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I stop in my tracks, causing her to pause too. “Hey,” I say softly, gently touching her arm. “Are you okay?”

Blossom blinks, and for a moment, I don’t think she’s going to say anything.

Then, suddenly, her eyes brim with tears.

My heart sinks as I watch her struggle to hold it together, and before I know it, the tears start to fall, one by one.

“Noah…” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I don’t know what’s happening anymore.”

I drop the bags at my sides, immediately pulling her into my arms. She crumbles against me, and I hold her tighter, smoothing her hair with one hand, not knowing what to say but needing to be there for her.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “I’m here, Blossom. I’m right here.”

Her sobs come in waves, and I don’t try to stop them. I just let her cry, giving her space to release whatever it is that’s weighing so heavily on her heart.

I feel the strain in her body, the way she’s holding onto me, and I realize this isn’t just about the pregnancy or the babies—it’s deeper than that.

Blossom pulls away after a few moments, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, trying to compose herself. But I can still feel the heaviness of her emotions hanging in the air, and I gently lift her chin, making her look at me.

“I’m just...so overwhelmed,” she says through shaky breaths. “Everything’s changing so quickly. My body, the way it’s changing.Us, Noah. I don’t want to make things harder for you. I don’t want to demand too much from you. I’m scared that…that I’m asking too much, and I’ll end up pushing you away. I don’t want you to get sick of me.”

The words break something inside me, and I reach for her, pulling her back into my arms. I feel her body tremble against mine, her head resting on my chest, and I kiss the top of her head softly.

“Blossom,” I say gently, my voice steady and warm. “I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to worry about that. I’m not running from you, from us. And I definitely don’t think you’reasking too much. You’re carrying three babies. Youhaveto ask for help. You’re doing the hardest job in the world right now.”

Her sobs have slowed, and I feel her shake her head slightly.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper, tightening my embrace. “I’m here for all of it. I’m here foryou.”

She sighs, her body relaxing against mine, and I feel the tension ease between us. She doesn’t have to say anything else; the weight of her fears has lifted, at least for now.

Blossom pulls away, wiping her eyes and shaking her head. “I don’t know, Noah. You say that, but I’m scared. My dad left. And I know you’re not like him, but…I just don’t know how to trust this. I can’t shake the feeling that you’re going to leave, too. And I’ll be here, alone, with three babies.”

Her words hit me like a punch, and I feel my chest tighten. I’m not going to let her go through this alone, but I can see the fear in her eyes. I reach out, pulling her back into my arms.

“Listen to me,” I say, my voice firm and sincere. “I’m not like your dad. I’m serious. I’m not going anywhere, Blossom. You couldn’t keep me out of these babies’ lives even if you tried. I’m ready to be a father. And I couldn’t think of a better woman to be the mother of my kids. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and more.”

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. But I see something shift in her expression, a flicker of hope.

“You’re not alone in this,” I whisper, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. “Youneverhave to be alone again.”

Blossom takes a shaky breath, then nods, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Okay,” she whispers. “Okay.”

We stand there for a moment, just holding each other, and I can feel the weight of everything finally shifting. Blossom’s starting to believe me, I can tell. The tension between us has melted, and in its place is a quiet understanding.

We pull away and head into the baby store, the neon signs in the windows flickering as we walk past. I grab a cart for us, and I notice her smiling at all the baby clothes hanging neatly before us on tiny little hangers. I can see her excitement, and it’s infectious.

“Hey,” I say, slipping my arm around her waist, “why don’t you pull out your phone? We can start your baby registry today.”

Blossom looks at me, her smile soft and full of affection. “Yeah, let’s do it. Let’s get everything we need for our babies on here.”

As she starts tapping away on her phone, I can’t help but think how perfectly everything is falling into place.

We’ve still got challenges ahead, but I know we’ll face them together.

And I’m ready for whatever comes next.

Chapter Twenty-Five