𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬

𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝟒𝟖

Sadira sat at the edge of the bed, her hands resting protectively over her still-flat stomach. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning, but even that couldn't cool the heat building in her chest. She had been up for the past hour, her stomach turning in ways she couldn't control. Even though the sickness was settling in, it was nothing compared to the wave of doubt and fear that had washed over her.

She stared down at her fingers, noticing how they trembled slightly as they rested against her belly. Was this really happening? Was she really pregnant? It wasn't that she didn't want the baby-no, she loved the idea of having a family with Davis-but there was something terrifying about it all. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into the unknown.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, and she heard Davis's voice from the other side. "Ma, you good?" His voice was soft, concerned, and as always, full of love.

She didn't answer right away, instead blinking back the tears that were threatening to spill over. She didn't want him to see her like this, unsure and doubting herself. But when she didn't respond, the door creaked open and Davis stepped in, his tall frame casting a shadow in the dimly lit room. He looked at her, concern etched into his handsome features.

"What's wrong, Ma?" he asked again, crossing the room in a few strides to sit beside her on the bed.

Sadira bit her lip, trying to keep it together, but the weight of her worries was too heavy to hold in any longer. She felt the tears begin to well up and spill over, despite her best efforts to keep them in check. Davis, without a second thought, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest.

"I'm scared," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Davis, I'm so scared."

He tightened his hold on her, his lips pressing gently against the top of her head. "What's scaring you, baby?" His voice was calm, soothing, and it only made the tears come harder because it reminded her just how much he believed in her when she wasn't sure she could believe in herself.

Sadira took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. How could she even begin to explain the weight of the fear she felt? It wasn't just about being pregnant-it was about everything that came with it.

"I don't know if I'm going to be a good mom," she confessed, her voice shaky. "What if I mess up? What if I can't handle it? What if I don't make it through labor?" She could feel the panic rising in her chest as she spoke, each word coming out faster than the last. "There's just so many 'what ifs,' Davis. What if something goes wrong? What if I'm not strong enough?"

Davis listened quietly, letting her pour out everything she had been holding in. His hand gently rubbed circles on her back as she spoke, his presence grounding her, even as her emotions ran wild.

When she finished, Sadira pulled back just slightly to look up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. She searched his face for any sign that he might think less of her for feeling this way, for doubting herself so much. But Davis didn't look at her with judgment or disappointment. Instead, his eyes were filled with understanding.

"Sadira," he began softly, his thumb wiping away the tears on her cheek. "It's okay to be scared. Hell, I'm scared too. We've never done this before. But you? You're gonna be a great mom, Ma. I know it."

She shook her head, sniffling. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know you," he replied, his tone full of certainty. "I've seen how you take care of people. You got so much love in you, and you always go above and beyond for the people you care about. You think you're not gonna do the same for our kid?"

Sadira wanted to believe him, but the doubts still lingered. "But what if-"

"Listen to me," Davis interrupted gently but firmly, tilting her chin up so she couldn't look away. "You're not in this alone. We're doing this together. And if you mess up, we'll figure it out. If things get hard, we'll figure it out. You don't have to have all the answers right now. I don't have all the answers either. But we'll get through it. Together."

The way he said together made something inside her loosen, just a little. He wasn't expecting her to be perfect. He wasn't expecting her to have everything figured out. That was what had been terrifying her the most-the idea that she had to be ready for everything all at once. But with Davis, she didn't have to do it alone. He would be there with her every step of the way.

"But what if something happens during labor?" she whispered, voicing one of her deepest fears. "What if... what if I don't make it?"

Davis's expression softened even further, and he pulled her close again, his lips pressing against her temple. "Hey, don't think like that," he murmured, his voice steady. "You're strong, Sadira. I've seen you fight through so much already. You'll make it. And I'll be right there with you the whole time. We'll make sure everything goes smoothly."

Sadira rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was so easy to fall into these spirals of fear, but Davis always had a way of bringing her back to solid ground. His strength made her feel a little stronger, his belief in her made her start to believe in herself, even if it was just a small flicker of hope right now.

"I'm sorry," she whispered after a long pause. "I'm sorry for doubting myself and for crying like this."

"Don't apologize for that," Davis replied firmly. "You're allowed to feel whatever you're feeling, Ma. This is a big deal. But we got this. I got you."

The way he said it made her heart swell. He really did mean it. He had her-always. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough. Maybe she didn't have to have everything figured out right now.

Davis tilted her chin up again, meeting her gaze. "And don't worry about labor, okay? We'll get the best doctors, we'll make sure everything is perfect. You're gonna make it through, and you're gonna be holding our baby in your arms. I can already see it."

Sadira let out a shaky breath, her heart feeling a little lighter. The thought of holding their baby in her arms-a little piece of them both-made her chest tighten in a way that was equal parts terrifying and beautiful.

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning up to kiss him softly.

Davis kissed her back, his lips lingering on hers as if to remind her of just how much he loved her, how much he was in this with her. When they pulled apart, he gave her a reassuring smile.

"You're gonna be a great mom," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "And you're gonna do it with me by your side."

Sadira smiled, a real smile this time, even though her heart was still a little heavy with nerves. But Davis's words stuck with her, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. She wasn't alone in this. They were a team. And together, they could face anything-even the unknown.

"I love you," she whispered, snuggling closer to him.

"I love you too, Brat," he replied, pulling her closer, his strong arms wrapping around her like a protective cocoon. And for the first time that morning, Sadira felt like maybe-just maybe-everything would be okay.