Legacy of Healing

Chapter 32: Posibility?

The next day, Anastasia decided to take a leave of absence from work. After the previous day's unexpected bout of sickness, she felt it was best to give herself a little time to regroup and assess what was happening with her body.

As she curled up on the couch with a soft blanket, she couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her stomach. The idea of being pregnant was still lingering in the back of her mind, growing more pronounced with each passing hour. Elijah had gone to the farmers market, giving her a few precious moments of solitude to gather her thoughts.

Anastasia flipped through channels aimlessly, but nothing held her attention. She glanced at her phone, contemplating whether to call her doctor for an appointment or if she should wait a few more days to see if the nausea persisted. Just then, the sound of the front door opening pulled her from her thoughts.

"Babe, I'm back!" Elijah's voice echoed through the apartment, and she felt a flutter of nervousness at the thought of their impending conversation. "Hey," she greeted, attempting a smile.

He glanced at her, and his expression shifted to concern. "You're still not feeling well?" "Just a bit tired," she replied, her voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety. "I decided to take a leave from work today."

Elijah's brows furrowed, and he stepped closer, his gaze searching her face. "Are you sure that's wise? What if they need you there?"

Anastasia felt a flicker of annoyance at his protectiveness, but she pushed it aside. "I think it's important to listen to my body right now. I need some time to figure things out."

His expression softened slightly, but there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Okay, I just want you to be okay," he said, his voice low and earnest.

"Thanks," she replied, biting her lip as she tried to gauge his mood. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her heart race, but also a heaviness that worried her. "Can we talk about something?"

"Of course. What's on your mind?" he asked, settling down next to her on the couch, the warmth of his body radiating against her.

Taking a deep breath, she started, "I know things have been a bit intense between us lately. The intimacy, the arguments... and now this. I just wanted to talk about... everything."

Elijah turned to face her fully, his expression serious. "Everything like how you feel? Or what's going on with your body?"

"Both, I guess," she said, looking down at her hands. "I've been feeling a bit off, and I can't help but think it could be related to... us."

He leaned closer, a mixture of concern and determination in his eyes. "Anastasia, if you're worried about being pregnant, we can figure that out together. I want to support you. You know that, right?"

She nodded, feeling a swell of emotion in her chest. "I just don't know if I'm ready for that. I mean, we've talked about kids, but I never thought it would be so soon."

Elijah's jaw tightened, and she could see the familiar glint of possessiveness flickering in his gaze. "But if you are... if there's a chance..." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I want to be there for you, for whatever comes next. You know that, right?"

"I do," she replied softly, feeling both comforted and anxious by his words. "But I also need to figure out what I want, without feeling rushed."

"Then let's take our time," he said, his tone calming. "No pressure, just... us figuring this out together. I'll support you, no matter what."

As he spoke, she felt the weight of her worries begin to lift slightly, replaced by a sense of relief. They sat in silence for a moment, and then Elijah leaned closer, brushing his lips against her forehead, an intimate gesture that made her heart flutter.