Not in the Script

8

It was a quiet afternoon, the soft hum of the air conditioner the only sound in the house. Brylee had been feeling off lately - tired, more emotional, and the smallest bit anxious about how things were progressing. It had been a week since her ultrasound appointment, and the reality of the pregnancy was starting to feel more real with each passing day.

She was in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror, her shirt pulled up as she absentmindedly studied her reflection. The small but noticeable bump had appeared seemingly overnight, and as she stared at it, a mixture of awe and disbelief filled her.

The change in her body, the life growing inside of her, felt like something she should have expected, but seeing it was still surreal. She gently placed her hand over the bump, her fingers tracing the curve, almost as if trying to reassure herself it was real. It was still small, but it was there. A reminder that soon, her life would be forever changed in the most wonderful way.

As she was lost in the quiet contemplation of the moment, she heard footsteps approaching. She barely had time to turn before Colin appeared in the doorway, his expression soft but filled with curiosity as he caught sight of her in the mirror.

"What's going on in here?" he asked, his voice gentle, his eyes studying her with a touch of concern, but more warmth than anything else.

Brylee turned slightly, her hands falling to her sides as she faced him. "I - I was just..." her voice trailed off as she looked down at her stomach, the swell of her bump more noticeable than ever. "I think it's finally starting to show," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper as she struggled with the unfamiliarity of it all.

Colin's eyes softened as he stepped into the bathroom, his gaze never leaving her. He walked over to her slowly, his hand reaching out to gently touch her waist, as if he wanted to feel it, to make sure it was real. When he touched her skin, it was with the reverence of someone acknowledging something sacred, something beautiful.

"I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful." he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. He slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers in the mirror, his eyes filled with such love and admiration it nearly took her breath away. He continued to trace the outline of her bump with his fingers, as though it was the most precious thing in the world.

Brylee, taken aback by the depth of his words, turned to face him more fully, still feeling that vulnerable pull of uncertainty. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," she admitted, her voice small, her uncertainty echoing in the air between them. "I mean... look at me. I'm just starting to show, and I'm already overwhelmed."

Colin smiled at her softly, lifting her chin gently with his fingers. His touch was warm, comforting as he held her gaze. "You don't have to be ready all at once, Brylee. But you are already an amazing mom. And I'll be right here beside you, every step of the way." He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment longer than usual.

Brylee closed her eyes, allowing herself to take in his words, feeling the warmth of his love wrap around her like a soft blanket. For a moment, she felt that fear recede, replaced by the smallest spark of hope.

When she opened her eyes again, Colin was still there, his hand resting on her bump, his fingers lightly brushing over her skin as he gazed at her with the most adoring expression. His love was written so clearly in his eyes, it made her heart swell.

"You're perfect." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he looked at her and then back at her stomach. "Our baby is already so lucky to have you."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but they weren't tears of fear this time. They were tears of relief, of love. As she looked at him, she realized that, even in the face of all the uncertainty, they were in this together. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.