Sophia’s senses drifted awake before her eyes even opened. Her body felt heavy, weighed down by a deep, bone-deep ache that pulsed through every limb. Her head throbbed with the memory of recent events, flashes of blood and the fury that had surged through her coming back in hazy fragments. She lay still, almost afraid to move, letting herself sink into the softness of the mattress beneath her.
Slowly, she felt a familiar warmth beside her. Ethan. His hand rested over hers, gentle yet firm, as though he were anchoring her to reality. She let her fingers curl into his, savoring the reassurance of his touch, feeling a sense of peace even as her body protested.
As she opened her eyes, the light filtered in softly, giving the room a serene glow. She turned her head to see Ethan sitting beside her, his gaze intense but filled with tenderness. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, sharing a quiet understanding of all that had passed between them.
“Hey, you,” he murmured, his voice soft and full of relief. “You’re awake.”
Sophia tried to smile, though her lips felt cracked and dry. “Barely,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
Ethan chuckled softly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of worry. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. “You went through a lot. More than anyone should have to handle. But you’re here, and you’re safe now.”
She let out a shaky breath, squeezing his hand. “Thank you… for being there, Ethan. I don’t think I could have done it alone.”
His expression softened further, and he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You didn’t have to. I’d walk through fire for you, Sophia. Remember that.”
A hint of a smile curved her lips, but it quickly faded as the memories rushed back—the transformation, the sheer ferocity that had taken hold of her, and Adrianne’s lifeless face. She shuddered, her hand instinctively tightening around Ethan’s as her breathing quickened.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he soothed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of her hand. “You did what you had to do. You protected yourself… and our child.” His voice softened on the last words, and she saw a flicker of pride and awe in his eyes.
Sophia’s hand moved to her stomach, pressing lightly over the still-flat surface, feeling a wave of emotion rise up. The knowledge of her pregnancy had come to her in a whirlwind, but in the aftermath, the reality of it felt like a grounding force. She looked back at Ethan, searching his face, feeling the warmth of his love and support wrap around her.
She took a deep breath, the weight of it all settling over her. “I never thought…” She paused, struggling to find the words. “I never thought I could be this strong. But… knowing you were there made me feel like I could face anything.”
Ethan’s face softened, and he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss there. “You were always strong, Soph. I just reminded you of what you already had.”
Sophia managed a faint smile, the warmth of his words seeping into her tired bones. She leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the safety of the room and his presence soothe her. “How long was I out?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Just a few hours,” he replied, smoothing a hand over her hair. “Jacie and Luke are downstairs waiting for the doctor. Jacie’s been worried sick, and she wants to make sure you and… our little one are okay.”
At the mention of Jacie, Sophia’s eyes opened, and a wave of gratitude filled her. Jacie’s powers had calmed her, bringing her back from the brink. The image of her friend’s face flashed in her mind, and she felt a surge of gratitude for Jacie’s strength, her compassion. She was more than just a friend—she was family.
“I owe her everything,” Sophia murmured, looking at Ethan with a mixture of awe and appreciation. “She saved me.”
Ethan nodded, his expression serious. “She’s been your rock. But so have you, Soph. You fought with everything you had.” He paused, his hand resting on her shoulder, the warmth of his touch steadying her. “The doctor should be here soon to check on you and the baby. Jacie’s been doing her best to keep us all calm, but she’ll be relieved to see you awake.”
Sophia nodded, feeling the exhaustion still clinging to her, but there was also a sense of peace settling in her chest. For the first time, she felt like she could breathe.
As she sat up a little, Ethan helped her, arranging the pillows behind her back. The small movement took more energy than she’d expected, but she leaned into his support, grateful that he was there.
“Do you think…” She hesitated, glancing at Ethan. “Do you think Jacie can help with what’s next? I still feel so… raw. I don’t know how to be strong for a child.”
Ethan’s eyes softened, his expression full of understanding. “Jacie’s already been there for you, and I know she’ll be here for you every step of the way. But, Soph, you don’t have to be perfect. You’ve been through a lot, and just being there, loving our child, is all the strength they’ll need.”
Sophia gave a small nod, the weight of his words settling in her heart. She was still processing everything, but in this moment, with Ethan’s unwavering support, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could manage this new reality.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she glanced up to see Jacie peeking inside. Her friend’s face lit up with relief, and she slipped into the room, coming over to Sophia’s bedside with Luke following close behind.
“Oh, thank goodness you’re awake!” Jacie exclaimed, her eyes full of warmth as she wrapped Sophia in a careful hug. “I’ve been so worried.”
Sophia felt tears prick her eyes as she hugged Jacie back, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Jacie. For everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Jacie squeezed her gently, pulling back with a smile. “You would have done just fine, Sophia. But I’m glad I could be there. You’re family to me.”
Sophia’s heart warmed at the word, and she glanced at Luke, who nodded with a quiet smile. They were all family now, bound by more than just friendship.
“I’ve asked the doctor to come by and check on you and… the little one,” Jacie said, her voice softening as she glanced at Sophia’s stomach. “We want to make sure everything’s alright.”
Sophia nodded, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. Despite everything, she felt a small surge of protectiveness, a fierce love she hadn’t expected. She looked at Jacie, who gave her a reassuring nod.
The doctor’s arrival was still a few minutes away, but Jacie and Luke stayed, chatting softly with Ethan and offering Sophia the comfort of their presence. For the first time in a long time, Sophia felt a glimmer of hope, a sense of stability she hadn’t known she could have. She knew there were still challenges ahead, but with Ethan, Jacie, and Luke by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.