The days after their return from the island passed quietly. Tom and Anna tried to settle back into their routine, but Arin's pregnancy lingered in Anna's thoughts. Sometimes she would catch herself staring at Arin's hand resting over her stomach, wondering what it would feel like.
One evening, the four of them gathered again for dinner. The air was warm with laughter—Mark fussing over Arin, Tom pretending to be annoyed but clearly amused, Anna teasing all of them.
But midway through the meal, Anna suddenly went pale. She pushed her plate away, stood abruptly, and rushed toward the bathroom. The sound of her retching froze the room.
Tom was at her side in an instant, rubbing her back as she rinsed her mouth. "Anna? Are you okay?" His voice trembled with concern.
When they returned to the table, Arin's eyes met Anna's. She leaned closer, whispering so only Anna could hear:"Congratulations… you're pregnant."
The words sank into Anna like sunlight breaking through clouds. Her breath caught, her hands trembling slightly as she looked at Tom. His brows furrowed, worried, not yet understanding.
Anna's lips curved into a shaky smile. Tears slipped down her cheeks. "Tom… we're going to be parents."
For a moment, he was stunned—frozen between disbelief and overwhelming joy. Then, without another word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her as tightly as he could.
Mark stood too, a rare softness in his eyes. "So now… both of you." He glanced at Tom and grinned. "Guess I won't be the only one with sleepless nights."
Tom chuckled through the shock, still hugging Anna as if afraid to let go. "Let them come. I don't care. This is… this is everything."
Arin placed a hand on Anna's shoulder, her smile bright with shared joy. "Looks like our children are going to grow up together."
And just like that, what began as one family's secret became a shared journey. The four of them weren't just friends anymore—they were bound as something far deeper.