Chapter Text
Tim is shocked to find out about my current living situation and immediately offers to help me move in.
“Don't worry about it. All my things are in my car.” I calmly tell him.
He blinked in surprise, “All of your things? How do you own an SUV?” He asked, his brow furrowing.
I shook my head and pointed out the window to my car. The only thing that I actually cared about.
“You own a Datson 280z?” He asked, in disbelief.
I nodded, “It's my baby.” I whispered, smiling fondly at it.
He hums, as he leans back in his seat and the baby in the carrier lets out a small whine, as he sighs. “She's hungry.” He whispers as he rubs her wispy head affectionately.
“What's her name?” I asked, quietly, a small smile pulling at my lips.
He looks up at me. He stares for a few moments, before finally answering. “Olivia.”
I smiled as I extended my arms, “Let me hold her, that way you can eat, and I can meet Olivia.” I told him.
He hesitates for a second before slowly undoing the carrier and pulling her out.
“This is Oliva Jade Bradford.” He tells me.
I smile softly at her as she reaches up and rubs her eyes with her tiny fists.
I immediately pull her into my arms and smile down as Olivia opens her eyes and stares at me while sucking on her fist.
Tim immediately stands and makes quick work of her bottle before handing it to me.
I smile as I bounce her gently in my arms for a few moments, and give her the bottle. “I always wanted to go into pediatrics but… I couldn't.” I told him with a small smile as I gave Olivia her bottle.
Tim nodded, “You seem to be good with kids.” He notes.
I nodded, “I love kids. I would totally get a teaching job, or something with childcare in a heartbeat if given the chance.” I admit.
He gives me a nod as he begins to eat.
I look down and watch Olivia as she sips her bottle, eyes half open as she stares up at me. “Hey, pretty girl.” I whispered as she wrapped her hand around my finger.
“You think that's cute but my girl is doing that to keep your hand there,” Tim states amused.
I snicker, “She's a growing girl. She's just making sure she has enough to eat.” I replied amused.
“She isn't supposed to have more than 12 ounces.” He points out.
I nod, as I slowly pull the bottle out and turn to check it. “She's had eight. She's good. Don't worry.” I reassured him, amused.
As soon as Olivia finishes the bottle, and whines when I pull it away.
“It's okay, Livy. Let's burp you.” I cooed, as I repositioned her in my arms, and began patting her back.
“Uh, you should put this on before she—” Tim began to say but was interrupted by a loud burp, followed by a gagging sound. “Spits up.” He finishes with a wince.
I wince too as I feel something hot begin to soak my back. “Yeah, you're going to need to get her so I can go change.” I respond, uncomfortably.
He nods, before extending his arms and giving me an apologetic look. “Olivia.” He chastised as she cooed up at him.
I snicker and shake my head at him, “It's okay. On the bright side, I have extra clothes in the car so, I can change.” I tell him, lightly.
He sighs, “I can pay for dry cleaning.” He offers.
I immediately shook my head at him, “No point in doing that. I can just wash it when I get home.” I replied, before frowning.
He nods, “Yeah, I'll make sure to have the washer cleared so you can use it.” He promises.
I nod, before getting up, “Give me a minute.” I say, before heading out of the building and towards my car.
I reach for my car, and quickly slide into the driver's seat, reaching back to grab a tank top.
I quickly pulled off the soiled shirt, threw it into the dirty clothes bin, slipped my tank top on and got out.
I grab my wraparound sweater, and rush back inside.
“You good?” He asked as I got to the table.
I nod, and sit down on the booth side once more. I noticed that Olivia is in her stroller playing with the toys on her carseat, little feet kicking up and down as she tries to grab the toys.
“So, I have one final question.” He says, after he sips his co*ke.
“Shoot.” I say, causing him to grow somber.
“Do you know how to cook?” He asks.
I stare at him for a few seconds, debating whether or not to tell him that I used to take culinary and baking classes, as I chew on my lower lip.“I can cook decent food. But I also burn some of it sometimes.” I lied.
He gives me an amused smile, “Okay, decent is fine. I usually just buy Joel a box or two of macaroni and cheese, and dino nuggies. Not all the time but when I have long days sometimes and we sometimes only have the energy to eat that. I do add veggies, and fruits to his diet.” He admits.
I gave him a disbelieving look, “Okay, you just called yourself a single parent in like six ways.” I snickered.
He rolls his eyes at me, “Look, I work long hours. I am a police officer. I work even when I am off duty.” He says defensively.
I nod, “I see. A live-in nanny now makes sense.” I replied.
