The passion-filled night I had spent with Jensen lingered at the forefront of my mind as I returned to my usual job at the office. We exchanged secretive smiles, spent our lunch breaks together, there was even the occasional bit of making out while we were locked away in his office. It was as if something was beginning to give, but I wasn’t quite sure what. Jensen had been a good measure more affectionate than usual, though after our romantic evening together, it had been back to the usual wham bam, thank you ma’am.

Even though I was certain the romance wouldn’t last, I couldn’t deny the slight pang in my heart at the thought that Jensen didn’t feel as strongly for me as I might have liked.

Still, there was something about the confident glimmer in his eye every time he swept me away to his office to smother me with kisses. Nearly a week had passed since our moment together, and he had provided me with several high-accuracy pregnancy tests to use when the mood struck me. He seemed to feel confident that things would work out for the better, though I’d not told him about my use of the fertility drug.

I could only hope that it had effects as amazing as it advertised. It was my only hope at that point, after the years I’d spent dreaming of a future where I would be a happy and dutiful mother.

Burying my face in my hands, I resolved to take a pregnancy test when I returned home that evening. I had high hopes, but I didn’t plan to act any differently around the man I’d come to love. We were still working on the basis that we would be nothing more than co-parents, raising our child without the complications of a relationship to get in the way. As much as I wanted to shout from the rooftops that I wanted to be with Jensen, I had agreed the terms going into this situation, and I intended to respect them.

What remained of the day passed in a blur. I offered Jensen a coy smile as I stepped out of my office, waving politely as I made my way toward the elevator. He looked to be on edge, though I couldn’t quite guess why. I had begun to suspect that he may have been as stressed as I was, harboring his own concerns about conceiving. As much as I wanted to reassure him or offer him some sort of out, I had to hold on to the hope that the fertility drug would work its magic.

Stepping through the front door of my apartment, it was all I could do not to collapse face first on the couch. I felt exhausted, even though the day had been rather undemanding as far as my assigned tasks went. I just found myself getting tired more easily with each passing day, and while I could have easily dismissed it as a cold, I still held onto the hope that it might have a deeper, more beautiful meaning.

As much as I wanted to slump on the couch for a few hours, I forced myself to walk to my bathroom, checking under the sink and grabbing one of the pregnancy tests Jensen had purchased for me. I read the directions to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes, but there was only so much you could do to screw up a pregnancy test. Pee in a cup, pop the stick in, and wait.

Which was what I spent the next few minutes doing. I sat on the edge of the tub once I’d finished prepping the test, closing my eyes and allowing myself to drift off as I waited for my phone’s timer to go off. The time seemed to go by painfully slowly, and I nearly fell off of my perch as a loud half-snore jolted me to attention. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I glanced at my phone to see that the timer was counting down the final seconds.

When the timer began to jingle pleasantly, I swiped the phone to silence it and glanced toward the cup which held the test that would determine my future. Maybe it wasn’t all that dramatic, but it certainly felt as if it was.

Inhaling a calming breath, I grabbed the test, only to find that I couldn’t bring myself to look at the damn thing. I was too anxious, too terrified by the possibilities.

Finally, the thought that this could be what bound Jensen and I for the rest of our lives forced my eyes open.

“Pregnant,” I repeated under my breath, like a mantra. Turning the test over in my hands, I expected to see some indecipherable bars. However, the results were as clear as day.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, clutching the positive test in my hand. My first instinct was to call Jensen, but I wanted to be absolutely sure before I contacted him.

Three pregnancy tests and a completely empty bladder later, I sat with quaking hands, beaming. I yanked my cellphone out of my pocket, dialing Jensen’s number and waiting impatiently for him to answer.

“Ashley? Is something wrong?” he asked upon answering. I shook my head, but realized immediately that he couldn’t see me.

“No, no… Jensen! I just took a pregnancy test. Well, I actually took three to be sure, but, oh my God, Jensen. I’m pregnant! We’re going to have a baby,” I announced joyfully.

I was answered by a sharp intake of breath and a moment’s hesitation.

“It worked? We’re having a baby?” Jensen asked softly, awe tinging his voice.

“Yes. I have no doubt in my mind,” I assured him, and he laughed, a warm sound in spite of how sudden it was. I joined him in his joyous laughter, leaning against the side of the bathtub with the tests in my hand. “So, listen—” I began, only for him to cut me off.

“I have to go, hold that thought,” he said rather abruptly, and before I could get another word out, he hung up. I drew my phone away from my ear, staring at it incredulously. What could have been so important that he couldn’t discuss his future child? I found myself growing irate, rising to my feet and storming out of the bathroom.

“The nerve,” I muttered, glancing up as my doorbell chimed. I approached the door with trepidation, looking out the peephole only to see what appeared to be a big blob of red. Startled, I yanked the door open to see what lay on the other side, and before I could react, I was pulled into a pair of strong arms. A floral scent wafted beneath my nostrils, and I looked up to see Jensen staring at me with tears in his eyes. He clutched me tightly against his chest, but I could feel something prickly tickling the back of my neck.

“I came as soon as I could. These are for you,” he managed to get out, drawing away just long enough to press a bouquet of flowers into my hand. It was roses again, more roses than I’d ever seen in my entire life. I guided him inside, and he remained close to my side, resting a hand on the small of my back.

“These are beautiful, Jensen. Thank you,” I smiled, putting the flowers into a vase. He stared at me for a moment before rushing forward to gather me in his arms again. Our lips met in a soft, sweet kiss, and I gasped in surprise against him, closing my eyes and losing myself in his embrace. For a moment, it felt almost as if there was chance he loved me too. When he drew away, there was a tenderness in his gaze that I could scarcely keep from melting under.

“You… Thank you. God, Ashley, thank you so much. You’re so beautiful and…we’re having a baby. I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather share this moment with,” he said assertively, brushing a lock of hair away from my eyes.

My breath caught in my throat, and I tried to think of some response beyond tangling my hands in his hair and kissing him until we were both breathless. His eyes lingered upon my own, and he brushed his thumb against my lower lip, looking as if there were more he wanted to say. I could only wonder what had him hesitating, but I received my answer when he kissed me again.

It was a sweet kiss, not rushed or forceful. There was passion behind it, but not the wild and frenzied passion I was so used to exchanging with Jensen. It was tender, soft, almost…loving?

“Jensen…” I began, my lip quivering as I realized just how unmistakable this feeling was. Could it be possible that he wanted to be with me…as lovers?

“We have a lot to talk about,” he smiled.