𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞. . .

As my eyes flickered open, I was jolted awake by the remnants of an awful dream. In it, I was supposed to be experiencing the happiest day of my life, but now all I could remember was a blur of chaotic images and emotions. Like a tsunami crashing onto a shore, waves of confusion and despair washed over me as I struggled to make sense of it all. But from this vantage point in my mind, I felt completely lost and unsure of how to react or even begin to process what had just happened. My mind raced as my hands began to glow, an unknown force coursing through my body. Confusion and fear flooded me as I struggled to understand what was happening. Slowly, I pushed myself up off the bed and leaned against the wooden stand behind me, taking in my illuminated hands. The sun shone brightly through the window, casting rays of light across the room.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from the door. It swung open wide, revealing my husband Ben in all his shirtless glory, wearing nothing but his pajama pants. He held a tray with breakfast in his hand, a small smile on his face as he greeted me.

We had been wed for several years now, ever since the end of the brutal Battle of Relatives. As he handed me the tray, our eyes met and I could see the love and concern in his gaze. The scent of warm pastries and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, calming my nerves slightly.

Together, we sat on the edge of the bed and enjoyed our morning meal while discussing my newfound abilities. With Ben by my side, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The sun had barely risen when Ben walked into the bedroom, balancing a tray of freshly made breakfast and a steaming cup of coffee. My husband’s loving gesture brought a smile to my face as I propped myself up in bed. “Good morning, honey,” he greeted me with a kiss on the forehead before handing me the tray.

“Thank you, baby, you spoil me too much,” I said playfully, giving him a soft kiss in return.

As he sat down next to me, his gaze drifted to my stomach. “How’s my little girl doing honey? You are getting big my dear...” His teasing tone made me roll my eyes.

“I’m big?” I scoffed, feigning offense.

But before I could continue my retort, his expression suddenly changed and he started stuttering. “I-I mean honey, the baby I meant, you are already close to giving, you are in your third trimester right?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his flustered state before reassuring him. “Baby, I was joking, it’s okay, she is doing fine.”

Relief flooded Ben’s face as he leaned over to give my stomach a gentle kiss. “That’s great, honey,” he said with a smile.

Just as we were settling into our breakfast together, my phone started ringing. I quickly picked it up and answered with a cheerful “Hello?”

“Long time no see, Whin...” A familiar voice spoke from the other end of the line.

As soon as my phone rang, I knew it was Vincent on the other end. It had been years since we last saw each other, not since Ben and I got married. I remembered how things had ended between us in high school - he ended up with Tess while I moved on to college.

Now, as I answered his call, I couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted after all this time. Did he want to reconnect? Was there something important he needed to tell me?

“Hello, Vincent,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“We’re doing well, Whin. Tess is currently playing with Mia - she’s learned how to walk up the stairs and said her first words yesterday,” Vincent replied.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of their little family. “That’s amazing. You both make such great parents to Mia. And those pictures you sent for Christmas - they were incredible. It’s hard to believe we’re all in our 30s now.”

Vincent chuckled. “We may be getting older, but we’re definitely not old yet.”

We continued catching up until suddenly, I felt a sharp kick in my stomach that made me wince in pain.

“Vincent, it was wonderful catching up with you. Please give my regards to Tess for me. Oh, wait...I think I just felt a kick and I believe my water just broke. I’ll have to call you back,” I said through gritted teeth as a wave of pain washed over me.

“Of course, take care Whin,” Vincent replied with genuine concern evident in his voice.

Ending the call, I turned to see Ben, who had hastily changed into fresh clothes, wincing in sympathy.

“Whin, we need to get you to the hospital immediately. Let me help you up and we’ll make our way to the car,” Ben said urgently, taking my hand and helping me stand.

Ben scooped me up into his strong arms and carried me down the stairs to the garage where our car awaited. His expression was a mix of fear and joy, for he had longed for a child in our marriage since the day we said “I do.” Gently, he laid me down on the plush car seat and closed the door, hurrying to the other side to start the engine.

“Honey, do you have your keys?” I asked through pained breaths.

Ben frantically checked his pockets before pulling out the keys and waving them in front of the window.

“I’ve got them right here,” he reassured me with a smile.

As we started driving towards the hospital, Ben tried his best to remain calm despite the chaos that was unfolding. Every now and then, he turned to me with a reassuring smile as I groaned and grunted from the intense pain in my stomach. “Just breathe,” he reminded me, trying to keep his own worries at bay.

“It’s okay honey, we’re almost there. We just need to get through this traffic,” he said with determination.

I sank back into my seat, focusing on my breathing as we slowly made our way through the gridlocked streets. With each passing moment, the pain seemed to intensify but I found solace in watching Ben’s serene green eyes focused on the road ahead.

