It's been a year and six months since Ray and Isla's marriage, and their relationship continues to flourish. They have settled into a comfortable rhythm, their lifestyles now intertwined, and what was once awkward and unusual has become natural for them.
One evening, as they sat on their balcony overlooking the twinkling city lights, Isla turned to Ray and took his hand. "I've been thinking about something," she began, her voice soft and slow. "About us."
Ray sat there, not knowing what she wanted to tell him, and became increasingly impatient for an answer.
"I think I'm ready," Isla continued. "Ready for the next step in our lives."Ray's eyes widened. "You mean..."
Isla nodded, and a soft smile appeared on her lips. "I mean, I want to start a family with you."
Ray felt a wave of emotion wash over him. The idea of having a child with Isla had never crossed his mind before but now that she mentioned it, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
"I want that too," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Isla squeezed his hand. "Really?"
Ray nodded, his eyes filled with love and hope. "Really."
In the following months, they became busy planning for a baby, discussing names, buying decorations for the nursery, doing research about pregnancy signs, and dreaming about the future with their child. They talked about their hopes and fears of parenthood, their dreams for their child, and the kind of parents they want to be.
And finally, the day came Isla was at work when she felt nauseous and dizzy with every food she came across. And because of the research she did, she knew she was pregnant. She was so excited and left work early, planning to surprise, Ray so instead of calling him to pick her, up she took a taxi. On her way, home she was very careful in instructing the driver to drive slowly and watch the speed bumps.
When she got home she showered, ate, and started blowing up some balloons they bought. She released them in the nursery and sat on the sofa, waiting for Ray to come home, trying to keep awake but eventually falling asleep.
When Ray came home, he saw Isla on the sofa and immediately started panicking and called her name softly to wake her up. As Isla opened her eyes, she was so shocked she got up instantly to check the time.
"Are you ok?" Ray said gently with a worried expression on his face.
"Yes, why do you look like that," said Isla also, concerned about him.
"I was so worried when you weren't answering your phone I even called the police when your co-workers told me they had not seen you from lunch".
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I was so focused on surprising you that I forgot to call and tell you that I came home early," explained Isla.
"What happened," asked Ray.
"Well, I would have to show you first, come with me," said Isla, looking excited as she dashed to the nursery.
"Surprise, I'm pregnant."
"Really," said Ray, bursting out in tears.
As Isla's belly started to show, she took a paternity leave and so did Ray. He was very careful in taking care of her he made her meals, gave her massages, helped her exercise, and ensured that she got enough rest, and she couldn't hide the radiant glow that seemed to emanate from her. Ray was over the moon and impatient, his heart filled with love, joy, and happiness he never knew he had before.
When the 9 months were finally up, and the baby was ready to be delivered, Ray was by Isla's side, his hand holding hers as she bore the contractions. The birth was long, painful, and exhausting, but when their baby daughter finally arrived, the pain was instantly forgotten as they put her in Isla's arms.
They named her Lisa, a name that was formed by rearranging the letters in her mom's name. As they held their newborn child in their arms, Ray and Isla felt love, joy, and happiness. They were parents now, and their lives would never be the same.
The early days of parenthood were challenging, but they were also filled with immeasurable joy as Lisa grew. Ray and Isla enjoyed the simple pleasures of watching Lisa grow, hearing her first laugh, and feeling her tiny hand wrap around their fingers.
As Lisa grew older, Ray and Isla continued to be amazed by her intelligence, her curiosity, and her contagious laughter. They were raising their daughter to be kind, compassionate, and strong, instilling the same values that had shaped their own lives.
As the couple's life now became a family of three, countless opportunities kept opening. Each day they spent more joyous than the next because of their daughter, their lives became a little more happier. And yet again, their schedules changed so they could spend more time with her and as a family.
As Ray, Isla, and now Lisa's life continues, unexpected events keep revealing themselves. But no matter what happens now, nothing can separate this family.