He nods, “Yes, uh, my mother used to help me with the kids but she's on a find-herself type of vacation. I have friends who have tried to help, but most of them are cops. I've tried hiring a babysitter but that fell through. After the third time, I just gave up. So, you see, Genny is not the only desperate one here. I am too… albeit a bit apprehensive.” He states.
I nod, “Well, I will try to lessen the burden.” I told him.
We spent the rest of the time watching Joel run up and down the play place, smiling when he popped out at the end of the slide.
“It's rare when I get time to watch him enjoy himself.” Tim suddenly says, shaking his head in response.
I nod, “You're a cop… it must be hard to divide your time between your personal life and career.” I tell him amused.
He nods, as he takes a fry, slathering it in ketchup before popping it in his mouth.
I watch almost mesmerized as he locks his lips. His adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallows, and I jump as he clears his throat.
"Genny told me you're studying to become a psychologist.” He says after a moment.
I nod, “Yeah, I am a few weeks short of graduating. Just finished my dissertation. The finals are next week.” I informed him.
He nods, “Congratulations. I guess.” He replies as he turns to pull the headband off of Olivia's eyes.
I snickered, “That headband is clearly a tad too big on her. Here let me fix it.” I tell him, as I extend my hand.
He gives me a curious look, as he slowly pulls it off of her head, and hands it to me.
I snickered as I pulled the little adjustable tab located behind the massive bow, and leaned forward to put it back on her head.
She gives me a gummy smile, as she pats her thigh.
“There you go, Miss. Livy.” I cooed at her.
***
Before I know it, I feel a small little body press itself next to me.
“Seems like they like you,” Tim notes.
I nod, “It would seem so, but we'll see. They've only known me for about two hours. So, we shall see.” I responded as I looked down, and noticed that Joel had fallen asleep on my arm..
***
I help him take Joel to his car as he takes my bag.
As we arrived to his truck, he quickly pulled Joel into his arms, set him down in his car seat, and smiled after he had Joel strapped in.
Without a word, I grabbed my bag from where he had set it on the stroller, before turning to look at him.
“Did Genny give you my address by any chance?” He asked.
I nodded, “Though she said to tell you to meet somewhere so you're not so tense.”
He rolls his eyes at me, “She was correct. Honestly, this little meeting served to help me distract myself from everything.” He admits.
I nod in sympathy, “I'm glad.”
He sighs as he bends down to lift Olivia from her stroller. “I swear she's getting bigger each day.” He muses as he walks around to place her into her carseat.
Once Olivia is settled in, he makes his way back, slips the diaper bag into the passenger’s seat, and places the stroller into the bed of the truck.
“Tell me something.” He says, as he stands before me.
I nod my head once at him, “Go on.”
He sighs, “Are you dating anyone?” He asks, “Before you answer. It's not because I'm interested. I just don't want random people being around my kids.” He adds.
I blink, before shaking my head at him, “No, I am not. I actually just got out of a long relationship, and am not planning to date for a while.” I replied.
He nods, “I'll see you at my house then.” He says.
I nodded in response, before I turned to go to my car.
I can feel his stare as I walk across the small parking lot, and slid into my car.
I watch him drive off before inputting the address into my phone and driving in the direction of his house.
***
I almost want to sigh as I arrive.
He motions for me to park inside the garage, and smiles as I do.
“Why do I have to park here?” I asked.
He motioned to the dark red Honda CRV as I got out of my car.
“What is that?” I asked.
“That is the car you are going to be driving around. I know you are proud of your jalopy but I need to make sure my kids are transported in a safe car.” He explains.
I want to tell him off but simply nod as he motions for me to follow him inside the house.
He gave me a tour of the house. Showed me Oliva's room, Joel's room, and the bathroom. The laundry room, and the guest rooms.
His room was off-limits.
He asked me to help around the house with the kitchen duties, the kids' laundry, and a few other things.
Then he led me to the room farthest from his and the kids' room. My room.
“It has an ensuite bathroom, and it's the closest to the kitchen.” He tells me.
I nod, “Thanks.” I say as I step inside.
He nods, before taking a step back and turning to go check on the kids.
The moment he leaves, I take a deep breath before making my way back to the garage, pull out the two baskets of clothes, and my small suitcase, and head inside to begin arranging everything.
As I am making my way to the laundry room, Joel suddenly makes his way to me. “Miss. Wucy, awe you gonna live wit us?” He asks.
