The evening was perfect—one of those crisp, clear nights where the sky was a deep indigo, speckled with stars. The air was cool but not cold, the kind of night that made you want to curl up with someone you love and just be still.
Tim stood in the backyard of the home he shared with , his hands deep in the pockets of his jacket as he stared up at the sky. His heart was pounding, a mixture of excitement and nerves coursing through him. He had faced down criminals, survived countless dangerous situations, but this—this was different. This was the most important moment of his life.
He looked down at kojo , who was sitting obediently by his side. "You ready for this, boy?" Tim asked, reaching down to scratch behind Kojo's ears. The dog gave a small bark, as if in response, his tail wagging.
"Good," Tim muttered, taking a deep breath. He was as ready as he'd ever be.
A moment later, the sliding glass door to the house opened, and Lucy stepped out onto the patio, wrapped in a cozy sweater. She smiled when she saw Tim and Kojo, her heart warming at the sight of her two favorite guys waiting for her.
"What are you doing out here?" Lucy asked as she walked over, her arms wrapping around herself for warmth. "It's freezing."
Tim smiled, the kind of smile that was just for her, and reached out to pull her closer. "Just wanted to spend some time with you out here. It's a beautiful night."
Lucy looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "It is," she agreed softly, leaning into him. "But you've been acting a little strange today, Bradford. What's going on?"
Tim hesitated for just a second before he reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing over the small velvet box he had been carrying around all day. This was it—the moment he had been thinking about for weeks, planning for in his head a hundred times over.
"Luce," he began, his voice steady despite the rapid beat of his heart, "there's something I need to say."
Lucy's brow furrowed slightly, her eyes searching his as she tried to figure out what was going on. But before she could ask, Tim took a step back, holding her hands in his as he looked down at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
"You've changed my life," Tim said, his voice rough with emotion. "In ways I never thought were possible. You've made me a better man, a better cop, a better everything. And I can't imagine my life without you in it."
Lucy's breath caught in her throat as she realized what was happening. Her eyes widened, her heart pounding as she watched Tim slowly lower himself onto one knee, still holding her hands.
"Lucy Chen," Tim continued, his voice full of the love and devotion he felt for her, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up next to you every morning, grow old with you, and make a lifetime of memories together. You and me... and Kojo," he added with a small smile, glancing at their dog who was watching the whole scene with curious eyes.
Tears welled up in Lucy's eyes, spilling over as she brought a hand to her mouth, her breath hitching. She had dreamed of this moment, of what it would feel like to hear those words from Tim, but nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming rush of emotion that surged through her now.
"Lucy," Tim said, opening the velvet box to reveal a beautiful, simple ring that sparkled in the moonlight, "will you marry me?"
For a moment, all Lucy could do was nod, tears streaming down her face as she tried to find her voice. "Yes," she finally managed, her voice shaking with emotion. "Yes, Tim, I'll marry you."
A wide, relieved smile broke across Tim's face as he slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands steady despite the tremor of excitement that ran through him. He stood up, pulling her into his arms as she continued to cry, burying her face in his chest.
Tim held her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, his heart swelling with love for the woman in his arms. "I love you, Lucy," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "More than anything."
Lucy pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes shining with happy tears, a smile on her face that was brighter than any star in the sky. "I love you too, Tim. So much."
As they stood there under the stars, wrapped up in each other, Kojo gave an excited bark, jumping up to nuzzle against Lucy's leg. She laughed, bending down to pet him, her tears still flowing, but now they were tears of pure joy.
Tim joined her, one hand resting on Kojo's head, the other wrapped securely around Lucy's waist. Together, they sat down on the grass, their dog nestled between them, and stared up at the sky, their future stretched out before them like the endless stars above.
It was perfect—simple, heartfelt, everything that Lucy had ever wanted. And as she leaned her head against Tim's shoulder, feeling the weight of the ring on her finger, she knew without a doubt that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
Tim kissed her temple, holding her close as they both soaked in the moment, their hearts full, their souls content.
"Forever," Tim whispered, and Lucy smiled, nodding against him.
"Forever," she echoed, knowing that this was just the beginning of the rest of their lives together. And she couldn't wait for every moment that was to come.
