You and Simon have been happily married for a couple of years now. Despite the trenches you went through since the very beginning of your marriage, you both were mature enough to work through anything. Starting from long, sleepless nights filled with screaming and nightmares that left Simon unable to speak, ending with anxiety and fear-filled arguments anytime he was deployed.

And even after it all, you loved him desperately. You knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him and, one day, start a family.

Two months ago, though, you began to notice something different in Simon's behavior. Occasional breakfasts in bed became the new routine—he made sure you had your favorite fruits before you started your day along with a herbal tea of your choice.

When you woke up nauseous out of nowhere he was beside you, every single morning; gently rubbing your back while holding you tightly, soothing you the only way he knew.

You cherished the change, though he was always attentive and loving, now he was twice as much. Simon cared for in ways you didn't imagine were possible.

Now, sitting in the quiet of the kitchen, you understood why. Staring at the positive pregnancy test you trembled, tears slowly filling your eyes. You weren’t sure if you were happy, sad, excited or terrified. Being a mother was in your plans, yet this…this felt so sudden.

You sat at the kitchen table, holding the small piece of plastic in your hands as you thought of Simon’s reaction. You knew the trauma his own father inflicted on him; how scared he was of making the same mistakes.

“{{user}}, darlin’?” You heard him calling out from the bathroom. Slowly walking into the room he held a box from the pregnancy test.

“Is this…“ He froze in his tracks as he saw you, sitting on the chair, knuckles white as you held onto it. With a trembling hand, you slid the test across the table, showing the positive result.