As I walked through the front door, my heart raced with anticipation. My parents had been waiting for me to return from the doctor's, eager to hear the news. They asked me, "How did it go, Sofia?" Their voices filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.
I took a deep breath, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me. I knew this conversation would change everything. "Mom, Dad, please, have a seat," I said, my voice trembling slightly. I could sense the worry in their eyes as they obliged, taking a seat on the couch.
Trying to gather my thoughts, I carefully chose my words. "The doctor told me that," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'm pregnant."
Silence descended upon the room like a heavy fog. The shock on my parent's faces was palpable, and I could feel their disappointment piercing through me like a thousand needles. It was a difficult moment, and I bit my bottom lip, fighting back tears, not wanting to break down in front of them.
Minutes passed, but it felt like an eternity. Finally, my parents broke the silence. Their voices were calm but filled with concern. "We're disappointed, Sofia," my mother said, her voice quivering slightly. "But we want you to know that we love you unconditionally."
My father nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and love. "Regardless of the outcome, we're here for you," he said, his voice steady. "You're our daughter, and we will support you through this."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I absorbed their words. Despite their initial shock and disappointment, their love for me remained unwavering. The weight of their support lifted some of the burden from my shoulders, and I felt a glimmer of hope.
I nodded, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice choked with emotion. "I'm scared, but knowing that you're there for me means everything."
My parents got up from the couch and pulled me into a hug, telling me that everything would be okay. My mom then asked me how far along I was, to which I responded that I was six weeks. We sat back down and talked about what my options were and what I wanted to do next.
•••
June 12, 1998
Entering the cozy pub, I glanced around, searching for the familiar faces of my friends. The soft hum of conversation filled the air, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter. I spotted Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione sitting at a table near the corner, their expressions a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Making my way toward them, I could feel my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Taking a seat between Ginny and Ron, I felt the warmth of their presence enveloping me. They greeted me with smiles and heartfelt hellos, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Ron, always the one to break the ice, slid a glass of beer toward me with a mischievous grin. I stared at it for a moment, my hands trembling slightly, causing Harry to raise an eyebrow.
"Why aren't you drinking it?" he asked, genuine confusion lacing his voice. I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to share my news. "I can't," I replied softly, my gaze fixed on the drink before me. "Not for nine months," I added. The room fell into a brief silence as everyone exchanged puzzled glances, except for Hermione.
Ginny, being the intelligent and observant person she is, had already pieced together the puzzle. Her eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and delight lighting up her face. Turning towards me, she asked, "Is it true?" Her words hung in the air, the meaning slowly dawning on the rest of our friends.
Harry's eyes widened as comprehension settled in, a look of joy spreading across his features. The only one who seemed lost amidst the revelation was Ron, his brow furrowed in confusion.
A chorus of laughter erupted around the table, relief and happiness bubbling to the surface. Hermione rolled her eyes playfully and explained to Ron, "Sofia is trying to say that she's pregnant." Ron's eyes widened in astonishment, nearly choking on the bite of food in his mouth. He quickly swallowed, his expression shifting from bewilderment to pure joy.
Without hesitation, Ron wiped his mouth and stood up, moving closer to me. With a warm smile, he enveloped me in a hug, his excitement palpable. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione followed suit, surrounding me with their love and support.
At that moment, as laughter and joy filled the air, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the incredible friends who had become my family. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges and joys, but I knew that with these four by my side, I was blessed beyond measure.
