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GRADUATION HAD FINALLY ARRIVED, A DAY THAT HAD ALWAYS SEEMED SO FAR OFF BUT NOW FELT LIKE IT HAD COME ALL TOO SOON.

For the seventh and eighth years, it was a day of celebration, yet also one tinged with bittersweet goodbyes. Hogwarts, the place that had been their home for so many years, was a world they were about to leave behind. Esmie stood in the middle of the Great Hall, the room bustling with the sounds of final preparations for the ceremony, but she barely noticed. Her gaze swept across the familiar stone walls, the enchanted ceiling above, and the long tables where she had spent so many meals laughing with friends.

Memories flooded her mind—her first day walking into this hall, nervous and wide-eyed, the Sorting Hat placed on her head, its raspy voice declaring her a Gryffindor. She remembered the friendships forged at these very tables, friendships that had deepened into something more, becoming her second family, but this hall had also witnessed some of her darkest moments, the losses, the battles, and the heartaches they had all endured. Yet, through it all, they had survived, and now, it was time to leave.

She sighed quietly to herself, her emotions a tangled mix of excitement for the future and sadness for what she was leaving behind. It was strange to think that this chapter of her life was ending.

"Mie, what are you doing?" Enzo's voice broke through her reverie.

Esmie turned, spotting him entering the hall. He had that easy smile she loved so much, the one that always seemed to lift her spirits no matter what. As he made his way toward her, she felt a warm rush of affection for him. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side with a casual intimacy that made her feel safe, grounded.

"I was just thinking... about everything," she admitted, resting her head against his shoulder. "All the memories we made here. You know, you were my first friend here, Enzo. The first person I ever trusted."

Enzo chuckled softly, and Esmie could feel the rumble of his laughter in his chest. "Oh, I remember. You were the girl who nearly blew me up in Ollivanders."

Esmie laughed, a light, airy sound that echoed through the hall. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Nope," Enzo said with a playful grin. "Because I fell in love with the girl who almost blew me up."

Esmie looked up at him, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. "And she fell in love with you too," she replied softly, her voice full of emotion.

He ducked his head to kiss her, a slow, tender kiss that made her feel like the world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in this moment. When they finally pulled away, Esmie couldn't help but smile, her heart feeling lighter.

"I hope you've made some better memories with me since that first one," she teased, her tone light, though there was a vulnerability in her eyes.

"All of my best memories are with you, Mie," Enzo replied, his voice soft, sincere. His words, so simple yet full of meaning, made Esmie's breath catch in her throat.

Esmie turned her gaze upward, to the ceiling that was enchanted to mirror the night sky. She had always loved this part of the Great Hall, the way it made her feel like she was standing beneath a vast, infinite sky, full of possibilities. "It's strange to think that after today, we're leaving this place," she said quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Enzo nodded, following her gaze. "I know, but I have a feeling you'll end up back here someday, teaching Potions to the next generation of students."

Esmie smiled at the thought. Becoming a Potions Professor had always been her dream, one that seemed more tangible now that she had finished her education, but with everything else happening—her pregnancy—there was so much uncertainty. She didn't know what the future held anymore.

"I hope you're right," she said, her hand absentmindedly resting on her stomach. The gesture wasn't lost on Enzo, who gently placed his hand over hers.

"I am right," he said firmly, his voice full of quiet confidence. "You're going to do amazing things, Mie, and I'll be right there with you."

His words soothed her worries, even if just for a moment. Esmie smiled up at him, feeling a surge of warmth in her chest. "Thank you," she whispered, leaning into him.

He kissed the side of her head, a simple but affectionate gesture that made her blush. "I should probably go get dressed," she said after a moment, glancing down at her pyjamas with a sheepish grin.

Enzo chuckled, stepping back to give her a once-over. "Don't get me wrong, your pyjamas are adorable, but I'm not sure they're exactly graduation-appropriate, baby," he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Esmie laughed, shaking her head. "You're right," she admitted, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him one more time before pulling away. "I'll see you at the ceremony?"

"I'll be waiting," Enzo replied with a grin, watching her as she turned to leave the hall.

As she made her way back to the dorms for one of the last times, Esmie couldn't help but feel a sense of finality settling over her. Graduation was the end of one chapter, but it was also the beginning of another.

