Chapter 8 - The Baby Nobody Knew Was Coming
One year into their marriage, Nora discovered she was pregnant.
She stared at the test.
Then laughed.
Then cried.
Then called Adrian.
He answered immediately.
“What happened?”
“I think you should sit down.”
He went silent.
“Nora?”
“I'm pregnant.”
Silence.
Then:
“I'll be home in ten minutes.”
He arrived in seven.
She was waiting in the kitchen.
He stared at her.
“Really?”
She nodded.
His face changed.
He hugged her so carefully that she laughed.
“You can breathe.”
“I forgot how.”
He knelt in front of her.
Then touched her stomach.
Nothing was there yet.
Still, he smiled.
“What do we call her?”
“You don't know it's a girl.”
“I do.”
“How?”
“I asked.”
She laughed.
“You asked who?”
“Fate.”
Months passed.
The pregnancy transformed them.
Adrian became absurdly protective.
Nora complained.
“You bought four cribs.”
“I wanted options.”
“We need one.”
“I know.”
“You bought twelve blankets.”
“I was told babies are cold.”
“Our daughter lives in Chicago, not Alaska.”
He smiled.
She loved seeing him like this.
Soft.
Human.
No fear.
No violence.
No secrets.
Then the complications began.
The doctor discovered that Nora had a difficult pregnancy.
She needed rest.
Adrian canceled meetings.
Sold another property.
Stayed home.
One evening, Nora looked at him.
“You can't protect me from everything.”
“I know.”
“But you're trying.”
“Yes.”
She took his hand.
“Sometimes loving someone means letting them be scared.”
He nodded.
“I hate that.”
“So do I.”
At thirty-six weeks, Nora went into labor.
Adrian drove her to the hospital.
He held her hand.
She squeezed hard.
“You remembered my birthday.”
“Yes.”
“Don't forget our daughter's.”
“I won't.”
“She'll probably hate cake.”
“She won't.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she's ours.”
The baby was born at 3:16 a.m.
A girl.
Healthy.
Beautiful.
They named her Clara Bell Vale.
After Nora's mother.
And after the courage of the woman who had taught Nora to keep loving people despite everything.
Adrian held Clara.
His eyes filled.
“This is the best thing I've ever touched.”
Nora smiled.
May you like
“Don't tell the cake.”
He laughed.
