Unexpected Miracles
Dear Pipes,
By the time you read this, I’ll probably be somewhere halfway across the world, wishing I were home with you. I can’t say much about where I am or what I’m doing, but I want you to know that you’re always in my thoughts. Every sunrise here reminds me of that morning we watched the sun come up on the Grand Canyon, and every quiet moment brings me back to the sound of your laugh.
Things aren’t easy here. The days are long, and the nights are harder, but it’s thoughts of you that keep me going. I replay the memory of your smile, the way you say my name, and how everything feels lighter when I’m with you. It’s what gets me through.
I know this is hard on you, Pipes, and I hate being so far away. If I could, I’d be there now, holding your hand and reminding you how much you mean to me. But until I can, promise me you’ll take care of yourself—eat enough, rest when you can, and don’t work too hard. Please.
You’re my world, Piper. I’ll come back to you, no matter what it takes. Hold onto that. And when you look up at the stars, know that I’m looking at them too, thinking of you.
All my love,
Jason
Piper folded the letter carefully, her hands trembling slightly as she placed it back into the envelope. She’d read it five times already, but each time it felt like Jason was right there with her, his words wrapping around her like a hug. She clutched the letter to her chest, staring out the kitchen window at the sprawling backyard Jason had been so excited to fix up when he came home.
Home. The word felt heavier now, like something was missing. No, not something—someone.
A sudden wave of nausea hit her, sharp and unexpected, forcing her to rush to the sink. She gripped the edge of the counter, waiting for the feeling to subside. It wasn’t the first time this had happened in the past week, and she’d chalked it up to stress. But now, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered a possibility she hadn’t dared to consider.
Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, and a shiver ran down her spine. No. It couldn’t be.
Later that day, Piper found herself in the bathroom, staring down at the small plastic stick in her hand. The seconds ticked by, each one slower than the last, until the result appeared. Two pink lines. Positive.
She sank onto the edge of the bathtub, her mind racing. Pregnant. She was pregnant. Her heart pounded as the reality of it settled over her. There were so many emotions swirling inside her—shock, joy, fear—but above all, there was a deep, aching longing.
Jason should be here. He should be the first person she told, the one who held her when she cried out of sheer overwhelm, the one who laughed with her as they planned their future. But he wasn’t. He was halfway around the world, unreachable, and she was left to navigate this life-changing moment alone.
Piper curled up on the couch, Jason’s letter still in her hand. Her other hand rested on her stomach, as if trying to connect with the tiny life growing inside her. She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely.
“Hey, little one,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “It’s just you and me for now. But your dad…” Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath. “Your dad is the bravest person I know. And he’s going to love you so much. I just wish he was here to know you’re coming.”
The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the heater kicking on. Piper leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. She thought about Jason’s letter, his promise to come home, and the unshakable love they shared.
“I’ll tell him when I can,” she said softly. “But until then, I’ll hold onto his promise. For me. And for you.”
That night, as she lay in bed, she pressed a hand to her stomach again, a small smile breaking through the tears. She imagined Jason’s reaction, the way his eyes would light up, how he’d pick her up and spin her around, laughing with pure joy.
And though the ache of his absence didn’t fade, there was a glimmer of hope now, a tiny piece of him growing inside her, a reminder that their love was still alive—strong enough to endure the distance, the uncertainty, and the time apart.