Chapter Text
March 17th
Tim knows Lucy is going to kill him. She was very specific about not getting any more baby items until after the baby shower.
But he was only a man in the baby girl clothing aisle. And there were so many things around him.
So many cute things.
He should leave.
He really should leave.
But he doesn’t.
He turns a corner and sees a sea of green. He takes a deep breath and then lets it out. He starts throwing stuff in the cart. He purposely grabs 12 month to 18 month. He grabs the cutest things and tosses them in.
He would ask for forgiveness later. He wants to be prepared for next St. Patrick’s day.
Next year when they would have two babies.
Next year.
***
“I’m sorry.” Tim says when he walks through the door with the two bags full of clothes. “The green pulled me in.” Lucy stares at the bags and then up at him in disbelief.
“The green pulled you in?” She asks. “What does that even mean? I though I banned you from buying anything baby related?”
“I couldn’t help it!” Tim protests. Lucy gives him an unimpressed look. “This is for next year anyway. Look at this!” He pulls out the first item and it happens to be a onesie with a green tutu.
“Wow.” Lucy says.
“It’s for nine months.” He says. “They will be about nine months right?”
“Tim—”
“And look at this! It’s 12 months but they can wear it any time!” Tim says. He pulls a onesie out that says daddy’s luck charm. “I got two of them.”
“Well yes.” Lucy says looking a little exasperated. “There’s two of them.”
“And look! I got Thea this!” He pulls out a little yellow dress with a T on it. It was a random fine but he figures it works. “We don’t have the other name picked out.”
“I know that Tim.” Lucy says and she runs her fingers through her hair. “This is very sweet.”
“You aren’t mad?” Tim asks giving her a look between a pout and a sad frown.
“I didn’t say that.” Lucy says. “I need stuff to put on the registry. Angela and Genny have been bugging me.”
“I’m sorry.” Tim says. “I just—I’m excited.” Lucy’s face softens a little, and she steps forward over all bags and brings him in.
“I’m excited too.” She says. “And thank you for being such a good dad already. Our girls are so lucky to have you.”
“Speaking of that.” Tim says and he pulls two little green shirts. “Mama’s luck charms.” Lucy shakes her head and takes the shirts out of his hands.
“We are very lucky. I’m lucky to have you.” Lucy says. Tim nods in agreement and he is lucky to have her. And his daughters.
Very lucky indeed.
***
March 18th
“Sergeant Bradford.” A very familiar voice says. It’s not a voice that Tim particularly likes or cares about. Actually he hates it, and he hates the man it belongs to. He looks up to see Chris Sanford and Seth Ridley standing in the doorway.
Tim clenches his fists underneath the desk, and stares at them. “What do you want?” He snaps. He’s not in the mood to deal with either of them but it’s better than them harassing Lucy.
“I’m Seth’s lawyer.” Chris says. “I am representing him and we needed you to answer a few questions.”
Tim frowns but he stands up and walks around his desk to stand in front of them.
“What?”
“We heard Officer Chen—” Seth starts but Tim glares at him. He is doing this on purpose. He knows Lucy is a sergeant now. “Sergeant Chen was involved in an incident a few weeks ago.”
“That’s none of your business.” Tim snaps and he glares at Chris. “That has nothing to do with Ridley following my wife around.”
Chris flinches at wife, and Tim wonders if he ever moved on from Lucy. They were never serious and their relationship was going nowhere.
“I wasn’t following her—” Seth starts but Chris stops him.
“Innocent until proven guilty.” Chris says snidely. “You don’t have evidence of that. It’s Lucy’s words against his and now that she has killed someone—”
“Again,” Tim says trying to keep his cool. There was no way there were going to use Martin’s death against Lucy. No way and there was no way it was going to work. “That has nothing to do with this.”
“Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn’t.” Chris says. “You are her Watch Commander. Have you noticed any weird changes in behavior.”
“No,” Tim says flatly. “None. She is a good cop—”
“She was out for quite some time while being investigated.” Chris says. “Was she—”
“Enough!” Tim says. “Either ask relevant questions about this idiot or get the hell out of my station.”
