And Just Like That

Twenty- Six

The September air had that familiar chill to it — the kind that made your breath cloud faintly in the morning and your jumper feel just a bit too thin. The schoolyard was buzzing, groups of friends catching up, laughter echoing off the walls. The start of a new year. For most of them, it was just another term.

For Éabha, it felt like the start of something much bigger.

She adjusted the strap of her bag and pulled her oversized school jumper a little lower. At five months pregnant, her bump was still small — a soft, barely noticeable curve that only she and Johnny truly saw. From the outside, she looked exactly like the same quiet, careful Éabha everyone had always known. But underneath, her world was changing with every tiny flutter she felt inside her.

Johnny walked beside her, bag slung lazily over one shoulder, his tie half-untied, that usual grin tucked in the corner of his mouth. He'd only been back from South Africa a few weeks, but he already looked more grown — broader, calmer somehow. Like he carried the world on his shoulders now, and somehow didn't mind.

"You okay?" he asked quietly as they reached their lockers.

"Yeah," she said, smiling softly. "Just weird being back."

He leaned against the locker next to hers, eyes darting briefly to her stomach — barely visible under the loose jumper. "You'd never even know," he said, his voice low.

"Exactly," she replied, glancing up at him. "That's the point."

He grinned. "Still — you know what I'm thinking, right?"

"That you can't wait to tell everyone?" she teased, laughing when he nodded. "Johnny, we agreed — not yet. Just our parents and Katie."

"I know," he sighed, smiling anyway. "It's just... hard keeping it quiet when it's the best thing in my life."

She felt her cheeks flush, heart tightening in her chest. "You're sweet," she said softly, closing her locker. "But let's just get through the day first, okay? Then we've got the scan."

Johnny's grin widened immediately. "Yeah. That's what's getting me through double maths."

Éabha laughed, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "You think we'll find out if it's a boy or a girl?"

"Maybe," he said. "But I kinda like not knowing. Makes it... special, y'know?"

She nodded, smiling to herself. "You'd say that. You like surprises."

⸻

The school day crawled by. Classes felt longer, the chatter in the hallways louder, the whispers about who'd been dating over the summer more ridiculous than ever. Éabha mostly stayed quiet, sitting beside Katie in every class, hiding the way her hand occasionally strayed toward her stomach under the desk.

At lunch, Johnny sat with her at the table. Their friends, namely Gibsie, loud as usual. He kept his hand resting just a little too close to hers, thumb brushing the edge of her palm. They laughed when Katie threw grapes at them, calling them "the old married couple," but beneath the teasing, there was something sacred about the small, secret world they shared.

Johnny's hand strayed a few times. With Éabha in his lap, his hand reached under her jumper to the small swell he had come to adore since coming home a few weeks ago.

⸻

After the final bell, the corridors emptied quickly. Éabha waited by the gates, her schoolbag slung over her shoulder, jumper still hiding the faintest curve of her belly. The autumn light was softer now, golden and low, and the world felt strangely quiet.

Johnny jogged up beside her, hair tousled from rugby practice, and grinned. "You ready?"

She nodded, her heart fluttering. "Let's go see our baby."

⸻

The hospital waiting room smelled faintly of antiseptic and coffee. Éabha sat nervously on the edge of the chair, her school uniform making her feel younger than she was — younger than she needed to be. Johnny sat beside her, knees bouncing restlessly, one hand tangled with hers.

When the nurse called their names, Éabha's stomach flipped. She glanced at Johnny, who smiled and squeezed her hand. "We're okay," he said quietly. "We've got this."

The ultrasound room was cool and softly lit. The machine hummed quietly as the nurse prepped the gel, smiling warmly at them both. "You're both in school, yeah?" she asked kindly.

"Yeah," Éabha said softly. "We came straight from there."

Johnny's shoulders squared immediately. If the woman was going to shame him or his girlfriend he'd have something to say.

"Fair play to you," the nurse said with a smile. "Alright, Éabha, let's have a look at your little one."

Johnny stood beside her, eyes glued to the screen as the nurse pressed the probe gently to Éabha's stomach. The cold gel made her flinch, but then—

There it was.

A small, perfect shape on the screen. The steady flicker of a heartbeat. Tiny limbs, a profile, a nose.

Johnny's breath caught. His eyes filled before he even realised. "Oh my God," he whispered. "That's... that's them."

Éabha nodded, her own tears spilling freely now. "That's our baby, Johnny."

The nurse smiled, moving the probe gently. "Everything looks perfect. Strong heartbeat, perfect measurements. Do you want to know the gender?"

Johnny looked at Éabha, waiting.

She shook her head softly. "Not yet."

He smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Yeah. Let's wait."

The nurse printed a photo and handed it to them. The small, grainy image felt impossibly precious in Éabha's hands. Johnny stared at it, tracing the outline with his thumb.

"That's our little miracle," he said, voice thick. "Can't believe it."

Éabha smiled through her tears, resting her head against his shoulder. "You're going to be such a good dad."

He kissed the top of her head. "And you're already the best mam."

⸻

Outside, the sky had turned a soft pink, the evening air crisp. They walked back to the car hand in hand, the ultrasound photo tucked safely between their palms, as if it might float away if they let it go.

They didn't talk much. They didn't have to.

Every so often, Johnny would glance down at her stomach, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. And every time he did, Éabha's heart felt a little steadier — like no matter what came next, they'd find their way through it together.