Scarlett Mila Marino

It's been three days since I found out I was pregnant, and my nerves are all over the place. I've been trying so hard to keep this a secret from Rowan. I want to surprise him. I want it to be something special and meaningful.

So I've spent the last few days decorating the house, including a nursery. He doesn't know anything about the baby.
He hasn't seen the room. I think I'll show him today.

It's small and cozy. I've filled it with little touches. Soft cream walls and baby blue curtains. There's a crib in the corner and a little shelf across from it. I've picked out a few stuffed animals to put on the shelf.
From the ceiling I've hung up small hot air balloons. Each of them in a cute pastel colours.

Every time I walk into the room, my heart races. It feels real now. I can see the future taking shape in front of me.

I'm not sure how Rowan will react. He's always been so strong, so controlled.

There's a sound form downstairs.

He's here. I take a deep breath before walking downstairs to find him.
The whole house is pretty much done. "Hi baby." I say greeting him. Giving him a quick kiss.

"I love what you've done with the place." He says pulling me by the waist, close to him.

I grin, trying to hide the fact that my heart is pounding in my chest. Almost like it's about to pop out.

"I'm glad you like it." I say.

I pull his hand and move around the house. Showing him each and every room.

We move upstairs to where our room and the nursery is.
"I love it, sweetheart. Our room is perfect." He says looking around.

"I have one last thing to show you." I say.

His brow lifts slightly. Curious.
"What kind of surprise is this?" He asks.

"You'll see." I say taking his hand again, leading him to the room. My fingers tighten around his.

We stop in front of the door. I pause for a moment. My hand on the doorknob. When I look up at Rowan, his gaze is steady on me. Waiting for whatever I've planned.

"Close your eyes." I say softly.

He does as I say. I bite my lip and push the door open slowly, guiding him inside. Once we're in the center of the room I stop.
I'm particularly holding my breath.

"Okay. Open them." I whisper my voice shaky.

Rowan opens his eyes. At first his expression is unreadable. He looks around, taking it in. His eyes land on the crib, and I see it...the moment it clicks.

He freezes, his body going completely still. His hand still holding mine, tightening just a little. As if he needs something to hold onto.

He turns back to me. There's vulnerability there. Something I see very rarely.

"Are you...?" His voice is barley above a whisper.

I nod, tears already welling up in my eyes. I watch as the realisation hits him fully. "We're having a baby?"

I nod again.

He suddenly moves, sweeping me up into his arms. Spinning me around in the middle of the room. His laughter mixing with my tears. He places me back down.

"Are you sure? I mean...have you take..."

I cut him off. "Yes. Yes I'm sure." I say giggling.

His eyes are shining, wet with tears. "We're going to be parents." He says more to himself than me.

I nod again. The way he's looking at me, like I've just given him everything.

"Are you...happy?" I ask as he pulls our foreheads together.

"God Scarlett. You've given me the world." He says. I can feel his tears on my skin as he kisses me. I've never seen him like this. So full of joy that he can't contain it. It's beautiful. My arms wrap around his neck.

He pulls back slightly just to look at me.
He laughs through his tears. "I'm going to be a dad."

I can't help but laugh. "Yeah. You are."

***

[5 moths later]

Life finally feels normal. The house is fully done now. It has become our safe space.

Today we're all gathered outside in the backyard for a barbecue. The sky is clear, light blue. The smell of grilled food hangs in the air as Lucas fiddles with the grill.
Theodore and Asuka are laughing about something on the patio, while Rowan is sitting by them. A relaxed smile on his face.

"Scarlett get over here! Let's take a picture." Asuka waves me over. "We need to document this moment, us, all together, not running for our lives." She jokes.

I laugh walking over to Rowan from behind. I put my hands on his shoulders and he grabs one of them. Holding it gently. I lean down to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Come on, lets get a picture." I say and he stands up.

He usually hates pictures but he's changed a lot. Trying to be kinder to everyone.

We all stand beside Lucas who's flipping the steaks over.

Asuka insists on arranging everyone, nudging Theodore and Lucas until they are standing next to me and Rowan. "Okay everyone, smile!" She says holding up her phone and backing up a bit to get us all in frame. "Ready...one...two"

At the last second Lucas pulls a ridiculous face, and everyone starts laughing. The camera clicks away, capturing the moment.

"Oh come on Lucas," Asuka groans, checking the photo. "You ruined it!"

"I improved it!" Lucas shoots back, grinning. "You're welcome." He adds.

I feel Rowan's hands slide around my belly. His chest against my back. I look up at him, catching the warmth in his eyes as he watches our friends.

"One more. And this time, normal faces." Asuka says waving us back into position.

This time Lucas manages to hold it together long enough for a decent shot. Asuka checks her phone and smiles. "Perfect."

"Alright enough with the photos, the steaks are done. Let's eat!" Lucas says bringing them over to the table.

***

The evening passes in a blur of laughter and conversation. We eat, joke and for once there's peace. Just us, living our lives.
When the sun starts to set my feet start to hurt. It's not often I put on heels when I'm pregnant, but today was an exception. It matches my dress.

I groan from the pain in my feet. Rowan sees it immediately. It's like he can read my mind. He grabs my chair pulling it closer to him. He turns me a little then lifts my legs, placing my feet on his lap.

"Has it been hurting a lot? You're not supposed to wear these when pregnant, you know?" He says starting to undo the heels.
I let him.
Now I'm bare feet. It feels so good.

He starts massaging them. His fingers works magic against the ache in my feet. Kneading out the tension. I let out a long breath. He's pressing just in the right places.

"You should have said something earlier." He murmurs, his voice low and soothing.

"I didn't want to complain." I say looking up at him.

Rowan gives a quiet chuckle. "Complain all you want, sweetheart. I'll rub your feet every day if it helps." He says.

I smile. "You might regret saying that when I take you up on it." I tease.

"Never." He says without hesitation. His hands still working their magic.

Our friends has moved inside to keep talking. And after a moment of silence I speak. "Is everything as you imagined?" I ask.

"Everything is perfect, Mila. Not just because things have settled. It's because of you." He says.

I blink, taken aback by the rawness in his voice. Rowan isn't the one for long speeches, but when he does say something, it always hits me deep.

"I've spent so many years not knowing what happiness was," he continues, his eyes locked onto mine. "Not knowing that I could even have this...you're my everything Scarlett Mila Marino. You always will be." He says, his hand coming up to my cheek. His thumb brushing lightly over my skin.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, as I lean into his touch. "I love you."

In this moment I know that no matter what comes next, we'll be okay. Because we have each other, and that's all we've ever needed.

_______________________________

This story has finally come to an end.
This one has a special place in my heart, and I'll forever remember that I loved writing it!
I hope you had just as fun reading it!

Until next time, let love and laughter guide you. <3

Love you always,
Melwrites4