On an ordinary morning, Emma slowly roused from her slumber, a sense of uneasiness tugging at her consciousness. As she stretched and yawned, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was different today. Curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension lingered in the air.
Deciding to start the day, Emma made her way to Lily's room, the usual morning routine awaiting. "Good morning, Lily! Time to rise and shine—it's getting late for school," Emma cheerfully greeted her daughter.
However, Lily, still cocooned in the warmth of her blankets, responded with a drowsy plea, "Five more minutes, Mommy!"
Smirking playfully, Emma decided to add a little incentive. "If you don't wake up soon, I might just devour all the pancakes waiting for you in the kitchen," she teased, playfully threatening Lily's favorite breakfast.
Lily's eyes widened, and with a sudden burst of energy, she threw off her blanket. "Okay, Mom, I'm waking up!" she declared, heading to the washroom to begin the morning routine.
Having completed their morning routines, Emma and Lily sat down to their usual breakfast of delicious pancakes. The aroma of the freshly cooked meal filled the air, creating a cozy atmosphere that hinted at the warmth of their daily rituals.
As Lily finished the last bite of her pancakes, she swiftly grabbed her school bag, ready to embark on the day's adventures. Emma, too, collected her purse, preparing for the routine of dropping Lily off at school.
"Let's go, Mama!" Lily exclaimed, swinging the door open. To their surprise, standing in the apartment hallway was Alex, ready to head out for work.
"Papa!" Lily joyfully approached him.
"Good morning, Angel!" Alex greeted her with a warm smile.
"Papa, you have to come along with me to school!" Lily declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Okay then!" Alex agreed, joining in on the spontaneous plan.
"Let's go then!" Emma chimed in, and the trio set off, strolling through the streets on their way to the school. Laughter and lively conversation filled the air, creating a scene of familial warmth and togetherness.
Upon reaching the school, Lily waved a cheerful goodbye and headed off to start her day of learning.
"Be careful, Lily!" Alex and Emma called out, their parental concern evident in their voices.
With Lily safely off to school, Alex and Emma continued their journey, walking along the familiar streets towards the metro station.
"Hey, Alex!" Emma called out to him.
"What?" he inquired.
"I'm feeling a bit drowsy today," she revealed.
"Why don't you take some rest and maybe consider taking a leave?" he suggested.
"No, it's not that bad," she replied, nodding off slightly.
Concerned, Alex stopped and pulled her into a gentle embrace, kissing her on the forehead. "Be careful," he whispered.
"Alex! We're on the streets!" Emma blurted out, her face turning bright red.
"Sorry! I couldn't resist!" he replied with a grin.
They continued their walk through the streets, reaching the metro station, where they caught a train that eventually brought them to the office, ready to face the challenges of the workday together.
As the day progressed, Emma continued to navigate through her tasks, providing guidance to her juniors and ensuring the smooth flow of work in the office. The rhythmic tapping of keys and occasional murmur of conversations surrounded her, creating a dynamic work atmosphere.
During a short break, Charlotte, a thoughtful colleague, brought Emma a cup of coffee, a small gesture of kindness amid the hustle of the office.
"Here's the coffee! Don't overstress!" Charlotte offered, showing concern for Emma's well-being.
"Thanks, Char!" Emma expressed her gratitude, taking a sip of the coffee.
"You seem tired today," Charlotte observed, her eyes reflecting genuine concern.
"Yeah, just a bit of drowsiness and something off in my body," Emma admitted.
"Why don't you take some rest?" Charlotte suggested, her concern evident in her voice.
"No, it's just minor issues," Emma reassured, shaking her head.
"It's okay! Be careful!" Charlotte said, returning to her desk, leaving Emma to continue her tasks, determined to power through the day despite the subtle signals from her body.
As the day progressed, Emma found herself engrossed in her tasks, determined to meet deadlines and manage her responsibilities. However, as the clock ticked away, the uneasiness she felt earlier began to intensify.
Emma, with a stack of important prints in her hands, made her way towards a colleague's desk to hand over the documents. The office buzzed with the usual activities, but Emma's focus started to waver as a sudden wave of dizziness overwhelmed her.
Trying to push through the discomfort, Emma took a deep breath, hoping it was just a passing moment of fatigue. However, as she reached her colleague's desk, her vision blurred, and her strength seemed to drain away. Without warning, Emma's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
The commotion in the office escalated as colleagues rushed to her aid, concerned by the unexpected incident. The prints scattered across the floor, forgotten in the urgency to ensure Emma's well-being.
Emma proceeded to walk along the familiar streets, contemplating her thoughts. Eventually, she made a deliberate decision to stop at the nearby pharmaceutical shop, a place that held the promise of answers.
In the bustling college cafeteria, Issable and Oliver sat at a corner table, surrounded by the hum of conversations and clatter of trays.
Oliver, looking at Issable with a thoughtful expression, suggested, "You know, Issable, you can move in with me. It'll be easier, and you won't have to worry about managing everything on your own."
Issable, stirring her coffee, hesitated. "I appreciate that, Oliver, but my brother needs me. I can't just leave him alone."
Oliver persisted, "Alex will be fine, and you can visit him anytime. Besides, I have extra space, and it would be more convenient for both of us."
However, Issable remained firm, "I can't, Oliver. Family comes first, and I need to be there for my brother."
Their conversation continued, navigating the delicate balance between personal choices and responsibilities.
In the quiet of the evening, Emma found herself alone in the bathroom, a mix of emotions swirling within her—amusement, shock, and a burgeoning sense of happiness. As she checked something in her hands, her expression shifted between curiosity and a hint of surprise.
After a while, she found herself lost in contemplation in her own hall when the distant sounds of Alex and Lily's arrival reached her ears. Prompted by curiosity, she ventured to Alex's home.
Upon opening the door, she stepped into the welcoming atmosphere of Alex's hallway, where the duo was engrossed in starting a console to indulge in a game session.
"Lily, change your dress!" she exclaimed, taking notice of Lily's attire.
"I will, Mom! Just after one more game!" Lily responded with an infectious smile.
Observing the scene, Emma commented, "Alex, you're spoiling her too much."
"It's just a game," he casually dismissed.
Shortly after, Issable joined the gathering. "Issy, could you make some coffee for me?" Alex politely requested.
"Right away, brother," she acknowledged, promptly bringing him a steaming cup of coffee.
As the group assembled, Emma felt it was the right moment to share something important. "Alex, I need to talk to you," she announced.
Caught up in his gaming session, Alex was reluctant to shift his attention. Emma, determined to have his full focus, resorted to turning off the television.
"Come on, Emma! I'm about to win!" Alex protested, puzzled by her interference.
Ignoring his gaming concerns, Emma handed him a small testing kit with unmistakable double lines. Perplexed, Alex and Issable leaned in to inspect it.
"Alex, I'm pregnant," Emma revealed, her announcement hanging in the air, altering the atmosphere with a mixture of surprise.
"Wait, what?" Alex exclaimed, his confusion evident as he processed the unexpected revelation.