John laughed—laughed. Then hugged her. Turns out, it was Julia, an old college friend enacting a prank to repay John for one he played years ago. I was stunned, but the tension eased when they explained. It was horribly timed, but innocent. Once my heart stopped racing, I finally gave John the box. Inside was a necklace with a baby feet charm.

“I’m pregnant,” I said. His face lit up. He spun me in the air and kissed me. “We’re going to be parents,” he whispered. And just like that, our new chapter began—full of love, relief, and the tiniest heartbeat of all.