To say Melody had been avoiding Lucy would be an understatement. Both women had eloped with their chosen partners to avoid an unwanted marriage, but that was where their similarities ended. Lucy was still a welcome guest in their formal circles, she was still attended to by a full staff — she still had the life they were always meant to have. And once the adoring husband and baby-to-be were added into the mix it simply became too much for Melody to handle without seething in jealousy.

She could do without the full staff and lavish home. Regardless of what Ben seemed to believe the tiny Irvingly home had been updated enough now for Melody to feel comfortable within. They had a decent cook and an efficient maid, Melody thought by now she had proven she needed little else. Love, though, was scarce in the Crouch household. They were intimate more nights than not (both seemingly comforted by the idea of not becoming parents any time soon) and were able to manage the most basic small talk conversations. That wasn't what a marriage was meant to be, though. They ought to have been happy, in love.

It was these thoughts she stewed on as she took in the home that was more familiar to her than she'd presently admit to. Lucy was lucky to have come into her inheritance so quickly. To be able to freely roam her childhood home would be gift unlike all others.

"Lucy!" She greeted in return, plastering on her best happy face. "You look well." Lucy's pregnancy was nearing its end, a fact made obvious by the woman's protruding stomach. In another life they would've had to navigate around two bumps. In another life Melody wouldn't have been avoiding her dear friend.