When Esmie stepped into her dorm, she found Mattheo standing near the window, lost in thought as he looked out at the grounds. The warm sunlight filtering through the glass gave the moment a surreal, dreamlike quality, and for a brief second, it felt as if time itself had slowed down. She smiled as she spotted him, feeling comforted by his familiar presence.

"Hi, Matty," she greeted, her voice light but tinged with emotion.

Mattheo turned to face her, a teasing grin already spreading across his face. "Were you wandering around the school in your pyjamas, Emmy?" he asked, crossing his arms as he took in her sleepwear.

Esmie chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I just went to the Great Hall. I guess it's kind of weird to think that after today, we'll be saying goodbye to Hogwarts. I can't imagine not seeing everyone every day." Her voice trailed off into a soft sigh as she glanced around the room that had been her home for so many years.

Mattheo's expression softened as he stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. "We'll always be friends, Emmy. You're always going to be my best friend, no matter where we go from here."

A warm smile spread across her face, and she hugged him tightly, the gesture filled with the silent gratitude and love they had shared over the years. "And you'll always be mine," she whispered.

He returned the hug, squeezing her affectionately before stepping back. His eyes roamed over her pyjamas once more, an amused twinkle in them. "But seriously, you should probably get dressed. Graduation's kind of a big deal, you know?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

Esmie laughed softly and nodded. "Yeah, yeah, you're right," she said, making her way over to her wardrobe. She pulled out the dress she had picked for the day, running her fingers over the fabric. It felt almost surreal, knowing this was the outfit she'd wear to mark the end of her time at Hogwarts.

She quickly headed to the bathroom to change, the weight of the moment sinking in as she dressed. Every motion felt significant, as if this was the last time she'd ever go through this routine in this familiar space. Once she was dressed, she grabbed her graduation robes and made her way downstairs to the common room.

Her friends were already gathered, talking and laughing as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Esmie froze in the doorway, watching them. For a long moment, she wished she could freeze this moment in time—preserve the laughter, the joy, the familiarity, but she knew that wasn't possible. Time moved forward, whether she was ready or not.

Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room, and before long, she was wrapped in Enzo's comforting embrace. He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as he pressed a soft kiss to the side of her head.

"You okay?" Enzo asked, sensing her tension.

Esmie smiled faintly but didn't respond. The emotions swirling inside her felt too heavy to put into words. After a moment, she gently pulled away, needing space to process it all. She gave him a brief smile before walking out of the common room, her mind racing with thoughts of the future.

Enzo watched her go, concern creasing his brow. He glanced over at Danielle, who had been chatting with a few other students. When she noticed the look on his face, she raised an eyebrow and approached him.

"Where's Esmie going?" Danielle asked, glancing between him and the door Esmie had just walked through.

Enzo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. She's been feeling off all morning. I think the whole graduation thing is hitting her harder than she expected."

Danielle nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I get it. It's a big change, but you should probably go after her, make sure she's alright."

Enzo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. I'll catch up with you guys at the courtyard," he said, giving Danielle a quick smile before heading out of the common room.

Danielle watched him leave, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "Good luck," she called after him, though her voice was soft, knowing Esmie had a lot weighing on her mind.

Enzo had no idea where Esmie would have gone, but his instincts led him toward the Astronomy Tower. It had always been her favourite place to escape when she needed space to think. Sure enough, when he reached the top, he found her sitting alone, gazing out at the horizon. The wind played with her hair, and the distant view of the castle grounds seemed to mirror the vast uncertainty ahead of them.

"Esmie?" he called gently, not wanting to startle her.

She turned to look at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hi," she replied softly as he walked over and sat down beside her.

"You know we're going to be late, right?" Enzo teased, wrapping his arm around her as she leaned into him.

Esmie shrugged, her head resting against his shoulder. "I'd rather not go," she admitted, her voice small and hesitant.

"Why not, Princess?" Enzo asked, his tone full of concern.

Esmie sighed, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the stone beneath them. "I don't want things to change, Enzo. I'm not ready to say goodbye to any of this. It feels like everything's ending, and I just want to hold on for a little longer."

Enzo chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I know you don't, Mie, but things won't change as much as you think. We're all still going to be friends, we'll still see each other, and in just two months, we'll have our little one to focus on. A new beginning." He placed a hand gently on her stomach, his touch grounding her.

Esmie's eyes softened, and she placed her hand over his. "I'm still freaking out about being a mother," she confessed, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Why? You're going to be an incredible mother. Our baby's going to be so lucky to have you," Enzo said with conviction, his gaze steady and full of love.

