The morning of the appointment arrived, and Mirabel felt a mixture of anticipation and a bit of nervousness. She had spent the last few days adjusting to RJ being in their lives, and despite the ease they had found together, this particular appointment still had her on edge. It wasn't just the appointment itself—it was the idea of stepping into a new chapter, one where RJ would be part of their lives more than just a fleeting presence.

Beatrix noticed the subtle shift in her daughter's mood as they got ready. She had always been attuned to Mirabel's feelings, even the unspoken ones.

"Hey, how are you doing this morning?" Beatrix asked, her voice soft but knowing as she helped Mirabel fix her hair.

Mirabel paused for a moment before meeting her mother's gaze. "I'm okay, just... a little nervous, I guess." She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "I know RJ's fine, it's just... I don't know. Everything feels a little too fast sometimes."

Beatrix smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her daughter's face. "It's all right to feel that way. But you know, you don't have to rush. Things will happen at their own pace."

Mirabel nods, appreciating her mom's calming words. "Thanks, mom."

With a final glance in the mirror, Mirabel grabbed her jacket, and they left the house together. The ride to the appointment was quiet, both of them lost in their thoughts. Mirabel kept replaying the moments from the past week—the first time she'd felt comfortable with RJ, how much his easy-going nature seemed to put her at ease. It was still strange, but in a good way.

When they arrived at the clinic, Mirabel's nerves started to creep back in. The waiting room was bright, with comfortable chairs and soft music playing in the background, but the sterile feeling of the environment wasn't helping. Beatrix noticed and gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.

"I'll be right here with you, okay?" She said softly. "You're doing great."

"I should be the one comforting you," Mirabel murmurs, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You're the one going through this."

Beatrix chuckles softly, her eyes warm with affection. "It's not the first time, sweetheart. But it's nice to have you with me this time. We're in this together, remember?"

Mirabel smiled more fully, feeling the comforting weight of her mother's presence beside her. She knew Beatrix was right—it wasn't about rushing or forcing anything. Things would unfold as they were meant to. She looked up as she noticed RJ walking over to them and she surprised herself by feeling happy to see him and that he actually made it. She wasn't sure if he would and she knew her mom was nervous about it too despite not showing it. RJ's presence brought a warmth to the room that made Mirabel feel a little more at ease. His smile was a reminder of how much he had already become a part of their lives, even if it still felt new in some ways. He greeted them both with his usual relaxed demeanor, and when he looked at Mirabel, his eyes were full of support.

"I wasn't sure if I was on time," RJ said, his voice light but with a hint of nervousness as he stood by the entrance. "I was worried I would accidentally miss it or be late or something."

"It's fine, baby, I haven't gotten called back in yet so you're good." Beatrix assured him, reaching over to intertwine her hand with his when he sat down by her other side.

Mirabel watched the interaction between them, noting the way her mother's face softened when RJ took her hand. It was still strange, seeing them together like this—like something out of a life she hadn't quite adjusted to yet—but at the same time, it wasn't bad. In fact, the more she let herself settle into it, the more she realized that RJ did make her mom happy. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

RJ gave Beatrix's hand a small squeeze before glancing over at Mirabel. "How about you? You holding up okay?"

Mirabel hesitates for only a second before nodding. "Yeah, I think so," She admits. "Still getting used to everything, but...It's not as scary as I thought it'd be."

RJ chuckles and smiles warmly at her. "That' a win, I'd say."

Beatrix smiles at both of them, as if savoring the moment. Before any of them could say anything else, a nurse stepped into the waiting room and called Beatrix's name. Beatrix stood after taking a deep breath and RJ followed her lead, squeezing her hand and never letting go. Beatrix glances over at her daughter, hesitating before adding, "Mirabel, would you like to come with us?"

Mirabel blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected the invitation, but the warmth in her mother's eyes made it clear that Beatrix genuinely wanted her there. She glanced at RJ, who simply smiled, leaving the choice up to her. A part of her was still adjusting to all of this—to her mother moving on, to RJ becoming a part of their lives, to the idea of having a new sibling. But another part of her—the part that had spent so much time worrying about change—realized that maybe this was a step forward.

