Previously

Caleb took Yasmine's hand and walking over to their bed and getting under the covers. Yasmine felt Caleb put his arms around her waist and resting his hand on her stomach. "Good night babe" said Caleb. "Good night" Yasmine replied putting her had on top of Caleb's and intertwining their fingers together. They both fell into a deep sleep.

Caleb stirred from his sleep, the absence of Yasmine's warmth beside him prompting him to open his eyes. As consciousness slowly returned, he noticed the dim glow of the digital clock on the bedside table reading 3 AM. Concern gnawed at him as he realized that Yasmine was not by his side.

"Honey, where are you?" he called out into the darkness, his voice laced with worry and sleepiness.

Yasmine's faint response came from the direction of the bathroom, her voice strained with discomfort. "I'm in the bathroom," she managed to utter between retches.

Instantly alert, Caleb pushed back the covers and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his concern deepening at the sound of her distress. "Are you okay?" he inquired, his footsteps quick as he made his way to the bathroom door.

Yasmine emerged from the bathroom, her face pale and drawn, but her eyes filled with gratitude at his concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just morning sickness," she explained weakly, leaning against the doorframe for support.

Caleb instinctively moved closer, gently holding back her hair as she leaned over the sink. His heart clenched at the sight of her discomfort, a pang of helplessness washing over him.

"Is that... is that normal for pregnancy?" he asked softly, his concern evident in his voice as he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

Yasmine nodded weakly, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fought to regain her composure. "Yeah, it's normal. It'll go away in a couple of months," she reassured him, managing a weak smile despite her discomfort.

Caleb's worry eased slightly at her words, his fingers tenderly brushing stray strands of hair away from her face. "Okay, just let me know if you need anything, alright?" he murmured, his gaze filled with unwavering affection and concern.

Yasmine managed a nod of gratitude, her hand reaching out to intertwine with his as they made their way back to the bed. As they settled under the covers once more, the comforting embrace of sleep enveloped them both.

Caleb felt Yasmine's hand find his, her touch a silent reassurance of their shared journey ahead. With a contented sigh, he rested his hand on her still-flat stomach, his heart swelling with anticipation for the future they were building together. As they drifted back into the peaceful embrace of sleep, Caleb whispered words of love and reassurance, his voice a gentle lullaby in the stillness of the night.

Time Skip

Caleb's groan mingled with the shrill sound of his alarm, marking the beginning of a new day. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he reached over to silence the persistent beeping. "7:00 already," he muttered to himself, a mixture of reluctance and determination in his voice.

With a gentle shake, Caleb roused his wife from her slumber. "Honey, wake up," he murmured, his touch tender against her skin.

Yasmine stirred, blinking sleepily as she tried to orient herself. "What time is it?" she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

"It's 7:00," Caleb replied, his tone gentle yet urgent. "I have practice at 9:30, remember?"

Yasmine nodded, slowly coming fully awake as the reality of the day ahead sank in. "Right, I almost forgot," she admitted, pushing herself up into a sitting position.

Caleb leaned in, his hand finding its familiar place on her stomach. "How are you and our little one doing?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern and affection.

"We're fine," Yasmine replied with a soft smile, her hand covering his. "Now, go get ready. I'll get started on breakfast."

With a lingering touch, Caleb reluctantly released her, knowing he had to start preparing for the day ahead. "Alright, I'll see you downstairs," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before making his way out of the bedroom.

Some time later, Caleb descended the stairs, the enticing aroma of breakfast drawing him into the kitchen. Yasmine was bustling around the stove, her focus on the sizzling pans before her. Lost in her culinary task, she didn't notice him until his arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Smells good," Caleb remarked, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke.

Yasmine chuckled softly, leaning back into his embrace. "Let's just hope I don't throw up before it's ready," she joked, the playful banter easing the tension of the early morning.

With a shared laugh and a comforting embrace, Caleb and Yasmine faced the day together, united in their love and anticipation for the journey ahead.

Time Skip

As Caleb grabbed his bag and headed towards the door, Yasmine's voice stopped him in his tracks. Her words carried a note of urgency that made him turn back to face her, concern etched into his features.

"Please, don't tell anyone about the baby," Yasmine pleaded, her eyes searching his for understanding.

Caleb furrowed his brow, puzzled by her request. "Not even David and Jude?" he asked, referencing their closest friends whose camaraderie had been a constant presence in their lives.

Yasmine hesitated for a moment before nodding solemnly. "Not even them," she confirmed, her tone resolute yet tinged with anxiety.

Reluctance flickered across Caleb's face as he grappled with the weight of her request. He understood the need for caution, but the thought of keeping such monumental news from their closest confidants felt like a heavy burden to bear.

"Fine, I won't tell them," Caleb relented finally, his voice softening with reassurance as he reached out to squeeze her hand.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Yasmine's lips, gratitude shining in her eyes as she squeezed his hand in return. "Good, thank you," she murmured, a sense of relief washing over her.

"I'll see you later. Have a good practice," she added, her words carrying a mixture of affection and encouragement.

With a final nod, Caleb headed out the door, his mind swirling with thoughts of the secret he now carried. As he made his way to practice, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered, a reminder of the delicate balance they now navigated together.

