Comeback (Sequel to 'Before the Storm')

Chapter 32: We're Having a Baby

Ally's POV

"Ally? What's going on?"

I froze, the test trembling in my grip.

Joe's eyes darted between my tear-streaked face and the small plastic stick, the truth dawning in his expression.

"Ally?" His voice cracked, barely audible, "Are you...?"

A sob escaped my throat, raw and vulnerable as I nodded, unable to form words as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.

Joe stumbled forward, falling to his knees beside me on the cold tile floor.

His hand hovered over mine, shaking slightly before gently covering it. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me.

"It's positive?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded again, finally finding my voice.

"I'm so sorry," I choked out, the words tumbling out in a rush.

Joe's brow furrowed, confusion clouding his features.

"But... we've been careful, haven't we?" he said, more to himself than to me, "I mean, we always use protection."

"Joe," I whispered, my voice trembling, "We haven't been careful. Not really."

"What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes searching for mine.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

"Remember that night after your sold-out show? And the weekend at the beach house? Your dressing room before the big interview?"

I saw recognition flicker in his eyes as I continued.

"We got caught up in the moment. A lot of moments, actually. When you think about it, we haven't really been using protection at all!"

Joe's eyes widened as the realization hit him.

"Oh," he breathed, running a hand through his hair, "Oh, God. You're right. I didn't even think... I mean, I guess I just assumed..."

I could see the memories flooding back, just as they had for me earlier. All those passionate moments where caution had been thrown to the wind.

"I know we didn't plan this. It's too soon. Everything's going to change and I don't know if I can—"

"Shh," Joe interrupted, pulling me into his arms with such force it knocked the breath from my lungs.

I collapsed against his chest, my body wracked with sobs.

He held me tight, his own breathing ragged and uneven. I could feel his heart pounding, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.

For what felt like an eternity, we clung to each other, the magnitude of the news crashing over us in waves.

I breathed in his familiar scent, trying to anchor myself in the storm of emotions.

Slowly, reluctantly, I pulled back, forcing myself to meet his gaze. What I saw there made my breath catch.

The initial shock was melting away, replaced by something I hadn't expected – a glimmer of pure, unbridled joy.

"We're having a baby?" Joe's voice was filled with awe, a smile breaking through like sunshine after rain.

"But Joe," I protested weakly, "what about everything else? Your tour, my campaigns... we're not ready. How can we possibly—"

Joe cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing away my tears. The tenderness of the gesture made my heart ache.

"Hey, look at me," he said, his voice soft but steady, "We've been through hell and back, remember? If we can survive that, we can handle anything life throws at us."

I blinked up at him, my vision blurry. "You're not... you're not upset?"

A laugh bubbled up from Joe's chest, surprising us both. His eyes were shining, filled with unshed tears of his own.

"Upset? God, Ally, this is... it's incredible."

His voice broke as he placed a gentle hand on my stomach, "That's our baby in there. A little bit of you and a little bit of me."

His joy was infectious, cutting through my fear like a beam of light.

Despite everything, I felt a smile tugging at my lips, real and genuine.

"Really? You're happy about this?"

Joe nodded, pulling me close once more. This time, his embrace felt different – protective, full of promise.

"Terrified? Yeah, a little," he admitted with a chuckle, "But happy? I've never been happier in my life."

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering.

"We'll figure it out, Ally. Together. We always do."

As I melted into his arms, I felt the panic that had gripped me begin to loosen its hold. There were still a million uncertainties, a thousand decisions to make.

But in that moment, safe in Joe's embrace, I allowed myself to feel something new – hope, fragile but growing stronger by the second.

And underneath it all, a tiny spark of excitement for the future we were about to build.

"We're having a baby," I whispered, tasting the words for the first time.

And as Joe's arms tightened around me, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we'd face them side by side.