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There were times, after they had made love that she would lie in his arnant too soon She knew that theconversations and repeated love would be at an end She felt a pinch of sadness at the inevitability of that day

They built a bubble for the else They took sporadic breaks, Neal to visit Hargrove Brothers, and Elena to visit the tiny studio she rented to work on her statues For a couple of hours, they would re-join the real world and then come back to the comfort of their self-made bubble Both of them realized how much they missed it when they were away for ht honancy tests

Each night, they would go to the bathroom and Neal would wait patiently until Elena had peed on a stick The days went by, and each test caative Neal felt a prick of panic, and Elena felt a wave of relief Neither one shared how they felt with the other

Then one day, a different nancy test Elena looked at it in shock, realizing that the sign was a tiny pink positive She rushed outside, and ran straight into Neal, nearly dropping the test

“It’s positive,” she said breathlessly, and in complete shock

She saw her own expression mirrored in Neal’s face He stared down at her face and then at the test she was holding up

“Oh my God!” he exclaimed

“I know!” Elena said

“This is really happening!” Neal breathed out as the reality hit him squarely

Elena nodded, the s slowly from her face She walked to the sofa and sank down onto it, still holding the stick Neal noticed the change He saw her face and felt his own smile drain away He walked to the couch and sat opposite her on the coffee table He placed his hands on her knees

“I know this is a lot,” he said softly

“It’s… it’s just hitting me,” Elena admitted

Neal nodded “Me too… I… it’s different now that it’s…"

“Real?” Elena offered

Neal nodded again