Caleb's mind was consumed with thoughts of Yasmine and their unborn child, a weighty secret that threatened to overshadow even his passion for soccer. As he took to the field for practice, his usually sharp focus wavered, his movements sluggish and distracted.

His teammate and captain, Mark, couldn't help but notice Caleb's uncharacteristic lack of concentration. Concern etched into his brow, he approached Caleb during a water break, his voice filled with genuine worry.

"Yo Caleb, what's going on? You're not acting like yourself out there," Mark observed, his tone laced with genuine concern for his friend's well-being.

Caleb forced a tight-lipped smile, attempting to brush off Mark's inquiry with a casual shrug. "Oh, it's nothing," he replied, his voice strained with the effort of masking his inner turmoil. "I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

Mark eyed him skeptically, sensing that there was more to Caleb's distraction than he was letting on. However, before he could press further, Caleb excused himself with a vague excuse, retreating to the sidelines to collect his thoughts.

Alone with his thoughts, Caleb wrestled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he longed to confide in his teammates, to share the joyous news of impending fatherhood with those he considered family. Yet, on the other hand, he couldn't shake the promise he had made to Yasmine, a vow to keep their secret safe until they were ready to share it with the world.

The internal struggle weighed heavily on Caleb's shoulders as he watched his teammates continue with their drills, his mind torn between loyalty to his partner and the desire for camaraderie and support.

As the practice wore on, Caleb's resolve hardened, his determination to honor his promise to Yasmine strengthening with each passing moment. Though the burden of their secret felt heavy, he knew that protecting their family's privacy was paramount.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Caleb pushed aside his distractions and refocused his attention on the game before him. Though the road ahead was uncertain, he drew strength from the knowledge that he and Yasmine faced their journey together, united in love and solidarity.

Time Skip

As Caleb finished packing up his soccer gear, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Yasmine and their impending journey into parenthood, his phone buzzed with a new message. With a flicker of anticipation, he unlocked the screen to find a text from his wife.

Yasmine: Hey hon, are you on your way home?

A small smile tugged at the corners of Caleb's lips as he quickly typed out a response.

Caleb: Yeah, leaving the field now. I'll be home soon.

Yasmine's prompt reply brought a sense of warmth to his heart, a reminder of the love and support that awaited him at home.

Yasmine: Okay, see you soon.

With a sense of determination, Caleb tucked his phone back into his pocket and shouldered his bag, ready to leave the locker room behind and return to the comforting embrace of home. As he made his way out of the stadium, the promise of reunion with Yasmine filled him with a sense of peace, a reminder that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they faced them together as a team.

Caleb's footsteps echoed softly on the pavement as he made his way to his car, the weight of his conversation with Mark still lingering in his mind. As he reached his car and fumbled for his keys, he heard the familiar voice of his friend calling out to him.

"Hey Caleb," Jude greeted him, his tone curious yet concerned as he approached.

Caleb turned to face him, offering a forced smile in response. "Oh, hey Jude. What's up?" he asked, his attempt to appear casual falling short under Jude's discerning gaze.

Jude's brow furrowed with concern as he studied Caleb's expression. "I was just wondering why you were so out of it at practice today," he ventured, his tone gentle yet probing.

Caleb's response was vague, a deflection born out of his reluctance to share the weight of his personal struggles. "Oh, it's nothing. Just dealing with some personal issues," he replied, hoping to deter further questioning.

Jude nodded understandingly, sensing Caleb's reluctance to delve deeper into the matter. With a parting nod, he left Caleb to his thoughts, the weight of their conversation still heavy on his mind.

Driving home, Caleb found solace in the familiar streets, the anticipation of reuniting with Yasmine bringing a sense of comfort to his troubled thoughts. As he pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation that awaited him.

"Honey, I'm home," Caleb called out as he entered the house, the sound of his voice carrying through the quiet living room.

"In the living room," Yasmine's voice floated back, warm and welcoming.

Caleb found her sitting on the couch, engrossed in a magazine, the sight of her bringing a sense of peace to his troubled heart. Sitting down beside her, he couldn't help but tease her gently about her choice of reading material.

"You still read those magazines?" he asked with a playful grin, nudging her gently with his elbow.

Yasmine looked up, a smile playing on her lips as she defended her choice. "Yeah, I find them interesting," she replied, her tone light and teasing.

As they settled into comfortable conversation, Yasmine couldn't help but notice the exhaustion etched into Caleb's features. Concerned, she probed gently, seeking to understand the source of his distraction.

"How was practice?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Caleb sighed, his shoulders slumping with weariness as he confessed the truth. "Tiring," he admitted. "I kept zoning out."

Yasmine's brow furrowed with concern as she listened to his explanation. "Why? What happened?" she inquired, her concern deepening.

Caleb hesitated for a moment before finally admitting the truth, his hand finding its familiar place on her stomach as he spoke. "I couldn't stop thinking about you and the baby," he confessed, his voice soft with emotion.

Yasmine's heart swelled with tenderness at his words, a mixture of gratitude and relief washing over her. "You didn't tell anyone, did you?" she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Caleb shook his head reassuringly, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering determination. "Of course not," he replied firmly. "Don't worry, we'll tell them together when we're both ready."

A sense of relief washed over Yasmine as she leaned into his comforting embrace, grateful for the unwavering support and understanding he offered. With Caleb by her side, she knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their love and commitment to each other and their growing family.

To be continued