“Why is he so calm?” I thought to myself, amazed by his composure amidst such a high-stress situation.

With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander back to happier memories, trying to distract myself from the throbbing pain in my head.

Three years before the Battle of Relatives, Ben and I stood on the brink of adulthood as we graduated from college. But instead of celebrating this milestone together, we found ourselves in a heated argument involving my parents. Words were thrown like daggers, sharp and hurtful. I could feel my heart racing, my hands shaking with anger and fear.

“Ben, we’ve talked about this. I won’t let my mother die again,” I cried out in frustration, pleading for him to understand.

“We have to do this,” he countered, his voice raised in desperation. “Do you want to risk getting yourself killed?”

I wanted to crumble to the floor, tears streaming down my face as I thought about losing my mother for a second time. But instead, I unleashed my pent-up anger on Ben once again.

“I refuse to let that happen, Ben. My mother meant everything to me. Please don’t ask this of me again,” I said firmly, my voice trembling with emotion.

“Fine,” Ben spat back at me. “If you walk out that door right now, I never want to see you again.”

I turned away from him, unable to contain my rage any longer. “You are so controlling and psychotic!” I screamed, feeling the fire inside me ignite.

“And you’re just an emotional little bitch who only cares about herself!” Ben shot back, his words like bullets piercing through my heart. “Why did I ever fall in love with you? I wish I had never met you!”

In that moment, Ben’s harsh words cut deep into me and left me reeling with pain and regret. As tears streamed down my face and my heart shattered into pieces, I realized that this fight may have been our final one.

My voice trembled as I spoke, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. “S-Say that again, what did you say to me?”

Ben’s face turned red with anger, but he managed to stay silent and clench his fists instead of lashing out at me. His eyes were filled with emotion as he looked down at the ground.

After a moment of silence, he met my gaze once more, tears now visible in his eyes. “I am sorry Whin,” he said solemnly. “I think I need a break from our relationship.”

With a heavy heart, he turned and walked towards the door, brushing past me without another word. The sound of his footsteps faded away as he left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and heartache.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched Ben turn and leave, his footsteps echoing against the hardwood floor. A heavy weight settled in my chest as I collapsed to the ground, covering my face with trembling hands. My sobs echoed through the empty room, a soundtrack to my broken heart.

But amidst the pain, flashes of memories flooded my mind - moments of happiness and love shared with Ben. Our journey together had been filled with ups and downs, but our love never wavered. And now, carrying our baby inside me, I realized that the love I felt for Ben was stronger than ever.

I must have dozed off from exhaustion because suddenly I felt Ben shaking me awake.

“Honey, we’re at the hospital. Let’s get you inside,” he said urgently.

I nodded groggily and he helped me out of the car, gently buckling my seatbelt and lifting me into his arms before rushing me inside the building.

“I need a doctor! My wife’s water broke!” Ben shouted frantically to the nearest nurse.

The nurse quickly alerted a doctor who appeared with a stretcher to whisk me away to a delivery room. But as we made our way down the hallway, Ben was stopped by a nurse.

“Sir, please wait here in the waiting room. You’ll be called in when it’s time,” she instructed kindly.

Ben reluctantly followed her instructions and found himself in a small waiting room, anxiety gnawing at his insides. He pulled out his phone and dialed Vincent’s number. After several rings, someone finally answered.

“Hey, Ben, what’s the matter?” The person on the other end of the line answered.

“Hey, Tate, is Vincent around?” Ben asked urgently.

“Yes, he’s right here. What’s going on?” Tate replied with concern in his voice.

“We need everyone to come to the hospital. Whitney is in labor.” Ben said breathlessly, trying to catch his breath.

“Ok, Ben. We’ll be there soon.” Vincent assured him before ending the call.

As Ben paced outside the delivery room, a nurse approached him.

“Mr. Cooper? How is your wife doing?” She asked kindly.

“How is she? Is everything okay?” Ben responded anxiously.

“Come with me, sir.” The nurse motioned for him to follow her.

Ben followed her into the room and saw his wife holding their newborn baby girl in her arms. Overwhelmed with emotion, he dropped to his knees beside her. The baby was crying but Ben couldn’t take his eyes off of his wife and daughter. Tears streamed down his face as he looked at them both with love and joy.

The nurse smiled at the new parents. “Congratulations! Do you have a name for your little one?”

Ben stood up and walked over to his wife, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Amelia Ophelia Cooper,” he announced proudly.

As Ben gazed at his daughter, her cries began to subside and her eyes caught his attention. They were a mesmerizing heterochromia pair - one emerald green and one deep blue. Amelia stopped crying and smiled up at her parents, who were equally awe-struck by their beautiful baby girl.

With a smile on my face, I greeted the newest addition to our world...