Taking a breath, Mirabel nods. "Yeah, I'd like to."

Beatrix's smile widened, and RJ gave her an encouraging nod when she stepped forward to join them. As they followed the nurse down the hall, Mirabel felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside her—nervousness, anticipation, and something else she couldn't quite name. It wasn't fear, exactly. More like the feeling of standing on the edge of something new, something unfamiliar but not entirely unwelcome.

Inside the exam room, Beatrix settled onto the chair while RJ stood beside her, his fingers still laced with hers. Mirabel lingered near the door at first, unsure of where she fit in this moment. She felt like she was intruding on something intimate, something that belonged more to her mother and RJ than to her. But then Beatrix glanced over, her expression soft and reassuring, and she reached out a hand.

"Mija, you should come closer," Beatrix murmurs. "I want you to be part of this. I know you secretly want to as well."

Mirabel hesitated, but only for a second. Taking a slow breath, she stepped forward, standing near her mother's side and taking her free hand since her other was still intertwined with RJ's. As the nurse began preparing the room, setting up the equipment, Beatrix leaned her head against RJ's shoulder, chewing on her lower lip nervously. In response, RJ had already begun rubbing small circles over the back of her hand with his thumb, a silent gesture of reassurance. Mirabel watched them, feeling an unexpected sense of calm settle over her.

The rhythmic beeping of the machine filled the room as the nurse worked efficiently, explaining each step in a gentle tone. Mirabel's grip on her mother's hand tightened slightly when the screen flickered to life, the grainy black-and-white image appearing. She wasn't sure what she expected, but when the nurse turned the monitor towards them, pointing out the tiny shape on the screen, everything seemed to pause.

"There's your baby," The nurse said softly, her voice filled with warmth. She glances at Mirabel with a fond smile. "And your little sibling."

Mirabel's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the screen. For a moment, all the noise of the clinic, the soft hum of the machines, faded into the background. It was as if time itself had slowed, leaving only the tiny, fragile figure on the monitor. Her hand tightened around her mother's, the pulse of her heartbeat loud in her ears. It was surreal, seeing the little being so clearly defined, despite how small and delicate it looked on the screen.

Mirabel stares at the monitor, her eyes wide as she tried to make sense of the tiny figure. After a few moments of silence, she tilts her head and said with a grin, "It looks like a little jellybean. I didn't expect it to look so...Jellybean-y."

Beatrix and RJ both laughed softly at her remark. The nurse chuckled too, and for a moment, the tension in the room lifted as they all shared a brief but warm moment of humor. Mirabel's comment had lightened the atmosphere, and Beatrix squeezed her hand affectionately.

"Jellybean, huh?" RJ grins, glancing at Beatrix with a twinkle in his eye. "Well, that's one way to put it."

Beatrix let out a soft laugh, her eyes glimmering with emotion. She glanced at RJ, then back at the monitor, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. Despite the nerves that had been swirling in her chest all morning, she felt a sudden wave of calm. Hearing Mirabel's playful remark, seeing RJ's eyes light up with love and pride, and watching the tiny life on the screen—it made everything feel so real. So right.

"Jellybean," Beatrix murmurs softly, the corners of her lips tugging upward. She turned to Mirabel with a tender smile. "I kinda love it."

RJ let out a low chuckle, his arm slipping around Beatrix's shoulders, pulling her close. "I think we've got a nickname." He mused, his voice warm and affectionate.

Mirabel's face lit up, clearly proud of herself. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes still fixed on the monitor. She still wasn't used to the idea of a new sibling, but this was a start. And as she stood beside her mother, watching the tiny, fragile jellybean-shaped life flutter on the screen, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement. She was going to be an older sister —and it didn't seem so scary anymore. As the nurse continued her work, Beatrix, RJ, and Mirabel exchanged smiles and quiet words, their bond deepening in that shared moment. The image on the screen was still tiny and fragile, but it represented so much more than just a small being. It was the beginning of a new chapter for their family, one that Mirabel wasn't sure she was ready for but was slowly growing excited about.

