The familiar scent of wood and fresh paint filled the air as Romi stepped inside the house she and Sebastian once shared in their past life. The house, rebuilt with love and care by Sebastian, was more than just a place—it was a symbol of their shared history, their past lives, and their future together. The walls, once bare and cold, were now adorned with memories they’d made over the past few months. Pictures of their happiest moments together hung in every room, each one a testament to the love they were rediscovering.
The living room, with its plush sofa and large windows that overlooked the garden, felt like the heart of their home. The soft light from the table lamp cast gentle shadows, creating an intimate atmosphere. Romi sat on the couch, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of the blanket draped across her lap. Her eyes wandered to the window, where the last rays of sunlight bathed the garden in a soft golden hue. The breeze from the open window carried the scent of jasmine, a reminder of how everything had changed since they first moved in.
Sebastian stood at the window, watching her with an unreadable expression. The house was quiet, save for the gentle rustling of the trees outside. He had rebuilt this home, piece by piece, with the hope that it would be a place of peace for them both. And now, it felt like the perfect moment to take the next step forward.
Romi’s voice broke the silence. “I never thought I’d be back here... not like this.”
Sebastian turned to face her, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He crossed the room, his steps purposeful, until he knelt in front of her. The weight of the moment wasn’t lost on either of them. This was the same place where, in another life, he had proposed to her—his promise to never let her go.
He gently took her hands in his, his touch warm and steady. “I know, Romi. I never thought we’d find our way back here either. But we have. And I think it’s time to take the next step. You’ve always been my home, even when I couldn’t see it. This house, this place—it’s ours. And so is our future, if you’re willing to take it with me.”
Romi looked down at their intertwined hands, her fingers trembling slightly. There was so much history here, so much that they had been through. But the fear that had once kept her from moving forward was now replaced with a quiet sense of peace. She looked up at Sebastian, her heart pounding in her chest. “You really think we can make this work? The baby, our families, everything?”
Sebastian nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. “We will, Romi. We have to. And we’ll do it together. You, me, and our baby.”
Romi’s lips trembled as she let out a long, shaky breath. She had been so afraid, so unsure of everything.
But in this moment, surrounded by the memories of their past and the promise of their future, she knew she wasn’t alone anymore.
“I’m scared,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sebastian’s hand gently cupped her face, tilting her head so that their eyes met. “I know you are. But we don’t have to have all the answers right now. We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll face everything, together.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Romi allowed herself to truly believe in that promise. She nodded, her heart swelling with a mix of fear and hope. “Okay,” she said softly. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Sebastian leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than usual, a silent promise passing between them. He pulled back slightly, his voice low and sincere. “I love you, Romi. And no matter what, we’ll make it work. I’ll make sure of it.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she squeezed his hands in return. “I love you too, Sebastian. And I’m ready... for everything.”
The following evening, the Delacruz estate felt larger than usual as Romi and Sebastian arrived, the heavy air thick with tension. The house, a grand Spanish-style mansion, was quiet except for the faint sound of footsteps echoing across the marble floors. The housekeeper had already set the dinner table, but Romi felt her stomach twist in knots at the thought of facing her family again—her father’s disapproval still hanging over her like an unspoken cloud.
Antonio Delacruz, her father, was seated at the head of the long dining table, his stern gaze fixed on Sebastian. He had always been protective of Romi, and their marriage was still something he hadn’t come to terms with, even if his daughter was pregnant. Raphael, her older brother, was sitting beside him, his expression neutral but watchful. Nico, the youngest, had an unreadable look on his face, but his eyes were filled with worry as he glanced between Romi and Sebastian.
“Sebastian,” Antonio began, his voice measured and cautious, “you know my daughter means everything to me. I just want to be sure you’re going to protect her this time. You’re already a father now... and that’s a responsibility that you can’t take lightly.”
Romi flinched slightly at the mention of the baby, but Sebastian’s hand on hers was enough to steady her. He sat up straighter, his voice firm but respectful. “I understand, Mr. Delacruz. I will protect her, and I won’t fail her again. I know how much Romi means to you, and I will do everything I can to ensure she’s happy and safe.”
Raphael’s gaze shifted to his sister, then to Sebastian. “I’m not happy about this marriage... but, if you’re going to be a father, maybe it’s time to prove you can be a man of responsibility.”
Romi swallowed hard, her stomach churning. Her brother's words weren’t unkind, but they carried a weight of doubt that still lingered in the room. Her father and brother were only concerned about her well-being, but it was still hard for them to fully accept Sebastian. She could see it in their eyes, and it hurt in a way she hadn’t expected.
Nico, sitting quietly on the edge of the table, finally spoke up, his voice soft yet sincere. “I... I know things haven’t been easy between you two, but Romi’s changed, and so has Sebastian. I think... I think they can make it work. For the baby.”
Romi gave Nico a small, grateful smile. Her youngest brother was always the peacemaker, the one who saw things with an open heart. Despite the tension, she felt a flicker of warmth at his words.
Later that evening, after dinner, Romi and Sebastian retreated to a quiet corner of the Delacruz estate. The estate was vast, with sprawling gardens and quiet courtyards, but tonight, it felt strangely small and confining. Romi leaned against the cool stone wall of the courtyard, the soft sounds of the night surrounding them. The moon cast a silvery light across the grass, and the distant chirping of crickets was the only sound filling the air.
“I’ve been thinking,” Romi started, her voice tentative as she stared out at the garden. “About the baby... about us... and everything we’ll have to do to make this work.”
Sebastian walked over to her, his footsteps soft on the gravel path. He stood beside her, his presence a quiet comfort. “We’ll do it together. You don’t have to worry, Romi. We’ll make sure everything is set for when the baby arrives. I’m not going anywhere.”
Romi turned to face him, her brow furrowed in concern. “But what about everything else? Our marriage, the family... I know things aren’t perfect. My family doesn’t exactly approve of us yet.”
Sebastian reached out and cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. “I know. And I know it’s going to take time, but we’ll get through this, Romi. One day at a time. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn their trust, and more importantly, to make sure you’re happy. We’ll build our future together. You, me, and our baby.”
Romi’s lips trembled, but a small, sincere smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’m... I’m starting to believe you, Sebastian. Maybe we can make it work.”
 
 
Back at their apartment, the city lights twinkled outside the windows, casting a soft glow into the room. They were alone now, away from the intensity of the evening. The weight of the conversation still lingered, but there was something new between them—something softer, more vulnerable.
As they sat side by side on the sofa, Sebastian placed a hand gently on Romi’s belly, his thumb gently tracing circles over the fabric of her shirt. His touch was warm, tender, and full of promise. Romi’s breath caught in her throat as she placed her hand over his, feeling the quiet strength in his touch.
“I never thought this would happen,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. “That I’d be here, with you, ready to be a mother. But... I think I’m ready.”
Sebastian’s gaze softened, and he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You’re more than ready, Romi. We’re both ready. Together, we can do this.”
She nodded, her heart full of emotions she wasn’t quite ready to label. The uncertainty, the fear, and the hope all mixed together in a bittersweet cocktail. But she knew one thing for sure—they were going to make it work. They had to.
And for the first time in a long while, Romi believed it.