Esmie bit her lip, glancing down. "But what if I mess it up? What if I'm not good enough?"

"You won't mess it up," Enzo said firmly. "I've known you long enough to know that. You've got the biggest heart, and you're going to be the most amazing mother to our child."

Esmie nodded, her doubts slowly easing as she rested her head against him. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling a deep sense of comfort in his words.

Enzo smiled, pressing another kiss to the side of her head. "I love you, Mie, but we should probably get to graduation. They'll definitely notice if we're not there."

"Yeah, I know," Esmie replied, sighing as she let him help her up. Together, they left the Astronomy Tower and made their way to the courtyard, which had been beautifully transformed for the ceremony.

Esmie weaved through the crowd with Enzo, their fingers intertwined as they navigated the sea of students and families. The energy in the air was electric, a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and nervous anticipation for the future. Graduation had always seemed like a distant event, but now it was here, and it was all happening so fast.

"There they are!" Mattheo's familiar voice called out above the chatter. He waved them over, his signature smirk plastered across his face. "Thought you two lovebirds were going to skip the whole thing."

Esmie grinned, giving Mattheo a playful eye roll as she and Enzo sat down beside him. "Oh, please. You really think I'd let you outshine me today, Matty?"

"You mean I don't always?" Mattheo teased, leaning back in his seat. He gave Enzo a mock-serious look. "You distracted her, didn't you?"

"Not my fault she's easily distracted," Enzo replied with a grin, squeezing Esmie's hand gently. "She was staring at me the whole time."

Esmie shot him a mock glare. "You wish."

Before they could continue, Danielle joined them, sliding into the seat next to her twin. She raised an eyebrow at their banter, clearly amused. "What's going on now? Are we still talking about how Enzo can't get enough of Esmie?"

"Something like that," Esmie said, laughing softly.

"To be fair, we all know Esmie has a way of stealing the spotlight," Levi chimed in, appearing behind Danielle and wrapping an arm casually around her shoulders. "Enzo's just lucky she even noticed him in the first place."

"Oi!" Enzo protested, but his grin showed he was taking it all in stride. "I think I deserve some credit for keeping up with her, thank you very much."

Danielle snorted. "You two are so disgustingly cute, it's almost unbearable."

"Almost," Mattheo added with a mock shudder. "But not quite. They haven't reached my level yet."

Genevieve, who had been engaged in a quiet conversation with Elsie, turned to them with a smirk. "Oh, please, Mattheo. We all know you're the one who's hopelessly smitten." She gave him a pointed look, earning a sheepish grin from him.

"Can you blame me?" Mattheo replied with a wink, making Genevieve roll her eyes, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

"Hopeless," Danielle muttered, shaking her head. "Completely hopeless."

As the group continued to chat, Ron came barreling down the aisle, his robes disheveled and his hair sticking up at odd angles. "I am so late!" he groaned, practically collapsing into the seat beside Harry, who was sitting with Astoria. He hastily adjusted his robes, grumbling under his breath. "Why didn't anyone wake me?"

"We tried, Weasley," Draco's familiar voice drawled from a few seats down, a smirk playing at his lips. "You mumbled something about tap-dancing spiders and went back to sleep."

The group burst into laughter, and even Ron managed a sheepish chuckle. "Did not."

"You absolutely did," Delilah giggled, shaking her head. "It was impressive."

"I'll take your word for it," Ron muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"Don't feel bad, mate," Enzo said, patting Ron on the shoulder. "I nearly left Esmie behind because she couldn't stop staring into my eyes."

Esmie shot him an incredulous look. "Okay, now you're just making things up!"

"Am I?" Enzo teased, his grin widening.

Before Esmie could respond, Mattheo groaned dramatically. "Ugh, I can't handle this level of adorableness. Someone make it stop."

"Jealous much?" Levi quipped, laughing as Danielle elbowed him.

"Please, I'm not jealous," Mattheo replied with a smirk. "I just prefer to express my feelings without the whole 'cute couple' thing."

Genevieve gave him a pointed look. "Right, because you're the epitome of subtlety, Mattheo."

"Hey, I have my moments," Mattheo shot back, grinning as the group shared another laugh.

As the ceremony began, the air filled with the sound of clapping and cheers. Enzo reached over to squeeze Esmie's hand, and she smiled at him, feeling her nerves fade away in the comfort of his touch. When her name was called as the top student in the eighth year, Enzo stood up, cheering louder than anyone else, his voice echoing through the hall.