Chris and Seth exchange a look. “Fine,” Chris says. “When you two got together weren’t you her boss? Did she sleep with you to get to the top? And she’s pregnant with your child?”
“That has nothing to do with this.” Tim says his voice dry. He’s losing patience and he’s going to knock them both out pretty soon. “Ridley here was stalking my wife. He showed up at the grocery store, coffee shop and pet store. And not to mention our house was broken into. Ridley has it out for Lucy.”
“Like I said innocent until proven guilty.” Chris says. “We will talk later Sergeant Bradford.” And without another word and much to his relief— they leave the office.
***
“Seth is serious about bringing me down.” Lucy says after Tim tells her what happened.
“He’s only doing this because he knows he’s guilty.” Tim says softly. He gives Lucy’s shoulder a squeeze. “And getting Sanford to represent him. They both resent you in some way. Seth is an idiot and things you wronged him.”
“And I broke Chris’s heart.” Lucy mutters. “But I don’t get it—Seth was clearly stalking me. What are they trying to prove?”
“They both think they are the smartest people in the room.” Tim says. “Sanford thinks he’s a good lawyer even though Wesley says otherwise and Ridley well we both know what he’s like.”
“I guess.” Lucy says. Tim lifts up her chin and gives her a kiss.
“It’s going to work out baby. Seth and Chris will not win. I will not let them win and I will not let them get close to you.” Tim says fiercely. “I promise.” And he really hopes he can keep that promise.
***
March 19th
“God damnit.” Tim mutters and he throws some papers onto his desk. Everything was going wrong today. He’s not sure if it’s because of Ridley and Sanford’s visit yesterday. Or the fact that he was going to be stuck in meetings all day long.
Or maybe it was because he woke up in a sweat worried about everything he had to do. Lucy woke up too and then she got worried and stressed out.
He reassured her he was fine, he didn’t want to put even more on her plate. She had enough to worry about without worrying about him.
But he can’t get Sanford and Ridley’s smirks and know it all attitudes out of his head.
What if they really did use Martin’s death against Lucy?
What if they said she was losing her mind because she thought Seth was following her?
What if—
“Tim!” He looks up to see Angela looking at him. “I’ve been calling your name for five minutes.”
“Sorry,” he mutters. “I’m distracted.”
“I heard you had visitors yesterday.” Angela says coming to sit in front of the desk.
“Do they have a case?” Tim asks. “They kept asking me about—you know. What if they spin this around and make Lucy look crazy?”
“They don’t have a case against Lucy,” Angela says shaking her head. “She has a case against Ridley. And we are still gathering evidence from the break in.”
“But—”
“Sanford tried to go to Wesley about this. He tried to get details about Martin but Wes refused to even talk to him.” Angela says. “And then he started asking Wesley about Ridley following Lucy.”
“He doesn’t even talk to his client?” Tim asks furrowing his eyebrows. He knew Sanford was not a good lawyer. He was incompetent and a bully when he wanted to be. He knew he sucked as a person too but—
“He knows his client is guilty.” Angela says. “He’s trying to make a case and there isn’t one.”
“I just don’t want this fall back on Lucy.” Tim says. “She has so much going on. Sanford and Ridley do not help.”
“I know,” Angela says. “But she is going to be okay Tim. Just take a breath.” She gets up from the chair and leaves the office without another word.
Tim watches her go but he doesn’t feel any less frustrated or angry that this happening.
This should not be happening and he wishes he could make it better somehow.
***
“Officer Penn!” Tim snaps. Miles looks up, looking a little startled at Tim’s voice. He sees Lucy out of the corner of his eye watching them. “I told you to file the paperwork before you clocked out.” Miles’s eyes widen and he doesn’t meet Tim’s eyes. Tim points to the paperwork on the desk.
“Yes sir—”
“What’s this?” Tim asks his voice cold.
“The paperwork,” Miles says. “Sergeant Chen offered to do it because she handled the case for the most part—”
Tim closes his eyes and then opens again. “Sergeant Chen!” He calls. Lucy is in the office in a few seconds later.
