Evanora.
The last thing Eva could ever imagine was falling in love with Rick, let alone being intimate with him. When Eva began to fall in love with Rick she had dismissed the feeling and called it a mere infatuation, or at best, she thought it was her broken heart that was messing with her. But, now, Eva couldn't go a minute without thinking about Rick; the love of her life.
"I'm scared for my heart," Eva admitted to her friend during breakfast. "I can hardly think of anything else these days"
"Real love is always like that….It gets into your head and puts everything aside. Who knows, Rick Ronan could be your fated mate."
Eva's shoulders slumped. How long would it take before she scented Rick as her mate? The idea that there was a set of rules her life was connected with, troubled her. She just wanted to love and be loved in return without the fear of being rejected for a good reason.
"But Rick is so young." Eva said in a disapproving tone.
"Age doesn't count, Eva. You deserve to be happy again." Sigra shook her head, shoving a piece of pancake in her mouth.
Few minutes later Rick arrived at Eva's apartment, looking so calm and charming. He had come to accompany her to a doctor's appointment. For days now Eva had been experiencing slight headaches that couldn't be erased by a few medications.
Just like Rick, Eva was as anxious. Her stomach burned by mere looking at Rick's face. She hated how much of an effect his presence had on her.
"Are we ready now?" Rick asked, taking Eva's hand into his.
"Yes. Let me get my novel. I will be having a few hours of alone time to complete the novel in the school library, after the appointment."
"Alright."
They arrived at the hospital and the smell of antiseptic started to make Eva have the strongest of urge to puke, but she managed to control it. Soon, she and Rick were inside the doctor's office.
"Can you recount your symptoms and the headache?" Asked the doctor.
"Of course yes," Eva responded and gave detailed information about it, except her very recent experience here in the hospital. She didn't tell the doctor she nearly puked at the smell of antiseptic, and that was unusual.
"Alright, then. I might have to run a few tests to determine what's wrong….pregnancy test inclusive."
Rick and Eva shot glances at themselves.
"Pregnancy test?" Rick asked, sounding tense.
The doctor nodded as he scribbled on the paper on his table. Soon after, Eva's blood sample was collected.
Rick and Eva were sitting down in utter silence when the lab results got ready.
"You may ask the young man to excuse you for privacy reasons," The doctor said.
"No, it's fine. He is my boyfriend."
"Alright then."
"From the results I have here, young lady," Said the doctor, "There's no obvious health issues but it's been medically determined that you are three weeks pregnant."
"What? Pregnant?" Rick's voice thundered as he stormed out of the office.
Eva was confused and shocked at the same time. Confused by the doctor's revelation, and shocked by Rick's wild reaction.
She stormed out of the office and hurried to catch up with Rick outside the hospital.
"Rick! Rick!"
Rick paused and turned to her, looking red in the face. He gripped her hands, looked directly into her eyes and said. "Go have an abortion done and forget about ever knowing me." He breathed heavily and continued. "I am not interested in whatever you are carrying and my father; Alpha Ronan, will have me banished from my pack if he finds out about any of this."
Eva couldn't believe her ears, couldn't believe it was Rick who was standing before her. Hot tears started to stream down her eyes as she fell down on her knees. "Rick, you can't do this, please." She sobbed.
"Eva, I am doing it and I am leaving you for good." He said in affirmative. "Good bye Eva, and good luck as you get rid of that thing in your stomach."
***************************
Time seemed to stop for Eva as her pregnancy burdened her in many ways possible. But, with the help of Sigra she navigated every step as it came. It's been 8 months since the devastating split between her and Rick, and Eva had found a way to find comfort in reading and writing. Even in this week of her due date, Eva would wake up at night just to work on her novel.
"Early morning bird," Sigra teased as she woke up to see Eva, writing. "Hope the baby is kicking well this morning?"
"Good morning, Sigra." Eva said, smiling. "Yes, it's kicking…I even experienced what felt like labor pain earlier."
"It could be anytime from now….you just have three days until you are due." Sigra said and got up from the bed.
Eva completed writing the 50th chapter of her book and heeded Sigra's advice on the need to allow herself some rest until the baby was born. The following day she fell into full labor and was rushed to the maternity ward.
Hit by the series pains of contraction, Eva started to cry, and for once she wished Rick was here with her to offer any sort of comfort.
"It will soon be over," Said one of the nurses. "Keep pushing.."
Sigra was shaky and at the verge of tears as she witnessed how much struggle her dear friend was dealing with. "You can do it, Eva. I am right here with you."
Eva gathered the last strength that was left in her body and pushed so hard, and just like an over-pressured balloon letting out air at the slightest pinch, the baby slipped out of Eva's body in an instant.
"It's a baby boy!" Exclaimed the nurse.
The nurses gathered the baby and began cleaning him. Eva weakened out for a while and soon began to regain consciousness as the faint cry of her baby filled the room.
The moment her baby was placed in her arms, Eva felt a new sense of peace and relaxation, and until this moment she never thought love could be so empowering and healing at the same time.
"Ethnan," She called her baby in a calm voice. "I will love you and give you the entire world. Welcome to my world, son."