New Beginnings

The warm glow of the evening sun streamed through the windows of the Bradford's cozy living room, casting a soft light on the chaos that had become their lives. Tim and Lucy sat on the couch, surrounded by baby gear, diapers, and toys, with their newborn daughter, Iris, sleeping peacefully in her crib. It had been a few weeks since Iris's birth, and Lucy was eager to get back to normal life, including intimacy with Tim. However, Tim was hesitant, still worried about hurting Lucy after the traumatic birth experience. Lucy, feeling a little more energetic than she had in weeks, reached out and gently touched Tim's arm. "Hey, can we talk?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. Tim turned to her, his expression softening. "Of course, what's up?" Lucy smiled, trying to sound casual. "I was just thinking, it's been a while since...you know." She glanced around the room, making sure Iris was still asleep. "I was thinking maybe we could, you know, get back to normal." Tim's eyes darted away, and he cleared his throat. "I don't know, Lucy. I don't want to hurt you." Lucy's expression turned playful. "Oh, come on, Tim. I'm not made of glass. I'm a big girl, I can handle it." Tim chuckled, but his eyes still held a hint of concern. "I know, it's just...I don't want to make things worse. You're still healing, and I don't want to push you too hard." Lucy's smile faltered, and she looked at Tim with a mixture of frustration and amusement. "Tim, I've been healed for weeks. I'm fine. Really." Tim shook his head, his jaw clenched. "I don't know, Lucy. I just don't want to take any chances." The tension between them was palpable, and Lucy could feel the frustration building up inside her. She decided to try a different approach, leaning in close to Tim. "Hey, listen. I know you're worried about me, but I need you to know that I'm okay. I'm ready for this. And if you're not, then maybe we should talk about why." Tim's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Lucy thought she saw a glimmer of understanding. But then he looked away, and Lucy knew she had to tread carefully. She wasn't going to let this conversation end without getting some answers. "Tim, look at me," Lucy said, her voice soft but firm. Tim turned back to her, his eyes searching hers. "What?" Lucy smiled, her eyes locked onto his. "I just want you to know that I miss you. I miss us. And I want to get back to normal. But I need your help." The air was thick with tension as Tim looked at Lucy, his expression unreadable. But Lucy knew that this was just the beginning of their conversation, and she was determined to get to the bottom of Tim's concerns. Little did she know, the next few days would be a rollercoaster of emotions, but ultimately, it would bring them closer together.