Clara sat down on her bed and when John came back from the kitchen with two large mugs of tea she had covered herself in blankets. Thankfully she accepted the tea from him and wrapped her hands around the mug.
“How are you feeling?” John asked her sincerely.
“I'm scared,” she admitted.
“I know that, honey, but you don't have to be. It's going to be fine,” he told her, “But what about your health? What did the doctor say? Are you and the baby okay?”
Clara nodded. “He said my symptoms are normal and I'm lucky the sickness and dizziness aren't very strong. He was surprised he could already hear a heartbeat.”
“That's good, isn't it?” John asked excitedly, “Believe me, Clara, it's going to be just fine.”
She turned around to look at him. “You are really happy about this, aren't you?”
A smile spread across his face. “Yes,” he admitted, “Yes, I am. I know there are a lot of things we have to talk about, a lot of things we're going to have to organize but we can do this.”
“John, we have only been dating two months. We've known each other for a little more than three. How exactly are we going to manage this? How will I know that you won't back out and leave me? What if something happens to you? I can't do this on my own!”
“Listen to me,” John said strictly, “We are in this together. Do not for a second think that I would abandon you. Whatever happens, Clara, I will be there for the two of you. You have to believe me.”
Clara nodded slowly.
“I will take care of you, you'll see. I promise. Your only worry now is that you and the child are safe and sound. Leave the rest to me. I don't want you to worry about anything else.”
John raised his hand to cup her cheek and Clara nuzzled against his palm.
“I should move in here with you,” John said determinedly after a while, “We've basically been living together the past two months anyway and if we save the rent on a second apartment we can afford something bigger sooner.”
“Yeah,” she replied after a moment, “Yeah, you're right.”
John suddenly started chuckling. “And I should probably learn a few nursery songs on the guitar.”
Finally Clara started laughing as well. She set her mug down and wrapped her arms around his waist, snuggling closer against John with a sigh.
“You are going to be the best dad and in the world,” she told him, “And I, I'll just be a mother who has no idea what she's doing.”
“Stop worrying,” John said, closing his arms around her, “You will figure it out. I was a mess the first time I became a father. I was panicking. But it all turned out fine.”
“I hope it will.”
John pressed a kiss to her head.
“I think we should wait until we tell people,” he suddenly said, “I don't want them to start talking badly about you again.”
“I'm an unmarried, pregnant woman. They will find out eventually and then they will talk. There's nothing you can do about that.”
“We'll see,” he paused and suddenly John thought of something, “I'm coming with you on Friday to meet your father.”
“I wasn't going to tell him about the child just yet,” Clara replied.
“It doesn't matter. He should get to know me before you tell him.”
“Alright,” Clara agreed, “If it's that important to you.”