What if Tim had a daughter?

Part 13

As brunch came to an end, the conversation gradually slowed, and everyone settled into a comfortable lull, enjoying the lingering warmth of the meal. The plates were mostly cleared, with only a few crumbs left as evidence of the breakfast they'd shared. Tim noticed Tyler eyeing the last pancake, and with a chuckle, he pushed the plate toward his nephew.
Tim- Go on, Ty, you know you want it.
Tyler grinned and didn't hesitate, quickly scooping up the final pancake and drizzling it with syrup. Genny watched him with a fond smile before turning back to Tim.
Genny- Thanks again for having us over, Tim. It's always nice to relax and catch up like this.
Tim smiled, feeling the same sense of contentment.
Tim- Anytime, Genny. You know it's always a pleasure.
As the conversation dwindled, Genny glanced at her watch and sighed.
Genny- We should probably get going. I've got a few things to do this afternoon, and Tyler needs to finish up some homework.
Tyler groaned, clearly not enthusiastic about the homework part, but he obediently got up from his seat.
Tyler- Yeah, yeah. I'll get it done... eventually.
They all moved toward the front door, with Tim and Olivia following Genny and Tyler out. At the door, there were hugs and promises to see each other soon.
Genny- Take care, Liv. Rest up, okay?
Olivia nodded, offering her aunt a grateful smile.
Olivia- I will. Thanks, Aunt Genny.
Tyler gave his cousin a quick hug before stepping outside.
Tyler- See you next week, Liv!
With final goodbyes exchanged, Genny and Tyler headed out to their car, and Tim and Olivia waved as they drove off. As soon as the car disappeared down the street, Tim turned to Olivia, noticing she looked a bit pale.
Tim- You okay, sweetheart?
Olivia nodded, but her tired eyes told a different story.
Olivia- Yeah, just a little tired. I think I'm going to relax on the couch for a bit.
Tim- Good idea. I'll finish cleaning up here, and then I'll join you.
Olivia headed to the living room, settling into the couch with a sigh. She flipped through channels on the TV but didn't seem too interested in anything in particular. Meanwhile, Tim cleared the table, putting away leftovers and washing the dishes. The kitchen was soon spotless, and Tim made his way to the living room, where Olivia was lounging comfortably, her eyes half-closed.
Tim sat down next to her, gently patting her knee.
Tim- Feeling any better?
Olivia gave a small shrug.
Olivia- A little. I'm still not feeling great, though.
Tim considered her for a moment, his protective instincts kicking in.
Tim- Maybe we should wait a bit longer to go get your iPad. We can go another day when you're feeling better.
But Olivia, who had been looking forward to getting her new iPad, shook her head firmly.
Olivia- No way, Dad. We made a deal, and I'm not going to miss out on it.
Tim chuckled, knowing better than to argue.
Tim- All right, all right. A deal's a deal. We'll go this afternoon, but if you start feeling worse, we're staying at home. Agreed?
Olivia nodded eagerly, her spirits lifting at the thought of getting her new gadget.
Tim glanced at the clock—just after 1:00 PM. He figured they could head out around 2:00, giving Olivia a bit more time to rest. They sat together for a while, watching a show on TV, until it was time to go.
At around 2:00 PM, Tim and Olivia got ready and they headed out to the store. The sun was shining, and the day was warm, which seemed to perk Olivia up a bit. They drove to the electronics store, and despite his reservations, Tim couldn't help but smile at how excited Olivia was.
Inside the store, Olivia made a beeline for the display of iPads, her eyes lighting up as she scanned the options. Tim followed her, watching as she carefully picked out the model she wanted. She was decisive, having done her research in advance, and within minutes they were at the checkout counter.
Tim- You sure this is the one, Liv?
Olivia nodded, beaming as she handed the iPad box to the cashier.
Olivia- Absolutely, Dad. I've done my research.
Tim handed over his card, still feeling a bit uneasy about how quickly this was happening but knowing he couldn't break his promise. After the purchase was complete, Olivia hugged the box close to her chest, a satisfied smile on her face.
Tim- All right, let's stop by the grocery store on the way home. We're out of a few things.
They headed to a nearby grocery store, and as they wandered the aisles.
As they approached the hygiene isle to pick up some toothpaste and a few other things, they encountered a woman who was hovering near the counter, looking visibly irritated. Tim thought nothing of it as he put his arm around Olivia's shoulders, gently guiding her toward the the sidi because people wanted to pass.
But the woman suddenly turned, her eyes narrowing at Tim's gesture.
Woman- Excuse me, do you mind?
Tim blinked, caught off guard by her tone.
Tim- Pardon me?
The woman crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Woman- You don't have to be so touchy-feely in public, you know. Some of us don't want to see that.
Tim felt a surge of irritation, but he kept his voice calm.
Tim- This is my daughter. I'm just making sure she's okay.
The woman's expression didn't soften.
Woman- I don't care who she is. It's inappropriate.
Olivia looked up at her dad, confused and a bit unnerved by the woman's aggressive tone. Tim tightened his arm around her protectively.
Tim- Look, we're not doing anything wrong. I suggest you mind your own business.
The woman's face twisted with anger as she pulled out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen.
Woman- I'm calling the police. You people think you can do whatever you want in public? We'll see about that!
Tim sighed, trying to keep his frustration in check. He didn't want to escalate the situation, but he also wasn't about to back down.
Tim- Go ahead, call them.
He guided Olivia away from the woman, heading toward the checkout. Olivia stayed close to her dad, her expression a mix of confusion and discomfort. Tim kept his arm around her, trying to reassure her.
