Echoes of the Past

Chapter 20

Cole's POV

Life on the island had taken on a strange rhythm now that Ava and I were a couple. It wasn't the life I'd imagined for myself, but it had become bearable, even beautiful in its way. We made love often, finding comfort in each other's arms, a solace in the isolation that surrounded us. Every time I looked at her, I wished I could marry her, make her my wife, and start a new chapter together. But I knew that was a fantasy unless someone found us and brought us back to the real world. Only then could she divorce James and we could truly be together.

This morning marked seven months since we had been stranded here. Seven months of survival, of close calls, of narrowly escaping death more times than I cared to count. I glanced at the rock where I kept track of the days, carving another mark into its rough surface. It was hard to believe so much time had passed. We had been through so much together, and despite everything, we had managed to survive. I looked over at the new raft I was building. It was much sturdier than the previous ones—stronger, and more reliable. If I could finish it, maybe, just maybe, we could attempt to leave this island for good.

But that wasn't going to be easy. This morning, I had taken the old raft out further than ever before, hoping to spot another island, some sign of life, anything that could offer us hope. But there was nothing. Just an endless expanse of water in every direction. I wondered where we were, and what part of the world we were lost in.

When I returned to our home, Ava was nowhere to be seen. I expected to find her preparing something for us to eat, but there was nothing in the kitchen, and my stomach growled in protest. "Ava... Ava, where are you?" I called out, trying to keep the worry out of my voice. She didn't reply, and my concern grew. Then I heard strange noises coming from the bathroom—a faint sound that sent a chill down my spine.

"Ava... are you okay?" I asked, knocking gently on the door. There was a moment of silence, and then I heard the toilet flush. The door creaked open, and Ava stepped out, but the look on her face made my heart stop. Something was wrong.

"What is it, babe?" I asked, reaching out to touch her forehead, and checking for a fever. "Aren't you feeling well?"

She shook her head, looking pale and uneasy. "I've been feeling nauseous, and I can't even stand the scent of food."

"Did you eat something that made you sick?" I asked, trying to stay calm, but the worry was creeping in.

"No, Cole..." she began, her voice trembling. "I... I think I'm pregnant."

Her words hit me like a thunderbolt. I stared at her, my mind racing to catch up. "Pregnant? Oh my God... are you sure?"

"I missed my period, Cole. We've made love so many times, and we never used any protection, not that we had any..."

I felt my heart skip a beat, a mix of emotions swirling inside me—shock, disbelief, and then overwhelming joy. "But... I was careful... I think. Oh my God, Ava. It's... it's wonderful news. Having a baby with you is a dream come true, but..."

My joy was quickly overshadowed by fear. I pulled her into a tight hug, the reality of our situation sinking in. "But I'm worried... worried for you. What are we going to do when it's time for you to give birth? We're out here in the middle of nowhere, with no medical help, no supplies..."

She buried her face in my chest, her voice muffled as she spoke. "I'm terrified, Cole. I don't want to think about it. I'm just hoping that by the time the baby comes, someone will have found us."

The thought of Ava going through childbirth alone, without any medical help, terrified me more than anything else. But I couldn't let her see that fear. I had to be strong for her, for both of us. "Then we'll make sure we're ready," I said firmly. "We'll gather supplies, prepare for anything. We've survived every challenge this place has thrown at us so far, and this will be no different. We're not just surviving for ourselves anymore; we're surviving for our child. And that changes everything."