Sara was deep in sleep, wrapped in the warmth of Shubman's embrace, when a sudden, sharp pain in her lower abdomen jolted her awake. Disoriented and groggy, she shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position. But the pain persisted, a dull ache that refused to be ignored.

She frowned and instinctively reached down to her stomach, realizing with a sinking feeling what might have happened. Carefully, she lifted the blanket and checked the sheets beneath her. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the faint but unmistakable red stains.

Sara's heart sank. She had gotten her period.

She bit her lip, feeling a mix of embarrassment and discomfort wash over her. The pain was making it hard to think clearly, and she was suddenly very aware of Shubman lying beside her, still peacefully asleep. She didn't want to disturb him, but she knew she had to clean up.

Moving as quietly as possible, Sara slowly and carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to wake Shubman. Her heart raced as she made her way to the bathroom, the cool floor beneath her feet a stark contrast to the warmth she'd just left behind.

Once inside, Sara leaned against the sink, trying to steady her breathing. She glanced at herself in the mirror, her face pale and slightly flushed from the discomfort. The pain in her lower abdomen throbbed steadily, making her wince as she quickly gathered the supplies she needed.

After cleaning herself up and changing into fresh clothes, Sara took a deep breath, feeling a little more composed but still uneasy. She knew she'd have to deal with the stained sheets, but the thought of waking Shubman for help filled her with anxiety.

She returned to the bedroom, moving quietly so as not to disturb Shubman. But as she approached the bed, she noticed him stirring. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at her with a sleepy, concerned expression.

"Sara?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Is everything okay?"

Sara hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. She didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but she also knew she couldn't hide what had happened. "I'm...I'm fine," she said softly, though her voice wavered slightly. "I just...got my period. I need to change the sheets."

Shubman blinked, fully waking up as he processed her words. Seeing the slight discomfort on her face, he immediately sat up, his concern evident. "Hey, it's okay," he said gently. "Let me help you."

Sara shook her head, not wanting to trouble him. "You don't have to. I can handle it."

But Shubman was already getting out of bed, his expression reassuring. "We'll do it together," he said, his tone firm but kind. "You shouldn't have to deal with this alone."

His words made Sara's heart swell with gratitude and affection. She nodded, feeling a bit more at ease as he joined her in stripping the bed of the stained sheets. Despite the situation, Shubman remained calm and supportive, his gentle presence making the whole ordeal feel a little less overwhelming.

Once the bed was clean and fresh sheets were in place, Shubman looked at her with a soft smile. "Do you need anything else? Some painkillers or a hot water bottle?"

Sara smiled back, touched by his thoughtfulness. "A hot water bottle would be great," she admitted, her voice soft.

"I'll get it," Shubman said, heading towards the kitchen.

As he walked away, Sara couldn't help but feel an immense sense of relief and gratitude. She'd been worried about how he might react, but Shubman had shown nothing but kindness and understanding. It made her realize just how lucky she was to have him by her side.

When he returned with the hot water bottle, he handed it to her with a gentle smile. "Here you go," he said, helping her settle back into bed.

"Thank you, Shub," Sara whispered, her eyes filled with warmth.

"Anything for you," he replied, brushing a tender kiss on her forehead.

As she snuggled back under the covers, the warmth of the hot water bottle easing her cramps, Sara felt a deep sense of comfort and security. Shubman slid back into bed beside her, wrapping his arm around her protectively.

"Get some rest," he murmured, his voice soothing in the quiet room. "I'm right here if you need anything."

Sara closed her eyes, feeling the weight of sleep pulling her back under. But this time, she knew she wasn't alone. Shubman was there, and that made all the difference.

In the morning, sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Sara stirred slowly, the comforting heat of the hot water bottle still pressed against her stomach. The pain from the night before had lessened, but as she became more awake, a different sensation made itself known—cravings.

Sara's stomach growled softly, and she realized she was hungry. Not just any hunger, though—she craved something sweet, rich, and utterly indulgent. A smile tugged at her lips as she thought about chocolate, pancakes dripping with syrup, or maybe even some creamy ice cream.

She turned over, facing Shubman, who was still fast asleep beside her. His peaceful expression made her heart swell with affection. Not wanting to disturb him, she gently slipped out of bed, the craving driving her towards the kitchen.

As she padded down the hallway, the coolness of the floor tiles under her feet helped wake her up fully. The kitchen was quiet, bathed in the soft morning light. Sara opened the fridge, scanning the contents with a thoughtful look. She found some ingredients and decided that pancakes would hit the spot—soft, fluffy, and drenched in syrup.

Just as she started mixing the batter, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Shubman, his hair slightly tousled from sleep, leaning against the doorframe with a sleepy smile.

"Good morning," he said, his voice warm and slightly husky. "What are you up to?"

"Morning," Sara replied, her own smile growing. "I had a craving for something sweet, so I thought I'd make pancakes. Want some?"

