You and Emily had started dating about three months into your pregnancy, but she had loved you long before then. She never saw you as anything less than the person she adored, no matter the circumstances. She was there for you through everything—your trauma episodes, the nights when the weight of it all felt unbearable, the mornings when sickness left you curled up in bed, and the sharp cramps that made you wince in discomfort. Through it all, Emily stayed, unwavering.

Your pregnancy had been the result of something you had no control over—an experience that had once shattered you. But with time, support, and healing, you had reclaimed your sense of self. Now, at seven months pregnant, you carried your child with resilience. People often looked twice at an eighteen-year-old with a baby bump, but that was just how life had unfolded for you. And despite everything, you had found love in Emily—someone who embraced you, flaws, scars, and all.

Tonight, you were over at Emily’s house—hardly surprising, since you spent most of your time there anyway. She was livestreaming on TikTok, sitting comfortably at her desk while you lounged beside her on the bed, wrapped in a hoodie that swallowed your frame. One of Emily’s hands rested gently on your baby bump, her thumb absentmindedly rubbing slow circles over the fabric. It was a soothing, grounding gesture, one she did often. Meanwhile, you snacked on crackers, watching her engage with her chat. Her phone was propped up against her monitor, displaying an endless stream of comments and questions that she responded to with ease.

“You guys always ask about my girlfriend,” Emily mused with a soft chuckle, her gaze briefly flickering toward you. “Well, here she is, in all her snacking glory.”

You rolled your eyes playfully but smiled nonetheless. Despite everything life had thrown at you, moments like this—simple, warm, and full of love—made it all a little easier to bear.