I smile at him and nod. “Mm. Yes, I am. Is that okay with you?” I asked, as I set down the basket on the counter of the laundry room, and bent down so that I was at eye level.
He nods, “You’we nice than all of the othew ladies that watch us. Except my Mimi.” He replies.
I smile at him, “Aw. Well, I am glad you like me being around.” I tell him.
He nods, before running in the direction of the kitchen.
I smile, before turning to do my laundry.
I make a mental note of going to buy more detergent, softener, and bleach to keep in my room. I know Tim had stated earlier that I didn’t need to, but I’ve always used a certain type of detergent, and softer, while Tim used a different one. I didn’t want to bother him.
“Lucy?” I heard Tim call out as I pressed the start button.
I slowly made my way to the kitchen. “Yes?” I asked.
He turns to look at me, “Do you have classes at night?” He asked me.
I frown, looking down at my watch, almost five, my eyes widen in surprise, “I do, actually. Uh. I need to get going if I am going to make it. But I will be back around eight-thirty.” I told him.
He nods, “Can you do me a favor before you go?” He asks, cautiously.
I nod, “Sure. What do you need?” I asked, as I made my way over to the counter.
“Before you go, can you reassure Joel that you’ll be back? He has problems trusting, since his mom-- since everything happened.” He explains.
I nod, as I turn to look for Joel, holding back a chuckle as he peeks out of the corner, before disappearing again.
“Joel?” I call out.
“Yes, Miss. Wucy?” He asks, peeking again.
I smile, and kneel, motioning for him to come to me.
He hesitates before slowly making his way to me, “Awe you leaving us?” He asks.
I turn to see Tim standing behind me with a concerned look on his face, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I am leaving yes, but I will be back. I have to go to school because I am studying, but I promise that once my class is over, I will be right back, okay?” I tell him.
He frowns, as he turns to look at Tim, who is staring at us with the same expression. “Daddy, you’we a supew hewo. Can you pwotect hew?” He asks.
Tim smiles at him, and shakes his head, “Buddy, I am a police officer. I can only help those people that are in danger.” He tells him.
Joel looks over at me concerned, but I smile at him. “It’s okay, Joel. I’ve taken classes to protect myself, I’ll be okay.” I reassure him.
He pouts, “Daddy.” He says, turning to look at Tim.
Tim sighs, before looking at me, “How about this? We give her a ride, and you can see that she is fine.” He offers, silently asking me.
I give him a look before nodding, “The school is an hour away, are you really going to drive to and from there just to make sure I’m okay?” I asked.
He nods, “Absolutely. I’m afraid that when you accepted to work here, you became a member of the Bradford Brats.” He states amused.
I sigh, “Okay, will I’ll go get my book bag, and you can get the kids ready.” I said.
***
Twenty minutes later, after loading the kids, and my book bag into Tim’s truck, he drove me back to campus.
“How long is the class?” He asks as he drives onto Interstate 5.
I frown, chewing on my lip as I do, “About an hour and forty-five minutes. It’s my psych class. I’m supposed to turn in my dissertation on Monday.” I inform him.
He hums, “What is your dissertation about?” He asks, carefully.
I bite my lip and look away, pretending to find the city interesting.
“Oh, come on, I promise I won’t judge you.” He says.
I sigh, “The mental health of both the military, and the police force gets enough attention.” I mumbled.
He turns sharply to look at me, “In order to write that I suppose you need the proper information to write that sort of paper.” He says.
I nodded, “I’ve been speaking to the Commanding Officer of MidWhilshire Patrol Wade Grey, the Commanding Officer of Internal Affairs, and Captain Zoey Anderson of MidWhilshire.” I informed him.
He blinked, “That’s why you seemed so familiar, you’re the woman who tackled the arson and battery suspect while on a ride along with Lopez and Harper. How did you manage to get in contact with Grey, Anderson, and West?” He asks, impressed.
I smiled, innocently at him, “Percy is like a father to me. His son, Jackson is currently studying to get his degree. He’s supposed to be joining the academy around September.” I replied.
He hums, “What about the military aspect?” He asks.
I smile, “Captain Anderson helped me get in contact with a few people on the base. They helped a lot.” I informed him.
He nods, “I can help too. I was in the Army too.” He offers as he drives into the parking lot.
I give him a small nod, “That’s good to know, and you would be ideal since you were in both. Can we talk later?” I asked.
He nods immediately. “Of course. I think I’m just going to drive around while you’re in class. Call me when you get out and I’ll be here.” He tells me.
I give him a thankful smile before climbing down and heading into the building, to go to class.
