CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ophelia's footsteps echoed in the small, humble apartment she and Lorcan had recently moved into. With each stride, her anxiety seemed to grow, as though she could walk a hole right through the floor if she didn't stop soon. She had been pacing for what felt like hours, unable to silence the frantic thoughts spinning in her mind. It wasn't something that was visible to anyone else—no one would have known that internally, she was a whirlwind of panic.

She had never imagined she would be in this situation—just a couple of years after graduation when life was supposed to be more certain. They were still figuring out their careers, still trying to navigate the twists and turns of adulthood. But this new chapter? This was something neither of them had anticipated.

The conversation about marriage had barely scratched the surface, and now, here she was, dealing with a situation that was supposed to come after that—after the vows, after the promises of forever. And yet, somehow, it had found its way into their lives anyway, faster than they'd been prepared for. A small part of her tried to remind herself that they had been planning for the future, but the overwhelming uncertainty was threatening to swallow her whole.

When Lorcan walked through the door, after a long day of studies, he immediately noticed the tension in the air. Ophelia was still moving—back and forth, back and forth—as though trying to burn off the frantic energy coursing through her. She had tried to keep her composure, tried to hold it together, but it was clear to Lorcan that something was very wrong.

"What's wrong, love?" he asked gently, setting down his things and approaching her slowly.

Ophelia froze mid-step. She hadn't even realized he had returned, and now, standing before him, the full weight of her panic hit her. She tried to hide it, plastering a forced smile on her face, but it was all too obvious. The smile didn't reach her eyes, and she could feel the cracks beginning to show.

"Welcome back," she said, her voice unsteady as she walked over to him, nervously twiddling her thumbs. She tried to keep up the appearance of calmness, but it was no use. She couldn't mask her fear from him, and she knew it.

Lorcan didn't hesitate. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking as the words spilt from her lips. Her hands dropped to her sides, and her shoulders slumped. "I— I don't know what to do."

The concern in Lorcan's eyes deepened as he stepped closer to her, sensing the gravity of the situation. He feared the worst—he feared that she might be about to tell him something that could change everything. He felt a flicker of panic, but it was fleeting because he trusted Ophelia implicitly. Whatever it was, they would handle it together.

"What—" Lorcan began, but Ophelia's next words stopped him in his tracks.

She lowered her head, and when she finally spoke, the words tumbled out in a rush. "I'm pregnant."

The silence between them stretched for a moment. Lorcan blinked, processing the information. At first, it didn't register. Then, slowly, the weight of it all hit him, and a sense of relief washed over him. It wasn't what he had feared, and for that, he was thankful.

He was surprised, of course. The news was unexpected, and part of him still grappled with the enormity of it all, but he didn't let his initial surprise overwhelm him. Ophelia needed comfort, not more panic.

"It's mine, right?" Lorcan joked, trying to lighten the moment, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. It was a bit too close to the awkwardness he'd felt when asking her to move in with him. But even as he chastised himself internally, he saw the familiar reaction from Ophelia. She laughed, the sound filled with relief, and tears followed shortly after. It wasn't exactly the same as before, but the moment felt eerily familiar.

"I would hope so," Ophelia laughed, her voice shaky as she wiped away the tears. She met his gaze, and her smile softened.

Lorcan, realizing he had somehow made the situation lighter, smiled in return. "Then this is great news," he said, his tone steady and reassuring as he stepped closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close. "It's definitely not what we planned, but we'll figure it out, don't you think?"

Ophelia sighed, feeling the weight of her worries lighten just a little in his embrace. "Why do you always know what to say?"

Lorcan chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I'm here. It might be challenging, but I'll never love you any less. And honestly, I think having a little one around will be... amazing."

Ophelia's mind briefly wandered to their families and the lingering question of what their parents would think. "What would your parents say? Especially since we're not even married yet?"

Lorcan laughed, his eyes brightening. He lifted her chin so she could meet his gaze, and his voice softened with confidence. "I can guarantee they'd be thrilled. Marriage or not, Mum and Dad would spoil our little one from the moment they arrive."

Ophelia smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her as she leaned into him. His words soothed the lingering fear that had taken root in her heart. She felt him place a hand gently on her stomach, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she allowed herself to believe that everything would be okay.

"We'll do just fine," Lorcan said, his voice firm with unwavering belief as he pulled Ophelia closer, offering her the steady support she needed in that moment. His arms around her were not just a physical gesture, but a promise—one that he would always be there, no matter what life threw their way.

Ophelia leaned into him, drawing comfort from the warmth of his embrace. They both understood that the path ahead would not always be smooth—there would be obstacles and challenges that neither of them had anticipated. But in that moment, surrounded by the quiet of their small apartment and the safety of each other's presence, the uncertainty felt a little more manageable.

It wasn't going to be easy, no. But as long as they were together, they would face every trial, every unexpected turn of life, hand in hand. There was a certain strength in that connection, an unspoken understanding that they were a team. They had been through so much already, and now, with this new chapter unfolding before them, it felt like they could conquer anything. The fear, the uncertainty—it still lingered, but it seemed less overwhelming when shared between them.

And somehow, knowing that they were not alone in this, that they would face everything side by side, made the daunting future feel just a little less terrifying. Together, they could build a life that was filled with love, laughter, and the quiet joy of knowing they had each other—no matter what came next.