Chenford discovering love

She finally breaks

Angela Tim and Nyla sat in his longue waiting for Lucy. After 1 hour she exited dressed and ready. Her legs were a little shaky
The car ride was filled with Tim and Angela's chat Lucy stared out the window.
Inside her head she was running through everything. They pulled up and walked in. She went to room 1 and sat down Tim and Angela went to the back to hear. do you think she's going to talk, I'm waiting for her to do something cry, laugh, tell me to F off anything ? Asked Tim Angela shrugged. For 3 hours Lucy wrote everything that had happened. When she was done she signed her statement.
Internally - I can't do this I can't do this I need to get out of here. Lucy's thoughts started spiralling. Her breath quickened and she stood up and left Tim and Angela were shocked and started to follow. Lucy ran into an empty office and shut the door. It was Tim's office. She leaned over the table hyperventilating.
Both Tim and Angela stopped when they saw the door close let's wait here and give her a minute. Angela said. Tim didn't like this idea he could hear her breathing fast and shallowly in his office it sounded like she was crying. After a few minutes that felt like hours Tim stood im going in he said Angela stay guard here please. She nodded.
Tim opened the door he could see Lucy struggling she was in a full blown panic attack. She patted her chest trying to get more air in. Tim thought back to his basic training.
1. Establish a connection- Tim said her name. Nothing. He said it louder. She looked at him.
2. Explain that they are not thinking clearly right now. - Luce he began taking a step towards her you're having a panic attack and your thoughts are all over the place. She took a step back her breathing got worse.
3. Contact. He knew this was normally a hand on the back. But right now she was so heightened that wouldn't work. It was going to be a full body wrap to calm her sympathetic nervous system. He knew that she was going to flip.

He walked towards her and she backed up and pushed him. Still no words. Tim took her in his arms and she fought it her sobs so evident now she tried to push away but he held her tighter. He thought back to the night he found her how much she must've fought. She was strong Chris must've seriously overpowered her. She gently tried pushing away but Tim didn't let go. He simply said over and over I've got you.
All of a sudden he couldn't feel her fighting back anymore. She was sobbing and crying. This was the first time she had let herself feel. Just then, her legs gave out and she leaned into Tim more. Tim lowered them both to the ground. Her breathing still shallow and cry's still loud.
After 15 minutes Tim ushered a few words
T- hey you have to slow your breathing down Luce.
She began to struggle again in his arms he gripped her tightly once again come on Luce he said stop now I've got you.
He put his legs out and easily moved her to secure her in place. He offered a gentle shh and rocked her. After 1 hour she had stopped breathing erratically and she had placed her head back into Tim's chest all that could be heard where stifled breaths every now and again. Tim stroked her hair and gave her a kiss on top of her head. They stayed like this for what seemed like an eternity. Tim breathing in her scent calmed him. Lucy's hand was holding his. He had longed for her to let him in and let him comfort her and it was happening. He felt electric. He noticed that her hand had drifted off his and hit the floor. Tim peered round to steal a look. She was asleep. He texted Angela to get the truck and he would go out his office door that lead into the car park. When she replied with here Tim carefully placed his hand one under her legs and the other cradling her torso. She was easy to lift. She fit perfectly in Tim's frame. He walked to the back of the truck and put her in the back seats. He asked Angela to drive as he sat still embracing her.
A- Jesus you must love her to let me drive.
T- focus on the road you idiot he said smiling.
A- you two are very sweet together.
T- we aren't together I'm just her friend.
A- sure she looked in the rear view mirror to see him brushing her hair behind her ear.
A- just friends

They got to Tim's and Lucy woke up he could see the exhaustion in her eyes as he opened the car door he placed an arm round her to steady her. Instead of feeling dread and fear she placed her head on Tim as they walked.
Angela followed behind just friends my arse she said. After getting Lucy in Angela said goodbye. Lucy slumped on the couch and Tim started making some food he knew after a massive panic attack she would be hungry. Lucy sat on the sofa staring into nothing. Tim watched and hoped that the glimmer of hope he saw in his office wasn't gone. Lucy turned her head and her eyes met Tim's he smiled and she offered a soft smile back. He walked over with lunch they sat and ate Tim put the tv on once they were done he took the plates and Lucy offered a smile that spoke so many words. Thank you for being so kind thank you for being there thank you for everything.
As the day drew on, Tim looked at his phone
A- how's it going
T- she ate lunch first time in a long time and she's smiled
A- amazing. Maybe try and get her outside a bit of fresh air might help. She loves the beach doesn't she
T- urgh I hate the beach but for her I'll do it
A- aw lover boy
T- shut up ange 😂

Put your shoes on Luce, we are going out. The sun was beginning to set but they still had a good few hours. Lucy obliged and stood by the door waiting for Tim. Since the attack she couldn't leave first. Tim exited quickly followed by Lucy right on his heels. They got in the truck a normal journey recently has looked like silence and Lucy staring out the window. Today however she felt like Tim understood her she felt like she could breathe freely. She reached for the stereo and put the radio on. This small act made Tim beam with pride. I like this song he said turning to Lucy. She smiled.
As they drove Tim missed her voice her laugh her character. They got to the beach and she turned to look at him to show her appreciation she placed her hand on top of his. They exited finding a spot to watch the sunset. They sat in silence just staring at the beauty.
T- I see why you like this. It isn't so bad he said with a smile bumping her shoulder with his.
Lucy smiled and let out a small laugh that sounded like air escaping.
T- do you want a drink he said pulling a flask out of his bag
She nodded as he poured the drink and handed it to her she took it their hands briefly touching.
T- you're freezing Luce here take this he said offering a blanket from the bag he wrapped it around her and moved his arms up and down hers in an attempt to warm her up.
After a while they decided to head back. Lucy stayed wrapped in the blanket being in the contented state and hearing the gentle hum of the car she drifted off to sleep. The truck pulled to a slow stop and Tim thought about waking her but he had heard her nightmares and disturbed sleep and knew she needed it. He carefully picked her up and carried her to bed tucking her in and giving her a kiss on her forehead he went out to the living room and put on the game. He looked at the clock 23.43 time for bed. He lay on the sofa thinking about Lucy.
He had almost drifted off to a deep sleep when he heard the inevitable shift and noise coming from his room. Lucy was awake. She managed 3 hours of sleep. Tim didn't go to her unless he was scared he didn't want to overwhelm her. She normally settled again after 10 minutes.
10 minutes past then 20 Tim sat up debating weather or not to go to her. He went to text Angela. She was his sounding board. Just then a figure appeared in the doorway. Lucy.

She was crying and breathing quickly. But she uttered her first words in 3 weeks