Page 16 of Jax & Knox

"You didn't have to do this," I say.

"I know." She starts unpacking, milk, eggs, bread, fresh fruit, a rotisserie chicken. "But I wanted to. You need to eat, and I figured you probably haven't had time to think about groceries yet."

She's right. I haven't.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

Lucy looks at me, her expression soft. "How are you feeling? Physically, I mean."

"Better," I admit. "Still sore, but better."

"Good. That's good." She finishes unpacking and folds the bags neatly. "Bella said you need to rest. Like, actually rest. Not just sit around folding laundry."

I glance at the pile of baby clothes on the couch and feel my face heat. "I'm not good at sitting still."

"I get that," Lucy says. "But your body needs time to heal. You've been through a lot."

I don't know what to say to that, so I just nod.

Lucy moves to the living room and sits on the floor next to Owen, who immediately reaches for her. She picks him up and bounces him on her knee, making him giggle.

"He's so sweet," she says. "How old is he?"

“Seven months."

"He's perfect." She looks up at me. "You're doing a great job with him, you know that?"

My throat tightens. "I'm trying."

"You're doing more than trying. You got him out. You kept him safe. That's everything."

I sit down on the couch, my hands twisting in my lap. "I should have left sooner."

"Maybe," Lucy says gently. "But you left when you could. That's what matters."

I look at her, this young woman who barely knows me, and I don't understand why she's being so kind. Why any of them are.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask.

Lucy tilts her head. "Doing what?"

"Helping me. All of you. You don't even know me."

She's quiet for a moment, her hand rubbing Owen's back as he leans against her. "Because someone helped me once," she says finally. "When I needed it most. And now I get to pay it forward."

"What happened?"

She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "That's a story for another day. Right now, you just need to focus on healing. Okay?"

I nod, even though I don't fully understand.

Lucy stays for another twenty minutes, playing with Owen and making small talk about nothing important. When she leaves, she hugs me at the door, quick and warm, and tells me to call if I need anything.

I watch her walk back toward the main clubhouse, and for the first time since I got here, I feel a little less alone.

Tessa shows up around two with a bag of takeout and a grin.

"Lunch," she announces, breezing past me into the cottage. "I figured you probably haven't eaten yet."