Mirabel couldn't tear her eyes away from the screen, watching as the little figure moved ever so slightly, a reminder that life was always changing, always evolving. She glanced at her mom, who was looking at the screen with tears welling up in her eyes, and then at RJ, who had his arm around Beatrix's shoulders, his face soft with pride and affection.

"Looks like we're really doing this, huh?" RJ said quietly, his voice a mix of awe and excitement.

Beatrix nods, her voice catching slightly. "Yeah, we really are." She glances up at Mirabel, her eyes filled with love and gratitude. "And I'm so glad you're here with us."

Mirabel felt a surge of warmth flood her chest as she beamed at her mom, leaning into her. Despite everything—the nerves, the uncertainty, the changes—she felt a sense of belonging. This was her family, and this was their future. For the first time, it didn't feel as scary as it once did. It felt... right.

"Yeah, me too." Mirabel whispered, smiling as she looked at her mom and RJ. 

Her hand, still tightly holding her mother's, suddenly felt more secure, as if it belonged there in that moment. She glanced back at the monitor, the jellybean-shaped figure still flickering on the screen, and couldn't help but smile. She was beginning to realize that sometimes, the most unexpected changes could bring about the most wonderful things. It was scary, but it was also something she could look forward to. In that moment, with her mom and RJ by her side, and the tiny, fragile life growing inside Beatrix, Mirabel felt like everything—despite its uncertainties—was falling into place.

As they continued to watch the monitor, the nurse finished up, giving them a few more moments to take it all in. Beatrix wiped away a tear as she gazed at the screen, the wonder in her eyes unmistakable. RJ leaned in closer, his presence steady and comforting.

"How about we make this moment more special?" RJ suggests with a smile, his eyes twinkling. "We can grab some ice cream or something afterward. Celebrate the jellybean."

Beatrix laughs softly, nodding. "Sounds perfect."

Mirabel, still smiling, felt her nerves ease even further. The idea of having a sibling was no longer as daunting as it once seemed. She felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside her, the anticipation of the future slowly turning into something more tangible and exciting. The journey ahead wasn't going to be easy—there would be more adjustments, more moments of uncertainty—but for the first time, she felt like she was ready. The idea of a new sibling, a little "jellybean," was no longer just an abstract thought; it was real, and it was something they could all embrace together.

"Yeah, let's celebrate the little jellybean." Mirabel echoed with a grin, feeling the warmth of the moment settle in her chest. Her family was growing, and even though it was still a little strange, she felt an overwhelming sense of love and connection. This was just the beginning of a new chapter—and she was ready to turn the page.

****

Mirabel sat on her bed, her fingers nervously twirling the edges of the sonogram print in her hands. She had been holding onto it all day, eager to share the news but unsure of how to start the conversation. When Lucas arrived at her house, he instantly noticed the quiet shift in her mood, the way she kept glancing at the envelope sitting on her desk. After a few moments of playful teasing and lighthearted chatter, Lucas caught her looking at it again, his curiosity piqued.

"So," He asks, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, "What's in the envelope? You keep staring at it, and I gotta say, the suspense is killing me here, Mirabel."

Mirabel chuckled softly, her nerves bubbling up again at the thought of sharing the news with Lucas. She had been so excited to show him the sonogram, but now that the moment had arrived, she couldn't shake the flutter in her stomach. Lucas had always been her safe space, her grounding force, but this felt different. This was something big.

With a slight sigh, she picks up the envelope from her desk, holding it out to him. "Well, I think the suspense is finally over." She said with a teasing smile, trying to shake off the unease.

Lucas raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. His eyes danced with curiosity as he leaned in a little closer, taking the envelope from her. "What's in here?" He asked, carefully opening it, his expression one of playful suspense. Mirabel could barely contain the anticipation. She watched as he slowly pulled out the sonogram, his gaze shifting from the photo to her, and back again.

