Chapter 321

The porcelain was cold against my forehead as I rested there for a moment, letting the queasiness subside. The initial shock of throwing up had passed, and now a million thoughts ran through my mind.

And then there was the most important question of them all: “Could I be pregnant?”

Slowly pushing myself up, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes looked a bit glassy, and my face paler than usual.

“It could just be a hangover,” I whispered, trying to reassure myself. Or perhaps those eggs from breakfast had turned bad.

I let out a shaky breath, steadying myself. A pregnancy test would confirm things, but was I ready to know? I could feel my heart racing at the mere thought. “Maybe give it a couple of days,” I murmured. If the symptoms persisted, I’d take the test.

Padding to our cozy living room, I wrapped myself in a soft throw blanket, letting the plush fabric comfort me. The golden morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room. With everything so quiet and still, it was the perfect environment to let my thoughts wander.

What if I was pregnant? The initial panic slowly gave way to a gentle curiosity. How would it feel to carry a life inside me? To create something so magical and miraculous with Enzo?

Our lives would change, undoubtedly. But, wasn’t change often a good thing? Besides, we had such a strong bond, and I could see the joy in Enzo’s eyes whenever he interacted with children. He had that innate paternal instinct that made kids gravitate towards him.

Laying my hand on my still-flat stomach, I tried to imagine a baby bump there, growing with each passing month. How would it feel to have little kicks from within, to hear a heartbeat that wasn’t mine but was because of us?

Letting out a soft chuckle, I recalled how Enzo would often tease me, saying our baby would inherit my fiery spirit and his mischievous charm. We’d joked about it so often that it almost felt like a distant dream. Yet, now, it might just be a reality.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I contemplated further. The late nights, the early mornings, the first words, the first steps... There’d be challenges, of course. But with Enzo by my side, those challenges would transform into beautiful memories. We’d navigate them together, as we always did.

The idea of our home filled with the laughter of a little one, toys strewn around, and walls adorned with baby pictures made my heart swell. A mini Enzo or a mini me running around, causing havoc and filling our lives with untold joy.

Shaking my head in disbelief, I thought, “Is this really happening? Am I actually considering this?”

And the surprising answer was, maybe. Maybe I wasn’t as averse to the idea as I’d initially thought. Maybe the universe had plans for us that we hadn’t yet considered. We were still young, yes, but we could make it work. I could still finish medical school. Enzo could still follow his own dreams… Maybe. I hoped. Or would a baby throw a wrench into everything?

Just then, the chirping of my phone broke my reverie. An incoming message from Enzo flashed on the screen. “Hey love, practice is intense today. Thinking of you. Can’t wait to see you later x.”

A broad smile spread across my face as I typed a quick reply. “All the best, superstar. We’re cheering for you, always.” The ‘we’ in my message felt oddly fitting, even if it might just be my imagination for now.

Placing the phone back on the coffee table, I leaned back, lost once again in my thoughts. Whatever the future held, whatever challenges lay ahead, one thing was certain: together, Enzo and I could face anything.

But if that ‘anything’ included a baby, would it be a journey that we were both ready to embark on?

…

The chilly wind outside the hockey arena bit at my face, but the growing anticipation of watching Enzo play his last game warmed me from the inside. Lori and Jessica met me at the entrance, both donned in jerseys and hats supporting our team.

“There she is,” Lori said, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re late.”

I snorted. “I’m not late. You’re early.”

Jessica, the more composed of the two, gave me a gentle smile. “Ready to watch your star player?” She winked, clearly hinting at Enzo.

I laughed. “Always.”

“I still can’t believe it’s his last game,” Lori said as we began to make our way inside the arena. “It’s gonna be emotional for sure.”

“Yeah…” I paused, imagining how Enzo would handle his last game. He didn’t want to show it, but I knew that he was sad.

“Well, either way, it’s gonna be a blast,” Jessica chimed in. “And we’ll all go out to celebrate afterwards, so he won’t have time to be depressed.”

As we started to make our way to the stands, Lori’s eyes lit up as she spotted a food stand. “Oh! Soft pretzels! We have to get some before the game starts!”

Jessica nodded in agreement, her mouth watering. “I’ve been craving one all day.”

While the aroma of buttery, salted pretzels was normally hard for me to resist, today it twisted my stomach into knots. Regardless, I followed them, thinking a small bite might actually help.

Lori and Jessica eagerly ordered their pretzels, slathering them with mustard. I hesitated before getting one for myself, hoping to avoid any questions.

As we settled into our seats, I merely poked at my pretzel, taking the smallest of bites, trying not to exacerbate my already queasy stomach.

Lori, never one to miss a detail, quirked an eyebrow at me. “What’s up with you? On some kind of diet?” She took an exaggerated bite of her pretzel, teasing me.

Jessica chimed in, feigning shock. “Nina? Dieting? Now that’s news.”

“It’s not like that,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

But Lori wasn’t letting it go. “Come on, spill it. Something’s up. You adore these pretzels.”

I sighed. With friends as observant and persistent as mine, there was no escaping. “Okay, okay,” I relented. “I just... I spent the morning throwing up. My stomach’s been off.”

Jessica’s playful demeanor changed to one of concern. “Oh, Nina. Are you okay? Did you eat something bad?”

Lori, on the other hand, leaned in closer, her expression speculative. “Morning sickness, perhaps?”

“Stop it, Lori,” I chided, rolling my eyes, though a hint of a blush colored my cheeks.

Jessica’s eyes widened as realization hit her. “Nina, when was your last period?”

I hesitated for a moment before admitting, “It’s late this month.”

Both of their faces mirrored the shock and excitement I’d felt earlier in the day. Lori’s eyes shone with mischief. “Oh my god, are you...?”

Jessica's voice was softer, filled with wonder. “Could you be…?”

I held up my hands, trying to halt their rapid-fire questions. “Whoa, whoa. Slow down, both of you. I don’t know anything for sure. I haven’t taken a test or anything.”

Lori's face was a mix of excitement and worry. “But you think it’s possible, right? I mean, with Enzo and all the romance lately…”

“I said, slow down,” I interrupted her. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. I don’t want to freak out over nothing.”

Jessica, always the voice of reason, nodded. “She’s right, Lori. We should give her some space. And if it’s true, we’ll be here to support you, Nina, every step of the way.”

“Thanks,” I said, my voice wavering slightly, grateful for Jessica’s comforting words.

Lori, sensing she might have pushed too hard, squeezed my hand apologetically. “I’m sorry, Nina. I got carried away. Just know that we’re here for you, okay?”

I smiled, the tension ebbing away. “I know. And I appreciate it. Truly.”

The three of us shared a moment of silence, letting the weight of the situation sink in. I was touched by their concern and understanding.

Suddenly, the stadium lights brightened, and the cheering crowd signaled the start of the game. All our attention shifted to the rink where Enzo and his teammates skated out, ready to play their last game together.