Chapter 11: Tea
1134 Words
The warm October sun is still high as Ryan and I step out of the clinic, both of us riding the emotional high of what we just experienced. It feels surreal, like the world has shifted ever so slightly, bringing a quiet sense of joy that wasn’t there before. We’re having a daughter. A little girl. The thought keeps circling in my mind, filling me with a soft kind of awe.
As we walk toward the parking lot, Ryan suddenly stops, turning to me with a small, hopeful smile. "Tess, would you like to grab tea? There’s a little café not far from here. I think it’d be nice to just... talk."
For a moment, I hesitate. Tea with Ryan feels like a big step, but then again, after everything we’ve just been through in that exam room, it also feels right. We have a lot to talk about, our daughter, our future, whatever that looks like.
I nod. "Tea sounds nice."
The café Ryan suggests is a quaint little place, nestled on a quiet corner of town. It’s the kind of spot that feels cozy and unpretentious, with warm lighting and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. We settle into a table by the window, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. It’s one of those silences that feels heavy with unspoken words, but not uncomfortable. Just... thoughtful.
Ryan breaks the quiet first. "I still can’t believe it. A daughter." He shakes his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I keep thinking about what she’ll look like. Do you think she’ll have your eyes?"
I laugh softly, sipping my tea. "Maybe. Or she could have your stubborn streak."
He grins at that. "Touché. Though, if she gets your determination, she’ll be unstoppable."
There’s a warmth in his words that makes me smile despite myself. For all the hurt and confusion between us, in this moment, we’re just two soon-to-be parents, imagining the future of the little girl we’re bringing into the world.
"Have you thought about names?" he asks, leaning back in his chair.
I pause, my fingers tracing the rim of my cup. "A little... but nothing feels quite right yet. I guess I was waiting until I knew if it was a boy or a girl."
"Yeah," Ryan says, nodding thoughtfully. "I haven’t really thought about it either. But now that we know... it feels more real, doesn’t it? Like, we’re really going to be parents. We’re going to have this tiny little human depending on us."
I smile at the thought, though there’s still a weight that comes with it. "It’s overwhelming, in a way. I just... I want to do everything right. For her."
Ryan’s gaze softens, and he reaches across the table, resting his hand over mine. "Tess, you’re going to be an amazing mother. I have no doubt about that."
His words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I feel my throat tighten with emotion. "Thank you," I whisper. "I guess I’m just... scared."
"I am too," he admits, his thumb gently brushing my hand. "But I’m here, Tess. I want to be part of this, part of her life. I know I’ve messed up before, but I’m not going to let her down. I promise."
The sincerity in his voice tugs at something deep inside me, but I still can’t let my guard down completely. "I believe you will be a good day to her," I say softly, choosing my words carefully. "And You will have to be there for her always."
He nods, his expression serious. "I know. And I know I have to earn your trust again. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Not just for her, but for us, too."
There’s a part of me that wants to believe him, to believe that this time will be different. But the past still lingers in the back of my mind, a reminder of all the times we’ve tried and failed. "One step at a time," I say, more to myself than to him.
Ryan smiles, though it’s tinged with a hint of sadness. "One step at a time," he agrees.
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the world go by outside the window. The café is quiet, with only a few other patrons scattered at nearby tables. It feels like a little bubble of calm, away from the complications of the real world.
"So," Ryan says after a few moments, his tone lightening, "do you think she will like sports? Maybe she will be into football, like her dad?"
I raise an eyebrow, smirking. "Or maybe she will be more of a bookworm, like her mom."
He chuckles. "Fair enough. Either way, I just hope she’s happy."
"Me too," I say, and for the first time in a while, the future doesn’t seem so daunting. There’s still so much we don’t know, so much we will have to figure out. But sitting here, sharing tea with Ryan and talking about our daughter, it feels... manageable.
As the afternoon light filters through the window, casting a soft glow over the café, Ryan leans forward slightly, his expression serious again. "I know we have a lot to figure out, Tess. But I want to be there for everything, the appointments, the baby’s first steps, the sleepless nights... all of it."
His words hang in the air between us, and for a moment, I let myself believe that maybe he really does mean it. Maybe this time, things could be different.
"I will hold you to that," I say, my voice quiet but firm.
He smiles, that familiar, boyish grin that used to make my heart skip a beat. "Good. I want you to."
We finish our tea, the conversation drifting to lighter topics, nursery colours, baby clothes, the logistics of baby-proofing a house. It’s nice, talking like this, planning in a way that feels hopeful instead of heavy.
As we step outside into the crisp autumn air, Ryan turns to me, his eyes warm. "Thank you for today, Tess. I know it wasn’t easy, but I’m really glad we did this."
"Me too," I admit, feeling a small smile tug at my lips.
He hesitates for a moment, then says, "Can I give you a ride home?"
I think about it for a second before nodding. "Sure."
As we walk to his car, side by side, I feel a strange sense of peace settle over me. We still have a long road ahead, but for now, in this moment, things feel... okay. Maybe even more than okay. And as I glance over at Ryan, I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope that, somehow, we’ll figure this out. Together.
- Writer
