The Virgin Wife

Title: Bonus Episode 11: Morning Sickness

Amara woke up at 5am with her stomach churning.

She bolted to the bathroom and barely made it to the toilet.

"Ugh..." She heaved until there was nothing left.

The door opened. Emeka. Hair messy, eyes worried. "Amara? Baby?"

Amara flushed and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. She looked pale. "I don’t know what’s wrong with me."

Emeka knelt and pulled her into his arms. "You’ve been like this for 3 days. We’re going to the hospital."

"No," Amara said quickly. "It’s probably just food poisoning."

Emeka frowned. "Food poisoning doesn’t last 3 days." He kissed her forehead. "Come. Let me get you water."

He carried her back to bed. Made her ginger tea. Sat with her all morning.

That evening, Amara was staring at herself in the mirror. Tired eyes. And... was her stomach a little rounder?

Her heart stopped.

"Emeka," she called out. Her voice shook.

He came running. "What?"

Amara held up her phone. sss delivery. "I ordered this."

It was a pregnancy test.

Emeka went completely still. "Oh."

"Don’t get your hopes up," Amara whispered. "It’s probably nothing."

30 minutes later, in the bathroom:

Amara stared at the stick. Two pink lines.

Her hands started shaking.

"Emeka?"

The door flew open. Emeka saw it and his eyes went wide.

"Is that...?"

Amara nodded, tears already falling. "I’m pregnant."

For 3 seconds, silence.

Then Emeka dropped to his knees and pressed his face to her stomach. "Oh my God. Oh my God, Amara."

Amara laughed and cried at the same time. She ran her fingers through his hair. "Say something."

Emeka looked up at her. His eyes were red. "I love you. I love you so much. We’re going to be parents."

He stood up and hugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe.

That night he didn’t let her cook. Didn’t let her wash plates.

"Sit," he ordered, bringing her tea and biscuits. "You’re carrying my child."

Amara smiled. "You’re bossy."

"I’m scared," Emeka admitted. "What if I mess up? What if I’m not a good dad?"

Amara took his hand. "You’ll be the best dad. Just like you’re the best husband."

Emeka kissed her knuckles. "Thank you for choosing me. For this."

Outside, Lagos was quiet. But inside, their world had changed forever.

A baby. Their baby.