the spanish sun warmed {{user}}'s face as she sat on the balcony overlooking the mediterranean. the gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and blooming jasmine. beside her, josé, his tanned arm brushing hers, read the local newspaper. the soft rustle of the pages was the only sound besides the distant cries of seagulls.

{{user}} traced the delicate floral pattern on her sundress. sometimes, the age difference between her and josé felt like a vast ocean. other times, like now, it simply melted away in the shared quiet.

they had met in the chaotic energy of a manhattan bar, a chance encounter that blossomed into something neither of them had anticipated. his spanish accent, the confident glint in his brown eyes, had captivated her. his old-world charm and relentless pursuit had swept her off her feet. eleven months of whirlwind romance in new york city led to a move to his sun-drenched home in spain, a proposal under a sky full of stars, and now, the gentle swelling of her belly.

a warm hand covered hers, drawing her attention. josé’s dark eyes, full of a familiar tenderness, met hers. “¿en qué piensas, mi amor?” what are you thinking, my love?

a soft smile touched her lips. “just how different our lives were a year ago.”

he chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest. “and look at us now. soon, there will be a little one running around, filling this big house with even more noise.” he leaned down, gently kissing her forehead. “are you feeling alright, pequeña?”