I gripped the sides of the bed, my knuckles turning white as another wave of pain crashed through me.

"Just a bit more, come on mama..." the doctor urged, her voice firm but encouraging.

I cried out, my body trembling from the effort, every muscle straining as I pushed with everything I had left. The pain was overwhelming—sharp, consuming—but I held onto one thought.

It would be worth it.

For him.

For Miguel.

"Just a bit more, Elena... she's almost out!"

I gasped for air, my body trembling, completely exhausted—but I pushed one last time, putting everything I had left into it.

And then—

Release.

A sudden, overwhelming emptiness where the pain had been.

Followed instantly by a cry.

Loud.

Alive.

Real.

"Holy shit..." I breathed out, my voice shaking as my head fell back for a second, trying to process what just happened.

Then they placed her on my chest.

Warm.

Small.

Perfect.

My arms came around her instinctively, holding her close like I was afraid she might disappear if I didn't.

"My beautiful child..." I whispered, my voice breaking as tears spilled freely down my face.

She was so tiny.

Her little cries filled the room, her body pressing against mine, her warmth grounding me in a way nothing else ever had.

I looked down at her, taking in every detail—her small face, her fragile features, the way she moved.

I couldn't stop crying.

Everything I had been through... everything I had done...

It all led to this moment.

And for the first time in my life...

I felt somewhat complete.

"You're beautiful..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I held her closer, feeling her tiny body rise and fall against my chest. "Your father won't be able to resist coming back... we'll be the happiest family ever, I promise, Isabelle."

Saying her name made everything feel even more real.

Isabelle.

My daughter.

I looked down at her, tears still slipping down my face as her cries slowly softened, her little face relaxing as she settled against me. Her tiny fingers curled faintly, her breathing evening out as she found comfort in my warmth.

It was like the whole world had gone quiet just for us.

I brushed my thumb gently against her cheek, careful, almost afraid to touch too hard.

"Thank you, Miguel..." I whispered under my breath, my voice filled with longing and something deeper—something unresolved.

My eyes lingered on her.

On the life we created.

On the future I had already built in my head.

A future where he comes back.

Where we're together.

Where this... finally becomes whole.

—

(Miguel pov)

"So what is it?" I asked, my voice tight as I watched the screen, my knee bouncing uncontrollably.

The room felt too quiet.

Too still.

The faint hum of the machine filled the space as the doctor moved the device gently across Carla's stomach, eyes focused on the monitor.

Seconds felt like forever.

Then she smiled.

"Congrats... it's a boy."

Everything hit at once.

My breath caught, and before I even realized it, tears were already spilling down my face.

"A... a boy..." I whispered, my voice shaking as I let out a small, overwhelmed laugh.

I looked over at Carla, my eyes wide, my expression completely broken—in the best way.

"We're having a son," I said, almost like I needed to hear it out loud to believe it.

My hand moved instinctively to her stomach, resting there gently, like I could already feel him.

"Hey..." I murmured softly, a smile breaking through the tears. "I'm your dad."

Carla let out a quiet breath beside me, her hand coming over mine, both of us staring at the screen—at the tiny life that was already changing everything.

"Thank you, Carla... for everything. For changing my life for the better," I said softly, turning my head to look at her.

Her hand was still clasped over mine, warm, steady, grounding me in the moment.

She looked back at me, her expression soft—softer than I'd ever seen it before.

"No... thank you, Miguel," she replied with a small smile.

There was something quiet in the way she said it.

Not deflecting.

Not teasing.

Just... real.

Our hands stayed intertwined as we both looked back at the screen, at the small, flickering image that meant everything now.

Our son.

Our future.

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the machine, but it didn't feel empty.

It felt full.

Like everything we had been through—the chaos, the fear, the love—it had all led to this exact moment.

——

Thanks to whoever donated, reason I posted today is because I'm starting work tomorrow and I don't know if I'll be able to put out two chapters a day, maybe I can? Maybe I can't? Not sure but we'll see, so, sorry if I slow down on updates, but keep in mind. I WILL NOT abandon this story, I promise.