The Wait Begins

The days leading up to the birth stretched on, each one filled with a quiet kind of anticipation that settled over the cottage like the calm before a storm. Every movement Lila made was accompanied by a watchful gaze from Ethan, Margaret, or even William, who, despite his usual humor, had grown noticeably more attentive.

Lila tried to go about her daily tasks as normally as possible, but she couldn’t deny that things were different now. Her body was heavier, slower, her balance more precarious. Even simple movements required more effort than before, and there were moments when fatigue settled over her so suddenly that she had no choice but to rest.

Ethan, of course, was ever vigilant.

“Sit down,” he said for the tenth time that morning as she tried to organize the baby clothes in the small chest they had set up in their bedroom.

Lila huffed. “Ethan, I am sitting.”

Ethan crossed his arms, unimpressed. “You were about to get up.”

Lila sighed. “I was just shifting positions.”

Ethan arched a brow. “And then you would have stood up, which would have led to you moving things, which would have led to you overexerting yourself.”

Lila rolled her eyes. “You sound like Margaret.”

“Good,” Ethan said, unbothered. “She’s right.”

Lila shook her head, smiling despite herself. “If you hover any more, I’m going to start charging you rent.”

Ethan smirked, crouching down beside her. “I already live here, sweetheart.”

Lila poked his chest playfully. “Then I’ll start charging you for every time you tell me to sit.”

Ethan chuckled. “That’s fair. How much?”

Lila pretended to think. “One kiss per offense.”

Ethan grinned. “Oh no. How terrible.”

Lila laughed, but it quickly turned into a small wince as a sudden pressure tightened in her lower back.

Ethan’s teasing expression vanished in an instant. “What is it?”

Lila exhaled slowly, rubbing the small of her back. “Nothing. Just a little ache.”

Ethan frowned. “Are you sure?”

Lila nodded. “Completely normal.”

Ethan didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push—though she could tell he was making a mental note of every movement she made from now on.

Later that afternoon, as Lila sat on the porch with Margaret, sipping on warm tea, the older woman gave her a knowing look.

“You’re feeling it more, aren’t you?”

Lila glanced at her, then sighed. “Yes.”

Margaret hummed. “Your body’s preparing. It won’t be long now.”

Lila swallowed, staring down at her tea. “I know.”

Margaret studied her. “You scared?”

Lila hesitated before nodding. “A little.”

Margaret nodded as if she expected that answer. “That’s good.”

Lila frowned. “Good?”

Margaret smirked. “Means you understand what’s coming. Fear is natural. But it doesn’t control you.”

Lila exhaled, rubbing her stomach. “I don’t think it’s the pain that scares me the most. It’s… the unknown.”

Margaret sipped her tea. “The unknown is part of life, child. You’ll never know everything. But you’ll live through it.”

Lila let those words settle into her bones, absorbing their weight.

Margaret wasn’t one for sentiment, but she always knew exactly what to say.

Lila smiled slightly. “Thank you.”

Margaret huffed. “Don’t thank me yet. You’ve got a long road ahead of you.”

Lila chuckled. “I know.”

But deep down, she felt steadier.

As the evening settled in, Ethan and Lila lay in bed, listening to the sound of the wind outside.

Ethan’s hand rested protectively over her belly, his thumb tracing idle patterns against her skin.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he murmured.

Lila sighed. “Just thinking.”

Ethan kissed the top of her head. “Tell me.”

Lila hesitated before whispering, “Are you scared?”

Ethan was quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Yes.”

Lila blinked. “You are?”

Ethan exhaled. “Of course, I am. This is new for both of us. I’ve never done this before either.”

Lila turned in his arms, looking up at him. “But you always seem so sure.”

Ethan smiled softly. “That’s because I have to be. For you.”

Lila’s heart squeezed. “Ethan…”

He cupped her face, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “We’re in this together. No matter what happens, I’ll be right here.”

Lila closed her eyes, soaking in his words.

This man—her husband, her best friend—had never once let her feel alone.

She pressed a kiss to his lips, slow and lingering. “I love you.”

Ethan rested his forehead against hers. “I love you too.”

Lila exhaled, curling into his warmth. “I think I’m ready.”

Ethan kissed the top of her head. “I know you are.”

And with that, they let sleep take them, knowing that the next time they woke, their lives could change forever.