The next morning, after a restless night, Nicole woke up feelin' a little better but still heavy with the weight of the previous night's emotions. She lay in bed, starin' at the ceiling, tryin' to gather her strength for another day. Another day of visits to the NICU, another day of waitin', prayin', and hopin' that their baby girl would grow stronger.
Devin had already gotten up, movin' quietly around the house so Nicole could rest a little longer. He knew how much last night had taken out of her, and he wanted to give her space to recover from the breakdown she'd had in the nursery.
Nicole finally pulled herself out of bed, walkin' to the bathroom to splash some water on her face. She stared at her reflection, seein' the tiredness in her eyes, the weight of everything they were goin' through. But she also saw somethin' else—strength. She had made it this far, and she wasn't about to give up now.
Devin's Reassurance
As she walked into the kitchen, Nicole found Devin sittin' at the table, scrollin' through his phone. He looked up when he saw her, a small smile tuggin' at his lips.
"Hey, you feelin' any better?" he asked, his voice soft.
Nicole nodded, walkin' over to sit next to him. "A little. Last night was rough, but I'm okay."
Devin reached for her hand, squeezin' it gently. "I know it's hard, Nic. But we just gotta keep holdin' on. She's gettin' stronger every day."
Nicole took a deep breath, tryin' to focus on his words. "Yeah, I know. I just hate not havin' her here. Every time we leave her at the hospital, it feels like a piece of me stays behind."
Devin nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I feel the same way. But we gotta believe that soon, she gon' be home with us."
Nicole leaned into him, findin' comfort in his words. "I know. It's just hard."
Back to the Hospital
Later that day, they headed back to the hospital for another visit with their baby girl. The drive there was quiet, both of them lost in their thoughts, but there was a sense of hope hangin' in the air. Each day felt like a small victory, another step closer to the day when they'd finally be able to bring their daughter home.
When they arrived at the NICU, the nurses greeted them with smiles, tellin' them that their baby girl was showin' more signs of strength. It was the news Nicole had been waitin' for—any sign that their baby was gettin' stronger, that she was fightin' as hard as they were.
Nicole and Devin walked into the NICU, their hearts racin' with a mix of hope and fear. But when they saw their baby girl, still so tiny but so full of life, they knew they had to keep pushin' forward.
"She looks stronger today," Nicole whispered, her eyes fillin' with tears as she watched their daughter breathe, her little chest risin' and fallin' with each breath.
Devin stood beside her, his hand restin' on her shoulder. "She's fightin', Nic. Just like you. We gon' get through this."
Lookin' Ahead
As they sat beside their baby's incubator, Nicole felt a sense of peace settle over her. The last few weeks had been some of the hardest of her life, but in that moment, she felt a glimmer of hope. Their baby girl was gettin' stronger, and that was all that mattered.
Nicole reached out, restin' her hand on the incubator, her heart swellin' with love. "I can't wait to bring you home, baby girl," she whispered softly, her voice filled with emotion. "You just keep fightin'. We're right here with you."
Devin wrapped his arm around her, pullin' her close. They didn't need to say much—just bein' there together, in that moment, was enough. They both knew that no matter what, they'd keep fightin' for their family, holdin' on to the belief that their baby girl would keep growin' stronger with each day.
Movin' Forward Together
That evenin', when they returned home, the mood was lighter. Nicole still carried the weight of worry, but there was somethin' different now—hope. She could see the progress their baby was makin', and even though the road ahead was still long, she felt like they were headin' in the right direction.
Devin noticed the change in her, too. He saw the strength in her eyes, the quiet determination that had carried her through so many challenges. And as they sat down together on the couch, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the woman beside him.
"You okay?" Devin asked softly, his hand restin' on hers.
Nicole nodded, a small smile playin' on her lips. "Yeah. I'm okay. I feel...hopeful."
Devin smiled, leanin' over to kiss her. "We got this, Nic. One day at a time."
Nicole closed her eyes, feelin' the warmth of his love surround her. "One day at a time."
The Future Awaits
With each visit to the NICU, Nicole and Devin found themselves growin' more hopeful. Their baby girl was showin' signs of strength, and even though it was still hard leavin' her at the hospital, they knew the day was comin' when they'd finally be able to bring her home.
For now, they would hold on to the hope that had carried them this far, trustin' that their baby would keep fightin'—just like her parents.
YOU ARE READING
More Than Friends
RomanceFor years, Devin has been secretly in love with Nicole, his best friend since high school. He's watched her date other guys, always staying silent about his feelings, fearing it would ruin their friendship. Now, at 23, their tight-knit friend group...
