Don't Explain

twenty six

Returning to work felt both familiar and strange, like slipping into a favorite outfit that no longer fit quite the same. As I settled back into the receptionist desk, the calming scents of lavender and eucalyptus welcomed me, grounding me back into the flow of things. But I couldn't ignore the subtle change that had taken place in my life—and apparently, neither could my co-worker, Amber.

Just an hour into my shift, Amber, who had a knack for picking up on the smallest details, leaned over the counter, her eyes widening as she looked down. "Wait... is that a little baby bump I see?" she whispered, eyes lighting up with excitement.

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks and instinctively pulled my cardigan together, though it was too late. "Um... yeah," I replied, a shy smile spreading across my face.

Amber gasped softly, her face breaking into a wide grin. "Oh my gosh, congratulations!" she whispered, clearly thrilled by the news. "How far along are you?"

"Thank you!" I said, glancing down at my barely-there bump. "I'm just over twelve weeks now."

Amber's eyes sparkled as she leaned in a little closer. "That's amazing. How are you feeling? You must be so excited!"

I laughed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside. "Yeah, it's definitely exciting... and a little surreal. I'm just taking it one day at a time."

Amber gave a supportive nod, her smile warm. "Well, you let us know if you need anything. We're here for you. And congratulations again—you're going to be such a great mom."

Her words settled warmly in my chest, grounding me in the comforting familiarity of the place and the people I'd missed.

After a long day at the desk, my body felt heavier than I remembered. Five hours into my shift, exhaustion settled in, reminding me just how much energy my body was pouring into this new chapter. By the time I finally got to clock out, I was practically floating toward the door, eager to get home.

As I stepped into my condo, Snowball was there to greet me, his tail wagging like I'd been gone for days instead of hours. I scooped him up, feeling a warmth spread through me as he nestled close, his soft fur a welcome comfort after the long day.

Setting Snowball down, I headed straight to the kitchen, too tired to fuss over anything elaborate. Pasta sounded just about perfect—simple, comforting, and filling.

I had just dropped a handful of cherry tomatoes into the pan, their vibrant red skin sizzling as they hit the melted butter. The aroma of garlic filled the air as I sprinkled in some fresh basil, the leaves wilting almost instantly. I reached for the Parmesan cheese, ready to add a bit of creamy richness, when my phone buzzed on the counter.

Seeing Prince's name light up the screen, I felt a small thrill of happiness, even after such a tiring day. Wiping my hands on a towel, I answered, holding the phone between my ear and shoulder as I stirred the pan.

"Hey," I said, smiling as the sound of his voice came through, grounding me after a long day.

I quickly tossed the grated Parmesan into the pan, watching it melt into the sauce, turning everything creamy and golden. Snowball circled around my feet, his nose twitching as he picked up on the enticing scent. It was shaping up to be an unexpectedly cozy evening.

"Hey there," Prince replied, his voice warm. "How are you doing?"

"Surviving," I laughed, glancing down at the bubbling pan. "Finally home, making some pasta—my version of self-care."

"Sounds perfect," he said. "Mind if I stop by? I want to see you."

My heart skipped a beat hearing his voice. "I'd like that," I replied, glancing at the creamy pasta sauce coming together in the pan. "And there's plenty of pasta if you're hungry."