Updated Dec 29, 2025 • ~6 min read
They didn’t go on a traditional honeymoon. Instead, they took Leo to the beach for a week.
“This is perfect,” Tessa said, watching Liam build sandcastles with their son.
“You sure? We could’ve gone somewhere tropical. Just the two of us.”
“And miss this? Never.” She gestured to Leo, who was shrieking with joy as waves chased him. “This is what I want. All of us. Together.”
Liam kissed her temple. “I love you, Mrs. Thorne.”
She still wasn’t used to that name. Mrs. Thorne. Tessa Brooks-Thorne. Wife.
“I love you too.”
Leo ran over, soaking wet. “Mama! Daddy! Look what I found!” He held up a shell.
“That’s beautiful, baby. Should we save it?”
“Yes! For our collection! We can put it on the shelf with all my other shells!”
After Leo ran back to the water, Liam turned to Tessa. “Our collection. He said ‘our.’ Like—like we’re a unit.”
“We are a unit.”
“I know. It’s just—it’s still hitting me sometimes. That this is real. That we’re—we’re a family. Officially.”
“Having regrets?”
“Not possible. I just—I spent so long imagining this. Imagining being your husband. Leo’s father. And now that I have it, it’s—it’s almost too good to be true.”
“It’s real. I promise.”
“Good. Because I’m never letting go.”
That week was pure happiness. Beach days. Ice cream. Late-night talks after Leo fell asleep. Making love to the sound of waves. Just—just being. Together. As a family.
On their last night, they sat on the beach watching the sunset.
“I don’t want to go back,” Tessa said.
“Me neither. But real life is pretty good too.”
“True. Real life has Rose’s cooking. And Julian’s terrible jokes. And Leo’s preschool art projects covering our fridge.”
“See? Real life is perfect.”
“Yeah. It is.”
Back home, reality hit quickly. Liam had work. Tessa had freelance deadlines. Leo had preschool.
But it was good. Normal. The kind of busy that felt full instead of overwhelming.
“We’re domestic,” Tessa said one morning, packing Leo’s lunch while Liam made coffee.
“Is that bad?”
“No. Just—just different. A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined this. And now it’s just—just life.”
“Good life?”
“The best life.”
A month after the wedding, Tessa realized something was off.
She was tired. More than usual. Nauseous in the mornings. Her period was late. Very late.
“No,” she whispered, staring at the calendar. “No no no no.”
But she knew. Deep down, she knew.
She was pregnant.
She took the test in the Target bathroom. Couldn’t wait until she got home. Had to know.
Positive.
Two pink lines. Just like last time.
Tessa sat on the toilet lid, staring at the test, trying to process.
Pregnant. Again. Four years after Leo. Three months after getting married.
This should be happy news. They were married. Stable. Ready for this.
So why did she feel terrified?
Because last time, pregnancy had meant secrets. Lies. Running away. Everything falling apart.
But this time was different. She was married. Liam was here. They were—they were together.
This was good news. Right?
She called Julian.
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted when he answered.
Silence. Then: “Okay. And you’re calling me because…?”
“Because I’m freaking out and I don’t know what to do.”
“Does Liam know?”
“Not yet. I just took the test ten minutes ago. In a Target bathroom.”
“Classy.”
“Jules, I’m serious. What do I do?”
“You tell your husband. Who will be thrilled. Because he loves you and Leo and of course he’ll love another baby. Stop freaking out.”
“But what if—what if it’s too soon? What if we’re not ready? What if—”
“Tess. Stop. You’re ready. You’re married. You’re happy. This is good news. So take a breath, go home, and tell Liam. He’s going to be excited.”
“You think?”
“I know. Now go. And text me later. I want to know how he reacts.”
Tessa drove home in a daze. Hid the test in her purse. Waited until Leo was in bed.
“We need to talk,” she said, sitting beside Liam on the couch.
He muted the TV. “That sounds ominous.”
“It’s not. I don’t think. Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Tessa, you’re rambling.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence. Complete, total silence.
Then: “What?”
“Pregnant. I took a test today. It’s positive. We’re—we’re having a baby.”
More silence. Liam just stared at her.
“Say something,” she begged.
“We’re having a baby.”
“Yes.”
“Another baby. A second kid.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re—you’re pregnant. Right now.”
“Yes, Liam. That’s generally how babies work.”
A smile broke across his face. “We’re having a baby!”
He pulled her into his arms, laughing. Actually laughing.
“You’re happy?” Tessa asked, relief flooding through her.
“Are you kidding? I’m thrilled! Tess, this is—this is amazing! Leo’s going to be a big brother. We’re—we’re having another baby!”
“You’re not upset?”
“Why would I be upset?”
“Because it’s fast. We just got married. Leo’s only three. Maybe we should’ve waited—”
“Or maybe this is perfect. Maybe—maybe this is exactly what we’re supposed to have. Another baby. Another piece of our family. Tessa, I love you. I love Leo. And I’m going to love this baby too. So much. I’m—I’m so happy right now.”
Tears streamed down her face. “I was so scared to tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because last time—last time I got pregnant, everything fell apart. I ran. I hid. I—I lost years with you because I was too scared to face it. And I thought—I thought maybe I’d feel that way again. That fear. That panic. But Liam—I’m not scared this time. I’m excited. I want this baby. Want—want to do it right. Together. From the beginning.”
“We will. All of it. Doctor’s appointments. Ultrasounds. Decorating the nursery. Teaching Leo to be a big brother. Everything. Together.”
“Together,” she agreed.
“When do we tell Leo?”
“After the first ultrasound? Make sure everything’s okay first?”
“Good plan.” He kissed her. “We’re having another baby.”
“We are.”
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
They sat on the couch, his hand on her still-flat stomach, imagining their future.
Two kids. A full house. Even more chaos. Even more love.
It was perfect. Overwhelming. Terrifying. Amazing.
Everything.
And this time, Tessa wasn’t facing it alone. She had Liam. Had their family. Had—had everything she needed.
They’d do this together. All of it. The hard parts and the beautiful parts and everything in between.
Together.
Forever.
Just like they promised.
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