get you checked out,” Jacob murmured, eyes fixed on my belly like he expected it to wave back. I chuckled. He was adorably clueless. “A new diet, vitamins, the whole deal.”
“I can take her,” Bianca offered, eyes lighting up. “I’m free all week.”
“No,” Jacob shot back immediately. “I’ll take her. You stay home and do… whatever the hell you do.”
“Jerk! I’m the baby’s aunt! I have responsibilities too!”
“Yeah? Then go buy baby clothes or something. Doctor visits are on me.” His jaw tightened, daring her to argue.
“Fine, asshole!” Bianca huffed, stabbing her fork into her eggs.
I bit back a laugh and held out a piece of bacon to Jacob. “Breakfast?”
He grumbled but opened his mouth. One bite turned into another until Bianca muttered, “Lazy ass.”
Jacob glared. I sighed, smiling to myself. Two big babies and one on the way. This was going to be fun.
***
After the doctor’s appointment, we had visited Jacob’s parents and I still couldn’t hide my smile remembering Rosaline’s excitement. And it was also to not laugh remembering how Enzo and Jacob fought over the baby’s gender. Enzo wanted a boy and Jacob was sure that it’d be a girl. Jacob had said ‘it’d be a princess,’ and when Enzo asked why did he think that and came up with his own logic of how it’d be boy because in their family everyone’s firstborn is a boy and other stupid logics that were endearing to see him sputter, Jacob said ‘It’ll be a princess because I want a princess.”
And even now as I and Jacob cuddled, I couldn’t hold back my smile which he noticed and kissed me.
“I have ordered a Cradle,” He whispered, “I have also contacted a friend, he’ll come tomorrow and design our baby’s room with everything necessary.”
I couldn’t hold my smile again, “You seem so excited,” I reached out and brushed my fingers through his hair. It was hard to even think how much he suppressed his emotions for his fear.
“How can I not be?” He murmured, pressing his forehead against mine, holding me closely to him, “It’s our baby after all.”
“A Princess, right?” I held him closely, breathing him in.
“Yes,” He smiled, “A princess.”
I just basked in his warmth, the smile didn’t leave my face at all. It was peaceful to be with him. Here. Right here.
His fingers skimmed over my belly and he looked at it, smiling. His eyes held excitement and warmth.
He must be as nervous as I was. It was new for him too, just like it was for me. We were going to be parents. It almost felt like a dream that none of us saw coming before it enveloped us and pushed us to a new part of our lives-a beautiful journey. A new road.
“I can’t believe we are having a family,” I said, softly, and he looked at me meeting my gaze, “You, I and our little baby. It feels like a dream, doesn’t it?”
“It does feel like a dream,” he brushed his lips against my forehead, making a soothing feeling run all over me, “But we are going to live this dream. Like’s there’s no tomorrow,” He held me closely as he whispered the next words, “And it’d never let anyone break this dream. Ever.”
And his promise mended back all my torn courage.
I no longer had to fight alone. Jacob was by my side and together, we could do it and give our little soul the best life possible.
***
Jacob had postponed the wedding and every other event for now, though I knew he still had something else planned-something he was keeping secret from me. I didn’t press him to reveal it; if he wanted to keep it under wraps, he would until the right time came. Not even my best attempts at sweet-talking him had worked.
The baby’s room was fully decorated now, and I nearly cried when I stepped inside, imagining our daughter crawling across the white, fluffy carpet, surrounded by toys. Yes, in just a few days, Jacob had convinced me it would be a girl, leaving no room for doubt.
I lounged on the sofa, absentmindedly munching on fruits the doctor had recommended for pregnant women while cartoons played on the TV. Jacob was on a video call, likely with his workers, discussing some ongoing project. I kept sneaking glances at him, wondering when he’d finally be done-it had already been nearly an hour.
A small yawn escaped me, and, growing bored of the cartoon, I started flipping through channels. That’s when a thought struck me-the last time I’d heard about Tyler, he was applying for an appeal in the Supreme Court. But with all the chaos in our lives, I hadn’t followed up. Judging by how busy Jacob had been, I doubted he had either.
Maybe I should check the news.
I switched to a news channel-just weather forecasts. Stifling a groan, I tried another, and another, but found nothing. Frustrated, I turned off the TV and grabbed my phone. Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner? I quickly opened my browser and searched for updates, my fingers moving almost too fast, my brain working even faster.
As soon as the page loaded, my stomach dropped.
Five days ago-Tyler was released.
A wave of nausea hit me, my chest tightening with worry. My eyes darted to Jacob just as he closed his laptop, finally done with his meeting. He glanced over his shoulder at me.
“Come here, baby,” he beckoned. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
I stood, my hands trembling, my breath suddenly unsteady. I looked at my phone again, then at him. His expression shifted to concern.
“Evelyn, what’s wrong?” He started toward me.
I sucked in a shaky breath, taking a single step forward before whispering, “Tyler’s been released, Jacob.”