Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 145: A Heartbeat of Hope

Chapter 145: A Heartbeat of Hope

Lily and James walked into the hospital hand in hand, their steps in sync as they moved together. The steady rhythm of their movements seemed to mirror the emotions they both felt—nervous yet hopeful. Lily couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude that she had James by her side. Though there was a lingering nervousness in her mind, James’ reassuring presence made it easier to push those feelings aside. She stole a glance at him, the man who had been her rock through so many challenges, and felt her heart swell with appreciation.

As they entered the building, a pair of doctors greeted them with kind smiles. Their professionalism put Lily at ease, but there was still a fluttering of nerves in her stomach. The doctors guided them toward the elevator, their voices soft but full of confidence. Lily followed quietly, her gaze drifting to the polished floors of the hospital as she took in the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings.

As the elevator doors slid shut, Lily broke the silence with a soft laugh. It felt good to release some of the tension in the air, even if only for a moment. "I wonder how Mira managed to cope with all of this," she said, her voice light but with an underlying tone of wonder. "I can’t believe I’m already so nervous, and I’m only two months and a week pregnant. Just imagine how I’ll be at six or seven months!"

Her voice held a mix of humor and worry, the uncertainty of the future hanging in the air. James met her gaze with a gentle smile that reached his eyes, making her feel like everything would be okay, no matter what. He chuckled softly, his deep voice calm and reassuring.

"It’s step by step," he said, his words steady and confident. "It’s a natural process. You don’t have to worry—I’m here for you. No matter what happens, we’re in this together."

Those words warmed Lily’s heart, and a smile lit up her face as she looked at him. It was as though all the fears and doubts she had been holding onto began to dissipate in the face of his unwavering support. "Thank you so much for being such a caring and understanding old man," she teased lightly, her tone affectionate. Her eyes sparkled with affection, the playful jab a sign of how comfortable she felt with him.

James nodded, a quiet laugh escaping him at the nickname she had given him. The moment between them was filled with a calm warmth, a sense of peace that made everything feel more manageable. Just then, the elevator chimed softly, signaling their arrival at the designated floor. The soft ding of the elevator was a small reminder that this moment was one step closer to becoming real, to bringing their dream of parenthood into focus.

As they stepped out of the elevator, a nurse arrived to greet them. Her smile was warm and genuine, and she immediately led James and Lily down a hallway toward a specific room. Lily followed closely behind, her heart still racing with anticipation. She glanced around nervously, her mind filled with a million thoughts, but the nurse’s kind demeanor helped to calm her a little.

Inside the room, James took a seat beside the bed, his presence offering comfort, while Lily stood for a moment, her hands nervously smoothing out the fabric of her shirt. She was acutely aware of how small and fragile everything felt in that moment. Moments later, the doctor entered with a reassuring smile, and Lily could feel her nerves spiking again.

"Mrs. Lily, please lay down on the bed," the doctor instructed gently, her voice soft and calming as she gestured toward the bed.

Lily nodded with a soft smile, trying to mask her anxiety as she walked toward the bed. She lowered herself carefully onto the soft surface, the quiet rustle of the sheets almost deafening in the stillness of the room. As she settled in, James moved to her side, helping her lie back comfortably. His touch was gentle, his hand holding hers as though to anchor her in the moment. His presence was a quiet comfort, the kind of reassurance only he could provide.

The doctor watched them with a soft smile, a look of understanding in her eyes. It was clear to her that this was a couple deeply in love, and the calm presence of the father only confirmed it. The doctor’s own smile deepened as she observed the quiet connection between them, a feeling of warmth spreading through the room. She had seen countless couples go through similar moments, but there was something undeniably special about this one.

"Now, the examination will begin," the doctor said softly, her voice steady and professional.

Lily nodded again, her nervousness slightly eased by James’s presence. He squeezed her hand, offering reassurance without needing to say a word. The doctor prepared the equipment, her movements calm and efficient, as though this was just another routine check-up. But for Lily, this moment was anything but routine. This was the moment she would hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. It was the moment that would make everything real.

The doctor turned to Lily with a reassuring smile as she adjusted the ultrasound machine beside the bed. "Let’s begin," she said warmly.

