Chapter 22 Lucy
Lucy
What was this miraculous burst of energy?
Could Lucy bottle this up and sip from it when she needed it the most?
She felt human. Alive. Ah-mazing. She couldn’t believe that a mere six weeks ago she was so sick that she forgot about the queer indie bookstore opening, and today she felt like she could actually jog – which she never did, pregnant or otherwise.
‘Morning, Erica!’ Lucy bounced down the hall at work holding a decaf white chocolate mocha, her cross-body bag snugged tightly around her expanding chest and belly. ‘Morning, Pamela. Yes, before you ask, the new account list is almost done and will be on your desk by ten.’
‘Well, aren’t you chipper this morning. Give me ten minutes to finish this coffee and I’ll match your energy,’ Pamela called out as Lucy rounded the corner.
Lucy moved to her office, flumped her stuff onto the desk, and cracked open the blinds.
February had started with a week of dense, heavy clouds, but today, the sun had finally pushed its way through.
The evergreen trees outside her window were laced with fresh snow from this morning, and the sunbeams made the snowflakes sparkle.
After answering a few emails in record time and pulling an audit report, she heard the clicks of heels against the floor approaching.
‘Knock, knock,’ Pamela said as she also physically knocked and poked her head through the doorway.
‘Don’t you think it’s a little redundant to both knock and say that you’re knocking?’ Lucy grinned and sipped from her drink.
‘Redundant or efficient. All in the eye of the beholder, my dear.’ Pamela rubbed a flattened hand down her blue power suit. ‘I come bearing gifts.’ She pulled out a colourful bouquet of tiger lilies and wildflowers.
Lucy’s chest lifted. ‘For me?’ Her and Jade’s technical four-month anniversary was today, but they hadn’t celebrated the other ones, so this was out of the norm. Or maybe it was an early Valentine’s gift? Swoon.
‘Sure wasn’t for me from my hubs. God knows it’s been years since he bought me flowers.’ Pamela set the vase down on the desk and waved as she exited.
Lucy ripped open the envelope.
Just a little something to let you know how much we love you! Hugs, Mason and Drew.
Her heart shouldn’t dip with disappointment like this, and she felt like a total jerk-hole for frowning at the flowers like they’d personally betrayed her, but … she really thought they would be from Jade. Lucy hated that she felt so icky.
She and Jade were solid. Only six months had passed since they met each other over Lucy’s lost wallet in the condiment section, but it felt like Jade had been in her life for years. And it had been forever, literally forever, since Lucy had a real girlfriend, so maybe she didn’t know all the rules.
She definitely wasn’t going to dwell on the fact that they still hadn’t said ‘I love you’. Should that have happened by now? She shook the insecurity away and shot off a thank-you text to the dads.
The morning flew by with a smattering of customer enquiries, putting out a few fires, and chatting with the marketing team about what made their bank unique. Just as she was about to get up from the chair to use the bathroom, her phone buzzed and she grabbed it from her purse.
Drew: Still on for tonight?
Lucy: Yep! So excited.
Double-date night was one of her favourite nights of the month, because it meant she was surrounded by her favourite people in the world. For the next few hours, she buried herself in work, until Pamela stopped by again. ‘Were the flowers from Jade?’
Lucy’s smile twitched. ‘No, Mason and Drew.’
‘Ah, that’s super sweet. I’m sure they don’t know how to thank you enough for everything.’ Pamela crossed the room to Lucy’s desk. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘I’m good. Great, actually.’ Lucy tucked a few papers into a folder and handed it over. ‘Woke up this morning and like, I don’t know, I wanted to run a marathon. I mean, if I was a runner, which we all know I’m not.’
‘Oh! I call this the second trimester honeymoon. It’s this incredible space where your body finally accepts whatever foreign stuff is happening and floods you with a burst of energy. Enjoy it. It won’t last.’
Lucy bit her lip. She still had so many questions about all things pregnancy, but the one time she went down a Google pregnancy rabbit hole, she got terrified and emotional and vowed never to look up any symptoms again. ‘Can I ask you a personal question?’
Pamela clutched the folder against her chest. ‘Of course.’
Lucy stood, moved to the side and rubbed her belly.
‘Is this normal?’ She’d put on close to fifteen pounds by now, and every single pound seemed to have gone straight to her belly, instead of evenly spreading out across her body like she’d experienced in the past when gaining or losing weight.
Interestingly enough, she loved her body.
She had no idea how sexy she’d feel in her skin while pregnant.
‘I’m not even halfway through this thing and I’m so not one of those “did she eat a burger” or “is she bloated”.