Shubman chuckled softly as he walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Pancakes sound perfect," he murmured against her ear. "Especially if you're making them."

Sara leaned back into his embrace, enjoying the closeness. "I was thinking about adding chocolate chips. What do you think?"

"Chocolate chips sound amazing," Shubman agreed, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "But let me help. You shouldn't be doing all the work."

Sara smiled at his offer and nodded. "Alright, you can handle the cooking while I supervise."

Together, they made the pancakes, Shubman taking over the stove while Sara sat on the counter, nibbling on a few chocolate chips. Every now and then, Shubman would glance up at her, their eyes meeting with unspoken affection. It was a quiet, intimate moment that made the morning feel even more special.

When the pancakes were finally ready, they sat down at the table, and Shubman served up a stack of the warm, chocolate-chip-filled pancakes onto Sara's plate. She drizzled them with syrup, her mouth watering as she took the first bite. The sweetness of the chocolate combined with the soft, fluffy texture of the pancakes was exactly what she had been craving.

"These are so good," Sara said between bites, her face lighting up with happiness.

Shubman grinned, pleased to see her enjoying the meal. "Glad you like them. You've got great taste."

Sara laughed softly, her mood lifted despite the cramps still lingering in the background. "I think it's just that I have the best chef."

They spent the rest of the morning eating and chatting, the atmosphere relaxed and filled with warmth. As they finished, Shubman noticed Sara's content expression and reached out, taking her hand in his.

"I'm really glad you're here, Sara," he said softly, his eyes reflecting his sincerity.

Sara squeezed his hand, her heart full. "I'm glad I'm here too, Shub."

The moment was simple yet profound, a shared understanding that this was more than just a house they were sharing. It was the beginning of something deeper, something that felt right.

After breakfast, Shubman and Sara decided to spend a lazy morning together, letting the day unfold at its own pace. They moved to the living room, where they snuggled up on the couch, Sara wrapped in a soft blanket while Shubman flipped through the channels on the TV. The comfort of each other's company made the world outside seem far away.

As they settled on a movie, Sara's cravings made a reappearance. She glanced up at Shubman, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I kind of want some ice cream," she admitted, biting her lip playfully. "Something with chocolate, maybe."

Shubman grinned at her, enjoying the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her cravings. "Ice cream sounds good. Want me to get some from the store?"

Sara shook her head, her hand resting on his arm to keep him close. "No, let's both go. It'll be fun."

He looked at her warmly, appreciating her desire to keep the morning relaxed and enjoyable. "Alright, let's go get some ice cream. But only if I get to pick the flavor too."

Sara laughed, nodding eagerly. "Deal."

They quickly got dressed, throwing on casual clothes before heading out to a nearby grocery store. The walk was refreshing, the cool morning air helping to clear their minds. As they strolled side by side, their hands brushed together occasionally, a small but comforting connection that neither felt the need to break.

At the store, they wandered through the frozen foods section, debating over the many flavors. Shubman picked up a pint of double chocolate fudge, holding it up for Sara's approval.

"This one looks pretty good," he said, his tone teasing. "It's got your name written all over it."

Sara laughed, reaching for a pint of cookies and cream. "I was thinking this one, but maybe we should get both. You know, to cover all bases."

Shubman chuckled and tossed both pints into the basket. "Good idea. We'll make sure no craving goes unmet today."

They paid for the ice cream and walked back home, the conversation flowing easily between them. When they got back to the house, they didn't even make it to the kitchen before Sara insisted on opening the double chocolate fudge. She grabbed two spoons, handing one to Shubman as they sat on the couch.

"This is exactly what I needed," Sara sighed happily after the first bite, the rich chocolate melting in her mouth.

Shubman watched her with a smile, enjoying her happiness more than the ice cream itself. "You really love your chocolate, don't you?"

Sara nodded, taking another spoonful. "It's my go-to comfort food, especially during... well, you know."

He chuckled softly, his hand resting on her knee. "I'm glad I can be here to indulge your cravings."

Sara leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder. "I'm glad you're here too, Shub. You've made everything so much better."

They spent the rest of the morning in a cozy, blissful state, sharing ice cream and enjoying each other's presence. Every now and then, Shubman would brush a stray hair from Sara's face, or she would rest her hand on his chest, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment.

As the day wore on, they found themselves once again curled up on the couch, watching another movie. The house was filled with warmth, laughter, and a sense of belonging that neither of them had quite expected.

Shubman glanced down at Sara, who had started to doze off against his shoulder. He carefully shifted so she could rest more comfortably, his heart swelling with affection for the woman who had come to mean so much to him.

He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, whispering softly, "I love you, Sara."

In her half-asleep state, Sara murmured back, "Love you too, Shub," before snuggling deeper into his embrace.

The rest of the day was spent in a peaceful, quiet rhythm, with Sara and Shubman savoring every moment of their time together. It was the kind of day that neither would forget—a day that marked the beginning of something beautiful, something they both knew they were ready to embrace fully.