“ When the unexpected becomes expected, we find ourselves saying,
 ‘ A miracle has happened. ’ ”
….
— Cecile —
“Hey, love,” Joel’s voice was soft and warm, pulling me gently from my sleep. I felt his presence hovering close, and as I opened my eyes, I saw his familiar, comforting face.
“Hey,” I murmured back with a sleepy smile, just as he leaned in, leaving a lingering peck on my lips that felt like home.
Then slowly, he kissed my shoulders and then slowly unhooked my brazier from behind… my nipples stood at attention, and just when he touched them… I felt pain surge through me. “ Ouch… ” I let out, suddenly feeling so sore and nauseous.
“ Are you okay? ” He immediately stopped, and turned to give me his complete attention.  
“ My breasts feel sore. ” I replied, biting my lips. 
“Oh…” He gazed at me, concern creeping into his eyes. “Want to take a bath?”
I nodded, even though I didn’t really feel like it. But, what harm could it do?
I leaned into him, allowing myself to relax as his soft hands tenderly caressed and pampered me.
“Feeling better?” His voice was gentle, a careful question, as he wrapped a large towel around me.
I nodded, but suddenly the nausea hit harder. Without warning, I pulled away from his embrace and rushed to the bathroom, where I threw up. The waves of sickness came in relentless bursts, three times in a row, until Joel appeared with a glass of water in his hand.
I rinsed my mouth, then let him gently splash the remaining water onto my face.
He quietly retrieved a soft pink bathrobe and helped me slip into it, replacing the towel. Just as I was about to move, he scooped me up into his arms and carried me to the bed. I sank into him, letting myself rest lazily against his chest.
We stayed there in silence, the only sound being the gentle, soothing instrumental music playing softly in the background.
“What do you think, Joel?” I asked quietly, though the answer was already beginning to take shape in my mind.
“That you’re carrying our baby?” His blunt response caught me off guard, and before I knew it, I found myself holding onto him even tighter.
“You think I’m pregnant?” I whispered, my voice trembling as I pressed my lips to his neck.
“ Definitely. ” He nodded, slowly patting my butt and that little action was enough to turn me on… and soon, I found myself kissing him fiercely, and before I knew it… his palms were all over me, just that this time, he avoided my breasts. 
And when we finally became one, he was super careful… almost treating me like a porcelain. But I didn’t want to be treated that way! As a result, I nudged him to go faster and he did just that. 
I sank into his arms moments later, feeling as though every ounce of strength had been drained from me. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, leaving me utterly spent. 
“We’ll use a pregnancy test to confirm tomorrow, alright?” His voice was soft, almost reassuring, as he whispered in my ear while gently lifting me into his arms and carrying me toward the bathroom.
---
The two bright red lines on the test carried more weight than I ever anticipated.
I was pregnant, and soon, I would be a mother. But was I ready?
“Positive?” His voice had a quiet certainty, as if he already knew.
“Yes,” I replied, nodding slowly. I walked toward him, still bare, the test in my hand. “I’m pregnant,” I said, my voice low and surprisingly steady. He nodded in response, taking the test from me before pulling me into his arms, enveloping me in a comforting silence.
The stillness between us was unexpected but calming, like a much-needed reprieve from the noise of the world. And in that moment, I found deep comfort in it.
“Hey,” I heard his voice, and I opened my eyes, unsure of when I had even fallen asleep.
“Hi,” I mumbled, still groggy and half-awake.
“Want to hear me read a poem I wrote?” His voice was gentle, and though I was still trying to grasp the idea of what he was saying, I nodded.
He began reading softly, his voice a calming presence.
‘Joli don’t feel great
Today,
And I think I know why.’
He paused, and our eyes met, the weight of his words settling between us.
‘She’d just graduated
College today,
She recently shared her
Dream of obtaining a
Masters in a year.
But now?
That’s barely possible,
As she just found out
That she’s expecting,
A baby… our little bundle
Of joy. ’
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt the emotions flood in as he stressed those last words. I’m pregnant. This should be a joyful moment, one that I imagined would be filled with excitement and celebration. I should be overjoyed, just like I always thought any woman would be when hearing such news. But instead, I couldn’t help but wonder… Why didn’t I feel that way?
Why does fear grip me so tightly, even when everything seems uncertain? Why am I dreading the morning sickness that hasn’t even come yet, or the fatigue and nausea that haven't made an appearance?
Why am I so terrified of the cramps, the discomfort, and the labor pains I haven’t yet felt?
Why?
I locked eyes with him, and in them, I saw nothing but love and understanding—a quiet reassurance that spoke to me in ways words couldn’t. The sight of him brought tears to my eyes.
‘She believes I don’t get it,
That I, as a man, can never understand,
Because, after all, 
men just don’t get it, 
do they?
They don’t care; 
it’s not their problem,
It’s the woman’s burden 
to bear,
The responsibility of 
carrying life to term.’
His words were soft, yet they made me feel more seen and heard than I had in a long time.
‘But what if I told you, 
That I break inside when 
I see Her tears fall? 
That it hurts me to 
see her Like this?’
‘What if I reminded 
her That, 
as her other half, 
Her burdens are mine too? 
That her struggles, 
her doubts, 
Are as much a part of 
me as they are of her?’
‘But how do I express 
this to her without 
seeming overbearing, 
Like a lovesick fool? 
How do I say it?’
The last line of his poem made me laugh softly, and I found myself curling into his arms.
“I love you, Joel.” I cupped his chin and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
“I love you more, Joli.” He pulled me closer, and we settled into the bed, his warmth surrounding me as he drifted off to sleep.
“Do you want to talk about it?” His voice was gentle as he stroked my hair.
“Not yet.” I shook my head slowly. “I don’t even know what to say... I just feel overwhelmed.” I admitted, my voice quiet but honest.
“Take your time,” he said with a gentle smile, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
“Thank you,” I murmured, resting my head on his chest. After a moment, I added quietly, “I think I should cut my hair... for the pregnancy.”
He immediately cupped my face, his touch tender. “No, Joli... You’re beautiful just as you are. There’s nothing about you that I’d want to change.”
“But—” I began to protest, thinking of all the changes that would come, but he cut me off.
“No buts,” he whispered, silencing me gently. “Let’s take it one day at a time, alright?”
I nodded slowly, but my thoughts wandered to how I’d tell Bernie. Deep down, I had a feeling she already knew.
After all, that’s what best friends are for, right?
….
A/N; What do you think, guys?