Chenford discovering love

Home sweet home

After Lucy was discharged from the hospital, Tim helped her slowly into the house, making sure she was steady as she took each step. Her body was still weak, and the exhaustion clung to her like a weight she couldn't shake. Angela, who had been watching the kids, greeted them with a warm smile, but the peacefulness was quickly interrupted by Liv's excited voice.

"Mama!" Liv screamed, running towards her mother with boundless enthusiasm, her little feet barely touching the floor as she dashed forward. But before she could reach Lucy, Tim grabbed her arm, his voice quiet yet sharp. "Liv, remember, mama is getting better. You have to be careful."

Liv winced, pulling her arm slightly as she responded, "Ow, Daddy! I want Mummy!" Her voice held a small tremor, filled with the hurt of being held back from the one she had missed so much.

Tim sighed and gently but firmly said, "Just wave for a minute, let Mummy get into the house first." His tone, though caring, was firm, reminding Liv that things weren't quite back to normal yet.

Liv's face fell slightly, but she obediently lifted her little hand and waved quietly at Lucy instead, her excitement momentarily dampened. Lucy gave her a tired but reassuring smile as she settled onto the sofa, sinking into its cushions with relief.

Liv, bounding around the room with excitement once more, couldn't contain herself. "Mummy, I missed you lots!" she exclaimed, her energy nearly vibrating off her. "I've been doing lots at school! Look, I can hop now, and I can skip too! Look, Mummy!"

"Liv, calm down," Tim said, his voice carrying a note of warning. Lucy, though drained, managed a weak smile, trying to hold onto her daughter's joy.

But Liv couldn't hold back any longer and threw her arms around Lucy's legs, her small embrace fierce with love and longing. Tim's patience snapped. "Liv, I told you to be careful!" he raised his voice, causing Liv to shrink back, her face falling as she tried to process her father's tone.

Realizing she needed to calm down, Liv took a deep breath and, more subdued, said softly, "Mama, I've been learning how to read at school. Can I show you?"

Lucy, despite her exhaustion, couldn't bear to let her daughter down, especially after seeing her excitement and how she was desperately trying to share her progress. "I would love to, baby," she said gently, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But Mummy's really tired right now. Can I listen another time?"

Before Liv could respond, Tim interjected, "Hey, Liv, not right now. Mama is tired." His tone was firm, almost shutting down the conversation entirely.

Liv's face fell completely, her disappointment evident. She nodded, her shoulders slumping as the light in her eyes dimmed. "Okay..." she mumbled, taking a small step back. The spark that had filled her just moments before seemed to fade, leaving her looking a bit lost.

Lucy's heart ached at the sight. Ignoring Tim's caution, she said softly, "It's okay," trying to sit up to show Liv that she wanted to listen, even if just for a moment. But her body was weak, and she struggled to find the strength.

Seeing her mother's permission, Liv's face lit up with a small smile as she eagerly climbed up onto the sofa, pressing close. In her excitement, she didn't realize that her knee dug into Lucy's stomach as she got comfy. The pain shot through Lucy, and she couldn't help but let out a small whimper, instinctively flinching.

Tim's patience broke entirely. " for god sake Liv!" he snapped, his voice loud and cutting. He grabbed her and pulled her off Lucy with a harshness he hadn't intended. "I told you to be careful!"

Liv looked up at him, stunned, her eyes welling up with tears as the realization sank in that she had hurt her mother, even if unintentionally. Her lip trembled, and a soft, heartbreaking sob escaped her as her face crumpled. She didn't understand; she had only wanted to be close to her mama, to show her everything she'd been learning and practicing. But now, her father's harsh words and her mother's wince made her feel like she had done something terribly wrong.