The smell of freshly baked pizza filled the air as Alessia and Theo sat at the dining table, surrounded by the comforting glow of the overhead lights. They had worked hard all day decorating the nursery, and Alessia had declared herself too tired to cook.
“Pizza solves everything,” Alessia said, grabbing a slice of margherita and sighing with satisfaction as she took a bite.
Theo, halfway through his second slice of pepperoni, grinned. “You’re not wrong. Though I think I earned at least half of this pie after assembling that crib.”
Alessia laughed, leaning back in her chair. “You mean after you nearly turned it into a bookshelf? Yes, I agree, you deserve it.”
Theo feigned a look of mock offense. “Hey, I got it done, didn’t I? And it looks great!”
“It does,” Alessia admitted, reaching for another slice. “Our little girl is going to love it. Or at least, I will.”
Theo raised his soda bottle in a mock toast. “Here’s to us, the best parents-to-be who will somehow figure this out as we go.”
Alessia clinked her glass of sparkling water against his. “Cheers to that.”
As the evening wore on, they fell into their usual rhythm of banter. Alessia wiped some sauce from her lips, narrowing her eyes at Theo. “You have cheese on your face,” she said.
Theo immediately rubbed at his chin. “Here?”
“No, higher,” Alessia said, trying to keep a straight face. “Nope, still there. Keep going.”
After a few more exaggerated attempts, Alessia burst out laughing. “Gotcha! There was nothing there.”
Theo groaned, shaking his head. “You’re mean. And I thought pregnant women were supposed to be sweet and glowing.”
“I am glowing,” Alessia said, gesturing to her belly. “This is what radiant looks like.”
“You’re glowing, alright,” Theo teased. “Like a pizza oven.”
“Rude!” Alessia exclaimed, throwing a balled-up napkin at him. “I’m eating for two here.”
Theo caught the napkin and grinned. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
After finishing her third slice, Alessia leaned back and let out a content sigh. “I need a break. All that pizza is sitting heavy. Be right back.”
Theo watched her waddle toward the bathroom, a small smile on his lips. He started clearing the table, humming to himself, when a piercing scream shattered the quiet of the evening.
“Theo!” Alessia yelled, her voice high-pitched and frantic.
He froze, dropping the pizza box. “Alessia?” he called, rushing toward the bathroom.
When he reached her, he found her standing just outside the bathroom door, clutching the doorframe with wide eyes. A puddle of water glistened on the floor beneath her.
“My water just broke!” Alessia shouted, her voice laced with panic.
Theo blinked, his brain struggling to catch up. “Wait. Are you sure? Like, sure sure?”
Alessia glared at him. “Theo, do you think I spilled my sparkling water on myself? Yes, I’m sure!”
“Okay, okay,” Theo said, holding up his hands as if to calm her down—and himself. “Don’t panic.”
“I’m not panicking!” Alessia snapped, though her voice betrayed her nerves. “You’re panicking!”
“I’m not panicking!” Theo insisted, though his wide eyes said otherwise. “I’m… preparing.”
“Preparing for what?” Alessia asked, clutching her belly as a contraction rippled through her. “She’s coming, Theo! We need to get to the hospital!”
Theo sprang into action, helping Alessia toward the door. “Okay, okay. Hospital bag. Where’s the hospital bag?”
“In the nursery!” Alessia said, wincing through another contraction. “Hurry, Theo!”
He darted into the nursery, nearly tripping over the rug in his haste, and grabbed the neatly packed bag they’d prepared weeks ago. When he returned, Alessia was gripping the back of the couch, her breaths coming quick and shallow.
“Deep breaths,” Theo coached, mimicking the technique he’d seen in their birthing class. “In through the nose, out through the mouth.”
“Stop breathing at me and get me to the car!” Alessia snapped, her voice rising as another contraction hit.
“Right. Car. Let’s go.” Theo gently helped her out the door, holding her arm as they made their way to the driveway. He opened the passenger door, and Alessia climbed in, gripping the armrest tightly.
As Theo buckled her seatbelt, she gave him a look. “Drive fast, Theo. But not so fast that we get pulled over.”
“Got it,” he said, nodding seriously. “Fast but legal. I can do that.”