Eric paced the hospital hallway, his heart pounding with worry as the minutes felt like hours. The fluorescent lights above him buzzed softly, but it was the silence that unnerved him the most. He sat, stood, and then sat again, his mind racing with thoughts of Emily. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not after everything they’d been through.

Suddenly, the light above the operating room flickered off. Eric jumped to his feet, his pulse quickening as the door swung open, and the doctor walked out, removing his surgical mask.

“Doctor,” Eric rushed forward, his voice full of desperation. “How is she?”

The doctor’s face softened with a smile. “Everything went well with the surgery. We were able to remove the bullet without causing any lasting damage to her body.”

Eric’s knees nearly buckled in relief. “Thank you... thank you so much.”

The doctor nodded. “You can relax now, Mr. Hart. Though there was significant blood loss, we were able to save both lives. Mom and baby are just fine.”

Eric’s heart stopped. He stared at the doctor, his mind reeling. "What... what did you just say?" He felt the words slip from his mouth, but they barely registered in his brain. "Two lives?"

The doctor’s smile grew. “Yes, your wife is pregnant. You didn’t know?”

Eric’s entire world shifted in that moment. Pregnant? Emily? He stood there, stunned, struggling to comprehend the weight of the revelation. “She didn’t… she didn’t tell me,” he said softly, almost to himself.

“Well, congratulations, sir!” the doctor said cheerfully. “We’re wheeling them back to their room now. Come with me, and we can discuss her recovery.”

Eric followed the doctor, still in shock. His mind was racing, flooded with a mix of emotions—joy, disbelief, and confusion. Emily is pregnant, he thought over and over. We’re going to have a baby. His heart swelled at the realization, but questions lingered. Why didn’t she tell me? Was she afraid?

As they reached Emily’s room, the doctor gently placed a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “She’s about two months along,” the doctor explained. “She’ll need vitamins, healthy food, and plenty of rest to ensure both she and the baby stay healthy.”

Eric nodded, his mind still swirling. "Two months," he repeated softly. That night... It all made sense now. The moment they shared had led to something beautiful, something neither of them had expected.

“She should wake up soon,” the doctor continued, “and we’ll keep her here for a few days to monitor her vitals and prevent any risk of infection.”

“Thank you,” Eric said, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for saving them.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Hart,” the doctor replied kindly before leaving the room.

Eric pulled a chair up beside Emily’s bed, his eyes never leaving her face. He gently took her hand in his, overwhelmed with gratitude and love for this woman who had changed his life in so many ways. As he sat there, watching her breathe, the weight of what the doctor had said sank in.

We’re going to be parents.

Leaning forward, Eric kissed her forehead tenderly. “Thank you, Emily,” he whispered. “You’ve given me the greatest gift. I love you.”

Just then, Emily stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with the lingering effects of anesthesia. She blinked, her gaze slowly focusing on Eric’s face.

“Eric?” she moaned softly, her voice raspy. She cleared her throat. “Eric, is that you? Are you okay? What happened? Where am I? The baby…”

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, her expression shifting to one of panic. Eric noticed the motion and gently placed his hand over hers, calming her.

“Shhh,” he whispered, stroking her hair. “Everything’s fine, silly girl. You were shot, but the surgery went well. And the baby… the baby is fine.”

Emily’s eyes widened in shock. “The baby? You know?”

Eric nodded, his smile warm but tinged with concern. “Yes, the doctor told me. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Emily’s face filled with guilt and relief at the same time. She sighed, her gaze softening. “I was waiting for the right time. I wasn’t sure how you’d react. We met under such… complicated circumstances, and I didn’t know if you’d be happy about it.”

Eric shook his head, a mixture of disbelief and affection in his eyes. “Oh, Emily… what am I going to do with you? Of course I’m happy about the baby. I want to experience everything with you—this baby, our life together.” His hand gently pressed over hers on her stomach. “We’re going to be a family.”

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she smiled, her heart overflowing with love for this man. “Really? I was so nervous you’d be upset.”

Eric leaned in, hugging her gently, careful not to hurt her. “No, thank you for coming into my life and loving me.”

They held each other for a long moment, the weight of their new future settling in. Soon, they began talking about Emily’s recovery, her pregnancy, and what their life would look like once she was released from the hospital.

Before long, visitors began arriving—Rachel, Tim, and even Lily, who had been recovering on another floor. They all celebrated the good news of Eric and Emily’s pregnancy, filling the room with warmth and laughter.

As the group chatted around Emily’s bed, Tim pulled Eric aside into the hallway.

“Congrats, man,” Tim said with a grin, clapping Eric on the shoulder. “You’re going to be a father!”

Eric beamed, unable to contain his happiness. “Thanks, Tim. I couldn’t be happier.”

“So what’s next for you two?” Tim asked, his tone curious but supportive.

Eric didn’t hesitate. “I’m going to propose. I want her to move in with me. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Tim grinned, giving Eric a playful punch on the arm. “Good luck, man. You need any help planning the proposal, just let me know.”

Eric smiled, his thoughts already drifting to the next chapter of their lives. He knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Emily by his side—and now the baby—they could handle anything.

As Eric walked back into the room, he glanced at Emily, who was laughing softly with Rachel and Lily. His heart swelled with love and hope. Whatever came next, they would face it together.