Seven months ago, when Harry asked me to be his girlfriend, I couldn't have been happier. He was everything I wanted-loyal, caring, funny, and incredibly handsome. It felt like nothing could come between us.
But then our lives changed forever from j...
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London, 7 PM.
Naomi lay stretched out on the couch, shifting slightly with a frustrated sigh. A grimace flitted across her face as she adjusted, trying to find relief from the tightening pressure rolling through her belly. The clock ticked softly. The sun sank lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the room. But for Naomi, time felt agonizingly slow.
Harry hovered just a few feet away, wringing his hands, looking ready to jump at the first sign of anything he could do. He'd fetched water, snacks, blankets, her favorite pillow, even a random magazine—anything that might help. "Anything else I can get you?" he asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
Naomi exhaled heavily, casting him a tired but affectionate look. "Harry, I just want this baby to come already."
He chuckled nervously. "Well, yeah... that might take a bit, though." He glanced at the clock as if checking to see if somehow that would help things along. "How about a distraction? Want to watch another movie?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Another? We've already been through two." She shifted uncomfortably, grumbling softly. "And I barely paid attention to either."
"Alright, then maybe something else. Like, uh... breathing exercises?"
Naomi shot him a look, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Breathing exercises?"
Harry's face reddened a little, and he gave a sheepish grin. "Right, sorry. Not helpful. Just... I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
Naomi softened just a bit, but her patience was thin. She closed her eyes, trying to breathe deeply as another contraction started building. "I know, I know... I appreciate it, but there's nothing you can really do." She paused, biting back a smile. "Unless you have a magic button that can fast-forward us to the end of this."
Harry laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'd get that button in a heartbeat if I could." He reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm just glad I'm here... even if I'm kind of useless."
Naomi's expression softened, and she squeezed his hand back, though her face twisted slightly as discomfort washed over her. "I wouldn't say useless... just a little overenthusiastic." She winced, taking a deep breath. "Maybe just... try to relax a little. I'll tell you if I need anything."
Harry grinned, though he quickly adjusted his face to look serious like he was trying his hardest to take her advice. "Relaxing. Right. I can do that." He settled into the armchair beside her, hands folded in his lap. But every time she breathed a little harder, he glanced over, holding his breath as if waiting for her signal.
As hours slipped by, each contraction tightened its grip, pulling Naomi deeper into discomfort. By early evening, she was resting against a stack of pillows, breathing heavily, with Harry by her side, a mix of concern and helplessness in his eyes.
