Submitting to my Ex Uncle

Hi, Shawndra_Robinson, I don’t know if you’ve gotten to this Chapter, but a big shout out to you. Thank you so much for the privilege unlocks 🥹.

I appreciate you. This Chapter is for you!

...

Celeste pressed a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes. She had managed to get Amara to bed.

Her breathing had evened out, not quite peaceful, but less shattered. Celeste sat at the edge of the bed, watching her for a moment, before her vision tilted slightly. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

A quiet dizziness crawled through her.

She steadied herself, exhaling slowly. It has been happening for days now. Not really noticeable, but it happened.

She pressed her palm harder against her temple, swallowing back the wave of nausea that rose in her throat.

"Celeste?"

Amara’s voice came out faintly, and drowsy, as she stirred.

Celeste forced a small smile. "Go back to sleep, love."

Amara blinked, still half-dreaming. "You’re not fine?" She questioned, noticing.

Celeste tried to chuckle. "I am just tired. My body’s probably catching up on all the times I told it not to. Also, Dominic just texted."

Amara’s eyes softened. "You haven’t eaten tonight,"

Celeste looked down at the untouched tray on the nightstand. "Neither have you."

Amara smiled faintly. "Eat with me, then."

Celeste hesitated before shaking her head. "You need the food more. I might just throw it up. I threw up last night, and earlier today."

Amara sat up a little. "Throw up?" she repeated, her brow furrowing.

Celeste rubbed her palms over her thighs, uneasy. "It’s probably nothing. I’ve just been... off. My body hates me sometimes."

"Off how?"

Celeste shrugged. "Headaches. Fatigue. The nausea comes and goes." She tried to wave it away, but Amara’s gaze stayed fixed on her, thoughtful and unblinking.

The silence stretched.

And then, quietly Amara said, "Celeste... you don’t think—"

Celeste frowned. "Don’t think what?"

Amara set the fork sge just picked up down slowly. Her tone came out almost too hesitant. "That you might be pregnant?"

Celeste froze. For a moment, it was as though the whole room forgot how to breathe. Then she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Impossible," she said, her voice steady but her pulse wasn’t. "I take my pills religiously."

Amara tilted her head. "Even religious people miss church sometimes."

Celeste blinked, startled by the gentleness of her words. "No, I— I would know," she said again, almost to herself.

Amara didn’t argue. She just stood, walked across the dim room to her dresser, and pulled open the top drawer. When she came back, she was holding something small and white in her hand.

Celeste looked down at it.

The pregnancy kit glinted faintly under the lamplight. It was ordinary and terrifying all at once.

Celeste’s throat tightened. "Amara, no."

"Just to be sure," Amara said softly.

"I told you—"

"I know what you told me," Amara interrupted, her voice calm, and quiet. "But I also know you. And I know that sometimes you’re so busy that you forget to notice what your body’s been trying to tell you."

Celeste stared at the kit like it might burn her. "It’s not possible," she whispered.

Amara placed it gently on the bed. "Then it’ll tell you that."

Celeste didn’t move. Her hand trembled slightly as she tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "What if it says something else?"

"Then we’ll handle it together," Amara said simply.

Celeste let out a shaky laugh, wiping a tear she didn’t remember shedding. "I’m scared, Amara. What if it changes everything?"

Amara’s voice softened. "Then let it change you for the better."

Celeste looked at her friend. And slowly, she nodded.

"Stay with me?"

"I am. We’ll be together," Amara said, standing.

They walked together to the bathroom. The air was quiet, thick with the scent of soap and faint lemon from earlier cleaning. The tile was cold under their feet. Celeste’s reflection looked pale, her eyes wide and uncertain.

Her hands trembled as she unwrapped the test. "I can’t believe this," she whispered.

Amara turned on the faucet, just enough for the running water to fill the silence. "Believe it later," she said gently. "Just breathe now."

Minutes passed in aching stillness. Celeste did what she had to do, then set the test down on the counter. Her heart was pounding so loud it felt like it filled the room.

They sat side by side on the cold floor, with their knees touching.

Celeste stared at the closed door of the cabinet beneath the sink. "Do you ever think life gets tired of surprising us?"

Amara smiled faintly, her eyes distant with memories. "Maybe it surprises us so we don’t stop feeling alive."

When the timer on Celeste’s phone buzzed softly, she didn’t move. Her pulse fluttered in her throat. "I can’t look," she whispered.

Amara squeezed her hand. "Don’t worry, I will."

She stood up, and moved towards the kit. She leaned forward, and her breath caught.

Celeste heard it before she saw it.

Amara turned. Her eyes were soft, with small tears shining in them. "Two lines."

Celeste blinked. For a long time, she didn’t react. She just stared at Amara like she was trying to translate a language she’d never learned to speak.

And then, quietly, almost imperceptibly, her lips parted into the faintest smile.

"I..." Her voice cracked. "I’m pregnant?"

Amara nodded, watching her closely.

Celeste pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. Her eyes flooded instantly with wonder and sparkles.

"I always wanted kids," she whispered. "Just not... now."

Amara knelt beside her. "There would never be a right time,"

Celeste laughed through the tears, shaking her head. "I thought I had everything under control. I thought I was so careful."

"You were," Amara said softly. "And maybe that’s why this came to you. Not as punishment, but as permission. To stop controlling, and start living."

Celeste’s tears fell freely now. "What if I’m not ready?"

Amara reached out, resting her hand over Celeste’s stomach. "You are ready. I’m right here,"

Celeste’s breath trembled as she looked down at where Amara’s hand lay. A quiet new warmth bloomed under the ache in her chest.

"I’m really going to be a mother," she whispered.

"You are," Amara said, smiling.

Celeste laughed again, this time softly. "Dominic’s going to lose his mind."

Amara chuckled quietly. "That sounds like tomorrow’s problem."

Celeste nodded. "Yeah," she whispered. "It feels strange that you figured it out immediately."

Amara smiled. "I’m your big sister. Never underestimate my watchful gaze."