Chapter 20

Twenty

Elena

The clock on the wall ticked softly, marking the seconds as I sat in the exam room. The paper sheet crinkled under me as I shifted on the table, scrolling aimlessly through my phone. My appointment was the first of the day, scheduled early so I wouldn’t have to cancel customer appointments—again.

Thanks to Sarah’s offer to drop Jake off at school, I managed to squeeze in my appointment without disrupting my packed schedule at Reflections . I’d been grateful for her help, but I wasn’t so sure now, sitting alone in the sterile quiet. My thoughts drifted, spiraling through the usual worries before inevitably circling back to why I was here.

Birth control.

A way to plan, to take control of the next steps in my life now that everything seemed to be falling into place—or so I thought. It was practical and responsible, something I hadn’t thought much about in years. But now, with Cory back in my life, everything felt different—new, exciting, and a little terrifying.

The door opened, and my doctor, Mika, stepped in. “Good morning, Elena! How are we today?”

I managed a small smile, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Good, I think. Just… here to talk about some options.”

She nodded, her tone professional but kind. “Of course. Let’s take a look and go over everything.”

As I settled onto the examination table, I tried to calm my nerves. Dr. Mika’s small talk about the weather and holiday plans was a welcome distraction, but when her attention shifted, my heart began to race. Her pause mid-sentence only added to my growing anxiety.

“Elena,” she said softly, her voice taking on a serious tone. “I have some news for you.”

My stomach dropped. “News?” I echoed.

She moved to face me and smiled, “You're already pregnant.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. “Pregnant?” I repeated in disbelief.

“Yes,” she confirmed with a slight smile. “Everything looks good so far. Based on what I see in this initial exam, you're only a month or six weeks along.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of emotions flooding through me. Was this joy? Fear? Both? “I... I don't even know what to say.”

The doctor placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It's a lot to take in, I know. But you're healthy, and we'll make sure you and the baby have everything you need.” She handed me a box of tissues, her voice steady and calming. “I'll give you some prenatal vitamins to start with, and we'll schedule an ultrasound in the coming weeks.”

I nodded slowly, trying to process everything that was happening. “Thank you,” I murmured gratefully.

This news would change everything—for me, for Jake, for our family. As the doctor detailed follow-up appointments and steps to prepare for the months ahead, my initial worries began to melt away. In their place grew a sense of wonder, excitement, and an unshakable determination to protect and nurture this tiny life growing inside me.

Cory. Oh, God. How would I tell him? What would he say?

I left the office clutching a small bag of vitamins and an order for blood work, my thoughts spinning yet oddly clear. This wasn’t just an unexpected surprise—it felt like a sign. Cory’s return, the way our lives were weaving together again, the gift from his grandfather—it all pointed to something bigger, something meant to be.

As I drove toward the salon, my phone sat untouched on the passenger seat. I considered calling Cory, but I hesitated. This news deserved more than a phone call. It was too monumental, too life-altering to deliver casually.

I focused on the day ahead, setting aside thoughts about sharing my life-changing news. The salon was bustling with its usual morning energy, filled with the comforting scents of coffee and muffins. Misty chatted with a client while Sarah waited for her first appointment. The familiar atmosphere helped calm my nerves, but I couldn't forget what I was holding back.

I grabbed a muffin from the counter, realizing I was hungrier than usual, and took a deep breath. I needed to tell my friends, not just for the support I knew they’d offer, but to hear the words out loud myself. Maybe that would help me believe this wasn’t a dream.

As I pushed open the breakroom door, Sarah smiled and looked up from her cup of tea. “You’re here earlier than I expected. How’d it go?”

I sat down across from her, breaking off a piece of my muffin. The words caught in my throat momentarily before I forced them out. “I’m pregnant.”

Her eyes widened as she set her mug down with a soft thud. “Pregnant? Ellie, are you serious?”

