A New Heartbeat

A New Heartbeat
💎Angel💎

She said all that?" Dad asked, his voice thick with surprise as I recounted Mom's harsh words from our fight.

"She's really something else," he murmured.

I sighed, nodding in agreement.

"Where's Sarah?" I asked, curious about his new life.

"She took your stepsister to visit her grandparents," he explained.

"What's her name?"

"Sierra." His face lit up as he spoke about her.

"Does she know about me and Luca?"

He smiled widely and nodded. 

"Yes, Princess. Sarah can't have another child, and Sierra always wished for a sibling. There was no way we could explain why Sarah couldn't give her one, so we told her the truth—that she has two older siblings. She's excited to meet you both. Would you like to meet her?" he asked, a bit unsure.

"Of course, Dad. She's my sister." His smile widened, and he pulled me into a warm hug.

"We should go, Dad. I need to help with Jasira's birthday party."

He nodded and we both rose to our feet.

"I see how much you love Raul and his family," he said softly. I nodded, a lump in my throat.

"They're... everything. Being with Raul, spending these days with his family—it's shown me there are good people out there. Mom... she made me feel suffocated, worthless."

Dad's eyes softened with understanding. He had once been in the same shoes.

I texted Raul, and he replied almost immediately—he was on his way.

"Dad, you're coming with me, right?

He hesitated. "Angel, I—"

" No." I cut him off gently but firmly. "No buts. You didn't come all this way just to stand on the sidelines, did you?"

He looked at me, unsure.

"After all, you did come to Spain because you knew I'd be here."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "How'd you know?"

"Luca."

"That boy," he muttered, annoyed, and I laughed.

"So, what do you say, Dad? You're already here—and we've missed so much of each other's lives," I said softly, my voice laced with quiet hope.

"It's not that I don't want to spend time with you and your brother," he sighed, "but... you came here with Raul. Maybe after the vacation. I was just desperate to see you."

I smiled and reached for his hand, wrapping my fingers around his.

"I'd rather not waste any more time, Dad. I'm not wishing for anything bad to happen, but life's unpredictable. Let's make every moment count—while we still have them."

He looked at me for a long moment, his features softening with emotion before he sighed in defeat.

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

My lips curved into a victorious smile.

"Not even a little one."

"Angel!" Raul's voice cut through, and I turned to see him approaching, his strides quick. 

I smiled ready to hug him, when suddenly, a sharp pain gripped my stomach. I winced, doubling slightly.

"Angel?" Raul was at my side in an instant, his voice laced with worry. "You okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile through the pain. 

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied. 

The pain was stabbing hard, but I didn't want to cause a scene.

We reached the car. Dad took the back seat while I slid into the passenger side. Both he and Raul had insisted I lie down in the back to rest, but—me being me—I stubbornly refused.

I rested my head against the seat, unease growing. The pain intensified, a dull ache turning sharp. 

"Raul, stop the car," I whispered.

He didn't hesitate. The car screeched to a halt.

I flung the door open and leaned out, emptying my stomach. Everything I'd eaten came pouring out in a single violent heave.

"Tesoro," Raul murmured, worry etching his voice. 

He knelt beside me, one hand on my waist, the other rubbing my back soothingly. 

"Here," Dad offered me a bottle of water. I rinsed my mouth and wiped my lips with the back of my hand.

"I knew you weren't fine," Raul scolded softly, wiping my face with a towel. "Why did you lie to me?"

"It's just a stomach upset," I insisted, but his hard glare silenced me as he helped me back into the car.

"We're going to the hospital," he declared, starting the engine.

"Raul, I'll be fine. I just need rest," I protested, but he ignored me.

I glanced at Dad through the side mirror, pleading. 

"Dad, tell him I'm okay."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry, princess, I'm not getting between you two."

I huffed, shaking my head in disbelief.

At the hospital, Raul scooped me up in a bridal carry, as if I'd lost the ability to walk.

I slapped his chest lightly. "And you always say I overreact?"

He didn't respond to my sass. 

"Why wouldn't I worry, tesoro? You're clearly not okay. You threw up, and you're pale as hell." He tucked a curl behind my ear, his touch gentle despite his stern tone.

I sighed.

"Just put me down, Raul. I'll be fine."

He scowled, clearly reluctant, but after a moment, he gave in—though not without keeping a firm arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close like he didn't trust me to stand on my own.

We reached the nurse's station a few seconds later.

A young nurse with sleek dark hair tied into a bun and a soft pink uniform approached us. 

Her eyes flicked between me and Raul, her expression warm but cautious.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?" she asked politely.

Raul didn't waste a second. "Any available doctor? I want to see them now."

His voice was clipped—cold enough to make the air tense.

The nurse opened her mouth, perhaps to explain protocol or ask more questions, but one look at Raul's steely glare had her lips sealing shut.

She smiled tightly instead. "Please, follow me."

As we walked behind her down the hallway, I elbowed him gently in the ribs. "You didn't have to be mean," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at him.

He didn't respond—just kept his icy gaze ahead, jaw tight, hand never leaving mine.

We stopped in front of a wooden door with a silver nameplate. The nurse turned to us, her smile softening.

"Doctor Helena will see you now." She opened the door wide.

"Thank you," I murmured and stepped inside, Raul close behind me.

His grip on my hand remained—firm, grounding, protective—like he wasn't going to let me face anything alone.

"Good afternoon," the doctor greeted, removing her glasses with a warm, reassuring smile.

She gestured toward the chairs in front of her desk. 

Raul pulled one out for me, and I sat down with a soft "thank you" before he took the seat beside me.

I glanced at him and offered a small smile, touched by the simple gesture.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Raul nudged me gently, signaling for me to speak.

