Never let go CHENFORD FF English version

Chapter 12 home

A few days later, Tim was discharged. During his hospital stay, he had numerous visits from colleagues who wished him a speedy recovery and expressed their excitement for his return.

"I'll take your things," Lucy declared firmly when Tim attempted to pick up his bag, grimacing in pain as he bent down.

"Mhmm... ok," he grumbled reluctantly. He disliked being treated like an invalid and being fussed over.

They picked up his medical records and headed to Lucy's car, which she had parked there for several days. She hadn't left Tim's side except to use the restroom.

They stopped briefly at Lucy's apartment so she could pack a few things before heading to Tim's place. She had decided he would recover best in his own home. Additionally, Tamara had offered to take care of Lucy's apartment, giving her a chance to practice managing a household on her own. Given Tamara's instincts, Lucy wouldn't be surprised if she already sensed there was something between her and Tim.

At Tim's house, Lucy placed his bag next to the bed. Just as she was about to turn around, Tim wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently pulling her close and resting his head lightly on hers.

"Thank you for everything. It means a lot to me, what you're doing. And I promise you, I'll repay you in one way or another once I can move like a normal person again," he whispered part of his words into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine and causing her to close her eyes for a moment, giving in to the thought. "You seem to like that idea," he smiled, his fingers gently tracing over her stomach, up her side, along her ribs, and back down.

"Tim Bradford, you are a sadist," Lucy responded, slightly tense.

"No, well, who knows, maybe part of me is," he chuckled, "But I think you'll enjoy this kind of sadism. You know how to tease me, I'm just balancing the scales," he whispered, kissing her neck softly. "I should really stop, or I won't be able to control myself and we'll end up back in the hospital with torn stitches," he said, pulling away from her.

"I think I need a cold shower," Lucy smiled as she looked at him. "Tim? Even though you turn me on so much and I'd love to jump into bed with you right now and not get up until tomorrow morning, I want this to be something real, and for us to get closer in other ways," her tone became more serious, and Tim could see that he had crossed a line.

"I'm sorry, Lucy, you had mentioned it. I... need to apologize. I'm just as serious about this as you are. I promise. I don't just want you in bed. I want you in every way possible, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it just as you dreamed. How about this: you take a shower, and I'll order us some food. After all that hospital food, I need something real. Then we can have a cozy evening on the couch, talk a bit, and well, rest," he suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll hurry, I don't want to waste any time with you. We'll be back on duty soon enough and won't have time," she replied, already halfway out of the room.

Tim called a delivery service and then sat on the couch, waiting. He was still mulling over whether he had acted too hastily and made Lucy feel insecure. Now that he thought about it, they had spent so much time on the streets together, yet he knew very little about her personal life. But how could he? He himself shared very little about his own life. He believed there should be a certain distance between him and his rookie, and too much personal exchange could destroy that. He just wasn't the type for that. But with Lucy, it had been different. The time when she was a rookie had connected them in a certain way, and now that she wasn't a rookie anymore, he realized even more how much he missed her presence and company at work. He missed her, and even though he was afraid of losing Lucy or risking everything in his career, he knew he wanted and needed her. Some colleagues, he knew, would criticize not only their age difference but also the fact that he had trained her as a rookie. But that was something he would have to discuss with Grey when the time came. First, he had to get to know Lucy, really get to know her, and then they could talk about how to handle the situation at work.

Lost in thought, Tim didn't notice when Lucy, freshly showered and dressed in clean clothes, entered. She looked at him for a moment as he sat there, deep in thought, clearly preoccupied.

"Everything okay, Tim?" she asked, sitting next to him, causing him to start slightly.

"Yes, everything's fine, Lucy. The shower must have felt great," he remarked. "I was just thinking. I went too far, I just wanted to tease you a bit, you know. But you had said you wanted to take it slow, so please forgive my behavior," he explained.

"It's okay, Tim. I want you just as much, probably more, only I know it might be wrong to rush things now and end up ruining everything," she explained her thoughts, and he nodded understandingly.

"I think you might be the more mature one between us," he smiled affectionately. "For you, I'd wait forever, even if it tears me apart eventually, you're worth it."

She smiled at his words and leaned against him, careful not to press on any of his wounds.

When their food arrived, they ate together on the couch, talking about everything and nothing until Lucy brought up the topic of parents, which darkened his expression.

"Listen, Lucy, I... didn't have the childhood anyone would wish for... and it's not a great topic for me, you understand," he replied curtly. Lucy had almost guessed as much, given Tim's behavior at times. The psychology lectures from her parents hadn't completely escaped her, allowing her to interpret quite a bit.

"That's okay, I mean, not that it was like that, but if you don't want to talk about it now, I just mean, I'm here if you want to, it can help to let out everything that's bothering you," she said, and Tim took a deep breath.

"Well, my dad was violent, he slammed me against the wall, abandoned me so I'd have to find my way home... I was in elementary school. Then he cheated on my mom and I saw it...," he began, his gaze fixed downward. "I just wanted to get away, wished for a family like others had, and swore if I ever had kids, I'd do everything to be a better dad and person than that man," he said, looking up at her with teary eyes. Lucy held him close, gently stroking his back, just being there for him.

"You will be. I had no idea, but everything I've seen of you shows a different man, a man who gives everything for those he loves, who would take a bullet for them and give up everything. You're the most honorable man I know, and nothing like him," she spoke soothingly, and he clung to her.