His eyes softens almost immediately. "Wait...This is your baby sibling?" He scooted closer to her, his shoulder brushing hers as they both sat cross-legged on her bed, gazing at the picture. He leaned back on his hand as he examined the sonogram, a soft smile spreading across his face. He remembered her mentioning it before, but seeing the actual sonogram seemed to hit him in a way that words hadn't. It was real now, tangible, and for a moment, Mirabel wasn't sure how to read his expression. He didn't say anything at first, just continued to look at the picture with a soft, almost reverent gaze. Mirabel felt her heart race as she waited for his reaction.

"Yeah," She said softly, her voice a little shakier than she intended. "My mom's pregnant. I'm going to be an older sister."

Mirabel watched Lucas's reaction closely, her heart racing with every beat. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety, like the moment before a roller coaster drops. She had hoped for joy, for him to share in her newfound excitement, but she had also feared a negative response. She wasn't sure why she would have received one from him about this information, but that was just her brain trying to prepare for the worst, even when her gut knew Lucas was nothing but a beam of unconditional support in her life. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and waited anxiously.

Lucas glances over at her, a glimmer of surprise and admiration in his eyes. "Wow...That's big," He said quietly, his tone warm and thoughtful. He studied the sonogram for a moment longer, his fingers brushing lightly against the paper as if he were trying to sense the tiny life inside it. "A little sibling, huh? That's...A lot to take in."

Mirabel nods, feeling the weight of his words. It was a lot. The idea of having a sibling—someone to look out for, to care for—was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. "Yeah, I guess it is," She admits, her fingers nervously tapping on the edge of the sonogram. "I mean, it's a lot for me, and I'm not even the one who's pregnant. I can't imagine what my mom must be feeling right now."

Lucas reaches out, gently placing his hand on hers to still the movement. His touch sent a warm tingle up her arm, and Mirabel met his gaze, her eyes wide. His expression was serious, but the warmth in his eyes was unmistakable. "Hey, you're allowed to feel whatever you're feeling right now. It's a big deal, darlin'. You don't have to pretend like everything's fine."

Mirabel swallows, the words catching in her throat. She felt her pulse quicken at the sincerity in his voice. "I know, I just... I'm not sure what I'm feeling. There's a lot of things going through my head right now. Excitement, nervousness, uncertainty..."

Lucas nods, his fingers intertwining with hers. His touch was reassuring, and Mirabel found herself leaning into it. "All perfectly valid emotions, baby." Her heart fluttered at the term of endearment. It wasn't the first time he'd called her that, but each time left her flustered. "This is a huge change. It's okay to be scared. But you know, you don't have anything to worry about. You are going to be a great older sister."

Mirabel's cheeks grew warmer as she smiles shyly despite the hopeful glint in her eyes. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely." Lucas smiles back at her, his eyes sparkling with a mix of admiration and affection. He squeezed her hand gently. "You've always been the protective, caring type. I can already see you fussing over your little sibling, making sure they have everything they need, teaching them how to do all kinds of cool things. You're gonna be the best big sister."

Mirabel felt the anxiety slowly melting away, Lucas's words grounding her like a steadying force. His belief in her was unwavering, and with each passing second, her nerves lessened, replaced by a growing warmth. She glances down at their joined hands, feeling a deep sense of comfort. "Thanks, hombre de mis sueños." She sighs, leaning into him as he shifted, leaning against the headboard and pulling her against his chest. "You are the best. I love you."

Lucas always felt flustered when she called him that. The man of her dreams. The words always seemed to catch him off guard, but in the best way. His heart raced at the affection in her voice, his cheeks tinged with pink as he adjusted, wrapping his arm around her in a comforting, protective embrace. "I love you too, mi amor." he whispered softly, his breath warm against the top of her head.

For a moment, they both just sat there, nestled in the peaceful silence of the room, the weight of the world outside feeling distant. The idea of her becoming a big sister was still settling, but with Lucas there by her side, it didn't seem as overwhelming. She felt grounded, supported, like she had everything she needed to face the unknown future.

A/N writing mirabel's story has been such a joy, and I'll always hold a special place in my heart for her and kucas. i hope you guys loved this story as much as i did with writing it! just a reminder to check out any of my fics i got, tysm, love you guys <3