Some things are worth the risk

From the last few days, the regularity of Lucas's visits had become a familiar routine. He stopped by at her house a lot this week, sometimes just to talk, and sometimes to play with Rachel. Unknowingly Bella found herself looking forward to these moments... however small they were.

The next evening, Lucas arrived at the door with a box of Bella's favorite pastries from a local bakery. He found out her favourites when they talked about their lives earlier.

"Hello, beautiful," he greeted, handing her the box with a grin.

Bella blushed, accepting it gratefully. "You didn't have to do this." Somehow hearing him call her beautiful make her feel butterflies in her belly.

"I wanted to," he replied, his gaze lingering on her face. "I know you've been working hard with everything lately, and thought this might help make the evening easier."

Rachel who was in the kitchen came running after hearing their voice, and when she saw the pastries, her eyes widened in excitement. "Yummy!"

"Are they for me?" she asked eagerly.

Lucas kneeled down to her height, playfully glancing over at Bella for approval. "Can we share, Miss Rachel?"

Rachel nodded solemnly. "Only if you give me the biggest one." With a laugh, Lucas picked out the biggest pastry, handing it to her. "Deal."

Bella watched them interact, her heart softening. She was starting to realize that these moments....these simple, unguarded exchanges....were becoming more precious to her than she cared to admit. He was becoming a part of her life each passing day, she wasn't complaining though.

Later that evening, they had their dinner, cooked by Bella. He also has developed a habit of having dinner with them. After Rachel had gone to bed, Bella and Lucas found themselves on the couch. The air between them was easy, but there was an underlying tension that neither of them could ignore.

"You know," Lucas began, his voice quieter than usual, "I think I'm getting used to this." "Used to what?" Bella asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"This," he said, gesturing to the empty space where Rachel's toys lay scattered, and the calm atmosphere of the evening. "Being around you. Being part of your life."

Bella felt her heart skip a beat, but she said nothing, simply nodding in acknowledgment. She wasn't sure what was happening between them, but she couldn't deny the quiet sense of comfort that had settled in her chest. She now loved the idea of carrying a child, if he is this caring for her.

"Do you ever feel... uncertain?" she asked. "About anything?"

He paused, then replied softly, "I feel uncertain every day. But I'm also learning to accept that some things are worth the risk." His words hold a deeper meaning to them.

Bella met his gaze, her heart racing. The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, the world outside of the two of them ceased to exist.