Taking A Deep Breath
I tried to push aside the unsettling feeling twisting in my stomach, convincing myself it was probably just nerves and nothing more. Standing near the dessert table, I took a slow, steady breath, hoping it would settle the unease crawling up my spine. Alex stood close by, happily munching on a cupcake, frosting smeared adorably across his cheek; when he looked up and asked, “Mom, are you okay?” his little voice tugged at my heart. I mustered a smile, answering, “Yeah, buddy, I’m fine,” not wanting to cloud his night with my worries. But deep down, despite the sweetness of the moment, something inside me refused to relax.
Taking A Deep Breath
Congratulated From All Directions
Before I could gather myself, Jake and I were suddenly surrounded by a wave of relatives offering hugs, cheers, and warm congratulations from every direction. Aunt Susan wrapped me in a tight embrace, practically glowing as she exclaimed, “This is so exciting!” Even Jake’s distant cousin—someone I’d met maybe once at a barbecue years ago—appeared out of nowhere with an animated “Congrats!” The warmth and enthusiasm were overwhelming but in a comforting way, distracting me momentarily from the tension still simmering beneath the surface. I stretched my smile wider, hoping it looked real enough to blend seamlessly into the room’s bubbly energy.
Congratulated From All Directions
