if only

Uncertainty

Emilia took a deep breath, her mind made up. "I need to see Alex."

Lucy nodded, driving her to his office. Emilia's heart pounded as she stepped out.

Alex looked up, hope flickering. "Emilia..."

She cut him off, voice firm. "I need the truth, Alex. All of it. No secrets, no lies."

He nodded, pouring out the whole story – his ambition, the case, his feelings.

Emilia listened, her expression unreadable. Then: "I want full transparency, Alex. About everything. And space to process this pregnancy, us...all of it."

Alex's eyes locked onto hers. "I promise. I'll do anything."

Emilia's voice dropped. "One more thing: if you screw up again, we're done."

Alex nodded, relief washing over him. "I won't. I promise."

Emilia's gaze lingered, then turned to leave. "I'll be in touch."

As she walked out, Alex felt a glink of hope.

Alex arrived at Emilia's apartment, flowers in hand, looking nervous. Emilia opened the door, her expression guarded.

"Hey," he said softly, handing her the flowers. "Can I come in?"

Emilia nodded, stepping aside. The tension was palpable as they sat down.

"I'm here to listen," Alex said, his eyes sincere. "And rebuild, if you'll let me."

Emilia smiled slightly. "I'd like that."

As they talked, the walls came down. They laughed, cried, and shared stories. The air cleared, and hope crept back in.

One evening, Alex took Emilia to a quiet rooftop. The city lights twinkled below.

"Emilia," he said, turning to her. "I want to do this right. Us, the baby...everything."

Emilia's heart fluttered. "Me too."

As they hugged, the world felt like it was spinning right.

Emilia's phone buzzed as she got out of the shower. A message from an unknown number: "Hi Emilia, it's Alex's mom! 😊 I got your number from Alex (don't tell him I stole it 😉). Wanted to invite you for coffee?"

Emilia's eyes widened. Alex had mentioned his mom was keen to meet her, but this? Random.

She agreed, and they met at a trendy café. Alex's mom, Grace, was warm and charming. They hit it off instantly, bonding over pregnancy cravings and life stories.

As they parted, Emilia felt like she'd known Grace forever.

Days later, Alex bumped into them at a bookstore. Grace beamed. "Alex! Look who I met!"

Alex's eyes met Emilia's, a flicker of surprise. Grace continued, "Emilia, this is my son, Alex."

Emilia's face went blank. "Alex...is your son?"

Grace chuckled. "Yes! He's a bit of a handful, isn't he?"

Emilia's mind spun as Alex awkwardly joined in.

Later, over dinner, Alex confessed, "I wanted to tell you...I wasn't looking for love. But you...I didn't plan on falling."

Emilia's heart skipped. "And I'm a secret billionaire."

Emilia's jaw dropped. "What?"

Alex laughed. "Isaiah Co's mine. I wanted to keep it low-key."

Emilia shook her head, laughing. "You kept a lot low-key."

Grace swooped in, planning a baby shower before Emilia could blink. Alex's dad, Mark, chuckled, "She's got the bit between her teeth."

But at the family dinner, a curveball: Alex's aunt piped up, "When's the wedding?"

Emilia's eyes widened. Alex squeezed her hand under the table. "Soon, Aunt Sue. We're figuring it out."

Grace jumped in, "Let's not rush them, Sue."

But the seed was planted. Emilia's mind spun as Alex drove her home. "Don't stress it," he said, reading her.

Emilia smiled softly. "I'm not. But your family's something else."

Alex laughed. "They mean well."

The baby shower was in full swing, with Grace's friends cooing over tiny shoes and Emilia laughing it off. But when Aunt Sue cornered her, the tone shifted.

"So, Emilia, what do you do?" Sue asked, her tone sugary.

Emilia smiled politely. "I'm a baker."

Sue's eyebrow arched. "A baker. How...quaint."

Alex's family exchanged looks. Mark intervened, "Sue, that's not—"

But Sue pushed on. "I mean, Alex has...expectations. A certain lifestyle."

Emilia's smile froze. "I'm happy with who I am, thanks."

Grace jumped in, "Sue, stop. Now."

The room went awkward. Alex pulled Emilia aside, frowning at his aunt. "Ignore her."

Emilia's eyes flashed hurt. "Is this what they think of me?"

Alex's jaw cliked. "They're wrong. You're amazing."

