Chapter 41 Forty One
A few months later, the city outside Lucy’s apartment buzzed with cars humming past, distant laughter drifting up from the street below, the low rhythm of a place that never quite slept. Lucy pushed open the front door, juggling her bag and keys, already halfway through a mental list of everything she needed to do before the day ended.
“Antonia?” she called out as she walked in.
“In here,” Antonia replied.
Lucy stepped into the living room and immediately slowed.
Antonia sat alone on the couch, one leg tucked beneath her, a bowl of freshly cut fruits balanced on her lap. She chewed thoughtfully on a slice of apple, eyes unfocused as she stared at nothing in particular. Her belly, unmistakably round now, stretched gently beneath her loose top, no longer something that could be hidden or ignored.
Lucy smiled softly.
“There you are,” she said, setting her bag down. “You look… very maternal.”
Antonia snorted. “I look like I’m constantly hungry.”
Lucy laughed and moved closer. “That too.”
She sank into the armchair across from her. “How was your antenatal session today?”
Antonia brightened slightly. “It was good. Really good, actually. The nurse said everything looks healthy. The baby’s heartbeat was strong.”
Lucy’s eyes softened. “That’s wonderful.”
“It is,” Antonia agreed, one hand drifting instinctively to her belly. “I felt calmer this time. Less scared.”
Lucy tilted her head. “Austin went with you, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” Antonia said without hesitation. “He took the morning off. Sat through the entire session. Asked about a hundred questions.”
Lucy smiled knowingly. “Of course he did. He really cares about you.”
“He even took notes,” Antonia added, shaking her head with a fond laugh. “I think the midwife was more impressed with him than me.”
Lucy crossed her arms loosely. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day you’d be so happy talking about another man like this after everything you've been through in your past relationships.”
Antonia paused, chewing slowly. “Neither did I.”
Before Lucy could respond, the front door opened again.
Austin stepped in, keys still in hand, jacket slung over his shoulder. His gaze immediately found Antonia, and something warm and unmistakably tender crossed his face.
“Hey,” he said softly.
“Hey,” Antonia replied.
He walked over, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, unhurried, natural, as if Lucy weren’t even there.
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Well. Hello to you too.”
Austin chuckled. “Sorry. Hi, Lucy.”
She smirked. “I see things are progressing nicely.”
Antonia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
Austin turned back to Antonia, brushing his thumb lightly over her shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” she said. “A little tired.”
“That’s my fault,” he admitted. “I kept you out longer than I planned.”
Lucy cleared her throat pointedly. “I’m still here, or have I become invisible?”
Austin laughed, then grew suddenly serious. “Actually… there’s something I need to tell you both.”
Antonia straightened. “What is it?”
He exhaled slowly and sat on the edge of the coffee table. “I quit my job.”
Silence fell.
Lucy blinked. “You what?”
Antonia’s heart skipped. “Austin… why?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I had a disagreement with the head chef. It’s been building for a while. Today was just the breaking point.”
“What kind of disagreement?” Lucy asked.
“Creative control,” he said simply. “And respect. Or lack of it.”
Antonia studied his face. “Did he fire you?”
“No,” Austin replied. “But he made it clear things weren’t going to change. So I walked away.”
Lucy leaned back. “That takes guts.”
“It takes stubbornness,” Austin corrected lightly. “But I wasn’t going to stay somewhere that made me miserable.”
Antonia swallowed. “What about money? Your plans?”
“I’ll figure it out,” he said calmly. “I always do.”
She reached for his hand. “You don’t have to carry everything alone, you know.”
He squeezed her fingers. “I know. But I don’t regret it.”
Lucy watched them quietly, then stood. “I’m going to give you two some space. I’ll be in my room.”
As soon as she disappeared, Antonia turned to Austin fully. “Are you really okay?”
He nodded. “Honestly? Yeah. I feel lighter.”
She searched his eyes. “You didn’t quit because of me… or the baby?”
“No,” he said firmly. “I quit because I want a future that doesn’t drain me. And because I want to be present, for you.”
Her eyes stung. “Austin…”
He smiled gently. “I don’t know exactly what comes next. But I know I’m not going anywhere.”
Antonia leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. She felt his heartbeat beneath her ear, steady, reassuring.
So much had changed.
She wasn’t the woman she had been months ago. Afraid, running, holding secrets like shields. She still carried unresolved feelings, unfinished chapters she hadn’t fully closed.
But she was growing.
So was the life inside her.
And for now, that felt like enough.
"You'll need to look for another job," she said a moment later, "You need the money to achieve your plans."
"I will," he murmured, in agreement. "But I am getting tired of working for others. My dream has always been to one day own a restaurant." He added quietly.
"And you'll achieve it someday," Antonia assured him, "But you need to keep believing and working towards it."
Austin smiles at her, "You see why I love you..."
Antonia smiles back at him.