Esmie returned to her seat, still in disbelief. "I can't believe it."

"You should be proud of yourself," Enzo said, beaming at her as he kissed the side of her head. "You earned this, Mie."

Blushing, Esmie leaned into his embrace. "Thank you."

After the ceremony ended, the group headed to the Great Hall for the feast. The tables were piled high with food, and the atmosphere was lively with laughter and conversation. Esmie grinned as she spotted Mattheo, already digging into a massive plate of food.

"How do you eat so much and still manage to move?" Esmie asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him shovel food into his mouth.

"I have my ways," Mattheo said with a wink, pausing only to glance meaningfully at Genevieve, who shook her head in amusement.

"Please don't elaborate," Esmie groaned, rolling her eyes. She reached for her plate, but a sudden sharp pain in her abdomen made her wince. She quickly hid her discomfort, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Mattheo, ever the observant one, noticed her expression immediately. "Emmy, you okay? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," Esmie said quickly, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's nothing."

"You sure?" Mattheo pressed, his concern deepening.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Esmie insisted. "Probably just nerves. I'll be fine."

But as the group continued to chat, the discomfort persisted, nagging at the back of her mind. Esmie tried to push it away, focusing instead on the conversation around her. They moved over to where Harry, Astoria, and the others were standing, and Enzo wrapped his arm around her waist, but as he pulled her closer, Esmie flinched, the pain flaring up again.

"Mie?" Enzo's voice was soft, but full of concern.

"I'll be back in a minute," Esmie said, offering him a quick smile before slipping away from the group.

Enzo frowned, watching her go. He turned to Mattheo, his brow furrowed. "She doesn't look right."

"Yeah, I noticed," Mattheo replied, crossing his arms. "She's been pale all day."

"She's been saying it's just nerves, but..." Enzo trailed off, clearly worried.

Before they could continue, Esmie returned, her face still pale but her smile steady. She slipped back into Enzo's arms, leaning into him for comfort.

"Hi, baby," Enzo murmured, kissing the side of her head. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Esmie said, her voice quiet as she tried to ignore the persistent discomfort.

As they were talking, Professor McGonagall approached the group, her sharp eyes softening as she took them all in.

"I'm glad I caught you before you left," she began, her voice carrying a certain authority that made the group immediately fall quiet. "I wanted to discuss your plans after graduation."

Esmie turned to face McGonagall, her heart skipping a beat. "I'm planning to take some time off with the baby first, but I did submit an application a while ago to become a Professor here."

"That's precisely why I'm here, Miss Grisky," McGonagall replied with a rare smile. "Professor Slughorn has indicated that he plans to retire within the next year or two, and I'd like to offer you the position of Potions Professor and Head of Gryffindor House when that time comes."

Esmie's eyes widened, her excitement bubbling up. "I—I accept!" she exclaimed, practically beaming.

Enzo grinned from ear to ear, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you," he whispered, his voice full of admiration.

McGonagall then turned to Enzo. "Mr. Berkshire, I understand you've applied for the Transfiguration position. Would you like to start as Professor next year?"

Esmie blinked, turning to Enzo in surprise. "You applied to be a Transfiguration Professor? When were you going to tell me?"

Enzo rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. "It just... never came up."

"And what about the baby?" Enzo asked, his protective nature coming through.

McGonagall smiled kindly. "We'll provide private quarters for you and Miss Grisky. She can stay with the baby during your teaching hours."

Esmie nodded. "That sounds perfect."

Enzo hesitated for a moment before looking at Esmie. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"This is your decision," Esmie said, squeezing his hand. "Whatever you choose, I'll support you."

Enzo smiled, his decision made. "Then I accept."

Esmie squealed in excitement, hugging him tightly. "You're going to be amazing!"

McGonagall then turned to Harry, her eyes twinkling. "Mr. Potter, we'd like you to take on the role of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor."

Esmie's eyes lit up. "Harry, you have to take it! You'd be perfect!"

Harry looked between McGonagall and Astoria before asking, "What about Percy?"

"Professor Weasley was only filling in temporarily," McGonagall explained. "We've been searching for a more permanent candidate."

"Come on, Harry," Esmie encouraged. "You were the one who taught us how to defend ourselves in fifth year. You're perfect for this."

Enzo raised an eyebrow. "Wait, is that what all those secret meetings were about?"

