The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 126: Iris: Awakening

Chapter 126: Iris: Awakening

Hmmm. I feel stiff. It smells like chemicals in here. What is that beeping sound? Where is it coming from? I try to move my fingers, but they too feel like they’re stuck on something.

When I slowly open my eyes, the bright lights above feel blinding. I squint, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The sterile smell of antiseptic fills the air, and a faint beeping sound pulses rhythmically nearby. Confusion washes over me as I take in the white walls and the unfamiliar room.

As I turn my head, I see Lucas sitting in a chair beside me, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "Iris," he says softly, his voice breaking through the haze. "You’re awake."

"What happened?" I croak, my throat dry and scratchy. Panic surges through me as I notice the hospital gown I’m wearing. "Where am I?"

"You fainted," he explains gently, leaning closer. "You’re in the hospital. They said it was a combination of stress and exhaustion."

I try to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over me. "I fainted? How long have I been here?"

"Just a few hours," he reassures me, placing a hand on my arm. "The doctors wanted to keep you for observation. They’re running some tests, but everything seems okay now. I almost cried last night thinking you were dead from stress."

I suppress a laugh. "What happened?"

Then he goes into full blown mode explaining last nights events. Apparently, after I fainted, everyone went into panic mode, my dad, my mom, and my grandparents. They carried me outside and were about to put me into their car so they could take me to the hospital, but Lucas my grandma’s weeping and rushed to the scene.

Thank goodness he had waited outside for me. He was the one who did the rest of the work and led me here, whilst then others followed him.

"Everything’s okay?" I murmur, still trying to process everything. "But why do I feel so... strange?"

Lucas hesitates, his gaze dropping for a moment. "There’s something else you need to know."

The seriousness in his tone makes my heart race. "What is it? Please, just tell me."

Am I sick? Did they diagnose me with something that could kill, like...cancer?

He takes a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. "Iris, the doctors ran some tests when you got here. You...You’re pregnant."

Silence hangs in the air, and the world around me seems to tilt. "What?" I whisper, my mind reeling. "Pregnant? Are you sure?"

He nods, his expression earnest. "They confirmed it. You’re going to have a baby."

I stare at him, disbelief washing over me like a cold wave. "But... how? When? I didn’t even know! I don’t vomit of food like they say women do when they’re pregnant, and I don’t have any cravings. So how?"

"The doctors say it’s all luck we got to know this early, thanks to you fainting. Though I’m pretty sure you would have gone through all that soon. Are you okay with this?"

"What do you mean?" I scrunch my brows at him, shock settling in my bones like a chilling winter spell.

"I know it’s a lot to take in," he says, his voice soothing. "We’ve been together for a while now, and it makes sense. I just wish it hadn’t come at such a chaotic moment."

I feel a rush of emotions—confusion, fear, and a flicker of excitement. "What does this mean? How are we going to handle this? I don’t think I’m ready to be a mother. Not yet! How can I set a good example for a child when I’m a mess with my parents like this? I don’t want history to repeat itself."

Lucas squeezes my hand gently, grounding me amidst the whirlwind of thoughts. "Hey, hey. Calm down Iris. We’ll figure it out together. We’re a team, remember? I’m here for you, no matter what."

Tears well in my eyes as reality begins to set in. "I wasn’t ready for this. I didn’t even know how to handle my father coming back into my life, and now this... it’s overwhelming...too much. What if i make the same mistake and ruin my child’s life like my parents did? What if I’m stuck with her in an enclosed space and end up hurting her because of my nyctophobia? What if..."

"Shhh, calm down," Lucas cuts me, pulling me slowly into a hug and patting my back. "Breathe in and out, let it all out on me by hitting me if you like until you’re a bit settled."

How can I hit him? I breathe in and out like he suggested, closing my eyes to collect all the voices in my head and hush them.

"I understand," he says, his voice steady. "But we can take it one step at a time. We’ll talk to each other, figure out what we want, and how we can make this work."

I take a deep breath, trying to absorb everything. "What if my parents find out? What if my dad tries to come back into my life because of this? Wait, how do I deal with them now that I’m about to have a baby. Fuck, it’s all too much to bear."

Lucas frowns, concern etched on his face. "We’ll deal with that when it comes. Right now, focus on yourself and your health. You need to take care of you and the baby."

"The baby..." I whisper, the weight of the word sinking in. I feel a mixture of fear and protectiveness surge within me. "What if I’m not ready to be a parent?"

"None of us are ever fully ready," Lucas replies softly. "But we’ll learn together. Just like we’ve faced everything else. You’re not alone in this, Iris."

As his words settle in, I feel a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. "I want to be a good mother. I just don’t know how."

"We’ll find a way," he assures me. "We can talk to my father, seek advice, and even attend parenting classes. You have support, and I’ll be by your side every step of the way."

I nod slowly, feeling a mix of fear and determination. "Okay. I’ll try to focus on that."

Just then, the door to the room opens, and a nurse steps in with a bright smile. "Good to see you awake, Iris! How are you feeling?"

"A little overwhelmed," I admit, glancing at Lucas for support.

"That’s completely normal," the nurse says, checking the monitors beside my bed. "The doctor will be in shortly to discuss your test results and what to expect moving forward."

"Thank you," I reply, my voice still shaky.

The nurse smiles at me, her eyes lingering on us as she gives a nod of approval. "I can see you and the child are in great hands. He looks like he will make a good father once the child is born."

Lucas beams at her. "You bet I will."

As the nurse finishes her checks and leaves the room, I turn back to Lucas. "What if I can’t do this? What if I’m not strong enough?"

Goddamn even i know I’m annoying as fuck.

"You already are strong," he says, his eyes filled with conviction. "You’ve faced so much already, and you’ve come through it. This is just another challenge, and we’ll take it on together."

I take a deep breath, finding strength in his words. "Okay. I’ll try. But I need you to promise me something."

"Anything," he replies, leaning closer.

"Promise me you’ll be there for me, no matter what."

"I promise," he says firmly, his grip on my hand tightening. "You’re not alone in this, Iris. We’re in it together."

I lie in the hospital bed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I look at Lucas beside me. He’s holding my hand, his eyes filled with love and support. I’m sure now that he’ll be by my side every step of the way, through pregnancy and beyond.

"I know you’ll be an amazing father," I say, my voice filled with conviction. I can picture us as parents, navigating the ups and downs of parenthood together.

Lucas smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I’ll be here for you and our baby," he says. "We’ll do this together, as a team."

I feel a sense of gratitude towards him, knowing that I can count on him. I’m excited to start this new Chapter in our lives, and I know that with Lucas by my side, we can handle whatever comes our way.

The doctor comes in, a warm smile on her face. "Let’s discuss your prenatal care and get you set up for your pregnancy journey," she says walking towards Lucas and me.

I nod, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation for the first time since waking up. Lucas squeezes my hand, and I know that we’re in this together, every step of the way.