I nodded, feeling the first wave of relief at saying it out loud. “Yes. I wasn’t expecting it, obviously, but… I’m so happy, Sarah. It feels like everything is finally coming together.”

She reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly. “Oh my God, Ellie. This is incredible. How are you feeling? Does Cory know?”

“No, not yet,” I admitted, brushing crumbs off my lap. “He’s in Beaver Creek with his parents today. I haven’t had the chance to tell him, and honestly, I want to do it in person.”

Sarah nodded thoughtfully. “How do you think he’ll take it?”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Knowing Cory? He’ll be thrilled. At least, I hope so. But it’s all happening so fast, and I haven’t even wrapped my head around how this will change everything.”

“Well, you’re not alone,” she said firmly. “Whatever you need, we’ll help you.”

Nikki popped her head into the breakroom, her curiosity piqued. “What’s all the whispering about? I just walked in the door. You two look like you’re plotting something.”

I exchanged a glance with Sarah, who grinned. “Ellie’s got big news.”

Nikki’s eyes sparkled. “Do tell!”

I took another deep breath, smiling as I said it again. “I’m pregnant.”

Nikki squealed, practically bouncing in place. “Oh, Ellie! That’s amazing! I always knew things would work out for you.”

“What did I just hear?” Misty laughed as she snuck inside the breakroom.

Their enthusiasm was contagious, and soon, the four of us were huddled together, talking about everything from baby names to nursery colors. For a few minutes, I allowed myself to soak in their excitement, pushing aside the uncertainty that lingered in the back of my mind.

Before I knew it, my first client of the day had arrived. As I stood up to leave the breakroom, Sarah touched my arm. “Do you need me to pick Jake up from school today? I know you’ve got a lot on your plate.”

I hesitated, then nodded gratefully. “That would be great. Thank you, Sarah. Please tell him I’ll be back before bedtime.”

“Of course. Go take care of your clients—and yourself,” she winked.

After my last client left, I tidied up my booth and considered how to break the news. As I drove out of town, the fading fall colors illuminated the afternoon. Usually, this drive would soothe me, but today, as my hands gripped the wheel, I struggled to focus my thoughts.

What will Cory say when I tell him? How will his parents react?

It wasn’t just the pregnancy that was weighing on me—I was carrying a decade of unanswered questions, unspoken truths, and uncertainty about what lay ahead. Yet, beneath the swirling anxiety, a quiet, persistent hope thrummed within me, urging me to reclaim my love with my high school sweetheart for good. The memories of our laughter, dreams, and innocent love lingered, reminding me of the bond we once shared. It felt as though fate was nudging me, whispering that some connections are meant to endure the passage of time.

As I approached Beaver Creek, memories flooded back. This was where it all began - stolen moments with Cory, dreams whispered under the stars. Now, after years, I was returning to face him and his parents with unexpected news.

I turned onto Hawthorne Street and saw Cory's father's hardware store. The old wooden sign hung above the door, faded but still there. I imagined the store transforming into something bigger with the arrival of the Horizon Foundation. Would Cory leave Dallas and come back here? How would his decision affect me, Jake, and our baby? And how would Grandpa Prescott's millions change my life?

My stomach tightened as I pulled into Cory's childhood home. The house stood just as I remembered, with a sturdy and welcoming presence. I grabbed my purse and stepped out of the car, feeling the crisp autumn air on my cheeks. Each step up the familiar porch brought a new wave of anticipation.

I barely had a chance to knock before the door swung open, revealing Cory’s mother with a warm smile that instantly eased some of my nerves. “Elena! What a lovely surprise. Come in, come in.”

From the backyard, I could hear Cory’s laughter mingling with the deeper tones of his father’s voice. The sounds reflected an easy rhythm of a family connection, which only heightened my apprehension.

“Thank you, Mrs. Harrison,” I said as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of her cologne wrapping around me like a blanket. “I hope it’s alright—I thought I’d drop by.”

