Mr.Brightside

Chapter 21

Clara

The days were growing shorter, and with each sunset, the reality of what lay ahead became more palpable. Our child would be here soon, and while the excitement was undeniable, so was the weight of all the decisions we had to make. Jack and I had reached an understanding about not rushing into any big changes, but that didn't mean the questions stopped swirling in my mind.

Nesting Instincts

One afternoon, I found myself in the baby's room, folding and refolding tiny clothes that I had meticulously organized in the dresser drawers. The room was nearly ready-soft pastel walls, a crib by the window, and shelves lined with books and stuffed animals. But there was something calming about the simple act of preparing, as if by putting everything in its place, I could bring order to the chaos of my thoughts.

I ran my hand over the smooth surface of the dresser, imagining what life would be like once our baby arrived. Would I be a good mother? Would Jack and I navigate the challenges of parenthood as well as we'd navigated everything else? These questions tugged at me, making my heart flutter with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

As I arranged the baby's clothes, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a message from my best friend, Sarah.

Sarah: "Hey, just thinking about you. How's everything going? Need any help with last-minute prep?"

Her message brought a smile to my face. Sarah had been a rock for me throughout this pregnancy, always checking in and offering support. I quickly typed a response.

Clara: "Thanks, Sarah! Just finishing up the nursery. I think we're pretty much set. How about a coffee soon? Could use some girl time before everything gets crazy."

Sarah's reply was almost immediate.

Sarah: "Absolutely! Let's do it tomorrow. Can't wait to catch up!"

I felt a sense of relief at the thought of spending time with her. Sarah always had a way of putting things into perspective, and I knew that a good chat with her would help ease some of the tension I'd been feeling.

### Coffee and Conversations

The next day, I met Sarah at our favorite café, a cozy little spot with mismatched furniture and the best pastries in town. She was already there when I arrived, sitting by the window with two steaming mugs of coffee in front of her.

"Hey, mama!" she greeted me with a bright smile, standing up to give me a hug. "You're glowing!"

I laughed, feeling some of my stress melt away just being around her. "Thanks, though I think it's more like sweating than glowing at this point."

She chuckled and motioned for me to sit. "Fair enough. How are you feeling?"

I took a sip of my coffee, savoring the warmth. "Honestly? A bit overwhelmed. There's just so much to think about, and I feel like there's never enough time to figure it all out."

Sarah nodded sympathetically. "That's totally normal. But you're doing great, Clara. You and Jack have always been such a strong team. You'll get through this, just like you've gotten through everything else."

Her words were comforting, but I couldn't help but voice the concern that had been nagging at me. "It's not just the baby stuff, though. It's the idea of moving, of whether we should stay here or be closer to my parents. I just want to make the right choice for us, for our family."

Sarah leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "I get it. That's a huge decision. But from what you've told me, it sounds like you and Jack are handling it the right way-by talking it through and not rushing into anything. You don't have to decide everything right now. Sometimes, it's okay to just take things one day at a time."

I nodded, appreciating her perspective. "That's what we're trying to do. It's just hard not to overthink everything, you know?"

She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "I know. But remember, you don't have to have all the answers right now. You're allowed to take your time and figure things out as you go."

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, sharing stories and reminiscing about the past. By the time we said our goodbyes, I felt lighter, more at peace with the uncertainty that lay ahead.

A Moment of Clarity

That evening, as Jack and I settled in for the night, I felt a renewed sense of calm. The conversation with Sarah had reminded me that it was okay to take things slow, to focus on the present rather than getting lost in worries about the future.

As we lay in bed, I turned to Jack, feeling the need to share what was on my mind. "You know, I was talking to Sarah today, and she made me realize something. We don't have to have everything figured out right now. We can just take things one day at a time, and trust that we'll make the right decisions when the time comes."

Jack looked at me, his eyes soft with understanding. "I'm glad you talked to her. She's right. We're in this together, and we'll figure it out, just like we always do."

I smiled, feeling the tension in my chest ease. "I love you, Jack. I'm so grateful that we're doing this together."

He pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me in a reassuring embrace. "I love you too, Clara. And no matter what, we'll make this work. We've got each other, and that's all we need."

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that whatever the future held, we would face it together. And for now, that was enough.

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