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My emotions have definitely been heightened lately, but I can’t help the tears that fall.

I’m overwhelmed by the miracle of this life.

How amazing this whole process of growing a baby is.

I know we have to stay cautious until the baby is born, but I have to believe that this baby is strong and healthy and will have an amazing life because they have parents who will pour every ounce of love into them.

I wish Archie were here right now to share this moment with me, but at the same time, maybe this moment was meant for me alone.

I’m still lost in thought when I hear my phone buzz from my bag. I roll off the bed and grab my bag from the floor. I see it’s a text from my mom, but I call her instead of replying.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?”

“Good. I was just taking a rest.”

“Did you see the doctor today?”

“We did. She is sending me to the high-risk OB in the office to monitor me for the rest of the pregnancy, but she says everything looks good. So, I think that’s all we can do for right now.”

Mom lets out a sigh. “Okay, well, that’s good news. I feel better that they’re keeping a close eye on the baby. ”

“Me too. It helps ease my mind every time I hear the baby’s heartbeat. It sounds so strong. I wish you could hear it.”

“I’d be happy to come to an appointment with you sometime. Do you think they would let me in with you?”

My parents have been much more available since they found out about the pregnancy. And I actually like it. I’ve been so independent for so long, so between Archie and them, having support is kind of nice.

“I don’t see why not. You should come for the next one in two weeks.”

“I would love that. Thank you.” She sniffles.

I hear the door to the apartment open, so our food must be here, and I’m getting hungry.

“I need to go eat with the girls, but I’ll send you the details for the appointment.”

“Okay, sounds good. I love you. Tell Archie we said hello.”

“Will do, Mom. Love you too. Bye.” I set my phone on my nightstand.

When I get to the kitchen, there are two pizzas sitting on the counter. I grab a few slices of plain cheese and sit down at the table with the girls. I won’t have these moments with them much longer, so as much as I miss Archie, I do think I should spend time with the girls tonight.

“So, should we watch something tonight, or do you all have plans?” I ask.

“Oh, let’s watch the new season of Love Island !” Mia suggests.

“Yes, I’m in,” Peyton answers.

Livi looks at me with a raised brow. “Em?”

“Sounds good to me. Let’s do it.”

We eat and laugh and talk about the baby some more. And talk about their love lives. Then, when we finish eating, we all crash on the couches and watch TV together.

I must have fallen asleep because I feel Livi gently trying to wake me. “Emma, you should probably go into your room so you’re more comfortable. ”

Lifting my head, I look around the room and see Mia is also passed out. “What time is it?”

“It’s ten. Why don’t you go get some sleep?” She stands and holds out her hands to help me up.

When I get to my feet, I pull her in for a hug. “Thanks, Liv. I love you.”

“Love you too, babe. Go to bed, but call that man of yours first. He’s probably worried about you by now.”

I nod and start down the hall, stopping at the bathroom to get ready for bed before heading to my room. As I walk in, I strip off my clothes and change into one of the shirts Archie left here. I can even faintly smell him on it.

Pulling back the covers, I look over on what’s become Archie’s side, and it makes me miss him. I climb into bed and grab my phone off my nightstand.

Archie has called a few times, and I see a few texts too. Instead of texting back, I call him, and he answers right away.

“Hey, darlin’. You okay? I was just about to come over there to check on you.”

I can hear the worry in his voice.

“Hey, yeah. I’m good. I took a nap earlier, and then we had dinner and watched TV. I must have crashed at some point, and Livi just woke me up. Sorry to worry you.”

He lets out a breath. “It’s all good. I hope you had a nice time with them. Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I am. I just think everything is coming all at once, and I have very little control of it all, but I feel better. I miss you though.”

“I miss you too. So much.”

“Did you have fun tonight with your friends?” I ask.

“Mmhmm, yeah. It was a good time. It’s weird doing family dinners without Pitz, but it was good to spend time with them. I can’t wait for you to get to know everyone.”

“We should do that soon, for sure. Maybe this weekend?”

He clears his throat. “Well, I got a call after dinner, and the trainer I had planned to work with here canceled on me, which really sucks because I wanted to be here with you while you finished classes before the draft. But, baby … I think I’m going to have to go to Texas.

I’m not having any luck finding someone who can work with me here. ”

“Oh, okay. So, when would you have to go?”

“I’m not sure, but soon. I can do some things on my own, for sure, but I really need to work with someone. I don’t want to put more stress on you, so let me try to work on it some more and see what I can do.”

I can’t help but tear up. It’s just been a few rough weeks, and I thought we would have some time to work out some of these details, but it doesn’t look like that will happen.

“Okay, we’ll figure it out. Just see what you can do, and we’ll go from there.”

“Darlin’, I’m sorry. I really didn’t want to tell you this tonight, but we will need to figure out what to do. I don’t want to be away from you. Especially with everything going on and you going into your last trimester.”

“I know, but we can’t stop the draft.” I laugh half-heartedly. “Want to meet for breakfast in the morning?”

“Yeah, that sounds perfect. But are you sure you don’t want me to come over tonight?”

“I mean, I do, but I’m also so tired that I’d probably be asleep by the time you got here. Do you want to pick me up or meet?”

“I’ll come get my girl. I’ll be there at eight a.m. Is that good? Or too early?” It sounds like he’s moving around and closing a door or drawer.

“No, that’s fine. What are you doing right now?” I’m nosy and kind of curious about what his room looks like. How he organizes everything. What his bed looks like.

He chuckles. “Sorry, is it too loud? I’m just going through my clothes and stuff and sorting it to pack up. I’m going to have to take my stuff back to Texas soon either way. ”

“Right,” I whisper, then hold out my phone and press the FaceTime button.

He answers right away with a smile on his face. “Hey, baby.”

“Hi. I just miss you and wanted to see your face. I also want a little tour of your room. You know … since you’re moving out.”

“Right, right. Well, this is it. Not much to it really.” He turns his phone around and slowly shows me his room.

There really isn’t much in there. Nothing on the walls.

I see his bed with a plain blue comforter and a high dresser, and that’s about it.

There are a few pictures of his family on his dresser.

My heart pinches a little that I’m not on there or the baby isn’t, but then I can’t be sad about it because it’s my fault I’m not on there.

“Archie, I’m sorry I asked you to keep me from your friends. Or the pregnancy at least.”

“Baby, I get it. Do I wish you could have gotten to know them better? Sure. But I’m also glad that we got so much time together to get to know each other too.” He smiles at me softly.

“I love you—you know that?” I touch the screen, wishing I could touch his face.

“I love you too, darlin’. Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay, bye, babe.”

I blow him a kiss, and he puckers his lips in return.

If he has to leave early, that could change some things for me. But tonight, I’m not going to think about it anymore. Tonight, I’m going to sleep and be grateful that, today, everything is okay.