?


    It was as if the air got thicker around us. Our milkshakes started to melt, the fries growing cold, but neither of us moved. The jukebox switched to another song, filling the space between us.


    "So what do we do?" I finally asked, my voice a mere whisper.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I wish I knew," Enzo responded, his grip on my hand tightening.


    "Do you even want to keep the baby?" I finally blurted out, unable to contain the question any longer. The words hung heavy in the air, almost tangible, like they''d materialized and were sitting right there on the table next to our untouched milkshakes.


    Enzo''s gaze didn''t waver. "Of course I do. Why would you even ask that?"


    "Because," I paused, searching for the right words. "If we''re going to make these sacrifices, these huge life changes, I need to know it''s what we both want. And with everything else going on..."


    He looked at me, his eyes softening. "Nina, I want this child. But I can''t sit by and watch you and the baby be in danger if you''re going to be stubborn about this."


    I looked at him, trying to read between the lines. "You mean, if I don''t move in with my parents?"


    He nodded, his face serious. "Your parents can provide a level of security and support that I can''t, especially if I''m gone. I don''t like it any more than you do, but it''s the responsible thing to consider."


    My mind raced. I could see the logic in his words, and yet it hurt to think about living away from him, about going through the pregnancy while he was off chasing his career. And then it hit me.


    "Okay," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. "But what if Ie with you? What if we made this new ce our home, at least for a while?"


    Enzo looked surprised, then thoughtful, his eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge whether I was serious." You''d do that?"


    I nodded, feeling a tentative sense of relief. "Yes, I''d do that. I''d go wherever you go."


    He sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that felt like it carried the weight of the world. "That''s incredibly sweet, Nina, but you have to consider the logistics. I''ll be living in a hotel room in a city neither of us knows. That''s not conducive for a pregnant woman, let alone a new mom. And what about medical school?"


    I opened my mouth to protest but then closed it again. The reality of what he was saying sank in, crashing down like a wave of cold water. He was right, of course. Medical school was my dream, a goal I had been working towards for years. And yet, the idea of being apart from him, especially now, felt unbearable.


    "I know you''re right," I finally said, my voice tinged with regret. "But I hate it."


    "I hate it too," he said softly, his eyes meeting mine. "But sometimes doing the right thing isn''t the easy thing."


    There was a long silence as his words sank in even further. The thought of it all was so scary, and yet I couldn''t let go of this little life living inside of me. Already, my maternal instincts were kicking in, and I knew that this was what I wanted. It was going to be messy and confusing, but somehow, I knew that it would be worth it in the end.


    "Alright," I finally said, taking in a shaky breath. "I''ll move in with my parents in the werewolf realm. But only when you officially leave for your job. And the minute you''re back, so am I."


    Enzo looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. "That sounds like a n."


    "A shitty n," I added, the bitterness creeping into my voice.


    "But a necessary n," he countered, reaching for my hand and squeezing it tightly.