𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄 | 𝓟𝓮𝓭𝓻𝓸 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓵 |

27

Pedro and I were back at his house, the place that had been our safe haven and battleground. I was upstairs, getting ready for what felt like an incredibly daunting task: visiting my parents. The past week had been an emotional whirlwind, and I was immensely grateful to Courtney for her unwavering support. Despite the pain Pedro had caused, I couldn’t stay mad at him. Every day, I had wished for him to come back, and now that he had, I felt both relief and anxiety about our future.

I took a deep breath and focused on my reflection in the mirror. My casual, comfy outfit seemed perfect for today—a soft, cream-colored sweater paired with light jeans and my favorite sneakers. I applied some makeup to hide the fatigue etched on my face. Satisfied, I took one last look at myself and left the room, heading downstairs.

Pedro was in the kitchen, scrolling through his phone. I smiled at the sight of him, feeling a wave of warmth. I grabbed my shoes and sat on the couch to put them on. As I tied my laces, Pedro approached me.

"Cath, I was reading that it’s important to have a balanced diet during pregnancy. You need to take prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, and make sure you’re getting enough iron and calcium," he said, his voice filled with concern. "And we should also monitor your hydration and avoid any food that could be harmful to the baby."

I smiled up at him as I finished tying my shoes. "The doctor already gave me some guidelines on what to take care of. Don’t worry, I’ve got this."

Pedro’s expression softened but still held a hint of sadness. "I know, but I wasn’t there at the appointment. I just want to make sure you and the baby are okay."

I stood up, taking his phone and placing it on the counter. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders while his hands settled on my waist. "We’re okay, Pedro. The doctor said everything is fine. And we’re in this together now."

His eyes searched mine, and I could see the worry still lingering. I kissed him slowly, our tongues intertwining, our bodies pressing closer. It was a kiss filled with promise and reassurance.

Pulling back slightly, I teased, "The doctor also mentioned that I might have more needs during pregnancy… and right now, I’m feeling very needy."

Pedro chuckled, though his eyes were still serious. "You’re worrying about sex when I'm trying to make sure you're healthy?"

I laughed, feeling the tension ease. "It's all part of it. We have to take this one step at a time and not stress too much. Now, we should go to my parents' house before I decide to devour you right here."

Pedro grinned. "As tempting as that sounds, I agree. Fixing things with your parents is more important right now. I can wait until tonight."

We left the house and got into Pedro's car, heading towards my parents’ home. The drive was filled with my anxious thoughts. I couldn't stop my mind from replaying all the potential scenarios. Would they welcome me back? Would they be angry? I was so nervous that my hands were shaking.

When we arrived, I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, walking slowly to the front door. Pedro was right behind me, his hand gently resting on my waist. His touch was comforting, grounding me. After a moment of hesitation, I finally knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, my mother opened the door. Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hands, clearly emotional. "My sweet girl," she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. "I've missed you so much."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her back. When I opened my eyes, I saw my father standing in the background, watching us. I pulled away from my mother and saw her glance at Pedro. He smiled at her, but then stepped back slightly. "Maybe I should give you all some space. You have a lot to talk about."