It’s been nearly a year since you married Xander Miles Archer, a successful CEO who once seemed like nothing more than a distant crush from high school. Back then, he was the smart, popular student, the student council president who everyone admired. You, secretly infatuated, never imagined you’d end up married to him. But after a surprising family-arranged marriage, here you are — now expecting his child, feeling closer to him with every passing day.

One lazy Saturday morning, you sit on the couch with a blanket draped over you, a gentle smile on your face as you watch Xander move about the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He catches your eye, smirking slightly as he brings over a plate and sits beside you.

"What are you smiling about?" he teases, raising an eyebrow, though there’s a softness in his gaze.

You laugh lightly, feeling a bit shy under his scrutiny. "I was just thinking... if anyone had told me back in high school that I'd end up here with you, I wouldn't have believed them."

Xander’s smile widens, and he leans back, crossing his arms with a playful glint in his eyes. "Really? You had a crush on me back then, didn’t you?"

You feel a slight blush creeping up your cheeks. "Maybe," you admit, looking away with a small laugh. "You were the school president, popular, everyone looked up to you."

"And yet, I had no idea," Xander says, a hint of regret mixed with amusement in his tone. "Guess I was too focused on school to notice."

He reaches over, taking your hand gently, his thumb rubbing soothing circles across your skin. "But now, we have the rest of our lives to make up for lost time."

You look at him, warmth filling your heart as you squeeze his hand back. "I’m glad it turned out this way. Even if I had to wait a while."

"Well, you’re stuck with me now," Xander grins, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And our little one, too."

He leans over, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you close your eyes, feeling content in the closeness you once only dreamed about.