The Rookie (OC x Lucy) (Fan Fiction)

Chapter 34: Now and Then

With Wesley

Wesley entered the bedroom to find Lucy carefully applying makeup over the tattoo Caleb had marked her with. Without a word, he walked over and gently took the makeup from her hand.

Lucy, feeling vulnerable, murmured, "Wes, no..."

But Wesley dipped his fingers into the makeup and carefully concealed the tattoo himself, his touch tender and reassuring.

As he worked, Lucy let out a sigh of relief. "Oh. I'm sorry."

Wesley glanced at her, his voice soft but firm. "Hey, it's going to be okay. Jackson and Johnny are in the living room."

Lucy nodded, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Yeah. I love that they're here to show their support."

Wesley smiled, finishing the last stroke of makeup. "I know you do."

He stepped back to admire his work. "There. Finished."

Lucy looked at the covered tattoo and then back at Wesley, her eyes filled with appreciation. "Thank you," she said quietly, pulling her shirt back down.

After Lucy pulled her shirt down, Wesley didn't say a word. Instead, he reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, holding her close. The warmth of his embrace was comforting, and Lucy instinctively wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest.

Wesley rested his chin on her head, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You don't have to face any of this alone," he whispered.

Lucy tightened her grip on him, taking in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I know," she murmured. "I just... I don't want to feel weak."

"You're not weak, Lucy," Wesley said, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "You're the strongest person I know. And I'm here for you, always."

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Wesley smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Luckily, you don't have to find out." He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "We're in this together, every step of the way."

Lucy pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Wesley's eyes, her own filled with sorrow. "I wish the baby were still here," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I wish we hadn't lost them. I can't help but feel like it's my fault."

Wesley's heart ached to hear the pain in her voice. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had started to fall. "Lucy, it's not your fault," he said firmly, but with all the tenderness he could muster. "You got hurt because of what Caleb did. None of this is on you."

She shook her head, trying to fight the overwhelming guilt that had been gnawing at her. "But if I had been more careful if I hadn't gone alone..."

Wesley stopped her, pressing his forehead against hers. "You didn't do anything wrong," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "You didn't ask for any of this to happen. What happened to our baby wasn't something you could control. You were just trying to survive, and you did. That's what matters."

Lucy's tears flowed more freely now, and she let herself cry, her grief finally breaking through. "I wanted this baby so much," she sobbed. "I wanted to be a mother..."

Wesley held her tighter, his own eyes welling up. "I know," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I wanted it too. But we still have each other, Lucy. And when the time is right, we'll try again. We'll have that family we dreamed of. But right now, I need you to remember that I love you more than anything, and I'm so grateful that you're here with me."