The Edge of Light ✔️

Epilogue 1

N I K O L A I

My hand rested on Elena's lower back as I supported her on our way to the hospital for her fifth ultrasound. She was in her 30th week now, and the small bump that had transformed into a beautiful, round belly was beginning to make daily tasks more difficult for her. Despite the discomfort, she wore her pregnancy like a glow—a miracle I never thought we'd have, one that we both cherished more than anything.

"My back is killing me," she sighed, flashing a wry smile up at me as we strolled through the hospital doors."Would you like me to carry you, my love?" I offered, trying to hide the worry behind my playful tone. She rolled her eyes and gave me a gentle smack on the arm.

"Don't be ridiculous, Niko," she chuckled, linking her arm with mine. Yet, as she leaned against me a little heavier, I tightened my hold around her, hoping she knew just how deeply I meant it.

After finding out about her pregnancy, we'd made the decision to move from our little cottage to a place closer to the city and the hospital—especially once the doctors warned us of the risks. I wanted her to have the best care possible, so I bought us a villa with eight acres of land as a pregnancy gift, a quiet sanctuary within reach of help if she needed it. At first, Elena missed the charm of our small cottage, but her face lit up every time she looked at the sprawling garden, already talking about the roses she'd plant for our son.

Inside, she spoke to the nurse in Italian, her accent smooth and musical. I'd picked up on some Italian since we'd started living here, enough to understand snippets of what she said. The nurse led us to the ultrasound room, and Elena settled into the routine she now knew so well, leaning back and exposing her belly. When the doctor came in and applied the cold gel, she winced, then relaxed as the screen flickered to life.

"Looks good so far," the doctor chirped as she observed the screen. Elena's eyes found mine, a happy look evident in them. I'm not sure if it was the pregnancy but her eyes seemed lighter and clearer.

"Ready to hear his heartbeat?" the doctor asked, a smile on her face.

We both nodded, anticipation simmering in the air. Moments later, the familiar sound of our son's steady heartbeat filled the room, and Elena's hand instinctively reached for mine. I squeezed her fingers, unable to tear my eyes from the image on the screen. Tears sparkled in her eyes, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

"Look at him, Niko," she sniffled, laughing through her tears as her gaze locked onto the tiny figure on the screen. I brushed a thumb over her knuckles, nodding as my own throat tightened with emotion.

"Yeah, he's growing," I murmured, amazed at how much he already felt like a part of us.

After receiving the doctor's reassurances that everything looked fine, we stopped to pick up the ointment for Elena's back that the medic had prescribed her. 

When we arrived home I helped her take her shoes off and the first thing she did was make a beeline for the kitchen. The strawberry shortcake she had been craving was waiting for her in the fridge. Elena had lots of cravings. She had grown especially fond of strawberries and all types of cakes. 

I watched as she plopped down on the nursing chair in our living room, scooping cake into her mouth with a big spoon. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene in front of me. She had gained some wait in her face too. She looked good nontheless. Still, I made sure she worked out at least twice a week. The books I read and the doctor had said that working out would help with the back pain and give us a healthy baby.

As I gently rubbed the ointment onto her skin that evening, the scar on her  back caught my attention. It was a reminder of everything we'd overcome, of the world we'd left behind. My fingers lingered over the raised skin for a moment, feeling a familiar ache. But then I looked at her growing belly, and that ache softened, replaced by a quiet resolve.

Back in our room, Elena lay down and stretched, sighing with relief as she propped herself up with the belly support pillow I'd surprised her with in the first weeks of her pregnancy. She'd read about it in one of the countless baby books I'd bought, and her face lit up when she found it on her bed, wrapped in a bow. She took up a lot of space now, so we had to get a bigger bed as well. Eventhough she had her pillow now, Elena always made sure to still snuggle with me every now and then, just until her back would start bothering her. 

I knelt beside her, pressing a kiss to her belly, resting my cheek against it as I spoke softly to our son.

"I'm going to take care of you, little one. Both of you," I whispered, my voice cracking just a bit.

Elena's fingers found their way into my hair, brushing soothingly through it. "You're gonna be a big, strong boy. Your mama and I already love you so much, we can't wait to meet you," I said as my fingers traced over her belly, in hopes of getting our first kick. Unfortunately today wasn't the day either. It seemed our boy was a little shy. 

Later that night, as she fell asleep, I stayed beside her, my hand never leaving her belly. This was our new life, one I'd never let go of. And as I held Elena close, I felt a sense of peace settle in—a kind of peace I never thought I'd deserve, but one I'd fight to keep for her, for our family.