CHAPTER 78 FAMILY EXPANSION

As autumn leaves began to paint the town in warm hues, Jenna found herself settling into her new routine as a full-time writer. The initial excitement of her book deal had given way to the steady rhythm of drafting, editing, and conference calls with her publisher. Ryan, true to his word, had shifted to a four-day work week, taking on more responsibilities at home to support Jenna's burgeoning career. One crisp October morning, as Jenna sat at her desk, fingers flying across the keyboard, she felt a sudden wave of nausea wash over her. Dismissing it as a symptom of her late-night writing session, she pushed through, determined to meet her deadline. But as the days passed, the feeling persisted, accompanied by an unusual fatigue that seemed to seep into her bones. It wasn't until she found herself craving pickles dipped in peanut butter – a combination that would have normally turned her stomach – that the possibility dawned on her. With trembling hands, she took a pregnancy test, her