The Bradford Special

Work vs. Reality

   It's my first day back since me and Lucy got together. I have to figure out what I'm going to do to keep this good. I'm walking into the Roll call room when I spot Lucy.
   "Bradford. Chen. My office now," chimes Sergeant Wade Grey. Oh god. Did he somehow find out? We walk into his office and he begins. "I would expect by now you would know how I feel about coworkers dating." Oh god he knows. "Drama always stirs up when the two can't get past an argument and it hinges your ability to function correctly on the job. Especially on patrol."
   I look and nod. "We do, sir."
  He nods back in response. "Good. Thorsen and Juarez seem to be hitting it off pretty well. Will you two ingrain it in their heads that they shouldn't fraternize with a coworker. They're good cops. I don't want a relationship to ruin their careers."
   Sweet Jesus. I thought we were caught. "You got it sarge," I say and walk out. Lucy following. I look at her. "Oh my god. I thought for sure Grey found out."
   She giggled. God she's beautiful. "Me too. God I can't tell Celina not to date a cop. That's so hypocritical of me," she says, looking around the room. "OH. I'll get Nolan to do it."
  I gasp. "THATS CHEATING," I shout while she walks away to talk to Nolan.

     It's now after shift. I'm changed and waiting outside the locker room for Lucy. She comes out. "Hey Lucy." I smile at her.
    She blushes. "Hey."
   I try to be quiet so we don't get caught. "Would you like to go get dinner?"
   She nods. "Yea- yes !" She says.
   "Good. I'll pick you up at 10," I say. "Can't wait."

I head out to my truck and drive home. I immediately hop in the shower. I get all spiffied up and choose my outfit. Black shirt, black suit jacket, black pants and black shoes. I wonder what she's going to wear. She'll be beautiful regardless.

   I arrive at Lucy's apartment and knock on the door. Tamara, Lucy's roommate, answers. "LUCY," she shouts. "Your boyfriends here. Did she tell you I figured it out all on my own? I'd make a great detective."
   I smile at her. "Yes you would, T." I walk in and wait inside the door for Lucy. 3 minutes later she comes out of her room. Oh, my, god. She's heartstoppingly gorgeous. She's in a beautiful long black dress with gold accents that accentuate her beauty honey brown eyes, gorgeous long brown hair. Her hairs in a low bun with curls falling loosely. She has only mascara and lip gloss on. She wouldn't need makeup even if she swore she did. She's naturally an angel.
   I walk to her and grab her hand. "God," I say smiling like a mad man. "Lucy Chen, you are the most heart-stopping woman on the planet. You are absolutely gorgeous." She smiles and so do I. I put my hand on her cheek and pull her into a kiss while smiling. "Are you ready for our date beautiful?"
   She smiles. "Of course."
  We head out and Tamara wishes us a great date and we wish her a safe and good night.

  We arrive at this beautiful, romantic restaurant. I hop out of my side of my truck and run to hers to open her door and help her out. "Wow. Who knew Tim Bradford could be such a gentleman." She giggled.
   "Only for you, Luce." She connects her arm to mine and we proceed inside. "Reservation for two. Under the name Bradford-Chen." I tell the host.
   "Follow me," he says. He places us at a very private booth. "Can I get you started on appetizers and drinks."
    We order and wait for our food to arrive. "Lucy," I say. "I'm going to take a job as Court Liaison. To make sure there's no way I'm in your direct chain of command."
   She frowns. "But you love patrol!" She huffs.
  I grab her small soft hands. "No. Lucy I love you. I would do whatever it took to make sure we stay together. I almost lost you once when Rosalin and Caleb took you. I couldn't bear for that to ever happen again."
   She looks at me. A tear leaves her eyes. "Tim," she mutters. "I love you, Tim Bradford. But You already have a spot in metro. I had Harper, Nolan, Lopez, and Wesley help me figure out a 5 player trade to get you that spot so you could stay on patrol and still be mine."
   That girl. God, she's so smart. But she just risked her dream. "Lucy..." I say. "You probably just cost yourself the detectives exam. You won't become a UC."
   She smiled and kissed my hand. "That's okay. Any risk is worth taking if it means you can be mine forever."

The rest of the dinner goes amazing. I drive back to her apartment and walk her up. "Stay a bit," she says. I nod. "Okay well. I'm going to shower."
  I look at her smiling. "Right now?" She nods slowly taking her heels off. Then unzipping her dress. "Not without me." I say chasing her. I help her undress and let her hair down as she's unbuttoning all of my clothes.

  After our amazing, long, intimate shower, we go lay on the couch and put on Top Chef. She lays her head on my chest and I put my hand on her head, playing with her hair. 20 minutes later and she's completely asleep. I take her to her bed and cover her up. I climb next to her, grabbing her waist and pulling her close and drifting asleep.