'You belong to me, I belong to you' he said, kissing her on the forehead.

She looked up at him and smiled. She had never belonged to anybody before.

'I love you!' she said.

 'I love you too!' He smiled, leaning in for a kiss.

She kissed him, softly, because that's what people do when they're in love. Then flung her arms around him and hugged him tight.

'For keeps?' She asked.

'For keeps! I'll make you the happiest girl in the world!' He promised. 'Treat you like a princess!'

She nuzzled her head into his chest, and for the first time in her life, she felt happy.

...

Seven years later, while he was punching her in the back of the head, so hard the room pulsed, she gazed out of the window and caught a glimpse of her neighbours cuddling on patio chairs. The woman, late twenties, was pregnant too. Though her husband wasn't shouting at her, or balling his fist into the back of her head. He had his arm wrapped around her, and was plumping up her cushion.

She breathed a deep breath and tried to understand. Why didn't her partner love her?

After he'd finished shouting, and she was slumped on the floor crying, he did tell her he loved her. He kissed her on the forehead and smiled, a smile that told her she was silly, and let's make up.

It was the only time he was nice... afterwards. For some reason, that she had never been able to understand, her snivelling and wimpering turned him on.

That night she lay beside him, watching him sleep. Wishing he would get better. Remembering what he had told her, what he always told her. 'Treat you like a princess.'

It was all she had. Only... it wasn't. She rubbed her belly, and watched the shadows slink across the bedroom wall.

'I love you!' She whispered to her baby, closing her eyes.

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