Pulse of the Beat

CHAPTER 29: The Final Countdown

💕As promised my sweethearts;

A long very long chapter, 22174 words long

💗Enjoy!!!!

Month 9; Week 2

Lucy sat at her desk in the precinct, surrounded by a sea of case files and paperwork. The familiar hum of activity in the station was a constant backdrop, but today, it felt more like a distant noise as she focused on the stack in front of her. Her pregnancy had progressed into the second week of her ninth month, and every day brought a new wave of challenges. Despite her growing discomfort, she was determined to continue working until the very last possible moment.

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her back aching with each small movement. The pressure of her growing belly was a constant reminder of the impending arrival of her baby. She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was almost noon, and she hadn't even taken a proper break yet. Her colleagues, especially Tim, had been vocal about her need to rest, but Lucy was stubborn and refused to let go of her responsibilities.

"Hey, Lucy, you need to take a break," Tim said, his voice carrying a tone of concern as he approached her desk. He leaned in to kiss her on the forehead, a gesture that had become increasingly frequent as her due date approached. "I know you're determined, but you're going to wear yourself out if you keep this up."

Lucy managed a small smile, though it was clear she was feeling the strain. "I'm fine, Tim. Just a little tired. There's a lot to get done before the baby arrives, and I want to make sure everything is in order."

Tim frowned, his expression a mix of worry and exasperation. "You're going to end up overdoing it. We've got everything covered here. Why don't you take a few minutes to put your feet up?"

Before Lucy could protest, Nyla walked by, catching the end of their conversation. "Lucy, you need to listen to Tim. You've been working non-stop. Just a quick break won't hurt."

Lucy sighed, knowing she couldn't win this argument. "Fine. Just give me a few minutes, okay? I promise I'll take it easy."

As she stood up and stretched, she felt a wave of discomfort roll through her lower back. She winced slightly, but Tim was quick to notice. His eyes softened with concern. "Are you sure you're okay? You look like you're in pain."

"It's nothing," Lucy assured him, though her tone was less convincing than she intended. "Just some back pain. It comes and goes."

Tim gently placed a hand on her back, his touch warm and reassuring. "If it gets worse, let me know. I'll be right here."

With a nod, Lucy walked away from her desk and made her way to the break room. She found a spot on the couch and tried to get comfortable, but the pressure of her belly made it challenging to find a position that eased her discomfort. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to manage the growing ache in her back.

A few minutes later, Angela and Celina entered the break room, chatting animatedly about a recent case. Angela's eyes immediately fell on Lucy, and her expression softened with concern.

"Lucy, how are you holding up?" Angela asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

"I'm managing," Lucy replied, forcing a smile. "Just a bit sore, that's all."

Celina, who had been leaning against the counter, straightened up and walked over to Lucy. "You're not going to do yourself any favors by pushing through the pain. You need to listen to your body."

Lucy shook her head. "I appreciate the concern, but I really want to finish up this paperwork. It's important to me."

Angela glanced at Celina, and they exchanged a knowing look. "Well, if you insist on working, at least let us help," Angela said. "We can handle some of the paperwork for you. Just focus on taking care of yourself."