A LOVE FORGOTTEN

PROMISES

Some days after, Emily sat in the quiet hospital room, the soft hum of the machines punctuating the stillness. Outside the window, the world moved on—cars sped by, the wind rustled through trees, and the faint chatter of passersby reached her ears. But inside, time seemed to stand still. The small bassinet beside her bed held a tiny miracle, bundled tightly in a pastel blanket. The baby's delicate features—his tiny nose, rosebud lips, and soft tufts of hair—seemed almost too perfect to be real.

Her heart ached in a strange mixture of joy and sorrow. She reached out, tracing the gentle curve of the baby's cheek with her fingertip. Ethan would have been so proud, she thought, her throat tightening. Her chest felt heavy as memories of him washed over her.

She could almost hear his voice, warm and teasing, from the countless times they'd talked about the future. One moment stood out, vivid and clear. It had been after one of their most intimate nights together. Their bodies had been intertwined, the world outside forgotten. Ethan had held her close after making her cum twice with his mouth, he draped himself over her and slipped his tongue dripping with her juices into her mouth and she moaned, wrapping her legs around his hips, he slipped his cock into her pussy and rocked gently. She moaned his name and he went groaned. Lifting one of her legs over his shoulder to get a better angle, he plunged deeper into her and she almost came right there with the new spot he was hitting. Her head tilted from left to right with delirious need, his lips brushing her temple as he whispered, "I can't wait until there's a mini-you-and-me running around. If it's a boy we will name him Alexander after my grandfather and if it's a girl we name her Alina. They'll have your smile and my stubbornness." Emily chuckled in his face and said, "yeah right".

And now, here he was—their "mini" Ethan, sleeping soundly by her side. Except Ethan wasn't here to see him. The thought hit her like a wave, stealing her breath. Tears blurred her vision as she leaned back against the pillows, letting them fall unchecked. How had they gotten here? How had life been so cruel to them, leaving her to navigate this overwhelming moment alone? He had promised—promised—to always be there. To watch her grow as a mother, to share sleepless nights and diaper disasters, to celebrate the first smiles and first steps.

Emily's mind replayed Ethan's promises, her heart holding onto them as if they were the anchor keeping her steady. He had been so earnest, so sure. "No matter what, Em, I'll always be there for you—for us. For the family we're going to have someday."

Her gaze dropped back to the baby cradled in her arms, his tiny hand curling instinctively around her finger. A faint smile touched her lips. "He would have loved you, Alex," she murmured softly. "He's going to love you in all the ways I already see coming. He'll be the best dad in the world."

The ache in her chest eased as she thought of the future they could still build, a life where Ethan's love and devotion would guide them both. She closed her eyes briefly, drawing strength from the warmth of that thought.

One day, when Alex was older and ready, she would tell him everything—about his father, his love for her, and the sacrifices he made for them. If Alex wanted his father in his life, she vowed she would never stand in the way of that bond. For now, though, she would carry Ethan's promises forward and nurture the love he had planted in her heart.