“Of course, it’s alright! We were so thrilled when Cory told us you two had found each other again,” she replied, her eyes twinkling. “He’s been talking about you and Jake nonstop lately. He seems like a changed man… much happier than before.”

Her words made my heart skip a beat. The weight of the news I carried felt even more significant now.

Cory came in from the backyard, his flannel sleeves rolled up, and faint dirt smudges on his forearms. His expression softened as he saw me and smiled.

“Elena,” he said with pleasant surprise. “I wasn’t expecting you. We’re just doing some yard work.”

I smiled back, trying to calm the nervous flutter in my chest. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Not at all,” he replied quickly, his gaze flicking briefly toward his parents before landing back on me. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” I assured him, catching the flicker of concern in his eyes. “Jake’s at school—Sarah dropped him off this morning and will pick him up later. I just…” I hesitated, suddenly very aware of his parents nearby. “I wanted to talk. Maybe we could take a quick walk?”

His brows lifted slightly in curiosity. “Of course.”

Mrs. Harrison nodded knowingly from the doorway. “Go on, take your time,” she said, waving us off.

We walked on the quiet sidewalk, surrounded by crisp autumn air. Cory put his arm around me, steady and grounding as I searched for words.

"So," he asked gently, "what's on your mind?"

I glanced down at the path ahead, my steps slowing. “It’s about my doctor’s appointment this morning.”

Cory stopped walking, turning to face me, concern flickering across his features. “How did it go?”

“It went okay,” I said quickly, touching his arm. “Better than okay, actually.”

His brows lifted, his lips parted slightly as if waiting for me to explain. My heart thudded as I took a deep breath. “Cory, I’m pregnant.”

For a second, he just stared at me, his eyes wide with surprise. Then, slowly, a smile broke across his face, lighting up his entire expression. “You’re serious?”

I nodded, and before I could say another word, he swept me into his arms, lifting me off the ground as a laugh bubbled out of him.

“Cory!” I gasped, clutching his shoulders as he spun me around.

He set me down gently, his hands lingering protectively on my waist. “Oh, wait—maybe I shouldn’t have done that. Are you okay? Did I?—”

“I’m fine,” I said, cutting him off with a laugh. “Better than fine.”

His grin widened as he leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. “Elena, this is… amazing. I don’t even know how to describe how happy I am. I love you, and I can’t imagine life without you, Jake, and now our… our baby.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I whispered, “I love you too.”

For a little while, we just stood there, wrapped in each other and the magnitude of the moment. Cory’s hands came up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing lightly across my cheeks as he studied me with wonder.

“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” he said softly.

“Yes,” I said, my voice steady with certainty. “We are.”

His smile turned playful as he grabbed my hand. “Come on. Let’s tell my folks. They’re going to be over the moon. And we can also tell them about Grandpa’s unexpected gift to you.”

I laughed as he tugged me back toward the house, his joy infectious. Then I thought about my parents… they may have a different outlook on this than the Harrisons.

I hesitated, tugging lightly on his hand to slow him down. “Cory, before we tell your parents, there’s something I need you to know. My dad—he’s not going to take this as well as your mom and dad might. He’s… still hurt by the way things ended before, and he’s convinced you didn’t care enough to stay in touch after you left for the Marines. He thinks you abandoned me.”

Cory’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a shadow of regret. He stopped walking, turning to face me. “I get it, Elena. And I don’t blame him. I owe your dad an apology—and maybe more than that. But I’m not going anywhere this time. I’ll prove to him I’m here for you, for Jake, for… us.”

His sincerity softened the knot in my chest, and I nodded. “I know you will. I just… I want you to be prepared.”

He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “We’ll handle it together, okay?”

“Okay,” I said, offering a small smile. “But after we tell your parents, I need to head home. I don’t want Jake left wondering where I am.”

“I understand,” Cory said, his tone gentle. “But promise me one thing—don’t tell Jake about the baby until we can do it together.”