"I feel awful, Doctor," I began. "I've puked twice today, my head's spinning, my stomach aches, and I feel extremely nauseous."

She nodded, jotting notes onto her pad. "When was your last period?"

I froze. My mind scrambled to remember, but the days had blurred together. It had been so long since I'd touched a sanitary pad.

"I... I don't know," I whispered.

She looked up and smiled kindly. "Come with me."

Raul's voice came beside me, taut with concern. 

"Do you want me to come?"

"I'll be fine," I assured him with a soft smile, following the doctor to a smaller examination room with a neatly made bed in the corner.

"Please lie down, Mrs. D'Amano," she instructed gently. The title made my heart stutter with pride. I did as she asked, and she lifted my gown to press her stethoscope against my stomach.

After a few moments, she handed me a pregnancy test strip. "Here. Use this."

My fingers trembled slightly as I accepted it, retreating into the bathroom. I followed the instructions, my breath catching the moment the result became clear.

"I'm pregnant," I whispered, staring at the test strip like it held the universe.

I stepped out and handed it to her. She looked at it and smiled brightly.

"Congratulations," she said. "Come, let's go talk about what you and your husband should expect next."

My heart leapt into my chest as we returned to the office.

"Is she okay, Doctor?" Raul asked immediately, the tension in his shoulders tight and visible.

"She's perfectly fine," she said warmly. "Congratulations, Mr. D'Amano. Your wife is pregnant."

"WHAT?" Raul's voice boomed in shock, making me flinch. My eyes shut instinctively. 

Here it comes.

This was exactly what I'd been afraid of. I always knew he wanted a child—what I didn't know was if he wanted one now.

"This is the best news of my life," he breathed. His words snapped my eyes open. He's not angry?

"Angel," he whispered, scooping me up into his arms and spinning me in a slow, joyous circle. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me.

"T-this is amazing! You've given me the most beautiful gift, tesoro. Thank you." 

He held me tightly to his chest, and tears welled in my eyes, slipping down silently in warm streaks of happiness.

Doctor Helena smiled as she stepped closer. 

"Here are the prenatal vitamins she'll need at this early stage," she explained. "There are some foods she should avoid while pregnant—and some that are especially good for her and the baby, even if she insists she doesn't like them."

Her gaze cut playfully to me, and I groaned inwardly. Great. Now I'd never win another food argument again.

"She shouldn't lift anything heavy or do strenuous activity, but light exercises are good. She'll need plenty of rest. Schedule your next check-up in two weeks."

Raul nodded solemnly, absorbing every instruction like it was sacred scripture.

There had been a time when he was already overly protective. Now? I couldn't imagine what lay ahead.

"There'll be no problem following any of that, Doctor," Raul assured her, his voice low and serious.

"Come on, Caramella," he said, placing his hand at my waist as we left the office. 

He didn't let go of me once—not while we stopped by the pharmacy to collect the medications, not even while walking back to the car.

The moment we reached where my dad was waiting, he stood and looked us over.

"Everything alright?" he asked, voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine, Dad," I said with a soft smile.

"So, what did the doctor say was wrong?"

"I'm pregnant," I said quietly.

His eyes widened in stunned silence. "Y-you... I'm going to be a grandpa?"

I nodded, and he pulled me into a hug, kissing my forehead.

"Thank you, princess. Thank you for this," he murmured, his voice cracking with emotion.

By the time we returned to the cabin, the backyard was already bustling with  preparations. Decorations were being set up—it was clear the party planning was well underway.

"Where's she now?" I asked Raul.

"Bianco's keeping her distracted until tomorrow," he replied. I nodded in understanding as he led me upstairs to our room.

"Are you hungry? Want me to cook something? Do you need a massage? Ice cream? Chocolate? Cake—"

"Raul," I laughed softly, cupping his cheek. "I'm okay. You don't have to do all that. I'll let you know when I need something."

He frowned slightly, the worry still etched into his brow.

"I just can't help it, Caramella. I want you and our daughter to be okay."

My head tilted. "You want a girl first?" I asked, surprised. 

Don't most men wish for a boy?

"Yes, Angel," he said without hesitation. "I want a daughter."

"Why?"

He smirked. "Must there be a reason for what my heart wants?"

I rolled my eyes, chuckling.

"Come on," he urged gently. "You need rest."

And with tender care, he tucked me into bed like I was the most precious thing in the world.

^^^^

I was playing with Astra on my thighs when a mannerless jerk barged into my room.

"Sis!" Luca yelled, leaping onto the bed and yanking me by the torso, startling poor Astra.

"Luca Caribello!" I scolded, narrowing my eyes at him. Astra scurried off my lap, clearly shaken.

He looked up at me with an exaggerated pout. 

"When did we start keeping secrets from each other? You're pregnant and didn't think to tell me?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Don't be so dramatic, Luca. I just found out myself. And when we got back, everyone was busy getting things ready for tomorrow's party. Besides—how did you even find out?"

"Dad blurted it out by accident," he grinned, then glanced at Astra who was now chasing her little ball around the room. "That's a cute dog, by the way."

"Thank you," I said, watching her fondly.

Without warning, he rested his head on my belly, making me freeze in surprise.

"Hey there, little Luca," he whispered dramatically. "I'm your cool uncle, alright? And I can't wait for you to be born so we can team up and drive your mom crazy."

I smacked the back of his head.

"Ow! Sis, you shouldn't be so violent," he whined, though the grin on his face betrayed his amusement.

"What makes you think it's going to be a boy?" I glared. "And I am not letting you corrupt my child with your nonsense."

He shrugged. "Boy or girl, doesn't matter. As long as they'll be my partner in crime."

Before I could reply, he jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.

"Idiot," I muttered under my breath, then bent to scoop Astra back onto my lap. "Come here, baby."