Tethered by Rivalry | Eunwoo

19

In the following weeks, you both dove into the exciting preparations for the baby. Shopping trips became regular outings, with both of you excitedly picking out baby clothes, furniture, and toys. Every time you entered a store, the same conversation came up.

“I hope it’s a girl,” you’d say with a soft smile, eyeing the adorable little dresses and pastel pink onesies. “I can’t wait to dress her up.”

Eunwoo, on the other hand, would laugh and shake his head, always gravitating toward the blue clothing and baby sneakers. “I’m betting on a boy,” he’d reply, lifting up a tiny sports jersey. “Just think of all the fun we’ll have playing sports together.”

The debate over whether you were having a boy or a girl added a playful energy to the shopping trips. You’d both load the cart with a mix of items, not knowing for sure, but loving the anticipation. Each ultrasound visit only heightened the excitement. Despite your playful back-and-forth, neither of you wanted to know the baby’s gender until the birth.

“I just want to be surprised,” you said one evening, running your hand over your belly. “As long as they’re healthy, that’s all that matters.”

Eunwoo smiled at you, his hand joining yours on your belly. “You’re right,” he said softly. “But I’m still hoping for a little guy.

As the months went by, you and Eunwoo adjusted to the growing changes in your life. In your third trimester, you made the difficult decision to pause your studies for your neurology specialization. The demands of your pregnancy were starting to catch up with you, and it was becoming harder to balance work, studying, and preparing for the baby. Eunwoo noticed how much the workload was affecting you and gently encouraged you to take a break.

“You’ve been working so hard,” Eunwoo said one evening as he wrapped his arms around you from behind, resting his hands on your belly. “Maybe it’s time to focus on yourself and the baby for a little while.”

At first, you hesitated. Taking a break from something you had poured your heart into felt like stepping back. But as the baby grew, you realized that it wasn’t about giving up—it was about preparing for the next chapter of your life as a mother.

“Okay,” you agreed, leaning into his embrace. “I’ll take a break, just for now.”

Eunwoo smiled, relieved that you were allowing yourself some rest. “We’ll pick it back up once the baby is here and things settle down. You’re still going to be amazing.”

The third trimester brought you and Eunwoo even closer. As you took a break from your studies, Eunwoo adjusted his work schedule to be more present, making sure you never had to worry about a thing. He spent evenings reading up on baby care, cooking your favorite meals, and indulging your wildest food cravings, even when they didn’t make sense.

As the pregnancy continued, your body began to change in ways that were both beautiful and challenging. Your stomach grew larger and rounder, and with it came a wave of emotions that sometimes felt overwhelming. One moment, you’d be filled with joy and anticipation; the next, you’d find yourself teary-eyed over the simplest things—whether it was a kind word from a hospital staff, a sweet note left by a friend, a song on the radio, a sweet gesture from Eunwoo, the overwhelming love you already felt for your unborn child, or even a passing thought about the future.

Eunwoo, the patient and understanding partner that he ever is, noticed the fluctuations in your mood. Whenever you let the emotions take over, getting sad and angry at your current physical state, he would often chuckle and wrap his arms around you, whispering sweet words of reassurance. “You’re glowing,” he’d say, brushing his fingers over your belly. “You’re growing more beautiful every day. I can’t wait to meet our little one.”

His sincerity melted away the anxiety that sometimes bubbled within you. Whenever you felt overwhelmed, he’d always be right there, ready to offer comfort. “Just breathe, okay? We’re in this together,” he would say, his eyes shining with warmth and love.

Still, there were moments when your emotions would spill over, and Eunwoo would find himself on the receiving end of your mood swings. “It's like I'm carrying a ton of bricks!” you’d kick the blanket off of your body, “I just want to feel comfortable!” you’d exclaim, tossing a pillow across the room in frustration, only to feel guilty moments later. But Eunwoo would always respond with a gentle smile, his patience unyielding. “It’s okay to feel this way. You’re doing an incredible job, and I’m here for you.”

As your due date approached, Eunwoo decided it was time to enlist his mother’s help. “I think it would be great for you to have someone with experience around,” he suggested one evening, concern etched across his face. “My mom can help with the things you might need, especially as we get closer.”

You agreed, knowing it would provide you with additional support. Soon, Eunwoo’s mother began spending more time at your home, helping you navigate the final stages of pregnancy. She was a fountain of wisdom, offering tips on comfort and relaxation, preparing meals, and even helping you organize the nursery.

One evening, as you sat together on the couch, your mother-in-law handed you a foot massage device. “Here, this will help with any swelling,” she said with a knowing smile. “Thank you,” you sincerely reply, immediately feeling the soothing help that the device provides. You couldn’t help but laugh, the warmth in your heart expanding. It felt comforting to have her support, and you appreciated Eunwoo for recognizing what you needed.

Eunwoo would often sit beside you during these moments, watching with fondness as his mother pampered you. “See? You’re not alone in this. We’re a team,” he said, giving you an encouraging squeeze.

With the countdown to your little one’s arrival ticking down, you found yourself in a mix of excitement and nerves. Eunwoo remained your rock, reminding you of the love that would surround your growing family. “Just think about how incredible it’s going to be to hold our baby,” he’d say, pulling you close and placing his hand protectively over your belly.

And amidst the emotional ups and downs, you began to find comfort in knowing that this journey would be filled with love and laughter, no matter the challenges ahead.