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The dining table was alive with chatter and laughter. Plates clinked, the smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, and Ari was telling an animated story about something that had happened at school. Zayn sat beside Alex, smiling softly at the warm atmosphere.

But then, out of nowhere, a strange sensation rose in his chest. It wasn’t just discomfort it was an uneasy twist deep in his stomach. His smile faltered.

Before anyone could notice, he set down his spoon.

“Zayn? You okay?” Alex asked, immediately catching the change in his expression.

Zayn stood up abruptly. “I… I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. His chair scraped back, and he quickly walked toward the washroom.

Alex’s brows furrowed. “Zayn?” He pushed his own plate away and got up, following him. Behind them, Alex’s parents exchanged concerned glances. His mother rose from her seat, as did his father.

Inside the washroom, Zayn was leaning over the sink, taking slow breaths. His hands gripped the edge tightly.

“Hey, hey… it’s okay. I’m here,” Alex’s voice came from behind. He stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Zayn’s back and rubbing gently in small circles.

Zayn closed his eyes, leaning slightly into the touch. The tension in his shoulders loosened just a little.

“Come on, let’s get you out of here,” Alex murmured. He helped Zayn stand straight, wrapping an arm around him for support. Slowly, they walked back to the living room, where Alex guided him to the sofa.

Alex poured him a glass of water and held it out. “Here. Sip slowly.”

Zayn took the glass, his fingers brushing against Alex’s. He drank a little, then set it down on the table. “I don’t know what happened,” he admitted quietly. “It just came suddenly.”

Alex knelt in front of him, his hand still resting on Zayn’s knee. “It’s probably nothing serious. Maybe something you ate didn’t sit right your body could be reacting.”

But Alex’s mom, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward and took Zayn’s hand gently. “I think…” she started, her tone calm but carrying a certain weight, “…Zayn, you should go and get a check-up.”

Alex looked up at her. “Mom, he’s fine. Why are you__”

His mother gave him a pointed look, cutting him off. “Idiot,” she said bluntly but affectionately. “I’m not talking about a regular check-up. I’m telling you to test for pregnancy.”

The words hung in the air for a second.

Zayn’s eyes widened slightly, and Alex blinked in surprise. They both turned to look at each other, speechless.

“That might actually be the case,” Alex’s dad added from across the room, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

Zayn lowered his gaze to the floor, his hands fidgeting nervously. Alex, however, seemed to slowly process it until realization finally hit him.

“…Yeah,” Alex said at last, nodding slowly. “I think you’re right.”

He reached out his hand to Zayn. “Come with me.”

Without thinking too much, Zayn placed his hand in Alex’s, allowing himself to be pulled up.

“Mumma, where are you going?” Ari asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes.

Alex’s mom quickly intervened. “Let them go, sweetheart. How about we watch your favorite movie while they’re out?”

That was all it took Ari beamed, excited, and forgot all about her question.

---

At the Hospital

The drive to the hospital was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. Zayn’s hands rested on his lap, fingers tightening slightly from time to time.

When they arrived, Alex stayed close to him the entire time, speaking to the nurse, filling out forms, and making sure Zayn didn’t have to deal with anything alone.

The check-up was thorough but didn’t take long. After a short wait, the doctor finally returned with the results, her expression gentle.

“Congratulations,” she said warmly. “You’re pregnant.”

For a moment, the world went still. Zayn blinked, trying to process the words. Pregnant. The word repeated in his head, slowly sinking in.

Alex, who had been sitting beside him, instinctively reached out and took his hand.

When the doctor left them alone in the room, Alex turned to him. “Thank you,” he said softly.

Zayn blinked at him. “For what?”

“For this. For… carrying our child.” His voice wavered just slightly, betraying the rush of emotions he was feeling.

Zayn’s lips curved into a small smile, but before he could reply, Alex leaned forward and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you any stress lately,” Alex murmured against his hair. “I never thought… I mean, I knew I wanted this, but I didn’t know it would feel like this to know you’re going to be a dad.”

Zayn simply smiled again, resting his head against Alex’s shoulder.

---

They left the hospital, walking to the car under the orange glow of the setting sun.

On the way home, Zayn sat by the window, watching the city pass by in a blur. His mind felt heavy not in a bad way, but overwhelmed.

Alex noticed. “Baby?” he asked softly. “Is there any problem?”

Zayn turned to look at him, his lips parting but no words coming out.

Without hesitation, Alex pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to face him fully. “If you have any problem anything at all no one is going to force you into anything, alright? You have to tell me.”

Zayn shook his head quickly. “No, it’s not that,” he said, voice calm. “I’m just… overwhelmed. It’s a lot to take in. And I keep thinking about Ari… wondering how he’ll react.”

Alex’s lips softened into a smile. “I think Ari will be the happiest one out of all of us. he’s been asking for a brother or sister for ages.”

A faint laugh escaped Zayn. “Really?”

“Really,” Alex confirmed. “he’ll spoil them rotten.”

Zayn smiled more fully now, some of the tension in his shoulders melting away. “I hope so.”

Alex reached over and took his hand, holding it firmly as he pulled back onto the road. “he will. And so will I.”

---

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