In the months after her painful breakup with Luke, Sara poured herself into work and friendships. She still thought of Luke often, but tried not to dwell on what could have been.
One morning, Sara felt a wave of nausea as she was getting ready for work. She barely made it to the bathroom in time to be sick.
Over the next few days, the nausea persisted, along with tiredness and dizziness. Sara's friend Kara noticed she was looking pale and drawn.
"Are you sure you're not pregnant?" Kara asked over lunch.
Sara nearly choked on her food. "No, that's impossible!" But then it dawned on her - when was her last period?
On the way home, Sara bought a pregnancy test, heart pounding. She couldn't be...could she?
Alone in her bathroom, Sara watched the test results appear. Positive. She sank to the floor in shock. She was carrying Luke's child, a man she'd likely never see again.
In a daze, Sara scheduled a doctor's appointment. It was confirmed - she was eight weeks along. Luke's last gift to her.
That night, Sara's mind raced. Could she raise a child alone? What would her family say? And should she tell Luke he was going to be a father?
Having the baby felt meant to be. But Luke had been so noncommittal about their relationship - how would he react to fatherhood?
Sara decided she would inform Luke, but make it clear she intended to raise the child herself, without expectations of his involvement.
She texted Luke asking to meet right away. He responded sounding concerned and agreed to see her the next evening.
Sara rehearsed what she would say. She had made her choice - now she just needed the courage to follow through.
Sara's hands trembled as she waited for Luke in a quiet corner of a cafe. When he arrived, she noted he looked weary, as if he hadn't been sleeping well.
"Sara. Is everything okay?" Luke asked gently.
Sara took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
Luke's eyes widened. "You're...but how...?"
"It must have happened before we ended things," Sara explained.
Luke leaned back against his chair, looking shell-shocked. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Sara said. "I'm telling you as a courtesy. I've decided to have the baby and raise it alone."
Luke ran his hand through his hair. "You can't think I'd abandon you at a time like this! If it's my child, I'll provide for you both."
Sara held up a hand. "I don't expect anything from you. We made a clean break for good reasons."
"Let me help, I'm begging you," Luke implored. "We could try to make things work for the child's sake."
Sara shook her head. "This pregnancy is unexpected, but I have faith I can manage on my own. It wouldn't be right to reconnect just for the baby's sake."
Luke looked pained but nodded slowly. "I have great respect for your strength. But please, if you need anything..."
"You'll be the first call I make," Sara said gently. "For now though, I need space to process this new path I'm on."
Sara gathered her things to leave. Luke grasped her hand suddenly. "You'll be an amazing mother," he said, eyes glistening.
Sara squeezed his hand, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. She turned quickly and left the cafe before the tears fell.
She didn't look back at Luke watching her go. A profound chapter was closing while her next one waited to unfold.
Over the following months, Sara immersed herself in preparing for single motherhood. She read parenting books, transformed the spare room into a nursery, and soaked up advice from her married friends with kids.
Luke kept his distance per Sara's wishes, though he occasionally checked in on her progress. Sara politely updated him but reiterated she had things under control.
As her belly grew, Sara's trepidation was replaced by excitement. Though unplanned, this baby felt like a miracle, and his or her arrival couldn't come soon enough.
Sara went into labor a week before her due date. After 17 grueling hours, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Holding her daughter for the first time, Sara was overwhelmed with love and wonder.
"Meet Emily Luna," she whispered, kissing the newborn's downy head. The nurse noted Emily's striking blue eyes - just like her father's. Sara set her jaw, determined to be both mother and father to Emily.
Bringing Emily home was blissful but challenging. Sara forgot what a full night's sleep felt like! Her mom and friends brought meals and helped out when possible. Gradually Sara adjusted to the demands of motherhood.
When Emily was six months old, Sara finally felt ready to join some mom groups in the neighborhood. At the first meeting, the other mothers bonded instantly with Sara.
"Where's your husband?" one asked. "Out at work?"
Sara shook her head. "It's just me and Emily." The woman looked embarrassed and quickly changed subjects.
Being a single parent had its difficulties, but Sara was proud of the life she was building with Emily. Each new milestone - holding her head up, eating solids, giggling at peekaboo - brought Sara immense joy.
On Emily's first birthday, Sara reflected on how much had changed in a year. Though exhausted, she was grateful destiny brought this child into her life. She blew out the lone candle on Emily's cake and embraced the year ahead.