Emma's declaration hung in the air, momentarily stunning Alex as he coughed, the coffee he was sipping caught in his throat. "Wait! Wait! Wait! Are you kidding?" he stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.
"No! She's right, brother," Isabelle chimed in, observing the test kit Emma had handed over.
Stunned and overwhelmed, Alex paced around the hallway, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement, disbelief, and a hint of apprehension all danced across his features as he grappled with the enormity of the news.
After a moment, Alex approached Emma again, his hand coming to rest gently on her shoulder. "Are you really pregnant?" he asked, his voice betraying a mixture of emotions ranging from shock to joy.
With a serene smile, Emma met his gaze and nodded affirmatively. "Yes," she confirmed, the happiness in her eyes reflecting.
Alex's laughter bubbled up from deep within him as he sank to his knees on the floor, overcome with joy and excitement. Lily, sensing the change in atmosphere, approached him, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"What happened, papa?" she asked, her confusion evident in her tone.
With a beaming smile, Alex enveloped Lily in his arms. "Lily, you're going to have a little sibling!" He exclaimed,His voice filled with happiness.
"Really?" Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement as she processed the news.
"Yes, Lily! You're going to have a little brother or sister!" Isabelle chimed in, her own excitement evident in her voice.
Lily's face lit up with delight, and she threw her arms around Alex in excitement.
"Can I play with my sibling?" she asked eagerly.
"Of course, Lily!" Alex replied, his heart swelling with happiness at her enthusiasm.
"And can I go to school with my sibling?" Lily asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Absolutely!" Alex reassured her, feeling a rush of warmth at the thought of his children growing up together, sharing adventures and experiences.
As Lily's excitement filled the room, Emma smiled warmly at her daughter's enthusiasm, her heart overflowing with love for her growing family.
"Mommy, can we decorate the baby's room together?" Lily asked, turning to Emma with wide eyes.
"Of course, sweetheart," Emma replied, her voice gentle and loving. "We'll make it the most beautiful room for your new sibling."
Lily beamed with joy, already imagining the fun they would have picking out colors and decorations.
"And we can read bedtime stories to the baby, right?" Lily asked, her excitement bubbling over.
"Absolutely," Emma replied, feeling a surge of happiness at the thought of sharing those precious moments with her children.
"Let's embark on this journey together," Alex proposed to Emma, his eyes reflecting excitement.
"To the doctor?" Emma questioned, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, for the first checkup," Alex confirmed, his joy was contagious.
Turning to his sister, Alex asked, "Issy, could you look after Lily for us?"
"Of course, Alex. Take all the time you need. We'll be fine here," Issable assured them, a warmth in her gaze.
In a flurry of emotions, Alex swiftly made a call to schedule an appointment with the doctor, ensuring that everything was in place for Emma's well-being.
As they embarked on the journey to the hospital, Alex tenderly held Emma's hand, offering both physical and emotional support. Emma, grappling with dizziness, found reassurance in Alex's unwavering grip.
Choosing the convenience of a cab, they gracefully traversed through the vibrant tapestry of the city's bustling streets, a palpable blend of anticipation and nervous excitement enveloping them.
Upon reaching the hospital, Alex and Emma proceeded to the reception, where the efficient staff guided them to the necessary checkup area.
As Emma embarked on her medical journey, Alex found himself seated in the waiting hall, his eagerness palpable, weaving through the ambient hum of hospital activity. The ticking clock echoed the moments.
As Alex patiently waited in the hall, the ticking clock seemed to echo the heartbeat of anticipation. When Emma returned, a radiant smile adorned her face, and Alex couldn't help but approach her eagerly.
"What did they say?" he inquired, his eyes reflecting a mixture of excitement and nerves.
With joy bubbling in her voice, Emma revealed, "They said we're going to have a healthy baby and it's 2 months old," their shared moment of elation filling the hospital corridor with a sense of profound happiness.
Arriving back at Alex's home, the couple held the testing reports tightly in their hands, their hearts racing with anticipation. As they swung open the door, they were greeted by the sight of Issable and Lily eagerly awaiting their return.
"Mama!" Lily exclaimed with excitement, rushing forward to envelop Emma in a tight hug.
"Be careful, sweetheart," Emma replied, her smile reflecting the warmth of the moment.
With curiosity brimming, Issable wasted no time inquiring, "What did they say?"
A burst of joy lit up Emma's face as she revealed the news, "We're going to have a baby in 8 months!"
"Really?" Issable exclaimed, pulling Emma into a heartfelt hug. "Congratulations!"
Emma's announcement was met with a cascade of congratulations and hugs, with Issable turning to embrace her brother next. "Congratulations, brother! You're finally going to have a cute little family!" she exclaimed, her words filled with genuine happiness.
"Thanks, Issable," Alex replied, his voice tinged with emotion as he embraced his sister, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement.
After a heartfelt exchange of congratulations, Issable took charge of the kitchen, preparing a celebratory dinner fit for the occasion. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, adding to the warmth of the evening.
Gathered around the table, Alex expressed his decision to spend the night in Emma's room. Issable, understanding the situation, nodded in agreement.
"Of course, brother," she replied with a smile, her eyes reflecting her genuine happiness for Alex and Emma.
As the night progressed, laughter and chatter filled the air, punctuated by moments of shared joy and camaraderie. The dinner table became a stage for heartfelt conversations and warm embraces, strengthening the bonds between the three of them.
After bidding goodnight to Issable and thanking her for the wonderful meal, Alex, accompanied by Emma and Lily, made their way back to Emma's home.
Upon reaching Emma's home, Alex took on the role of a caring father figure, helping Lily get ready for bed. With gentle words and loving gestures, he tucked her in, ensuring she was comfortable and cozy.
"Good night, snow princess," Alex whispered affectionately, planting a soft kiss on Lily's forehead as she drifted off to sleep, a contented smile gracing her lips.
"Good night, papa," Lily murmured sleepily, her voice filled with trust and affection.
After Lily fell asleep, Alex quietly went to Emma's room. The room felt cozy and there was a feeling of closeness between them as he sat on the bed.
As Alex settled onto the bed in Emma's room, she welcomed him with a warm hug. The embrace felt like a comforting cocoon, wrapping them in a sense of closeness and shared affection. In a tender moment, Emma leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Alex's cheek.
"Love you, baby," she whispered, the words carrying a depth of emotion that resonated in the quiet room.
With a smile, Alex reciprocated, "Love you too." The exchange of affectionate words.