Unexpected Love

54. Facing Reality

Four weeks had passed since the birth of their twins, and life had become a blur of diaper changes and late-night feedings. Lucy, usually the beaming ray of sunshine in Angela's life, seemed to be shrouded in a cloud of sadness that Angela couldn't quite reach through.

Angela noticed the change in her partner - the lack of laughter, the tiredness that seemed to go beyond sleep deprivation, and the distant look in Lucy's eyes. One evening, as they sat in the nursery, Angela cradling one baby while Lucy fed the other, she finally broached the subject.

"Hey," she started gently, "you've seemed a bit down lately. Is everything okay?" Lucy hesitated, looking away. "I...I don't know," she admitted, her voice wavering. "I just feel so overwhelmed, like I'm not doing enough. I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. And then there are times I don't even want to hold them."

Angela's heart ached hearing Lucy's confession. She knew it took courage to admit such feelings, especially when society painted motherhood as a purely joyous experience. "Luce," she said softly, reaching over to stroke Lucy's cheek, "you're amazing. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. It's a lot, but you're handling everything beautifully."

Lucy looked up, meeting Angela's eyes, and Angela could see the unshed tears glistening there. "But I'm not enough," Lucy whispered. "Yes, you are," Angela insisted, her voice firm. "And if you need help, you can always talk to me. i'm here for you." The room fell silent, save for the soft coos of the babies, as Lucy considered Angela's words.

Slowly, she nodded, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Angela pulled her into a comforting embrace, holding her close as they sat together, a united front.

As days turned into nights and nights blurred into days, Angela couldn't shake off the nagging worry about Lucy's emotional state. She had read about postpartum depression, how it could sometimes sneak up on new mothers around three to four weeks after labor.

The signs seemed to align with Lucy's behavior - the constant sadness, the overwhelming fatigue, and the feelings of inadequacy. Angela knew she had to act, but she didn't want to pressure Lucy into talking if she wasn't ready. Instead, she decided to approach Celina, hoping lucy's bestfriend might have some insight or advice.

One afternoon, when Lucy was napping with one of the twins, Angela found Celina in the kitchen, preparing bottles for the next feeding session. Celina had been around a lot more- she had noticed lucys behaviour.

"Cel," she began cautiously, "have you noticed anything different about Lucy lately?" Celina glanced up, her eyes reflecting concern. "Yeah," she admitted. "I thought it might be the lack of sleep, but it seems more than that." Angela nodded. "I've been thinking about postpartum depression," she confessed, her voice laced with worry.

Celina paused, considering. "It's possible," she agreed. "We should encourage her to see a doctor, just to make sure." Together, they strategized how to broach the subject with Lucy, both wanting to support her without making her feel judged or alone. Their conversation was interrupted by a baby's cry, but Angela knew they were on the right track.

The house was suddenly filled with the sound of Lucy's panicked wails as she burst into the kitchen, tears streaming down her face. Celina and Angela, who had been mid-conversation about Lucy's wellbeing, froze in alarm. "Lucy!" Angela cried out, rushing towards her. Celina quickly followed suit.

Lucy stood there, trembling and disoriented, clutching at her empty chest. "My babies!" she sobbed, convinced she had been nursing one and had somehow dropped it. The terror in her voice sent chills down Angela's spine. "Lucy, love, you weren't holding any of them!" Angela said firmly, wrapping her arms around Lucy's shaking form.