A Love Restored

I woke up feeling nauseated. There was this weight on my chest 1 needed to get off, and it felt like I could only get it off by throwing up. I ran to the bathroom, bending over the toilet, willing myself to throw up, but nothing happened,

1 had a morning appointment with my gynecologist that I needed to rush to: I needed to drive there, and for that, I needed the nausea to subside. I quickly brushed my teeth and drank some water. It seemed to help enough for me to get dressed. Just as I picked up the car keys, I heard knocking on

the door.

I went to check to who it was. Opening the door, I found Julian on the other side. He gave me a roguish grin. He looked very different from yesterday, He had shaved and 1 think he had even gotten a haircut,

He was wearing a light blue dress shirt and jeans. I liked this look on him. So normal. It was a good change from his usual, intimidating look.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Driving you to your doctor’s appointment.” He said it so matter of factly, I didn’t even think to ask him how he had got to know the time, or to say anything about it at all.

-ph”

“Ready?”

I nodded, rushing to grab my bag from the table, and then followed him to his car. He strapped me in before walking to the other side and sitting down himself. Reaching into the backseat, he pulled out a brown paper bag, and handed it to me, I looked up at him in question.

“I just assumed you hadn’t eaten.”

Inside the bag was a bagel and a muffin. He offered to buy me coffee, but I declined. He’d gotten my bagel onder correctly. He remembered things.

1 ate my bagel silently as he drove. In the parking lot of the hospital, he reached for my hand, squeezing “Can I come, too?”

My face heated up. All this time I had wished for this, and now that I had it, it felt foreign and strange. It had felt foreign with Nico, too.

I led the way, and Julian followed me to the gynecologist’s office. I told the nurse attendant that I had an appointment, and she led us right in

“Ms. Expocito!” Dr. Martin greeted with a smile. “Congratula” She stopped short, noticing the lack of a wedding ring on my finger, and seeing a strange man beside me.

Oh God, was this going to be excruciating.

I sat down quickly, and Julian kept standing right behind me

“Um,” I started, “This is Julian Rivera. He’s the father.”

I was very sure the doctors and nurses would gossip about this drama,

“Of course.” Dr. Martin put on her most professional smile. She turned to me. “Anything to report?”

“Just nausea. Nothing too much.”

She smiled. “That’s a good thing. We’ll run a text. Would you like to know the sex? I can let you

I looked up at Julian, “It’s your decision.” He said softly.

“Okay Let’s do it.”

I felt Julian squeeze my shoulder and knew I had made the right decision.

let you know today.”

A nurse led me to the gynae’s chair, and then Dr. Martin came to us. Julian followed. He sat down on a stool to my him, giving him a small, hopeful smile. He smiled right back, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles,

my right and took my hand. Looked at

at

“Ready?” The doctor asked, and I nodded, She lifted my shirt and put some goory liquid on my belly, then ran a machine over it. The screen to the left

lit up, and a blurry image of our baby came up on the screen. I had seen it like this before, but it still felt surreall. I was overcome by emotion. From behind me, Julian let out an audible gasp. I turned to look at him. He was already staring at me, his eyes watery.

“Holy shit.” He whispered, and 1 laughed lightly. “Yeah, that’s your baby.”

“Our baby.” He said.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Everything looks good,” Dr. Martin said, “And looks like you’n

‘you’re having a girl.”

My heart felt full. I sat up a little, and Julian engulfed me in a hug. “A daughter, Ginevra. I can’t believe it.” He said.

I couldn’t belie

I couldn’t believe it either. We were having a baby girl.

He pulled away from me, his eyes glued to the screen.

“I’ll give you two a moment.” The doctor said and stepped out of the rooms.

I looked over at Julian. He was looking at the screen, and then a tear escaped his right eye.

“Julian?” [ whispered.

de me cry a little, too, but I

And then he lay his head in his hands and began to cry. I pulled him to me, and he began to sob into my chest. It made me blinked the tears away. He needed to process this. To celebrate this. To feel whatever he was, in whatever way he wanted to

“Can’t believe I almost lost this.” He mumbled. Pulling away from me, he rubbed at his eyes. He chuckled to himself. “Sorry. Look at me crying like a

pussy.”

“Not like that at all“I told him

He shook his head. “I’ve cried for you way too much, now. This has to be the last time.”

“You’ll probably cry when she’s born.” 1 pointed out, and he shrugged, “Okay, the second last.”

Dr. Martin told me to take care of myself and eat properly and then sent us off. Julian took my hand and intertwined our fingers. We walked like that to the car. I had thought

he would let go then, but he continued to hold my hand all while he drove. One hand on the steering wheel, the other in mine. My heart now felt all warm and fuzzy.

*I’m gonna make up for all things I missed.” Julian told me, his words filled with promise. “And more!

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