Chapter Forty-Five: Morning After & Aldridge Prep
(Ria's POV)
The sunlight pierced through the curtains, warm and blinding, and for a moment I couldn't remember where I was. Then it all came rushing back — the wedding in Bangladesh, the balcony, Miles…
I bolted upright, heart hammering. "Oh no. Oh no no no."
Miles stirred beside me, groaning softly. "Threads… hey, calm down."
"I… did we… I mean…" My words stumbled over themselves as I clutched the sheets, panic rising. "Did we really…?"
He blinked, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Yes. And… I was very careful. You're okay."
I exhaled shakily. "Okay? One time… that can't make me… you know… pregnant, right?"
Miles chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Nope. Not this time. You're safe, Threads. Trust me."
I let myself relax a little, leaning against him, still flushed and jittery. "You really scared me. I—"
"I know," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "But now we need to think about the next part. Aldridge."
My stomach flipped again. Right. Half of the wedding events were in America, and the planning couldn't stop. Guests, the venue, decorations, catering — it was a whirlwind just thinking about it.
"Miles… I can't even think straight," I muttered. "We still have to prep for Aldridge. My dress fittings, Sofia's involvement, the friends…"
"I've got it," he said confidently, pulling me to sit beside him. "We'll tackle it together. I'm not letting anything go wrong. We plan, we organize, and I make sure you survive unscathed. My Threads first, everything else second."
I smiled, leaning into him. "Always dramatic, aren't you?"
"Always yours," he murmured, kissing the top of my head.
Maya barged in, waving her tablet. "Threads! Did you forget? Aldridge planning starts now. Vendors, guest lists, cake tasting — oh, and Emma is documenting everything!"
I groaned, burying my face in Miles' chest. "I'm alive! We'll get through it!"
Lia peeked around the door, smirking. "Threads… don't panic. You've survived Bangladesh. Aldridge is just a hop across the ocean. And Miles is with you. So stop trembling and start planning."
Sofia bounced in, tugging at my hand. "Threads! Can we pick the flowers first? And the cupcakes? And the… and the…"
I laughed through the chaos, holding Miles' hand tightly. Between family, friends, and Miles, I felt protected, loved, and terrifyingly, wonderfully, ready for the next chapter — Aldridge, America, and whatever surprises life might throw at us next.