Emilia marched back to the living room, her eyes flashing. "Look, I know I'm not rich. But I'm not here for your approval."

Aunt Sue raised an eyebrow. "We're just concerned about Alex's future."

Emilia's voice rose. "My future's with Alex. Not your money."

The room went silent. Grace stood, "Emilia—"

But Emilia clenched her belly, a sharp pain hitting. "Ah!"

Alex was instantly beside her. "Emilia! What's wrong?"

"Pain..."

He scooped her up. "Hospital, now."

As they rushed out, the family exchanged worried glances. Grace's voice was low. "We need to support them."

At the hospital, Alex held Emilia's hand, his face etched with worry. "They're checking the baby."

Emilia squeezed his hand, tears in her eyes. "Scared..."

Alex's voice cracked. "It's gonna be okay. I'm here."

The doctors rushed Emilia in, hooking her up to monitors. Alex paced beside her, his face white.

A nurse smiled gently. "Baby's heartbeat's strong, but we need to check for contractions."

Emilia gripped Alex's hand as the ultrasound showed their tiny baby. The doctor's expression turned serious. "Possible preterm labor. We need to stabilize you."

As the medical team sprang into action, Alex's family burst in, worry etched on their faces. Grace rushed to Emilia's side. "What's happening?"

Alex took a deep breath. "She's having pains. Possible preterm labor."

The room went silent. Then Grace's face transformed, her eyes shining. "Grandbaby's on the way?"

Aunt Sue's expression softened. "Oh, Emilia..."

Suddenly, the family's attitude shifted. Emilia was showered with concern and apologies. "We're so sorry, dear...We'll support you..."

Alex smiled weakly at Emilia. "Guess you're their fave now."

Emilia rolled her eyes, laughing through pain. "Guess so."

The doctors worked in tense silence, Emilia's contractions growing closer. Alex held her hand, his face etched with worry.

"We need to get her on medication to stop the labor," a doctor said, eyes serious.

Emilia's breath hitched. "What about the baby?"

The monitor beeped faster. Alex's family hovered anxiously.

Suddenly, the doctor's expression changed. "Baby's heart rate...it's dropping."

Emilia's eyes widened. Alex's voice shook. "What's happening?"

The room erupted into activity. A nurse pushed Alex aside. "We need to prep for an emergency C-section."

Emilia's world narrowed to pain and fear. Alex's voice was her anchor. "I'm here. I'm here."

The doors swung open. "Let's go, now!"

As Emilia was wheeled into the OR, her mind racing, a figure watched from the shadows. Victor, a ruthless lawyer and Alex's rival, stood outside, his eyes fixed on Emilia.

He'd been watching her for weeks, obsessed with possessing her. Alex's involvement had only fueled his fixation.

Victor's phone buzzed. A text to an associate: "Keep tabs on Alex. I need a distraction."

In the OR, the doctors worked swiftly. "Baby's out, now!"

Emilia's eyes fluttered open, Alex's relieved face above hers. "You did it," he whispered.

But outside, Victor's smile grew. "Game on, Alex."

Victor leaned in, his voice low, as he spoke to his associate. "I want Emilia's bakery records, every client, every supplier. Find something."

The associate nodded, typing away on his laptop.

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Emilia cradled their newborn daughter, Ava, beaming at Alex. "She's perfect."

Alex's phone buzzed. A cryptic message: "You don't know what's coming."

He frowned, showing Emilia. "Probably just Victor being a pest."

But Victor's eyes gleamed in the shadows. "You'll lose her, Alex. Like I lost."

Victor leaned back in his chair, a sinister smile spreading. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Send the flowers to the hospital. Make sure they're from Alex."

The florist on the other end nodded, "Of course, Mr. Langley. What message?"

Victor's eyes glinted, "Write this: 'Can't wait to see you and Ava tonight. Love, Alex'."

The florist repeated the message, and Victor hung up.

As the flowers arrived at the hospital, Emilia's eyes lit up. "Alex, look! You think of everything!"

Alex frowned, confused, "I didn't send these."

But Emilia just laughed, "You're just being modest."

Alex's phone buzzed again. This time, a picture of him and Emilia at the bakery, with a message: "I see you."

He showed Emilia, "This is getting weird."

Emilia shrugged, "Just Victor being dramatic."