Lily took a deep breath as the doctor gently applied a cool gel to her abdomen. The sudden chill made her flinch slightly, but she quickly relaxed as James gave her hand a comforting squeeze. His gaze never left her face, his eyes full of tenderness as he silently communicated his support. "It’s okay," he whispered softly, his voice steady and grounding.

Lily nodded, her breath steadying as the doctor moved the transducer across her stomach. She couldn’t help but watch as the black-and-white image began to form on the screen. It was both strange and beautiful to see that little flicker of life inside of her. The image was a blur of shapes at first, but it slowly started to come into focus. The sound of the ultrasound machine hums softly in the background, filling the silence between them.

"There we go," the doctor said softly, her tone full of warmth and kindness. "Let’s take a look at your baby."

James’s grip on Lily’s hand tightened slightly as the sound of a steady heartbeat filled the room. The rhythmic thump-thump was clear and unmistakable, and Lily felt tears welling up in her eyes. She turned to James, her heart swelling as she saw the awe in his eyes. His gaze was fixed on the screen, his expression a mixture of wonder and joy.

"That’s... our baby?" James asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as though speaking any louder might shatter the magic of the moment.

The doctor nodded, smiling brightly. "Yes, that’s your baby. Everything looks great so far. A strong heartbeat and good growth."

Lily laughed softly through her tears, a mixture of joy and disbelief in her voice. "I can’t believe it... It feels so real now."

James leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. His lips lingered for a moment before he pulled back slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness. "You’re amazing," he murmured, his voice filled with awe and love.

The doctor finished the examination, wiping away the gel from Lily’s abdomen before handing her a printout of the ultrasound image. "You’re doing great, Lily. Just keep following the advice I gave you, and we’ll see you again in a few weeks for the next check-up."

Lily sat up slowly, her heart still racing from the moment of hearing their baby’s heartbeat. She glanced at James, who was still gazing at the ultrasound image on the screen, his eyes filled with wonder and love. It was as though he was memorizing every detail, holding onto this moment forever.

"Can you believe it?" Lily whispered, her voice soft with awe. "We’re really having a baby."

James turned to her, his eyes tender and full of emotion. "It’s unbelievable," he said, taking her hand in his. "But I’m so happy. I’m so grateful that we’re doing this together."

Lily smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. She had always dreamed of this moment, but now that it was finally happening, it felt like a dream come true. The sound of their baby’s heartbeat still echoed in her mind, comforting and reassuring her that everything was going to be okay. The fears that had once loomed so large felt smaller now, washed away by the joy of knowing they were bringing a new life into the world.

After a few quiet moments, the nurse returned, handing them a printout. "Here are the vitamins and vegetables you’ll need for the next stage of your pregnancy," she said, her tone warm and professional. "Please make sure to follow these recommendations to keep you and the baby healthy."

Lily took the sheet from the nurse, her fingers brushing James’s as she did. She looked down at the list, her eyes scanning the foods and supplements. It felt like a responsibility—a promise she made to the little life growing inside of her. She nodded thoughtfully as she examined the list, already planning how to ensure that she and the baby stayed healthy through the coming months.

"Thank you," she said, her voice steady, yet tinged with gratitude.

The nurse smiled warmly. "You’re welcome. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call."

Once the nurse left, the room was quiet again, and it was just Lily and James. The calm that had settled over the room felt like a warm embrace, the kind of peace that only comes when you know you’re exactly where you need to be.

Lily leaned back on the bed, feeling a peaceful calm settle over her. She reached out for James’s hand, pulling him close. "Thank you for being here with me," she said softly. "I don’t think I could do this without you."

James sat beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, his presence a constant source of strength. "You’re not alone, Lily," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "We’re in this together, every step of the way."

The two of them sat in the quiet, content in the moment they shared, knowing that their journey into parenthood had just begun. The future felt a little less uncertain now, and a little more filled with hope. Their love for each other—and for the baby they were about to welcome into the world—was all that mattered in that moment.

James smiled, his eyes full of emotion as he spoke. "I would forever be grateful for having you."

Lily smiled, her heart overflowing with love. "Me too," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.