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    She brushed it off as the result of long work hours and restless nights, but Noah Smith wasn’t so easily convinced.


    The way she’d pause mid-sentence, her hand instinctively resting on her forehead, or the faint shadows under her eyes that no amount of concealer could hide.


    Her vision blurred, and she reached out to steady herself, but her fingers only grazed the counter before her legs gave way.


    His heart pounded against her back as he guided her to a chair, his hands trembling slightly. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”


    “This isn’t just skipping breakfast,” he said, his voice firm but laced with worry. “You’ve been like this for days. We’re going to the doctor.”


    “Am I?” He crouched in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. His gaze was intense, searching her face for answers she didn’t have. “You’re not fine, Clara. Let’s just… make sure, okay?”


    At the doctor’s office, the examination felt endless. Noah paced the small waiting room, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When the doctor finally called them in, his expression was unreadable.


    The room fell silent. Clara’s breath caught, her eyes widening as she turned to Noah. He stood frozen, his face a mix of shock and disbelief.


    The doctor nodded, smiling. “About six weeks along, from what we can tell.”


    “Clara,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “We’re having a baby.”


    She placed her hand over his, her heart swelling with a flood of emotions she hadn’t expected. “Scared. Excited. Overwhelmed. But… happy. Really happy.”


    Clara nodded, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt. For the first time in weeks, the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.


    She laughed, the sound light and carefree. “Oh, we’ve got plenty of time for that.”


    Noah stood in the kitchen, his broad shoulders hunched over the counter as he meticulously chopped vegetables for Clara’s lunch.


    “You know,” she said, her voice teasing, “I’m pretty sure I can survive without you hovering over me every second of the day.”


    She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “You’re being ridiculous. I’m pregnant, not fragile.”


    Clara’s breath hitched, and Noah’s gaze dropped to her lips before he stepped back, clearing his throat. “Lunch is almost ready. Sit down.”


    “You’ve been cooking a lot lately,” she said, her tone softer now. “When did you become such a chef?”


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    She took a bite, savoring the flavors. “This is amazing,” she admitted, looking up at him. “You’re spoiling me.”


    Clara reached across the table, her fingers brushing against his. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.


    The moment stretched, their connection palpable. Clara felt a rush of love so strong it nearly took her breath away.


    Noah broke the silence with a smirk, his usual playful demeanor returning. “Now, finish your lunch before I start feeding you myself.”


    “And you love it,” he countered, his grin widening.


    Noah, ever the protector, was also the man who made her feel cherished in ways she never thought possible. And for that, she knew she’d never stop falling for him.


    "Hey," he said softly, his voice a gentle caress. "You okay?"


    Noah nodded, understanding without needing further explanation. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "Let me help."


    It was warm, grounding, and it wrapped around Clara like a protective blanket. She inhaled deeply, feeling the tension in her chest begin to ease.


    Noah chuckled, the sound low and warm. He pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head, his fingers gently threading through her hair. "Then I’ll stay right here, as long as you need me."


    He grinned, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "Only because you deserve it."


    But then, Noah pulled back, a teasing glint in his eye. "Not yet," he whispered, his voice a playful promise. "We’ve got all the time in the world."


    "And you love it," he shot back, his grin infectious.


    With Noah by her side, she knew she could weather any storm.


    Clara leaned against Noah, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, her hand absentmindedly tracing small circles on her belly. The silence between them was warm, filled with unspoken promises and dreams yet to unfold.


    Noah’s hand instinctively moved to her stomach, his touch gentle yet possessive. He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Whether they have your eyes or my stubbornness, they’ll be the most incredible kid in the world.”


    He met her gaze, his expression softening. “Because it will be. With you, everything already is.” He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary.


    Noah grinned, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Awkward? I thought I was charming.”


    “You did,” she admitted, her tone softening. “You made me feel like I could be myself, like I didn’t have to pretend.”


    Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.


    They sat there, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the stars above bearing witness to a love that felt as timeless as the universe itself. In that moment, the future didn’t seem daunting—it felt like a promise, one they were ready to face together.


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