The hum of the hospital's fluorescent lights seemed to echo the rhythm of Romi's heartbeat, quickening with every passing second. Her hand rested in Sebastian’s, the weight of the world hanging between them. They hadn’t planned for this moment to come under such stressful circumstances. The bleeding had thrown everything into disarray, and while she felt reassured by the doctor’s assessment, her heart still pounded in uncertainty.
Romi’s eyes met Sebastian’s, his usually confident gaze softened with concern. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing across her skin. He hadn’t left her side since they arrived, and though his usual control was evident, the quiet tension between them was undeniable.
“We can do this,” he whispered, his voice steady but filled with the unspoken worry of everything that could go wrong. “We’ll face this together. You’re not alone.”
Romi exhaled a shaky breath, nodding slowly. “I just don’t know how they’ll take this... after everything.”
Sebastian didn’t answer immediately, but his eyes told her everything. He knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. But they had no choice now. Their future, their baby, their family—they would make it work.
When the door opened, it was her family that stepped inside. Her parents, Antonio and Catherine, walked in first, with Raph following behind them, his usually composed expression fraying at the edges with worry.
The tension in the air was palpable, and for a moment, Romi didn’t know how to start.
Catherine reached out first, her hands shaking slightly. “Romi... are you alright? Nico said you were bleeding. What’s going on?”
Raph’s eyes immediately flicked to Sebastian, narrowing with a mix of concern and something more protective. “What happened to her, Sebastian?” His tone was cautious, but there was an undercurrent of anger there.
Sebastian met his gaze, his face calm but resolute. “She’s fine. It was a scare, but she’s stable now. We’ll make sure everything’s alright.”
Antonio’s face was tight with worry, but there was something else there, too—an understanding, if only barely. “What exactly happened, Romi?” he asked, his voice lower than usual.
Romi glanced at Sebastian before gathering her thoughts. “I... I’m pregnant,” she whispered, her eyes locking with her family’s.
There was a stunned silence in the room, the air thick with unspoken questions. Catherine’s hand flew to her mouth in shock, while Antonio’s brows furrowed deeper, as if trying to process what he had just heard. Raph seemed frozen, staring at her as though he hadn’t quite grasped the situation.
Romi could feel the uncertainty radiating from her family. She wasn’t sure how they would react—whether with anger, disappointment, or something else entirely. The weight of her decision hung heavy, but she refused to hide it anymore.
“Pregnant?” Catherine repeated, her voice barely a whisper. “But... Romi, you’re so young. You’ve only just started your life. This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“I know,” Romi said softly, her gaze flickering to the floor. “But this is my life now, and I want to have this baby. I’m ready for it.”
Raph paced a few steps away, shaking his head in disbelief. “This isn’t what we expected for you, Romi. You’ve always been so careful about your future... What’s happened to you?”
“I’m still me, Raph,” Romi replied, her voice breaking as the tears she had been holding back finally came to the surface. “I know this is all happening so fast, and it’s not how you imagined things would go. But I’m happy. I love Sebastian, and this is what I want.”
Catherine stepped forward, her expression softening. “I’m just... I’m just worried about you, my dear. You’re my little girl. And this is a huge change.”
Romi smiled faintly, her heart swelling with emotion at the sight of her mother’s concern. “I understand. But I’m still your daughter. This doesn’t change that.”
Antonio, who had remained mostly quiet until now, cleared his throat. “Well, it’s clear you’ve made your choice, Romi,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind. “And I’m sure this isn’t easy for you, either.”
“Dad, I—”
“I’m not angry,” Antonio cut in, his gaze softening slightly. “But I do want to make sure you understand what you’re getting into. Marriage and kids aren’t simple things, Romi. It’s going to be hard, but we’ll stand by you, even if we don’t understand it all yet.”
Raph, still processing everything, let out a deep sigh. “I’ll be here for you, Romi. Even if I don’t agree with all of this... I’ll support you.”
Romi felt her heart swell with relief. Her family’s approval wasn’t something she had expected to receive immediately, but she was grateful for their willingness to accept the reality of her choices. The road ahead would still be difficult, especially when it came to Sebastian, but for now, they were beginning to understand.
And then, her gaze shifted to Sebastian. He stood silently beside her, his eyes fixed on her family with a quiet determination. He hadn’t said much, but his presence was enough. He was committed to Romi, to their baby. And though her family’s acceptance was still uncertain, he would stand by her side.
“Well, I suppose this means we’re all going to have to adjust,” Catherine said with a small smile. “You’ll always be my baby, Romi. And now... you’re starting your own family.”
Raph gave Sebastian a pointed look. “I still don’t like this... but I’ll keep an eye on you, Monteverde.”
Sebastian nodded, his jaw tight but respectful. “I won’t let anything happen to her or the baby. I promise.”
Antonio’s voice softened as he spoke again. “I don’t fully agree with how this all happened, but this is your life, Romi. We can’t change that. You’re still our daughter... and now, you’re going to be a mother. And we’ll support you.”
Romi’s eyes filled with tears as she reached for her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. I don’t expect everything to be perfect right away, but I’m happy. And I know this baby will be loved.”