Talia woke up to the soft hum of the city outside her window, the late spring sun filtering through thin curtains. She stretched carefully, mindful of the little life growing inside her. Four months pregnant now, the fatigue came in waves, but so did moments of fierce determination. Today was one of those moments.
She'd been busy preparing samples for an upcoming client, tweaking her designs, and dreaming bigger than ever. The pop-up event success still played like a sweet melody in her mind. Mia had been her rock through it all , always ready with a joke or a shoulder to lean on.
After a quick breakfast, Mia swung by the apartment, carrying two steaming cups of coffee. "Morning, mama bear," she teased, handing Talia her cup. "How's the fashion queen today?"
Talia laughed, "Surviving, thanks to you. These twins better be the most stylish babies on the block."
They settled on the couch, flipping through Talia's newest sketches. "You really are doing this," Mia said, eyes shining. "From night shifts at the café to owning your own line. I'm proud of you, T."
Talia's smile softened. "It hasn't been easy. The pregnancy, the bills, the... feeling like I'm doing this all alone sometimes."
Mia reached over, squeezing her hand. "You're not alone. I'm here, and so are the twins, even if they're not even here yet."
Hours passed with laughter and chatter, the kind that makes burdens lighter. Outside, Ethan's world was miles away, but his mind was never far from Talia.
In his sleek office high above the city, he studied the private investigator's updates. No contact yet, no way to reach her, but he wasn't giving up. Not until he knew she and the babies were safe.
He couldn't reveal himself, not yet. Too much was at stake. But every small win of hers felt like a quiet victory for both of them.
Back in her apartment, Talia returned to her sewing machine, the rhythm soothing her restless mind. The future was uncertain, but she was ready to fight for it, one stitch at a time.
Talia's fingers worked the fabric with care, each stitch a small rebellion against the uncertainty hanging over her. The hum of the sewing machine was a comfort, a reminder that she was building something real, something lasting.
Mia leaned against the doorframe, watching her friend with a smile. "You know, if those babies inherit your stubbornness, we're in for a wild ride."
Talia rolled her eyes but chuckled. "I hope they get your sense of humor at least."
"Deal," Mia said, grinning. "Now, have you thought about what you'll do when they arrive? I mean, besides turning your apartment into a mini fashion studio?"
Talia sighed, her gaze drifting toward the window. "I don't know. Part of me wants to keep chasing this dream, but another part worries about being a good mom. I've never done this before."
Mia stepped closer, her tone gentle. "You'll be amazing, Talia. You've been strong through all this, and you won't have to do it alone."
The two shared a quiet moment, the bond between them stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, miles away, Ethan sat back in his chair, his mind restless. The private investigator had tracked down a few possible leads, places Talia might frequent, people who knew her. Each piece of information brought him closer but also frustrated him with the distance still between them.
He clenched his jaw, determined. When the time was right, he would make his presence known. Until then, he'd watch from afar, silently supporting the woman who unknowingly held his heart and his future.
Back in the cozy apartment, Talia's phone buzzed, a message from Mia, reminding her about a small fashion meet-up that weekend. Excitement bubbled up inside her. Maybe this was the break she needed.
She smiled, fingers poised over the keyboard, ready to chase her dreams, one step at a time.
Talia couldn't help but laugh as Mia burst into her apartment, arms full of fabric samples and sketches, her energy as infectious as ever.
"Girl, you are not going to believe the news!" Mia exclaimed, dropping her things on the table and plopping down next to Talia.
Talia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite the morning nausea still lingering. "What now? Did the fashion gods finally smile on me?"
"Better," Mia grinned. "You landed a spot at that local pop-up event next weekend! The one downtown with all those boutique designers?"
Talia's eyes widened. "No way! How did that happen?"
"I may have put in a good word," Mia teased. "Let's just say, a very influential investor took an interest in your work."
Talia blinked, heart skipping a beat. "Wait... what? Influential how? Who?"
Mia shrugged, her smile turning coy. "No idea. But all I know is your designs will be showcased in front of some serious industry players. This could change everything."
Talia felt a mix of excitement and disbelief. She glanced down at her growing belly, then back at Mia. "I swear, if this is some cosmic joke, I'm going to kill you."
Mia laughed. "No joke, girl. You're going places. Now let's get these samples ready. The world's not going to wait for you."
The two friends dove into preparations, their laughter filling the small apartment and drowning out the worries that usually lurked at the edges of Talia's mind.
Meanwhile, far from the buzz of fabric and friendship, Ethan's office was a stark contrast, silent, sleek, and meticulously ordered. He stood by the window, gazing out at the city lights with a restless intensity. Though he hadn't reached out directly, his influence had quietly paved the way for Talia's opportunity.
He ran a hand through his hair, resolve hardening. Soon, the pieces would fall into place. And when they did, nothing would stand between him and the family he hadn't even known he had yet.
---
Talia sank into the worn-out couch, exhaustion tugging at her limbs after a long day of sketching and prepping for the pop-up event. Mia was already bouncing around the room, excitedly organizing fabrics and bouncing ideas off her.
"You know," Mia said, plopping down beside her, "I think this whole thing is going to be huge for you. Like, seriously, one step closer to your dream."
Talia smiled tiredly, rubbing her belly. "I just hope I can handle all this and the pregnancy without losing my mind."
Mia nudged her gently. "Girl, you're stronger than you think. And remember, I'm here. We've got this."
Talia's eyes softened. "Couldn't have asked for a better best friend."
They shared a quiet moment, the noise of the city filtering through the window as the promise of what was to come settled around them.