I tried to guess what the most important item Sebastian had mentioned could be.

“Spacing out again? El, hurry up and grab the thing at the bottom of the box,” he said impatiently.

I quickly reached into the box and pulled out a package tucked at the bottom. It was shaped like an envelope. What’s this? I wondered, staring at the item in my hand.

“Don’t just look at it—open it!” Sebastian urged, growing more excited.

“Why are you being so impatient? What is it, anyway?”

“Just open it,” he said again, smiling as he gestured with his finger. His eyes looked at me softly.

I opened the envelope I had been examining. As soon as I saw what was inside, I froze for a moment. Then, tears slowly started falling from my eyes.

“Whoa—wait, why are you crying, El?” Sebastian looked at me in a panic.

“I’m just... really happy, that’s all,” I said, wiping away the tears.

“Jeez, you scared me. I thought something was wrong,” he said, relaxing with a small smile as he looked back at the road.

“When did you get this done?” I asked, holding up the official document—our marriage certificate.

“Just earlier today. It just so happened it was ready at the same time as the rings I ordered.”

“Thank you again,” I said softly. Once again, the man beside me had completely thrown my emotions into chaos—in the best way.

“Again? What are you thanking me for this time?” he teased with a playful grin.

“Well... for this,” I said, lifting the marriage certificate that had brought me both joy and tears. “This document proves just how serious we are about each other.”

“Haha, you're so cute, El. Even without this certificate, I was already serious about you,” he said as he reached for my hand, gently lifting it and planting a soft kiss on the back of it.

I quickly pulled my hand away. “Hey! Eyes on the road, mister!” I scolded him, flustered.

“You're just too cute, I can’t help myself. The marriage certificate is important, El. I don’t want our child to have any doubts about their status,” Sebastian said with a smile.

Thud. My heart skipped a beat. A child? That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind until now.

Oh, God... He’s already thinking that far ahead. Why haven’t I?

The truth is... I’m not really into the idea of having kids. Maybe it’s because of the disappointment and emotional scars my parents left me with. I’m scared I wouldn’t be a good parent—scared I’d mess everything up.

“What’s wrong now?” Sebastian asked, frowning at me as I fell silent again.

I stared down at our shiny new marriage certificate.

“I’m scared,” I whispered. “I don’t know if I’m ready…”

“Ready? Ready for what?” he asked, clearly confused.

“To be a parent…”

Sebastian was quiet for a moment, then let out a deep breath. “Honestly, me too, El. I’m scared and unsure if I’d ever be a good parent either... But that doesn’t mean we should run away from it. We never know what fate has in store for us. We can plan, try our best, pray hard—but in the end, the outcome is in God’s hands.”

His words settled into me. He was right. We’re just human. No matter what plans we make, the future is ultimately out of our control. But at least we can try.

“About having kids… I’m not pressuring you,” Sebastian continued. “Just being married to you—having you as my wife—is already more than enough for me. Kids can come later. If we’re not ready, that’s okay. We’ll take our time, El. No need to rush. What do you think?”

I smiled, feeling comforted by how understanding and grounded he was. “Then I’ll follow your lead,” I said softly.

“Are you sure? Because if you’re following what I want... I kinda want to kiss you right now,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“Ugh! Stop it! Focus on driving!” I smacked his shoulder playfully, making him laugh even harder.

“That just makes me want to get home even faster,” he said, pinching my cheek playfully.

I gave him a look while rubbing my cheek. Sebastian smiled at me with such warmth. “Thank you, El. For being in this messy life of mine. You’re like water and air to me.”

“Ugh, here we go again... with the cheesy lines,” I chuckled as his sweet words melted into my ears.

---

While Sebastian was still in the shower, I rushed downstairs. I wanted to talk to Amelie.

It was strange. She usually lounged in the living room around dinner time, but today she was nowhere to be found. I wandered through the hallway, heading to the family room. Still no sign of her. Then I quickly made my way toward the kitchen, hoping she might be there. I peeked through the half-open kitchen door. Nope. She wasn’t there either.

Could she still be in her room?

I made my way to Amelie’s bedroom and knocked gently on the door.

“Mel? Amelie? Are you in there?” I asked, knocking again. No answer.

I knocked once more, softly. “Mel…” My hand was raised to knock again when suddenly, the door opened.

There stood Amelie, still in the clothes she had worn to campus earlier that day. Clearly, she hadn’t changed or showered. Her hair was a mess, and her face... she looked like she had been crying for a long time. Her eyes were swollen and red.

“Mel? Have you been crying?” I asked directly. “What happened to you? You look like a mess. Dinner’s almost ready. Mom’s going to start looking for you!”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she threw herself into my arms and broke down in sobs.

“Mel? Oh my God! What happened?” My chest tightened with anxiety as worry surged through me.

Then, I gently pulled back to look at her. “Tell me, please... what’s going on? Why are you crying like this?”

As soon as I asked, Amelie cried even harder—louder, her body shaking as she buried her face in my shoulder.

“Hey, hey... it’s okay, I’m here. You can tell me anything,” I whispered, trying to soothe her.

But she just kept crying.

Whatever it was, it had clearly broken her heart. And now, my heart was breaking too—just watching her like this.

---