Curtis and Sofi had just returned from their week-long visit with Curtis's parents. The time spent at the Ken family home had brought them even closer together, allowing Sofi to bond deeply with Curtis's family. The week had been filled with laughter, shared stories, and plans. But now, back in the familiar comfort of their own home, reality was setting in. Sofi was in her third trimester, and the excitement of their growing family was tinged with a slight undercurrent of anxiety.
"Home sweet home," Curtis said as he parked the car. He turned to Sofi, his smile soft and full of love.
"Finally," Sofi sighed, rubbing her belly. She was now eight months pregnant, and every movement required more effort. "I'm glad we made it through this week. Our parents seemed so happy."
"They were," Curtis replied, helping her out of the car. "We made a good impression. But I think we need to rest before the baby arrives. It's only a matter of weeks now."
They entered their apartment, and Sofi immediately sank onto the couch, kicking off her shoes. Curtis joined her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, and pulling her close. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying the peace of being home.
"Do you think we have everything ready for the baby?" Sofi asked after a while, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Almost," Curtis said. "We still need to pick up a few things, but we've got the essentials. And I've set up the crib in our room."
Sofi nodded, her thoughts drifting to the future. It was hard to believe that soon, they would be parents, responsible for a tiny, helpless human being. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
As they unpacked their bags, Curtis noticed Sofi rubbing her belly more frequently than usual. Her brows were furrowed, and though she tried to mask it with a smile, he could tell she was uncomfortable.
"Babe, you okay?" Curtis asked, concern lacing his voice as he walked over to where she was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Sofi looked up at him, her eyes soft but tired. "I'm fine, Curtis. Just feel a bit heavy and tired. The baby's been very active today."
Curtis knelt in front of her, his hand resting on her bump. "Let's get you some rest. You've had a long day, and I'm sure the baby is just as tired."
Sofi nodded, appreciating his concern. "Yeah, maybe I'll just lie down for a bit."
Curtis helped her into bed, fluffing the pillows behind her back. "Do you need anything? A snack? Some water?"
"I'm okay, just stay with me for a while," Sofi said, her hand reaching out to him.
Curtis climbed into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her as they lay there in the soft, comforting silence of their home. The warmth of his embrace was soothing, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.
The next few days passed uneventfully, with Curtis and Sofi settling back into their routine. Curtis was attentive as ever, ensuring Sofi was comfortable and well-fed. He had even taken to reading pregnancy books in his spare time, wanting to be as prepared as possible for the arrival of their little one.
One morning, as Sofi was preparing breakfast, she felt a sudden, sharp pain in her lower back. She gasped, dropping the spatula she was holding.
Curtis, who was in the living room, rushed to her side. "Sofi, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with panic.
She winced, holding onto the counter for support. "I think... I think it's starting."
Curtis's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "You mean... the baby? But it's still a bit early!"
Sofi nodded, trying to breathe through the pain. "Yes, but I think... I think it's happening."
Curtis quickly grabbed his phone and started timing the contractions. They were about ten minutes apart. "Okay," he said calmly, though his heart was racing. "I think we should call the midwife."
Sofi nodded, gripping Curtis's hand as another contraction rippled through her body. Curtis made the call, and the midwife advised them to monitor the contractions for the next hour. If they become closer together or more intense, they should head to the hospital.
The next hour felt like a lifetime. The contractions came steadily, growing stronger and more frequently. Sofi tried to breathe through the pain, but by the time the contractions were five minutes apart, she was struggling to stay calm.
Curtis quickly helped her to the couch, his hands trembling slightly. "Okay, okay. Let's not panic. We need to get to the hospital."
He grabbed the hospital bag they had packed weeks ago, and after making sure Sofi was as comfortable as possible, he helped her into the car, his nerves on edge as he tried to remain composed. The drive to the hospital was a blur of red lights and concerned glances. Sofi's contractions were coming faster now, and Curtis tried to remain calm, but his heart was racing. Sofi breathed in and out, unable to speak as another wave of pain hit her. He drove as quickly as he could while still being careful, glancing over at Sofi every few seconds to make sure she was okay.
They reached the hospital, and Curtis rushed inside to get help. Within minutes, a team of nurses arrived with a wheelchair, and Sofi was quickly taken to the labour ward. Curtis stayed by her side, holding her hand as the doctors and nurses worked around them, preparing for the delivery.
Sofi's labour was intense. The hours stretched on, and Curtis could see the exhaustion in her eyes. The pain was overwhelming, and she was exhausted. Curtis could see the strain in her eyes, the way she clenched her jaw to keep from crying out. But Sofi was strong, focusing on her breathing, her grip on Curtis's hand tightening with each contraction. Curtis whispered words of encouragement, his voice soothing her as she pushed through the pain.
