The day had finally arrived—*Eva*, the brand merger between Carter Couture and Pierce Enterprises, was set to officially launch. It was a momentous occasion that marked not just a business partnership but the merging of lives, dreams, and passions. Ethan and Alex had left early to ensure everything was perfect at the venue, leaving Olivia and Emma to get ready at Ethan's mansion.
The house was filled with excitement and a flurry of activity. Olivia and Emma were chatting and giggling as they prepared, the air light with laughter.
"I swear, Alex has been acting all mysterious lately," Emma teased, applying the final touches to her makeup. "Do you think he's planning something?"
Olivia chuckled, pulling on her sleek, tailored dress. "Maybe he's finally taking things to the next level with you?"
Emma blushed, a wide grin on her face. "One can hope!"
They continued their light-hearted banter when Olivia suddenly felt her stomach twist in an unexpected way. Her face shifted, and without a word, she rushed to the washroom. Emma, noticing the sudden change, followed her to the door, concern etched on her face.
"Liv? Are you okay in there?" Emma's voice was gentle but tinged with worry.
Olivia, bent over the sink, splashed water on her face. "I think so. I don't know what happened... maybe it was something I ate?"
She stood for a moment, catching her breath, but something felt off. Emma wasn't convinced either.
"That wasn't just normal nausea, Liv," Emma said as Olivia opened the door, looking slightly pale.
As Olivia dried her face, Emma's eyes widened with realization. "Wait... when was your last period?"
Olivia blinked, her mind going blank for a second as she started counting back. "Uh… let me think…"
Suddenly, both women's eyes went wide, their faces mirroring the same stunned expression. Emma, always the more animated one, screamed first.
"Oh my God, Liv! You might be pregnant!"
The words echoed through the room, but Olivia remained in shock, the reality slowly sinking in. Emma, ever practical, rushed out of the room. "Stay here! I'll be right back."
Within minutes, Emma returned, breathless and holding a pregnancy test kit in her hand. "Okay, we're doing this. I had to make sure before we start celebrating."
Olivia's heart was racing as she paced back and forth, nervously fidgeting with her hands. The reality of what was happening hadn't fully sunk in, but there was a glimmer of hope, excitement, and a bit of fear all swirling inside her.
Emma handed her the kit. "Go. We need to know!"
With trembling hands, Olivia walked into the washroom again and followed the instructions. She set the test strip down and stood silently as Emma joined her. The two women hovered near the bathroom sink, staring at the strip, waiting for the result.
Emma, being her impatient self, muttered under her breath, "Come on, come on."
Olivia, holding her breath, had her fingers crossed, staring intensely at the test strip. Her heart pounded as if the next few moments would change everything.
And then, slowly, a faint second line appeared.
Both their eyes widened, and in the next instant, they screamed and hugged, overwhelmed with joy. Tears welled up in their eyes as they held each other tightly, crying, laughing, and processing the enormous news.
"Oh my God, Liv!" Emma squealed, wiping her tears. "You're pregnant! You're actually pregnant!"
Olivia, still in a state of disbelief, smiled through her tears. "I... I can't believe it either." The enormity of the news finally hit her, and a sense of pure happiness flooded her heart.
Emma, still buzzing with excitement, pulled out her phone immediately. "I have to call Alex!"
But Olivia, her sense of mischief kicking in, snatched the phone from Emma's hand. "No! We're keeping this between us for now. I want to surprise Ethan!"
Emma's eyes sparkled with delight. "Ohhh, I see! You're going to tell him during the brand reveal, aren't you?"
Olivia nodded, her face glowing with excitement and nerves. "Yes, in front of the press, in front of Alexander... I want it to be special."
Emma grinned widely, clearly thrilled with the idea. "This is going to be incredible! Ethan will lose his mind!"
The two women shared a conspiratorial glance, their bond deepening in that moment. Emma was more than just a friend to Olivia; she was like a sister, and sharing this secret, even for a short time, made the moment all the more memorable.
"Alright," Emma said, lowering her voice in mock seriousness. "I'll keep quiet. But you better tell him in the best way possible!"
Olivia smiled, her mind already racing with ideas of how she would reveal the surprise to Ethan. But one thing was for sure—this launch event would not only mark the birth of their brand, *Eva*, but also the beginning of their new family.
With the test hidden away and the nerves settling, Olivia slipped into her elegant dress. It was sleek, white with subtle gold accents—a perfect reflection of the chic style she was known for. Emma, too, dressed to the nines, couldn't stop bouncing on her heels with excitement as they prepared to head to the venue.
The merger launch was about to be the biggest event of their careers, but Olivia's heart raced for an entirely different reason. Soon, she'd be sharing the most important news of her life with the love of her life, in front of the world.
As they made their way out of the mansion, Olivia glanced at Emma and whispered, "Let's make today unforgettable."
Emma beamed back at her. "Oh, it's already going to be unforgettable, Liv. For all the best reasons."
And with that, they headed to the venue, Olivia carrying the weight of her secret, knowing that in just a few hours, her world—and Ethan's—would change forever.