Page 111 of Worth the Fall

Miguel smirks at me from across the net, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Your serve, hermosa. Let's see what you've got."

Oh, it's on. I square my shoulders, my grip tightening on the paddle. I toss the ball up, my arm poised to strike…

And then the world tilts sideways.

A wave of dizziness washes over me, so sudden and intense that I stumble, the paddle slipping from my fingers. The ground seems to shift beneath my feet, and for a moment, I'm sure I'm going to face-plant right there on the court.

But then strong arms are around me, steadying me. Miguel. His face swims into focus, etched with concern.

"Mia? Are you alright?" His voice sounds far away, muffled by the ringing in my ears.

"I… I don't know," I manage, blinking hard to clear the spots from my vision. "I just got really dizzy all of a sudden."

Felicity appears at my side, her little face pinched with worry. "Are you okay, Mia? Do you need a Band-Aid?"

I force a smile, though it feels more like a grimace. "I'm okay, sweetie. Just a little tired, I think."

Miguel's brow furrows, his hand coming up to feel my forehead. "You don't feel warm, but you're pale as a sheet. Maybe we should get you checked out, just to be safe."

"No, no, I'm fine," I insist, trying to wave him off. "I just need to sit down for a minute."

But even as I say it, another wave of dizziness hits me, and I sway on my feet. Miguel's arm tightens around my waist, his other hand cupping my face.

"Mia, please. Let's just go to the ER, get you looked at." His eyes search mine, pleading. "For me. For our family."

Our family. The words echo in my head, and suddenly, I can't hold it in anymore. Tears sting my eyes, and a sob rises in my throat.

"Miguel, I'm pregnant," I blurt out, my voice cracking on the last word. "That's why I've been so weird lately, why I've been trying to tell you something. I'm pregnant."

For a moment, he just stares at me, his eyes wide, his mouth slightly agape. And then, slowly, a grin spreads across his face, so bright and joyful that it takes my breath away.

"You… we… really?" he breathes, his hand sliding down to rest on my still-flat stomach.

I nod, a watery laugh escaping my lips. "Really. We're having a baby."

My heart is pounding as I watch the realization dawn on his face. For a moment, he's completely still, his dark eyes wide with wonder. Then his hands come up to frame my face, and the tenderness in his touch nearly undoes me.

"A baby?" he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. "We're having a baby?"

I nod, tears threatening to spill over. "We are."

His lips crash into mine, and suddenly I'm being lifted and spun around as his laugh echoes around us. When he sets me down, his hands immediately go to my stomach, protective and possessive all at once.

"I love you," he breathes against my mouth. "God, Mia, I love you so much." Felicity dances around us, squealing with delight even though she has no idea what's going on.

And me? I'm laughing and crying all at once, my heart so full it feels like it might burst.

This isn't how I planned it. It isn't the perfect, carefully orchestrated moment I had in my head.

But somehow, it's better. Because it's real, and it's us, and it's the start of a whole new adventure.

Later that evening, after the hubbub has died down and the news has been shared with family and friends, Miguel and I sit on the couch, my feet in his lap and a pint of celebratory ice cream balanced on my stomach. Felicity is sprawled out on the floor, diligently coloring a picture that she insists will be a present for the baby.

"See?" she says, holding up the paper for us to inspect. "It's our family. There's Daddy, and there's you, and there's me, and there's the baby in your tummy." She points to each stick figure in turn, beaming with pride.

"It's beautiful,cariño," Miguel assures her, his voice thick with emotion. "The baby is going to love it."

She nods sagely, returning to her masterpiece with renewed focus. I catch Miguel watching her, his eyes soft and wistful.

---