Healing In Love With You

Chapter 10: Building a Family

The days following the proposal were a whirlwind of joy and excitement. Lily and Gabriel spent every moment they could together, planning their future while basking in the love that had blossomed between them. Every conversation felt infused with possibility, and their hearts swelled with dreams of a life together.

One sunny afternoon, they sat on the couch in Gabriel's apartment, surrounded by wedding magazines and notepads filled with ideas. Lily flipped through a magazine, her heart racing at the thought of planning her dream wedding. But as she glanced over at Gabriel, she sensed a deeper conversation looming just beneath the surface.

"Gabriel," she said, setting the magazine down. "Have you thought about what comes after the wedding?"

He looked at her, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You mean starting a family?"

Lily nodded, her heart fluttering. "Yes. I mean, we talk about how much we want a future together, but I'd love to know what that looks like for you."

Gabriel leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "I've always wanted kids," he admitted, his tone earnest. "I envision a family filled with laughter, love, and support. But I also want to be realistic about it."

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, raising a family is a big responsibility," he continued. "I want to make sure we're both ready—emotionally and financially. I don't want us to rush into it without a plan. Especially you, you're the one who will be carrying a baby for nine months."

Lily felt a mix of excitement and apprehension at his words. "I get that. I've never really dreamed of having kids, what if I cannot give you a baby that you wanted? Will you leave me behind? What if we face challenges?"

Gabriel reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Whatever challenges we face, I want to face them together. I believe we can build a strong foundation for our family."

As they discussed their dreams of parenthood, the conversation naturally flowed into deeper territory. They shared their hopes, fears, and what kind of parents they wanted to be.

"What kind of values do you think we should instill in our kids?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"I think it's important for them to know love, respect, and resilience," Gabriel replied thoughtfully. "I want to raise kids who are kind and compassionate, who can face challenges head-on and always support each other."

Lily smiled, feeling a swell of pride in the man sitting beside her. "That sounds perfect. And I want them to know they can always come to us, no matter what." Not paying attention to the voices in her head. Will I be able to give Gabriel a child? Can I even get pregnant after what happened to me in the past?

They spent hours discussing their visions of parenthood, creating a shared dream that brought them even closer together. But amidst the excitement, Lily couldn't shake a lingering worry.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow in the room, she hesitated before speaking. "Gabriel, I have to be honest... I'm scared. My past makes me anxious about becoming a parent. I don't even know if I can be a parent"

Gabriel's expression softened. "It's okay to feel that way. We all have our fears, but we can work through them together."

"I just worry about how my experiences will affect our kids," she confessed, her voice trembling. "What if I can't be the mother they need because of what I've been through?"

Gabriel moved closer, wrapping his arms around her. "Lily, you're stronger than you realize. Your past has shaped you, but it doesn't define you as a parent. You have so much love to give, and I believe you'll be an amazing mother."

His words warmed her heart, and she took a deep breath, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you for believing in me."

They spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch, discussing names and the kind of life they wanted to build. Lily felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Gabriel's unwavering support.

But as the night wore on, reality crept in, and Lily couldn't shake the feeling that there were challenges ahead. She was determined to embrace the journey of building a family with Gabriel, but the road would not be without its bumps.