Esmie laughed. "Yes! I thought I told you."

"You didn't," Enzo teased.

Esmie shook her head, laughing softly. "I'll explain later."

Harry glanced at Astoria again, who smiled encouragingly. "Esmie's right. You're perfect for the job."

With a smile, Harry nodded. "Alright, I accept."

McGonagall beamed. "I know you will all do wonderful things at this school."

As the group watched Professor McGonagall walk away, their excited chatter filled the air, and they exchanged bright smiles, unaware of the storm that was about to break. Esmie, who had been standing beside Enzo, suddenly swayed on her feet. Her face turned ghostly pale, and before anyone could react, her legs buckled beneath her. She collapsed.

"Esmie!" Mattheo's voice was panicked, uncharacteristically sharp as he lunged forward, his usual cocky demeanour dissolving into sheer terror. "What's happening?!"

Danielle gasped, her eyes wide with fear as she dropped beside her brother. "Oh my God, Matty! Esmie—what's wrong with her?!" Her hands hovered uselessly as her heart raced. "Someone do something!"

Before Esmie hit the ground, Enzo was already there, catching her just in time. He gently lowered her head onto his lap, his hands shaking as he brushed the hair from her face. His heart was hammering in his chest, panic rising as Esmie's breathing grew laboured.

"Esmie, talk to me!" Enzo pleaded, his voice trembling as he held her close, his eyes scanning her pale face for any sign of what was wrong. "What's happening? What's wrong?" His words came out in a desperate rush, his fear barely contained.

Esmie clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably, her body trembling. "I don't know—" she gasped through the pain, her fingers digging into Enzo's arm as if she were holding on for dear life. "It hurts, Enzo. It really hurts."

Enzo's heart shattered at the sight of her in so much pain. "I'm here, baby, I've got you," he whispered, his voice cracking as he wrapped his arms around her. "You're going to be okay. I'm here."

"Get help!" Danielle's voice was frantic as she turned to Mattheo, her hands trembling. "Matty, get someone!"

Mattheo was already sprinting toward the Great Hall, his face ashen with fear. He collided with Professor McGonagall, nearly knocking her over in his panic. "It's Esmie! She collapsed—she's in pain! Please help!" he shouted, his voice breaking with desperation.

Professor McGonagall's face tightened in immediate concern, and without another word, she hurried back to where Esmie lay cradled in Enzo's arms. The moment she saw Esmie's condition, she didn't waste a second. "I'll get Madam Pomfrey," she said, her voice firm as she turned on her heel and strode away, her pace brisk.

"Esmie, stay with me, okay? Don't let go," Enzo murmured soothingly, but his own hands were trembling as he stroked her hair. "You're going to be fine, I promise."

Moments later, Madam Pomfrey arrived, her medical bag already open as she knelt beside Esmie. "Move aside, let me take a look at her," she instructed, her voice calm and steady despite the urgency. She quickly pulled out a vial and pressed it to Esmie's lips. "Drink this—it will help numb the pain."

Esmie weakly complied, though her hands trembled so badly that Enzo had to help her hold the vial. She took a few sips, her breathing uneven as she gasped for air. The potion seemed to take effect almost immediately, her sobs subsiding into weak whimpers, though the fear in her eyes remained.

Madam Pomfrey's hands moved expertly, checking Esmie's vitals and pressing gently on her abdomen. Her face darkened as she finished her examination.

"She's in labour," Madam Pomfrey announced, her tone grim.

Esmie's eyes widened in terror. "No... no, it's too soon," she whispered, shaking her head as more tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm only thirty-one weeks!" Her voice broke with fear and disbelief, her hands clenching onto Enzo's for support as another wave of pain hit her.

Enzo's face paled, his stomach twisting into knots. "What—what does that mean?" he asked, his voice barely audible. "She's supposed to have nine more weeks..."

Madam Pomfrey's expression remained serious as she continued to examine Esmie. "The labour has progressed too far. We can't stop it now. The baby is coming, and we need to act fast."

Danielle covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh my God, Matty, she's having the baby... it's too early."

"We need to move her to St. Mungo's immediately," Madam Pomfrey said, already motioning for them to get ready.

"I'll take her," Enzo said quickly, his voice determined, though his hands trembled as he carefully gathered Esmie into his arms. His fear was written all over his face, but his resolve was clear. "I'll take her now."

"Be careful, Lorenzo," Madam Pomfrey said, her voice firm but soft, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Don't delay."