“Yes Sergeant Bradford?” She asks. She schools her face when she looks at him.
“I don’t appreciate you offering to do Officer Penn’s work.” He says. “You are off in a few minutes.”
“Actually—” Lucy says. “I was going to do this paperwork and finish a little later. Put in some overtime. You are staying later too right?” Tim blinks at her, he’s not sure how she found out he was staying later. It was one of the reasons he suggested they drive separately today. But of course Lucy’s car didn’t start today so they didn’t have a choice.
Of course.
“I have to stay later,” Tim argues. “You don’t have to do a rookie’s paperwork.” Miles is looking between them and shifts on his feet uncomfortably.
“I want to.” Lucy says and she gathers the paperwork in her arms. “It’s better than sitting around.”
Tim sighs softly. “Officer Penn you are dismissed.” He says. “You are staying to help Sergeant Chen.”
“Yes sir.”
“Tim, I can do it alone.” She protests. “Let him go home.” But Tim shakes his head, and gives Miles a look. He leaves the office without another word
“Why are you being stubborn?” Tim asks. “You know I won’t be too late.”
“You say that every time and then I end up eating dinner alone.” Lucy says. “I know you are trying to make this job your own but it’s still Watch Commander. There’s still paperwork. Why not have a little help?”
Tim sighs softly and all the frustration from today washes over him. Lucy was just trying to help him, not make him feel so alone or stuck behind a desk.
“I appreciate it Luce.” He says. “But I don’t want you to overwork yourself. You need to eat and—”
“I ate a snack just before you called me in here.” Lucy says. “And yes I have had my proteins today.”
“Good.” Tim says.
“Are you okay?” Lucy asks. “You seem—”
“I’m just trying to get everything done and not think about everything else.” Tim says. Lucy comes around the desk and presses a kiss to the side of his head.
“Just relax Tim.” She says. “You are doing a good job okay? I know it’s been challenging and there will still be challenges but just take a deep breath.”
Tim nods and she straightens up. “How about we both work for half an hour and then go home?” She asks.
Tim nods in agreement. “It’s why I told Penn to stay.” He says. Lucy rolls her eyes and heads out of the office.
***
They both get out of the station an half an hour later. Lucy tells Tim she finished her paperwork and sent Miles home.
“Wait,” Lucy says pulling Tim to a stop before they get to his truck. “It was a long day for us both. Can we not talk about work when we get home? Maybe we can talk about the babies and picking out the second name or something.”
Tim nods his head in agreement, that sounded pretty perfect to him. He didn’t even want to think about work until tomorrow.
“That sounds perfect.” He says.
***
March 20th [First day of Spring]
“Happy first day of Spring!” Lucy says when Tim wakes up. Tim groans and rolls over to look at her.
“What?”
“It’s the first day of spring!” She says and she looks more refreshed and relaxed than she did last night. “It’s a time to start anew.”
“Really?” He asks and rubs his eyes a little. He can already feel a headache coming on. And it wasn’t Lucy or anything like that.
It was him.
“Yes!” Lucy says and she presses a kiss to his cheek. “I know we have had a rough few weeks, few months but spring is a time where we can start fresh. Leave all the winter stuff in the past.”
“I wish that was true.” Tim says. “But we have a lot to deal with.”
“And we will deal with it,” Lucy says. She runs her hand down his cheek and heads leans into her touch.
“I know that,” Tim says. “I just have a lot on my plate.” Lucy chews on her bottom lip.
“How about this?” She asks. “You ride with me today and I’ll call all the shots.”
“I can’t leave the station unsupervised.” Tim says. “Smitty is not a good option.”
“You will be on call.” Lucy says. “I will be driving and you can answer any questions. We are just bringing your job on patrol.”
Tim sighs and it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. He does want to get out from behind the desk.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Lucy asks giving him a teasing look. “I thought you would be more excited to ride with your honey bunny.”
“I am.” He says. “I’m just tired too. And stressed. Maybe I’m getting seasonal allergies.” Lucy gives him a look and then leans over to kiss him.
