The past few weeks had been peaceful, almost too peaceful. Amara had been adjusting to her new life in Italy, enjoying the quiet of their home, and the slow rhythm of a life far from the chaos of their past. Yet something felt off, as if there was a subtle shift happening within her.
It started with the odd feelings—nausea in the mornings, dizziness that came and went, and the strange sense of fatigue that made her want to sleep longer than usual. At first, she thought it was just the stress catching up with her, but deep down, she knew something was different.
One afternoon, when Santiago was busy with a case, Amara decided to go to the doctor. She didn't want to worry him just yet, not until she knew for sure. She slipped out quietly, leaving Israel with Santiago as she made her way to the small clinic in the village.
The doctor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, greeted her warmly. After a quick examination and a few questions, she confirmed what Amara had feared—and hoped for.
"You're pregnant," the doctor said, offering a gentle smile.
Amara felt a mixture of emotions—surprise, joy, and a little fear. How would Santiago react? Would he be happy? Would it change everything?
She left the clinic, her mind racing with thoughts, but she didn't tell anyone—not even Santiago. She wasn't sure how to bring it up, how to explain what she was feeling.
That evening, Santiago sat at the dinner table, enjoying a quiet meal with Amara and Israel. The air in their home felt serene, the hum of conversation a stark contrast to the chaos of their previous lives. As they ate, Santiago's attention drifted to the newspaper resting on the table.
His eyes scanned the front page, where a headline caught his eye: "Forensic Expert Needed for High-Profile Murder Case".
His heart skipped a beat.
A case.
A real case. A chance to return to what he did best.
He quickly read through the details—a high-profile murder, a well-known public figure involved, and a critical need for forensic expertise. The newspaper mentioned the urgency of finding someone with the right skills. Santiago felt a pull in his gut, a familiar sense of purpose that had been missing from his life since they moved to Italy.
For a moment, he forgot about everything else. His mind raced with the possibility of returning to work, of diving back into the world of forensic science. He knew Amara would be concerned—she had been hoping for him to settle into a quiet life—but the pull of the case was too strong.
After dinner, he set the newspaper down and glanced at Amara, who was busy helping Israel with her homework. She caught his gaze, and for a brief moment, he saw the flicker of concern in her eyes.
He hesitated.
"Amara," he began, his voice uncertain. "There's a case. They need a forensic expert. I… I think I might have to go."
Amara froze. She didn't say anything at first, just studied him, trying to gauge his intentions.
"You've been away from it for so long," she finally said softly. "Are you sure you're ready to go back?"
Santiago nodded, the weight of his decision settling in. "I don't know if I'm ready, but I can't ignore this. It's what I do."
He waited for her response, unsure of how she would react.
Later that night, after the dinner plates were cleared and Israel had gone to bed, Amara sat quietly, staring at the floor. She had her own news, something she hadn't yet told Santiago. She wasn't sure how to bring it up, especially with the pressure of him possibly returning to his old life.
But she couldn't keep it from him forever.
Taking a deep breath, Amara turned to him.
"Santiago," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I have something to tell you too."
Santiago looked up from the papers he was reading. "What is it, Amara?"
"I… I went to the doctor today," she said, her heart racing. "I… I'm pregnant."
The room fell silent.
Santiago's eyes widened in shock. He slowly put down the papers, trying to process the news. It took him a moment before the words finally found their way out.
"Pregnant?" he whispered, as if testing the word on his tongue. "Are you… are you sure?"
Amara nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "The doctor confirmed it."
A smile slowly spread across Santiago's face, and he reached out, pulling her into a hug.
"Amara, this is amazing," he said, his voice full of joy. "I'm so happy."
But as he held her, his mind wandered back to the case in the newspaper. This new life they were building was beautiful, but it also came with challenges. And for Santiago, the pull of the work he had left behind was undeniable.