"You're doing so well, babe," he said softly, kissing her forehead. "You're so strong. I'm so proud of you."
"I don't know if I can do this," Sofi whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yes, you can," Curtis said firmly. "You're amazing, Sofi. You can do this. And I'm right here with you."
Sofi nodded, drawing strength from his words. She closed her eyes, focusing on the sound of Curtis's voice, the warmth of his hand in hers.
Sofi nodded, her face determined despite the pain. When the next contraction hit, she pushed with all her strength, her body trembling with the effort. Curtis held her hand, his heart pounding as he watched the love of his life bring their child into the world.
"You're doing so well," the midwife said encouragingly. "Keep going, Sofi. You're almost there."
Sofi pushed again, tears streaming down her face as she gave everything she had. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by Sofi's laboured breathing and the occasional word of encouragement from the midwife.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the room was filled with the sound of a baby's first cry. Curtis and Sofi looked at each other, tears streaming down their faces as the midwife held up their newborn daughter.
"It's a girl," the midwife announced, lifting the tiny, squirming baby into view. "You have a beautiful baby girl."
"You did it, Sofi," Curtis whispered, kissing her forehead. "She's here."
The nurse placed the baby on Sofi's chest, and for the first time, they both looked at their daughter, their hearts swelling with love. She was small and perfect, with a head full of dark hair and tiny fingers that grasped Sofi's finger.
"Welcome to the world, little one," Sofi whispered, kissing the baby's forehead. "We've been waiting for you."
Curtis smiled, his eyes filled with tears as he looked at his daughter. "She's perfect," he said softly, kissing Sofi's cheek. "Just like her mom."
Sofi smiled, her heart bursting with happiness as she looked at her family. This was the moment they had been waiting for, the moment that changed everything. As they held their daughter for the first time, Curtis and Sofi knew that their lives would never be the same. They had entered a new chapter, one filled with love, joy, and the promise of a beautiful future together. Curtis could only nod, his heart too full for words. He leaned down, kissing both Sofi and their daughter, feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
The first few days after bringing their daughter home were a whirlwind. Curtis and Sofi were adjusting to their new roles as parents, learning the intricacies of diaper changes, midnight feedings, and soothing a crying baby. Despite the sleepless nights and the steep learning curve, they were both incredibly happy.
Curtis was a hands-on father, often taking the night shift so that Sofi could get some much-needed rest. He would walk around the nursery, rocking their daughter in his arms, humming softly until she fell asleep. Sofi would often wake up to find Curtis asleep in the rocking chair, their daughter cradling in his arms.
As the days turned into weeks, they settled into a new rhythm. Their home was filled with the sweet sounds of their baby's coos and laughter, and the once-quiet rooms now echoed with the noise of a happy family.
One evening, as they sat on the couch with their daughter asleep in Curtis's arms, Sofi looked over at him, her heart swelling with love.
"We're doing it, Curtis," she said softly. "We're doing it."
Curtis smiled, his eyes never leaving their daughter. "Yeah, we are. And I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else."
Sofi leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of their little family surrounding her. At that moment, everything felt perfect. Their journey had brought them here, to this moment of pure joy and love, and they both knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
As the months went by, Curtis and Sofi grew more confident in their parenting abilities. Their daughter, whom they had named Ava, was thriving, growing more each day. She was the light of their lives, and every milestone she reached was celebrated with joy and pride.
Curtis continued to be a devoted partner and father, balancing his work with his new responsibilities at home. Sofi, too, was adjusting to her new role as a mother, finding joy in the small moments and cherishing the bond she shared with Ava.
One day, as they were enjoying a quiet afternoon at home, Curtis turned to Sofi, his eyes filled with love and determination.
"Sofi, I've been thinking," he began, his voice serious yet gentle. "I want to marry you."
Sofi looked at him, her heart skipping a beat. "Curtis..."
"I know we've been through a lot, and I know things haven't always been easy," he continued, taking her hand in his. "But I love you, Sofi. I love our family, and I want to make it official. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Tears welled up in Sofi's eyes as she looked into Curtis's eyes, seeing the sincerity and love in them. She knew, without a doubt, that he was the one she wanted to spend her life with.
"Yes, Curtis," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Curtis's face broke into a wide smile as he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "You've made me the happiest man in the world, Sofi."
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, their future stretching out before them, they knew that they had found something truly special. Their love had weathered many storms, and it had only grown stronger. Now, with their daughter in their arms and a life full of promise ahead of them, they were ready to take on whatever the world had in store.