Sarah pov.

My second trimester.

The nursery had become my personal Everest. Every time I walked by that half-finished room, I felt it mocking me-chaotic and incomplete, just like my confidence.

The crib was still in its box, the curtains were too short, and the tiny clothes Richard had folded with so much care looked lost in the clutter.

I stood in the doorway that morning, holding a paint swatch in one hand and a baby blanket in the other. "Alright," I muttered to myself. "Today's the day."

But where to begin? The mountain of choices loomed in front of me, each decision feeling like it carried the weight of the world.

Should I pick a light color? A dark one? A theme? Should I do the walls in stripes or leave it neutral?

Everything felt like a big deal, even though logically, I knew it probably wasn't. Was I overthinking it? Probably.

I took a deep breath and stood still for a moment. I felt like a million thoughts were swirling around my head at once, and none of them were helping.

The baby was coming soon-whether the room was ready or not. Why was I letting something like paint and furniture take up so much space in my mind?

I should have felt excitement. Instead, I felt paralyzed by choices. Shouldn't I be making these decisions with ease?

Other parents seemed so confident-maybe too confident. They knew exactly what they wanted. Not me.

I sat down on the floor, my legs suddenly weak under the weight of it all. Maybe I should have let Richard take the lead on this.

He always seemed to know exactly what needed to be done. Maybe I was just too tired. Or too emotional.

I was pregnant, after all. But that thought didn't make me feel better. It only made me feel like I was making excuses.

That's when I pulled out my phone. I needed a little outside perspective. Zoe always had a way of cutting through the noise.

talk me down from anything. I dialed her number and waited, watching

Bear!" Zoe's cheerful voice cracked through the phone, her usual energy lighting up the

but failing miserably. "I'm standing here in the nursery, holding this

the sound comforting in the way only Zoe's laughter could be. "Okay, first of all, deep breaths, Sarah. It's

deeply. "It feels like the end of the

course you're overwhelmed. But that's exactly why I'm here to talk you

little thing is a big decision. And what if

is 'good enough'? A nursery is just a room. It's not going to define how your kid turns

baby feel comfortable, and where you're going to spend a lot of

It's just a

the choices. "I was thinking of sage green, but then I saw this soft yellow,

time you walk in the room. You'll be looking at it a lot,

decision down. See how easy that

figure out furniture.

crib. Get that set up where it makes sense to you. No one else is going to care where it is except

though I knew she couldn't see me. "Okay. I'll start with the

Your baby won't care if you go with a pink crib or a wooden one. They just want your love and attention." Her words felt like a warm hug, easing some of the tension in

you. Now, go get started. The room won't

at that. "I'll

"Good. You've got this."

***

shoulders begin to lift. I knew it wasn't going to be perfect, but that was okay. The

came home, I found myself in the nursery again, staring at the walls and the pile of things I

forced. "Yeah, I've made some progress. Sage green, thanks

as he came over and kissed

Zoe for advice. She

running a hand through his hair. "That sounds

standing up and brushing off my jeans, "I think I'm going to

"Sounds like a plan."

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