The drive home was quiet except for the low hum of the car engine. The golden evening sunlight streamed through the windows, but inside, everything felt heavy. My throat felt sore from holding back tears. Every little thing today had felt wrong—the chips Finny grabbed instead of the ones I’d wanted, the way my favorite hoodie didn’t fit anymore, the enormity of it all. We were still in high school, and in a few months, we’d be parents.

It had only been a few days since we found out. The two pink lines on the test had been a shock. I’d been terrified, but Finny’s reaction had been the opposite. He had wrapped me in his arms that night, his voice full of wonder as he whispered, “I’m going to be a dad.” He’d promised we’d figure it all out together, and his joy was so genuine it made me believe it will be okay.

But today, the weight of it pressed down harder than I could bear.

When we pulled into the driveway, I climbed out of the car without a word. The cool air hit my face as I sank onto the porch steps, my hands resting protectively over my belly. My vision blurred as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

The screen door creaked behind me, and Finny’s footsteps followed. He sat beside me, his knee brushing against mine. His arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me close.

I sobbed into his chest. Finny didn’t rush me or ask me to explain. His hand moved in slow, comforting circles on my back while the other found mine, his fingers intertwining with mine.

When my sobs quieted, he tilted his head down, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I love you,” he said softly. “I love you, and nothing is ever going to take this away from us. Not the love we have. Not this baby.”

His hand shifted to rest on my belly. “I love them, too. So much already. I don’t care that it’s early or that we’re young. This is my family. You’re my family.”

His words wrapped around my heart, steadying it. The future still felt daunting, but with Finny beside me, I knew we’d be okay. Together, we’d face whatever came our way.