My Hockey Alpha by Eve Above Story PDF

Chapter 0509

She looked at me, her eyes softening. "Oh, Nina, you don't have to-"

"I want to, mom."

She smiled, a beautiful, genuine smile that I had only seen a handful of times in my life-and it seemed to be more so lately. "Thank you, darling."

As we left the salon, I felt a little lighter. The world outside seemed a little brighter, the sky a little clearer, and my heart, well, it was brimming with a newfound joy. It was a day of firsts, a day of beginnings, and I knew it was a day neither of us would ever forget.

"So, darling," my mom asked as we headed back to the car, "do you have any gender preference? A boy, perhaps? Or maybe a little girl?"

Her question took me by surprise.

really thought about it, Mom," I said, swallowing. "I'm just

her eyes searching mine. "With your endometriosis,

sighed. "It's high-risk, as expected. I'll

to be hopeful, to plan and dream a little. It doesn;t make the potential pain any

the car, we passed by a children's clothing store and stopped in front of the window, where a display of baby dresses was arranged on tiny mannequins. The fabrics looked soft and delicate, and made my heart swell and retract at the same time. My mother pointed at a little pink dress with pink roses embroidered

would look adorable on a little girl," she said softly, her eyes searching

locking eyes with her. "But mom, isn't this all a bit premature? What if-what if something

left my mouth. Her expression faltered, the joy that had been building in her eyes dimming

so excited for

moment hung between us, heavy and palpable. We stood there, surrounded by the laughter and chatter of other shoppers, but our own world felt

suggested, pointing up

cafe. As we sat down, the aroma of freshly brewed tea enveloped us, a small but comforting sanctuary when