I am legit in the “there’s a baby up in there” stage. ’
‘Well, yes, you do look pregnant. But it’s so hard to say what’s normal.’ Pamela tapped the folder against the doorway. ‘Did I ever tell you my sister-in-law didn’t even know she was pregnant for almost six months?’
‘Wait, what? How is that even possible?’
‘Well, she’d always had irregular periods.
She wasn’t showing at all and only gained like ten pounds.
Hell, I’ve gained ten pounds in a few months before.
’ Pamela chuckled. ‘It was the shock of a lifetime. So really, I’m not sure if there is a norm.
What I do know is that you look amazing. Pregnancy suits you.’
Lucy rubbed her belly. ‘It’s pretty cool, right? I have a newfound respect for the female body.’ She withheld adding a dirty comment about always loving the female body.
‘Just take it easy, and make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Let me know if anything gets too stressful around here, okay?’ Pamela flickered her fingers in a wave and Lucy returned to the computer.
Four thousand trips to the bathroom later, Lucy glanced at the clock. Half an hour of work left for the day and she’d be busting out of here. She logged back into her laptop and started to answer an email when her phone buzzed.
Jade: Can you call me? I have something amazing to tell you!
Lucy shut her office door and dialled. ‘Oooh, tell me everything.’
‘You are never going to believe this.’ Jade’s normally even-keel voice was rushed and excited. ‘I just got a call from the Minneapolis Times.’
‘A good call?’ Lucy lowered herself back into her chair. ‘Or like, hey there, we’re investigating the murder that took place in your basement fifty years ago.’
Jade chuckled. ‘Yes! A great call. You know how every year they do the “best of” articles? Like, the best Greater Twin Cities restaurants, bars, bookstores …’
Lucy grinned at the infectious energy in Jade’s voice. ‘Yes …’
‘I was nominated for Best Salon!’
‘Oh my God, what?’ Lucy squealed, then covered her mouth. ‘You’ve only been open for like two years.’
‘I know! I’m freaking out. They’re going to do a full article on me and the other top three nominees, with pictures and everything.’ Jade’s breathless voice sounded through the receiver. ‘And get this. They’re having a banquet, and I’m invited as a guest of honour.’
‘Like all white linens and fancy-pants people speaking in British tones and too many forks?’
‘Well, the British accent is a no, but everything else yes. I’m already thinking about what to wear. Flats are a good choice, right? I mean, for the record, I can rock the shit out of heels. I just don’t want to walk in all six-three and tower over everyone.’
‘You mean like a goddess? Come on, you should wear heels and show off those spectacular legs.’ Lucy grinned. ‘I’m going to vampire-style devour your legs.’
‘Um, okay.’
‘Not sexy huh? It was a solid try, though, right? ‘A’ for effort.’ Lucy tapped her fingers on the desk. ‘How about I’m going to eat through you like a filet mignon?’
‘Getting worse.’
‘I am going to lick you like a stick of butter.’
‘Who licks a stick of butter? You know what, never mind. I don’t think I can look at you the same if you say you do.’
Man, was Lucy happy for her girlfriend. This was the win Jade needed. She’d been so down lately, ever since she fired her employee last month. Jade had talked about it a little, with a quiver in her voice when she uttered the word ‘betrayed’, but she always refocused the conversation back to Lucy.
‘This is amazing.’ Lucy logged off the computer. ‘When are they sending the photographer? What are you going to wear? What will you say?’
Jade’s voice was breathy. ‘So many details. They’re sending over a confirmation tomorrow but sounds like the journalist will come in about two weeks, and the banquet will be in May. I’m so flipping giddy right now.’
Lucy tucked the phone between her shoulder and her jaw as she gathered items into her bag. ‘We have to celebrate. Let’s do something different. Skating? Sledding? Wine tasting?’
Jade laughed. ‘You’ve literally just said three things that I’m pretty sure pregnant women can’t do.’
‘Ugh. Pregnancy ruins everything.’ Lucy grinned. ‘But … quick update. Drew messaged earlier and he needs to meet us at the theatre.’
‘Oh really, so no dinner first?’ The sound of Jade stirring something sounded in the background. ‘Do you want me to pick us up some takeout?’
All of Lucy’s energy pooled in the most delicious places, and her legs warmed. ‘We have two hours before we need to meet Drew and Mason at the theatre.’
‘Yeah …’
She licked the corner of her lip. ‘I know exactly how I want to spend that time.’
Lucy swore she heard Jade swallow. ‘I’m on my way.’
Forget work. The tingles were fierce. Lucy immediately logged off and rushed home.