Eating For Two

Chapter 13.

Eight grueling weeks had passed since Lucy's surgery, and now, she was finally allowed to put weight on her legs once more.

Each step she took was a small victory, a testament to her strength and resilience. Today marked another milestone - they were going to find out the gender of her baby.

Zoe could see the excitement dancing in Lucy's eyes as she slowly made her way to the ultrasound room, leaning heavily on her crutches. Angela walked beside her, her hand resting protectively on Lucy's shoulder. Zoe trailed behind, her heart swelling with pride.

Despite everything she had been through, Lucy was still here - still fighting. When they entered the room, the technician greeted them with a warm smile. Zoe could see the questions in her eyes, but the woman remained professional, focusing on the task at hand.

As the ultrasound wand glided over Lucy's growing belly, the image of the baby appeared on the screen. The technician moved the wand around, pointing out different parts of the baby's body - the tiny hands and feet, the beating heart.

Then, she paused. "Do you want to know the gender?" she asked, her smile widening. Lucy nodded eagerly, and Zoe held her breath. The technician pointed to a specific area on the screen. "It's a girl," she announced.

Lucy burst into tears, her face lighting up with joy. Zoe felt a lump form in her throat as she watched her daughter's reaction - it was as if all the pain and fear had momentarily disappeared, replaced by pure happiness.

Angela wrapped her arm around Lucy's waist, beaming. "A girl," she repeated, her voice filled with wonder. In that moment, Zoe realised that despite the darkness that had clouded their lives, there was still beauty and hope - and it was all thanks to the little miracle growing inside Lucy.

The evening was filled with laughter and celebration as they dined at the fancy restaurant, enjoying a rare moment of peace. Lucy was positively glowing, her eyes sparkling as she chatted animatedly about her plans for the future - plans that now included a beautiful little girl.

Zoe couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful for this moment of happiness amidst the chaos. But as they were finishing their desserts, her phone buzzed in her pocket, the sound jarring in the quiet room. She excused herself, stepping outside to answer. Her heart sank as she heard the words on the other end - the trial of Chris and Elijah was scheduled for next week.

The gravity of the situation crashed down on her, and she felt a sudden urge to vomit. This was it - the moment they had all been waiting for, the chance to finally see justice served. But she couldn't help but worry - would it be enough?

Could Lucy handle reliving that nightmare in court? She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. When she returned to the table, Lucy and Angela looked up at her expectantly. She pasted a smile on her face, not wanting to ruin the evening. "Everything okay?" Angela asked, concern etched on her features.

Zoe nodded, her eyes flickering down to Lucy's baby bump. "Just work stuff," she lied, squeezing Lucy's hand reassuringly. They finished their dinner, making plans for the coming weeks and focusing on the future. But in the back of her mind, Zoe couldn't shake off the dread that had taken root. Next week would change everything - she only hoped it would be for the better.

A week passed - Lucy lay in bed, her mind racing with memories of that horrific night. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her pillow tightly, reliving each painful moment. The fear, the shame, the betrayal - it was all still so raw, so palpable.

She could hear Chris and Elijah's taunting laughter echoing in her ears, making her stomach twist. She wanted to scream, to make it stop, but she knew she couldn't. Instead, she focused on the one thing that kept her going - her baby girl.

She placed her hand on her rounded belly, feeling the reassuring flutter of life beneath her palm. This little girl was her reason for living, her motivation to get through each day. She couldn't let those monsters win - they had taken so much from her already.

Lucy took a deep breath, steadying herself. Tomorrow, she would face them in court, and she would make sure they paid for what they had done. She wouldn't let them hurt anyone else ever again.

As she drifted off to an uneasy sleep, her thoughts were consumed by visions of justice - and the hope that her daughter would grow up in a world where women were safe and respected.

Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow on Lucy's face as she slowly opened her eyes. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. With a determined expression, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly at the familiar ache in her hip.

She pushed herself up, using her crutches for support, and made her way to the closet. Pulling out a black dress, she carefully maneuvered herself into it, allowing it to hug her growing baby bump. She wanted the world to see her strength, her resilience - she refused to hide behind baggy clothes any longer.

With each movement, she felt her daughter kick and squirm, as if giving her silent encouragement. Lucy smiled, running her hands over her belly. "We've got this, little one," she whispered, her voice filled with determination.

She sat down at the vanity, her eyes meeting her reflection in the mirror. With steady hands, she curled her hair, each loop of the iron a symbol of her defiance.

She wouldn't let Chris and Elijah take her confidence, her sense of self. They may have stolen so much from her, but they would never break her spirit. Today, she would show them that she was stronger than they ever imagined - she was a mother, a survivor, and she would not back down.

Zoe watched as Lucy walked into the courtroom, her heart swelling with pride. Her daughter looked radiant, despite the circumstances.

She held onto Angela and Zoe's hands tightly, drawing strength from their presence. As she made her way to the witness stand, Lucy's gaze never wavered from the two men sitting across from her - Chris and Elijah.

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