[ELARA'S POV]
November came cold and sharp. The trees in Central Park turned rust and gold before going bare. The city put up Christmas decorations too early like always. And I hit twelve weeks pregnant.
The morning sickness finally stopped. The exhaustion started to lift. I could eat without immediately regretting it.
And my belly started to show. Really show. Not just bloat. Actual baby bump.
I stood sideways in the bathroom mirror. Naked. Hands on the curve that hadn't been there two weeks ago.
"You're staring." Damian's voice came from the doorway.
I jumped. Turned. "I didn't hear you come in."
"You were focused." He crossed the bathroom. Came to stand behind me. His hands covered mine on my stomach. "Twelve weeks."
"Twelve weeks." I confirmed. "Second trimester. We made it through the danger zone."
"You made it through. I just watched."