“First day of spring Tim.” She says softly. “We are going to have our babies this season. We are going to go through of changes but it will be good.”
Tim nods and swallows down what he wants to say. He has so much he wants to say but he will do it later.
For now—
The changes would be good. Spring would be good for them.
First day of spring.
***
March 21st
“Look,” Tim says running his fingers through his hair. “It’s for my wife mainly. We are having twins and she wants to get away before they are born.” He hears the woman sigh over the phone and Tim knows he sounds crazy but he’s just trying to plan the perfect baby moon for Lucy.
He wants to make sure she gets a spa treatment and everything that Lucy deserves.
“Sir,” the woman says. “We will happy to accommodate you and your wife. You do know she can’t get a regular—”
“Yes I know.” Tim says exasperated. “It’s why I choose your resort because they have prenatal spa treatments.”
“We do.” The woman confirms. “But our massage therapist is only here every other week and weekend. When are you available?”
“Anytime in April.” Tim says. He taps the pen on the notepad. “We have busy lives but I will clear any weekend for this.”
“Yes sir. Just let me take a look.” The woman says. Tim sighs and looks down the note she had taken. It was just some ideas of what they could do while they were on the baby moon.
Baby moon to do list:
Spa for Lucy. (Massage etc)
Swimming.
Lucy.
“I have a week in April open. Our prenatal massage therapist is available on April 8th. And you could do a couple’s massage on April 9th our prenatal massage therapist will be there as well.” The woman says.
“I’ll take it.” Tim says quickly. “Put it under Bradford. And where can I book a room? Preferably a suite. I—”
“Yes sir.” The woman says. “I can transfer you. We will see you April 8th.” There’s some music and then another woman’s voice sounds over the line.
Tim tells the woman the dates and she luckily has a room available for the dates he wants.
“Perfect,” Tim says. “We will be there.” There’s woman thanks him and he hangs up. He drops his phone and pushes it aside.
The baby moon was planned.
The baby moon was planned.
***
“I have a surprise for you.” Tim says coming into the bedroom where Lucy is folding some of the clothes that Tim bought the other day.
“What’s that?” She asks. She holds up a little green dress and shades her head before putting it on a tiny hanger.
“We are going up to the mountains.” He says. Lucy raises her eyebrows at him.
“What?”
“On April 6th we are driving up to the mountains to this beautiful resort where you are going to have a prenatal massage and a couple’s massage.” Tim says. “That’s not until the 8th and 9th but—”
“Wait,” Lucy says dropping the clothes she was holding. “Are you talking about our baby moon?”
“I am.”
“You got us a place at a resort?” She asks looking surprised but pleased. Tim is quite pleased with himself.
“I did.” Tim says. “For five days we will be away from work and everything else. We will just be enjoying each other. I have a to do list.”
“I saw it,” Lucy says shaking her head. “Why am I not on the top of your to-do list?” Tim rolls his eyes a little but he’s smiling.
“That was a rough draft,” he says. “There is so much to do at this resort babe. And I made sure you could get a massage with a prenatal massage therapist. We can go on little hikes. There’s a golf course.”
“You want to golf?” Lucy asks raising her eyebrows at him.
“There’s also a miniature golf course.” Tim says knowing that will interest her more.
“There we go.” Lucy says. “This sounds amazing baby.” Tim nods and gives her a smile.
“You deserve this Luce. After everything we have been through the last few months.” Tim says. He thinks he’s most excited to get away from the stress of everything. To get away from the city and the pressure of their jobs.
“You deserve it too.” Lucy says. She steps closer to him and he pulls her closer to him. It’s getting harder with her bump but he doesn’t mind at all. “We have both been through a lot.”
“We get five days of just you and me Luce. We haven’t had that since our honeymoon.” Tim says softly.
“I can’t wait,” Lucy replies and she leans into him pressing a kiss to his chest.
“Me neither.” Tim says. “Me neither.” He knows this baby moon will be good for them. Refreshing and exactly what they need and he can’t wait for it to get started.