the ultimatum

Proving a point

Why do i love this chapter😭

Lucy picked Ryan up from work and headed home.
"How was work?" Ryan asked Lucy
"Great, hardly any tough calls at the minute..it's been quiet" Lucy says honestly and Ryan sighs "me too" he replies.
"What's the plan for tonight?" Lucy asks and Ryan shrugs.

"a few buddies has asked me to head out to watch the game at the bar, you can come if you like?" Ryan says and Lucy shakes her head.
"No I'll be busy, have fun though" she replies happily stopping at a red light.
"with what?" Ryan asks curiously.

"I'm planning avalynns and arlos birthday party" Lucy replies cheerily, Ryan sighs
"Isn't that Tim's job, I mean he is their dad" he shrugs trying not to allow jealously get to him.

"I offered to help, Tim is useless in that category, if I didn't offer to help they'll probably just end up going to chuck e cheese with a few friends." Lucy replies as if that is like the worst party ever.
"What's wrong with that?" Ryan asks and Lucy shrugs.

"The twins have had a rough start to life, I feel deeply sorry for them. And Tim hasn't had a good childhood either, so he hasn't had any great big parties..I just want to make it special for them you know?" Lucy says full of sympathy.
"But he's an ass Lucy" Ryan replies and Lucy does half agree with that statement but she really felt like she needed to help them..and Tim still has a place in her heart.

"I know. But like, we've both moved on..I don't know why you have a problem with it? What if it was Angela with Jack? You wouldn't have a problem then." Lucy states pulling into the driveway.

"No I won't have a problem with Angela" Ryan replies and Lucy sighs leaning back into her seat.
"What if it was John and Henry?" Lucy asks.
"I wouldn't care either." Ryan shrugs.
"well John is my ex. Would you care then?" Lucy asks again and Ryan freezes.
"You dated him-?"he asks shocked and Lucy shook her head.
"That's besides the point. The point is you don't like Tim because he's my ex. But there is nothing going on between us, he's with Laura and I'm with you..stop stressing babe" Lucy says softly holding Ryan's hand.

"okay. Well..I'm sorry for getting jealous I suppose" he shrugs and Lucy kisses his cheek and gets out the car.
"it's okay babe." She says as they both walk to her apartment.
"You seriously dated Nolan though?" Ryan asked shocked.
"Okay, that was like 5 year ago and it wasn't for very long. Let's never bring this up again, i only brought it up to prove a point" Lucy chuckles as they make their way onto Lucy's apartment.

Ryan heads out for a few drinks with a few officers from his division, Lucy starts looking at birthday themes..
She decides to go with a 'four ever wild' theme and orders some decorations and stuff, she figures she'll just pay for things and ask Tim for the money later.
-

The next morning went like a breeze for Tim and the twins, everything was stress free and their house had a different vibe to it..

He thinks it's because Laura's gone, if he listened to Angela in the first place everything would have been perfect and good way before now.

He gets the twins into the truck for preschool and arlo asks "where is Laura?" He asks innocently.
"She's gone." He said dryly and the twins looked at eachother and back at Tim.
"Forever? Are you two not special friends no more?"avalynn asked curiously Tim smiles at avalynns innocence
"Yeah, she's moved back home, she doesn't live with us and we won't see her again. Is that okay with you two?" He asks and the twins smile.

"more than okay" arlo replies cutely, Tim frowns to himself
"Why is it okay buddy?" Tim asks his curiosity getting to him.
"I don't know, we didn't see you a lot because of her" arlo replies cutely and Tim nods..he really should have sorted everything way before now..he needs to open his eyes abit and realise what is going on.

He drops them off at daycare and heads straight to work, he changes and heads to roll call and bumps into Angela on his way.
"you seem different." Angela points out straight away and Tim frowns.
"How?" He asks and Angela shrugs.
"Your stress lines are gone..or your wrinkles..I don't know" Angela jokes and Tim laughs.

"I'm not that old. They probably would have been stress lines" Tim agrees and Angela smirks.
"Anything to spill then?" She asks knowing Tim to well.
"No because I don't want to say it" Tim replies and was about to walk off and Angela held his arm.

"Say what? That I was right? Well I'm sorry Bradford.. I told you so" Angela smirks.
"Shut up" he replies.
"What made you cut her off then, you literally was all heart eyes for her a few days ago" Angela deadpans and Tim shrugs.

"I opened my eyes. I just couldn't deal with her..I need to put my self first and the twins" Tim nods and Angela smiles.
"Good on you Tim, so how did you do it?" Angela asks intrigued with a mischievous smirk.
"I sort of just snapped, packed her shit up and threw it outside..and slammed the door on her face" Tim replies recalling the previous nights events.

Angela's smile widened and she put her hand up.
"What?" Tim asks confused staring at her hand.
"High five, Duhh" Angela rolls her eyes and Tim chuckles and shakes his head and gives Angela a high five.
"GO YOU BRADFORD" Angela cheers abit to loud, receiving a few looks from other officers but Angela didn't care.

"Okay. That's enough. Get to work" Tim shakes his head and he walks off down the hall and Angela shouts
"I told you so"
Tim turns around and glares at her and Angela shrugs.
"It felt good saying it" she smirks and heads to her desk.

Tim did roll call and headed to desk, the day went smoothly. He spent his lunch in the break room..he needed some time to himself- just to think about everything.

At the end of shift he changes out and Lucy was waiting for him outside the locker room, Tim bumps into her nearly knocking her off her feet.
"Woahh" Tim says quickly grabbing Lucy's arms.
"nearly killed me" Lucy chuckles and Tim shakes his head.

"Sorry. Uh what's up? I need to grab the twins" Tim says and Lucy nods.
"Yeah I know. It's just a quick one, I already have bought a lot of things for the twins party.." Lucy admits and Tim's eyes widened.

"Lucy we literally only agreed yesterday you could plan it..and it's not for another two months" Tim says rearranging his bag on his shoulder.
"Tim you know me. I'm organised. Over prepared. So please just listen!" Lucy snaps
"Okay my ears are open" Tim replies.

"okay the theme is 'four ever wild'" Lucy smiles goofily.
"seriously?" Tim replies and Lucy swats his chest.
"Yes Tim! Gosh.!" She rolls her eyes.
"Okay what is involved in the four-ever wild theme?" He asks.

"Oh you know jungle animals and stuff. Like lions, bears, elephants, tigers, giraffes..you get the just. But it's so cute!! Like they'll both enjoy it, and both of the twins are wild soo" Lucy replies happily jumping on her feet.
Tim smiles "I love it" he smirks and Lucy squeals
"I knew you would! You big kid! Okay now go and collect your children, have a good night Tim!" Lucy replies pushing him towards the doors.

"Thanks Lucy for this" Tim replies and Lucy waves him off. She heads back onto patrol, her shift was longer than Tim's as he has reduced shifts due to the twins pick up hours.