HEART BEAT

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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**Chapter 13**

The days that followed felt like a dream. Kira and Alex settled into a rhythm that was both familiar and new, their lives entwined more deeply than ever before. Every morning, they woke up wrapped in each other’s arms, and every evening, they ended the day with whispered promises of a future together.

But as the initial euphoria of their engagement began to settle, reality started to seep in. There were decisions to be made, plans to organize, and responsibilities that couldn’t be ignored. The hospital, their demanding careers, and the expectations of their families all began to press in, reminding them that love, while beautiful, was not without its challenges.

It was a crisp Saturday morning when Kira first felt the weight of it all. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee growing cold in her hands as she stared at the pile of wedding magazines and planners spread out before her. The excitement she’d felt just days ago now seemed overshadowed by a growing sense of anxiety.

There were so many decisions—venues, guest lists, catering, the dress. It was overwhelming, and for the first time, Kira felt the pressure of making sure everything was perfect, not just for her and Alex, but for their families, who had their own expectations and hopes for the big day.

Alex was in the living room, typing away on his laptop, working on a presentation for a conference he had to attend in a few weeks. She watched him from across the room, admiring the way his brow furrowed in concentration, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest.

“Kira, you okay?” Alex’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He was looking at her now, concern evident in his eyes.

She forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking.”

Alex set his laptop aside and joined her at the table, taking her hand in his. “What’s on your mind? You seem stressed.”

Kira sighed, glancing down at the magazines before looking back at him. “It’s just a lot, you know? The wedding, our jobs, everything. I want it to be perfect, but I’m starting to feel like there’s too much to juggle. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

Alex squeezed her hand reassuringly. “You don’t have to do this alone, Kira. We’re a team, remember? We’ll figure this out together.”

She nodded, appreciating his words, but the knot in her stomach didn’t loosen. “I know, but I’m just… I don’t want to let anyone down. Our families are so excited, and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly. And then there’s work—I’m starting to feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions.”

Alex’s expression softened, and he leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll take it one step at a time. We don’t have to rush anything. The wedding should be about us, not about meeting everyone else’s expectations. And as for work… we’ll figure out a balance. We always do.”

Kira rested her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence. “You’re right. I’m just overthinking, as usual.”

“You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed,” Alex said gently. “But just remember that you don’t have to carry all of this by yourself. I’m here, and I want to help. Let’s sit down and figure out what needs to be done, together.”

His words were a balm to her anxious heart, and Kira felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. They spent the next hour talking through the details—what they both wanted for the wedding, how they could manage their work schedules, and how to keep things in perspective. By the end of the conversation, Kira felt lighter, as if a burden had been lifted.