Who Are We To Fight The Alchemy? (en)

Everything Has Changed

Taylor stood alone in her New York apartment, stirring a pot as the rich aroma of fresh tomato and basil sauce filled the air. The soft glow of the evening light filtered through the large windows, and the only sounds were the gentle simmering of the stove and the quiet hum of the appliances. For the past two days, she had been lost in thought, trying to process everything that was happening in her life. Anxiety came in waves, but now, with her mother about to arrive, everything seemed to intensify.

The pregnancy had changed her and Travis's plans in ways neither of them had expected. While there was excitement, there was also fear. The last few days had been marked by intense conversations about their future and how it would affect their lives. The idea of having a child with Travis filled her with joy, but it also stirred up old fears—fears she didn't want to face again.

Taylor clearly remembered the first real conversation she had with Travis after they reconciled and found out about the pregnancy. It was only a few days ago, and they had still been at the Pennsylvania apartment, where they'd spent time visiting Jason and Kylie. The night was calm, and most of the conversation had taken place in bed. They lay side by side, with the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting a warm and intimate light over them.

She recalled how Travis held her hand firmly, their fingers intertwined as she took a deep breath, preparing to explain all the things that weighed on her. The tone of the conversation was serious, but there was also a tenderness in Travis that she couldn't ignore. They were physically close, but the air was filled with tension—not the bad kind, but a tension loaded with expectations, fears, and hopes.

"I know you're happy about the pregnancy," she had started, her voice hesitant, "but the first three months are the most critical. Because of the luteal insufficiency and polycystic ovaries, the chances of a miscarriage are higher... and that scares me. A lot." She didn't need to repeat the details because Travis already knew everything, but saying it out loud made it feel more real and much scarier. "I know you understand the gravity of it, but I really need us to be careful."

Travis, always so protective and concerned, had remained silent for a moment, processing her words. She could see the worry in his eyes, the way he was taking it all in. He had promised they would do whatever was necessary to make sure she and the baby were okay. But at that moment, Taylor felt the need to take the conversation a step further.

She turned to face him, her expression serious and a little uncertain. "Travis, I know we want to tell people, especially our families, but I think... it would be best if we waited until the end of these first three months. Let's keep this between us until we get past this critical phase. Until we're more sure that everything will be okay."

However, there would be two exceptions—ones she had insisted on, and he had agreed. Tree, her PR manager, with whom she needed to discuss the impact of the pregnancy on her career, and her mother, whom Taylor felt she needed to tell, especially at this moment. Andrea had always been her rock, the person who held her together when the world seemed to fall apart. This time would be no different. Travis supported her decision; he knew how much Andrea meant to Taylor and how her presence could calm Taylor's restless heart.

The sound of the oven timer pulled Taylor back to the present. She glanced at the kitchen, where the cookies were almost done. She had spent the last few hours preparing a simple, comforting dinner—something she knew her mother would appreciate. While she was eager to see Andrea, a slight discomfort still weighed on her. The pregnancy hadn't been planned, and despite being engaged to Travis, they weren't married yet. It wasn't as if Andrea would criticize her for it, but Taylor couldn't help feeling like a teenager who had made a mistake. She knew her mother would be happy, but the fear of sharing this news still lingered.