No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 41

The last bell rang, and the students spilled out into the hallway, buzzing with excitement. For most of them, the end of the school year meant freedom—vacation, fun, relaxation. But for Henry and Lucy, it meant something different. As they walked together toward the front of the school, hand in hand, it felt like the beginning of something much bigger.

Henry glanced at Lucy, a small smile playing on his lips. She had been glowing lately, her belly rounding out as their baby grew inside her. There was a joy about her that made everything feel more real—more grounded. He'd always loved her, but now, seeing her excitement about becoming a mother, it deepened his affection in ways he hadn't expected.

"I can't believe we're finally done," Lucy said, her voice light as she squeezed his hand. "No more tests, no more homework. We actually have time to figure everything out now."

"Yeah," Henry agreed, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "It's weird, though. I mean... this was our life for so long, and now we're moving on to something completely different."

"Completely different," Lucy echoed, her tone thoughtful. "But good different, right?"

Henry nodded. "Definitely good. We're going to get married in a month, after all the court stuff with Amelia is done. That's huge."

Lucy smiled at him, her eyes softening as she rested her hand on her belly. "I know... I'm actually getting excited about becoming a mom. I mean, at first, I was terrified, but now... I don't know. I feel ready, you know? Like I'm ready to meet our baby."

Henry's heart warmed at her words, and he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "You're going to be an amazing mom, Lucy. I know it."

She laughed softly. "Well, I'll have you by my side, so I think we'll manage. But there's still so much to do. Like... planning the wedding. Who are we inviting?"

"Sarah, for sure," Henry said without hesitation. "She's been a really good friend. I don't think we could have opened the restaurant on time without her help."

Lucy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she's been great. She's always there for us, you know? And she genuinely loves being around us. I think she'd be thrilled to be part of the wedding."

They both smiled, thinking of Sarah's infectious energy and how she'd always been the one to rally around them when they needed support. She wasn't just a friend—she was family.

"Who else, though?" Lucy asked, tilting her head as she thought. "Do we want to keep it small, or should we invite more people?"

"I think small's better," Henry said. "Close friends and family. We don't need anything big or fancy. Just something that's... us, you know?"

"Yeah," Lucy agreed. "Simple, but special."

They walked in silence for a moment, both of them imagining what their wedding day would be like. In just a few short weeks, they'd be standing in front of their friends and family, committing to a life together—not just as a couple, but as parents. It was a lot to take in, but the more they thought about it, the more right it felt.

"I'm really glad we're doing this together," Lucy said softly, glancing up at him with a smile. "I couldn't imagine going through all of this without you."

Henry squeezed her hand, his heart swelling with affection. "Me too. We've been through a lot, but... I think it's made us stronger. And I can't wait to start this new chapter with you."

Lucy beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Neither can I. It's going to be an adventure, that's for sure."

As they reached the front of the school, Henry paused, looking back at the building one last time. This was it—the end of one chapter, the beginning of another. He didn't know exactly what the future held, but with Lucy by his side and their baby on the way, he felt ready for whatever was coming.