chenford stories ✩

My Terrors Come to Haunt Me ✩

Summary: Tim isn't at the station when Aaron reports Dim's body as his own. He left his radio in the shop, so even if anyone wanted to contact him, they had no way of doing so. His Lucy, his poor Lucy would face the thoughts and aftermath of this mistake

[In this fic, Angela is not pregnant. I had a distinct vision in mind when writing this]

If there are any spelling or gramatical errors, please excuse them.

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"Seargent Tim Bradford"

The chaos started immediately, everyone pausing for a few moments before frantically looking around in disbelief.

It couldn't be Tim. Not Tim Bradford. It just couldn't be.

Both Angela and Nyla were quick on their feet. They needed to find Lucy. "Where is she" Angela's voice strong and carrying throughout the precinct. And there she was, standing in the middle of the break room, seeming to be starting a pot of coffee.

The first thing they noticed was the stillness of her body. She wasn't moving, looking to be staring off. The two didn't know when Celina had joined them in just watching Lucy but at some point, they all made their way into the break room.

As if she could sense their presence, the sobs began. Violent, loud, grieving sobs. Her hands shook as she leaned into the counter, trying to hold herself up. It didn't take long for her legs to give out, and when they did Angela was there to catch her.

The brunette's body curled around Angela as they sat on the floor. Her screaming started, scaring all of the women abruptly, but they all understood.

She found out the love of her life was found dead. "I'm so sorry honey...I'm so sorry" whispered Nyla.

There was nothing anyone could say or do to take away this pain. Her chest hurt, her throat hurt, and her head was pounding. But nothing would help because Tim was dead. Her love was dead and nobody could bring him back.

Her screams raised in pitch, anguished, and extremely heartbreaking. Angela rocked side to side, her grip on Lucy tight as she the girl's head to her chest.

Outside of the breakroom, everyone still held onto the hope that Tim could possibly be alive. He had to be alive.

It didn't take long for him to make his way back into the station, the first thing he noticed being the absolute commotion around him. Someone noticed him and it was like the world stopped.

Commotion erupted again but it was of relief. Tim Bradford was alive. "He's here! He's okay!" yelled one of the senior officers standing in the precinct. Everyone's eyes were on him, and it was like all the tension was released from inside the station.

Nyla was the first to hear the man's yell. Quickly she stood to her feet, leaving the breakroom to see for herself. Low and behold there stood Tim Bradford, confused as ever. Without giving him the chance to say anything, she pulled his arm.

"You need to get in there and hold Lucy tighter than you've ever held her. Don't let go until she's ready"

"What's going on?"

"We thought you were dead Tim"

What? How could anyone think- why?

It wasn't until they rounded the corner did Tim hear Lucy's loud cries and what sounded to be like coughing. Running into the breakroom, he found both Lucy and Angela on the floor. Angela's back resting against the cabinets, with Lucy fully wrapped in her arms, seated in her lap.

The older woman cradled her like a child, and for the first time, he understood. Lucy thought he was dead.

Dead.

Celina sat beside the pair with what seemed to be a wet wash cloth and a trashcan. She dabbed the cloth across Lucy's forehead, her own tears falling as she listened to the brunette cry.

Upon seeing him, the tears Angela fought to hold back fell. But he couldn't focus on anyone but Lucy. Her body curled around Angela's, hands shaking, her cries loud. Every so often she would choke up or stop breathing and begin coughing.

His next actions weren't thought out. He rushed toward Angela, picking Lucy up from her lap and pulling her into his chest. And for a split second, her cries stopped. He could feel her fast breathing suddenly stop.

Lucy's head whipped up from where it lay on Tim's shoulder. He was here. "Tim...Tim!" she shouted. "I'm here baby, it's me. I'm okay and I'm alive"

He watched as her eyes scanned his face from where he held her. Her bottom lip trembled, a pout forming on her face as she breathed him in. She didn't have to say anything for him to understand all the emotions she was feeling.

Her hands cradled his face, her lips pressing into his as if she was trying to decipher whether or not this was a dream. Pulling away from his lips, he could still see the confusion on her face. And instead of asking her anything, he sat down on the couch in the corner, her body still attached to his, her arms holding him tightly.

"Breathe with me pretty girl"

Shaking her head, she kept her place on his shoulder. She couldn't let him go, not after she saw her entire life fall apart within minutes.

Tim knew that if she wouldn't move from her place, he'd need help. Immediately Angela, now calm, stepped in. She sat beside him and slowly but surely coached Lucy. Her breathing slowed, and she could fully realize what was happening around her.

It wasn't a dream, he was alive. He was holding her, kissing her hands, raking his hands through her hair. It was all real.

"I'm here Lucy, I promise. It's all real. I'm not hurt baby, I'm alive". The words he whispered to her as she calmed, leaving out of the station, and in their bed.

He loved her tenderly for the next few days, understanding why she couldn't leave his side. And when her emotions became too much, he stayed with her.

fin.