Chapter 1
The day before the outbreak
Rosalie POV
"Baby boy has a strong heartbeat and looks to be right on track with his growth," the ultrasound tech said with a bright smile.
I held tightly onto my husband's hand as my hazel eyes stared at the screen. My baby moved slightly on the screen of the monitor; my chest tightened with emotion as I felt tear swell in my eyes.
"Our baby is going to be here soon," I whispered, looking over at Joshua staring into his deep brown eyes.
Joshua smiled softly his tan skin glowed warmly under the dim light of the screen. "And Iris is going to be a big sister."
I felt a tear escape my eyes as I looked back at the screen. After everything we had been through, this moment almost didn't feel real.
Thinking back to our first pregnancy had it had been a blessing. our little girl Iris had brought light into their lives in ways I never thought was possible. But after Iris was born, getting pregnant again had been difficult. Months turned into a year of negative tests, heartbreak, and disappointment. When I finally became pregnant again, I miscarried only a few weeks later.
The loss nearly destroyed me...
It took another year before we finally received the news we had both been praying for.
Now, as I sit in the dimly lit ultrasound room beside the love of my life, Joshua, is hearing our baby boy's heartbeat echo through the speakers. I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time... Hope.
"Are there any questions you have for me?" the nurse asked, gently pulling me from my thoughts.
I wiped at my eyes with a small laugh. "No. As long as the baby is healthy and has a strong heartbeat, that's all I care about."
"Alright then, we'll see you in about a week. Here are your ultrasound pictures," the technician said as she finished writing her notes and grabbed the freshly printed photos.
Joshua POV
"Thank you" I said with a soft smile.
"Go ahead to the front desk and they'll get you scheduled for your next appointment."
I watched Rosalie carefully take the ultrasound pictures into her hands, as we walked out of the doctor's office, I gently held her hand.
"I'm really craving food from my favorite Mexican restaurant. Could we go?" she asked excitedly as she looked up at me through her lashes.
"Of course, my love." I replied, looking into her eyes as I lifted our intertwined hands and pressing a kiss against the back of hers.
After getting our next appointment set up for next week for now weekly appointments till our little boy is here.
Stepping into the parking lot, I quickly looked to street and noticed five police cars speeding down the road one after another, along with two ambulances hearing the deafening sirens blaring loudly through the afternoon air.
as we slowly walked to our car, I watched the road till the last police vehicle disappeared around the corner. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary to see that many police cars, but where we lived it was more of a quieter, safer part of Arizona. Something bad must of happened if there were that many police cars speeding that way.
I looked at Rosalie as we got into our car and sat down, she seemed completely wrapped up in bliss as she stared at the ultrasound pictures. It melted my heart to see her so happy.
"How about we go to that other restaurant you've been craving instead, you have ben craving it all week and It's closer to home. Iris is probably wondering where we are by now anyway." I said thinking of something last minute. Something told me not to go down that same street it was the same road to the restaurant.
I watched smile softly as a chuckle escape her lips. "You are right, I've been craving both recently they know my order by heart" I watched her sit and think for a moment "Iris is also probably driving my mom crazy at this point. She's been obsessed with her baby brother already."
I met her eyes and smiled, but the uneasy feeling in my chest refused to fade. Something felt wrong.
Rosalie's POV
I watched as Joshua got into the car after picking up our order from the restaurant. Noticing the tension in Joshua's arms as he drove quickly pulled away from the restaurant. The car filled with the smell of warm Chinese takeout, making my stomach grumble softly.
I couldn't understand why he was being so ridged.
Sneaking a crab ragoon from the takeout bag I noticed more police cars than usual. A SWAT truck had sped past them toward the city we had just left, lights flashing violently against the darkening streets.
Eating the ragoon I tried not to think too much into it. I was always taught to mind your own business and to stay out of situations that didn't involve me, if anything we will probably hear about it on the news tomorrow. I just hope that whoever it is okay.
⸻
"Mommy!"
I heard a small voice of my three-year-old daughter as came running toward me the second I stepped through the front door, her brown curls bouncing wildly with every step.
"Is brother here yet?" Iris asked excitedly.
I looked at her as laughed softly, kneeling down carefully despite my swollen stomach. "Not yet, honey. We still have four more weeks."
I watched as Iris's face instantly dropped into a dramatic pout.
"But I want him now..." she whined.
"You've got to be patient, sweet pea." I heard familiar older woman's voice called warmly from the kitchen. I smiled immediately.
"Hi, Mom. Thank you for watching Iris for us." I said, walking into the kitchen with Iris following not too far behind me as I went to hug my mother.
"No problem, honey." she replied, feeling her arms wrapping tightly around me
Pulling away from the hug, I watched my mom glanced toward the front door.
"Where's Joshua?"
"He's grabbing the takeout from the car. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
I watched my mom hesitate for a moment.
"I wish I could, honey, but your father's been calling nonstop. He's worried sick." She sighed tiredly before continuing. "Apparently there's some kind of new flu outbreak going around. He wants to sanitize the whole house and stay inside for a few days."
I chuckled as I shook my head softly. "That sounds like Dad."
"He's worried about you too, you know." she added softly, eyes drifting down toward to my swollen stomach.
"I know." I said as my face softened to a soft smile. "Tell Dad I love him and We'll come visit tomorrow, okay?"
"I will. I'm going to give Joshua a hug before I head out and then I'll let myself out." she said as she nodded
⸻
Brushing the soft brown curls away from Iris's sleepy face I gave her a kiss goodnight on her forehead
"Do you think brother will like me?" Iris asked quietly, clutching her stuffed bunny tightly against her chest.
my heart melted, after finding out her little brother could be here any time she has been obsessed over him. Making drawings for him and putting some of her plushies in his room for him so he could play with them
"Oh, sweetheart," I whispered. "He's going to love you more than anything."
Iris smiled spread across her face I watched her close her hazel eyes falling asleep. Making sure to gently tucking her pink princess blanket around her.
Getting up softly I lingered in the doorway after turning off the bedroom light, watching her breathe softly beneath the glow of the nightlight.
I smiled as I walked past my son's nursing, everything looked perfect. The dinosaurs on the wall that Joshua picked out and put on the wall. Feeling warm hands wrap around my waist made me jump for a moment.
hearing Joshuas chuckle in my ear "it's just me"
"You scared me" I said defensively, turning around pouting
"What are you doing in here? " He asked softly
"Just... taking in the moment... You know iris asked me today if the baby will like her"
Joshua shook his head, "I already know they will be best friends"
I smiled hearing those words leaning in as I push of Joshuas chestnut brown curls away from his face
"I love you" I whispered softly against his lips.
Joshua smiled against her lips as he kissed her gently.
"I love you too."
⸻
Stirring from my sleep I looked at the clock it was 3:45 hearing in distant sound of helicopters overhead.
Then came another sound.
Sirens.
Dozens of them.
I slowly sat up, one hand instinctively resting against on my stomach.
Beside the bedroom window, I saw Joshua stood frozen, staring out into the darkness below.
"Joshua?" I whispered sleepily.
He didn't answer right away. The brightness of his screen lit up the area he was in hearing the emergency alert blare from his phone
When he finally turned toward me, something in his expression made my chest tighten.
"They just issued a citywide emergency alert," he said quietly, his eyes drifting back toward the glowing screen of his phone.