Enzo nodded, his grip on Esmie tight as he felt her trembling against him. "I've got you, Mie," he whispered to her, his lips brushing her forehead. "I'm not leaving you."

Esmie clung to him, her tears soaking into his shirt. "Don't leave me, please," she whimpered, her voice fragile.

"I won't, I swear," Enzo promised, his voice breaking. And with a crack, he apparated them both directly to the entrance of St. Mungo's.

The moment they arrived, Enzo rushed through the doors, Esmie still in his arms. He approached the reception desk, his voice frantic. "Please, someone help! My girlfriend—she's in labour, but it's too soon!"

The nurse at the desk immediately recognised the severity of the situation and called for assistance. "Bring her this way, sir," she said, gesturing for Enzo to follow her through the hallways.

Enzo followed closely, Esmie still clinging to him as she whimpered in pain. Each contraction seemed to tear through her body, and Enzo felt his heart breaking with every cry she made. "I know, baby, I know it hurts. It's going to be okay," he whispered, though his own voice shook with fear. He wasn't sure he believed what he was saying anymore.

They were led into an examination room, where a team of doctors immediately began assessing Esmie's condition. After a few tense minutes, the lead doctor turned to Enzo with a grave expression.

"We need to perform an emergency caesarean. The baby is in distress, and Esmie's body isn't handling the labour well," the doctor explained quickly. "We need to move fast."

Esmie's grip on Enzo's hand tightened, her eyes wide with fear. "Don't leave me, Enzo," she begged, her voice weak and shaking. "Please don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere, Mie," Enzo promised, tears stinging his eyes as he kissed her hand. "I'll be with you the whole time."

The nurses quickly prepped Esmie for surgery, and soon they were moving her to the operating room. Enzo stayed by her side, never letting go of her hand, though his heart pounded with fear. The room was filled with tense silence as the procedure began, and Enzo felt like every second was stretching into an eternity.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was only minutes, the baby was delivered, but the room was too quiet. There was no cry, no sound of a baby taking its first breath. The nurses moved quickly, working on the baby in hushed tones.

Enzo looked at Esmie, who was pale and trembling, her breath shallow. "You did it, Princess," he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady. "We have our baby."

But Esmie barely seemed to hear him. Her eyelids fluttered weakly, and her voice was a mere whisper. "I... don't feel good, Sweets..."

A doctor nearby frowned, his attention suddenly shifting as he noticed the monitors. "She's losing too much blood!" he called out, his voice urgent.

Enzo's heart stopped as he heard the steady beeping of the heart monitor become a flatline. "No... no, no, no!" he shouted, his voice breaking as he looked down at Esmie's limp form. "Esmie, no! Please, no!"

"Sir, we need you to step back," a nurse said firmly, pulling Enzo away from Esmie's bedside as the doctors rushed to stop the bleeding.

"I can't leave her! Please, I can't leave her!" Enzo cried, trying to push forward, but the nurse guided him out of the room.

"We'll do everything we can," she said, her tone serious but compassionate as she led him to a waiting room.

Minutes felt like hours as Enzo sat in the waiting room, his hands trembling. The fear and pain gnawed at him, making every breath feel heavy. Then, a nurse appeared, holding a small bundle wrapped in a blanket.

"Congratulations, sir," she said softly, placing the baby in his arms. "You have a healthy baby boy."

Enzo's hands shook as he took the baby, his heart filled with both fear and awe as he looked down at the tiny life in his arms. The baby was so small, his eyes barely open, his tiny hands clutching weakly at Enzo's shirt.

"H-how's Esmie?" Enzo asked, his voice breaking as he glanced up at the nurse.

The nurse's hesitation told him everything he needed to know. She didn't answer, only shaking her head before leaving him alone with his son.

Tears streamed down Enzo's face, his heart breaking as he cradled the baby closer to his chest. "Finley," he whispered softly, the name they had chosen months ago. "Finley James Berkshire."

The baby stirred slightly in his arms, and Enzo kissed his tiny forehead, his tears dripping onto the soft blanket. "I promise you, little one... I'll protect you. I'll love you, no matter what happens."

But deep inside, Enzo was terrified. He had no idea what the future held for him, for Finley, or for Esmie. All he knew was that, in this moment, he had to hold on—for her, for Finley, for the family they had hoped to build.

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Two more chapters and the epilogue to go. 

Enjoy! Xo

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