wintumn - their love.

13.

The next day, Autumn decided to take a day off work to watch Harlow, allowing Winter to handle his duties without worry. The hours seemed to drag on slowly, the monotony of the day contrasting sharply with the usual hustle and bustle of the daycare. Autumn tried to keep herself busy, playing with Harlow, feeding her, and managing small household chores. However, she couldn't shake a small, nagging pain in her abdomen. At first, she dismissed it, attributing it to the stress and fatigue of the past few weeks. As the day wore on, the discomfort became more pronounced, but Autumn pushed it to the back of her mind, focusing instead on Harlow. She changed diapers, prepared bottles, and entertained her daughter, the minutes ticking by with agonizing slowness. Finally, the end of the day approached, and Autumn's anticipation for Winter's return grew stronger. When she heard the familiar sound of the front door opening, she felt a rush of relief wash over her.

Winter stepped inside, looking tired but happy to be home. "Hey, love," he called out, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Autumn and Harlow.

Without a moment's hesitation, Autumn flew into his arms, seeking comfort and reassurance. However, as she wrapped her arms around him, a sharp pain in her abdomen caused her to freeze momentarily, her face contorting in discomfort.

"Autumn?" Winter's voice was filled with concern. "What's wrong?"

Autumn took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm okay," she said, her voice a bit strained. "It's just a small pain. It's probably nothing."

Winter tightened his hold on her, his eyes scanning her face. "Are you sure? You look like you're in pain."

Autumn nodded, trying to smile through the discomfort. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's just been a long day."

Winter wasn't entirely convinced, but he didn't push. "Alright, but if it gets worse, we're going to the doctor, okay?"

Autumn nodded, grateful for his concern. "Okay. Let's just enjoy the evening together."

They moved to the living room, Autumn leaning on Winter for support. He helped her settle down on the couch, Harlow nestled in her arms. The warmth of Winter's presence and the love of their little family made the pain a bit more bearable. As the evening progressed, Autumn felt the pain slowly subside, the comforting routine of their home life bringing a sense of normalcy back. Winter kept a watchful eye on her, ready to help in any way he could, his love and concern a constant source of strength. They ended the day curled up together, Harlow asleep in her crib nearby, the quiet hum of their home a soothing backdrop. Despite the challenges, Autumn felt a deep sense of gratitude for her family, knowing that with Winter by her side, she could face whatever came their way. Later that night, Autumn woke up with a sharp pain in her abdomen. She groaned softly, trying not to wake Winter, who was sleeping beside her. She slipped out of bed, hoping that a trip to the bathroom might help ease her discomfort. As she stood up, she noticed that her side of the bed felt damp. Confused and slightly worried, she made her way to the bathroom, her movements slow and cautious. Once inside, she turned on the light and looked at herself in the mirror. Her heart skipped a beat. Her bump, which had been noticeable, now seemed slightly smaller. Panic started to creep in as she gently touched her stomach, feeling another sharp pain. Despite the reduced size of her bump, she still felt and looked pregnant.

"Something's wrong," she whispered to herself, a mix of fear and confusion in her voice.