Olivia- Dad, why was she so angry?
Tim shook his head, still irritated.
Tim- Some people just look for reasons to be upset, Liv. It wasn't about us; she probably had a bad day and decided to take it out on someone else. Don't worry about it.
They made their way to the front of the store and paid for their things, hoping to avoid any further drama. But as they walked out to the parking lot, and they reached their car, they noticed the police car pulling into the parking lot. Tim's frustration grew when he saw the woman from the store storming straight toward the officers as they stepped out of the vehicle. She was visibly furious, jabbing her finger in Tim's direction.
Tim- You've got to be kidding me...
Woman- There they are! That man was being inappropriate with that girl! Arrest him!
Tim sighed heavily, recognizing the officers immediately. It was Lucy and Aaron, his coworkers from the precinct. They exchanged confused glances before looking at Tim, clearly not expecting to see him in this situation.
Lucy- Tim? What's going on here?
Tim shook his head, trying to keep his composure despite the absurdity of the situation.
Tim- Honestly, I have no idea. This woman got upset because I had my arm around Olivia's shoulders. She made a scene in the store and called you guys.
Olivia clung tightly to her dad, looking both confused and scared. Tim could feel her trembling slightly, and his protective instincts flared up even more.
Aaron took a step forward, addressing the woman with a calm but firm tone.
Aaron- Ma'am, could you please clarify what exactly you're accusing this man of?
The woman folded her arms across her chest, glaring at Tim and Olivia with a mix of anger and self-righteousness.
Woman- I don't care if they're related! It's disgusting to see a grown man all over a young girl like that in public!
Lucy and Aaron exchanged a quick, knowing glance. It was clear to them that the situation was far less sinister than the woman was making it out to be. Lucy turned to Tim, a reassuring look on her face.
Lucy- Tim, can you just explain what happened?
Tim sighed, still holding onto Olivia.
Tim- We were just getting a few things. Olivia was standing in the middle of the isle reading something. People wanted to pass, so I had my arm around her shoulders to guide her to the side. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.
The woman huffed in frustration, clearly not satisfied with how calmly the officers were treating Tim.
Woman- You're just going to take his word for it? You cops are all the same!
Lucy, now clearly losing patience, kept her tone professional but firm.
Lucy- Ma'am, from what we've heard, there doesn't seem to be any wrongdoing here. A father thanking care of  his daughter isn't a crime.
The woman's face flushed red with anger, and she pointed at Tim again.
Woman- You're biased! You're just taking his side because he's—
Lucy cut her off, her voice steady but firm.
Lucy- Ma'am, we're not here to take sides. We're here to ensure that no one is being harmed. From what we've seen and heard, there's no reason to believe any crime has been committed.
The woman looked as if she was about to argue further but then stopped, her eyes narrowing as she processed what Lucy had said. She still didn't know that Tim was a police officer, and the realization seemed to catch her off guard.
Woman- Wait... who is he, anyway? Why are you all acting like you know him?
Lucy glanced at Tim, who gave her a small nod, signaling that it was okay to reveal his identity. Turning back to the woman, she kept her voice calm but firm, ready to put an end to this unnecessary confrontation.
Lucy- Ma'am, that man you're accusing? He's not just anyone. He was my former training officer. And in some ways, he's still my boss.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, her hostility momentarily replaced by confusion.
Woman- Your... boss?
Before she could fully process that, Aaron stepped in, adding to Lucy's explanation.
Aaron- And he's also a Sargent. The man you're accusing is our boss.
The woman's face twisted in disbelief, her anger flaring up again, now mixed with embarrassment and frustration.
Woman- A police officer? Of course, you are! That's why you're all protecting him! This is corruption!
She was practically shouting now, drawing the attention of other shoppers in the parking lot. Lucy and Aaron exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing that this was getting out of hand.
Tim, who had been trying to stay calm, felt his patience running thin. He took a deep breath, stepping forward slightly while keeping Olivia close to him.
Tim- Ma'am, I've had enough. If you don't leave us alone, I'll be filing a report against you for harassment. You're not just disturbing me—you're scaring my daughter.
The woman's face contorted with rage as Tim spoke, but before she could respond, Lucy stepped forward, her tone authoritative and firm.
Lucy- Ma'am, it's time for you to leave. Now.
The woman opened her mouth to argue, but something in Lucy's expression made her think twice. With one final huff of indignation, she turned on her heel and marched away, muttering under her breath as she went.
As she finally left, the tension that had been hanging in the air seemed to dissipate. Tim, Lucy, and Aaron all exchanged relieved looks. Olivia, still clutching her dad, looked up at him with wide eyes, the fear from earlier starting to ebb away.
There was a brief moment of silence before Olivia, her innocent observation cutting through the tension, piped up.
Olivia- Dad, that woman had the personality of a slightly tilted picture frame.
For a second, Tim, Lucy, and Aaron just stared at her, and then the absurdity of it all hit them at once. They burst out laughing, the tension completely evaporating as they doubled over with mirth. Even Olivia smiled, glad to see the adults in her life laughing again.
But their laughter wasn't as discreet as they thought. The woman, who hadn't yet fully left the area, heard the comment and stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around, her face a mask of fury as she realized the source of the laughter.
Woman- Excuse me? What did you just say?
Tim quickly regained his composure, stepping slightly in front of Olivia to shield her from the woman's glare.
Lucy- Ma'am, I suggest you keep walking. We're done here.
The woman huffed again, clearly realizing she wasn't going to get the last word. With one final glare, she turned and stormed off, this time for good.
As she disappeared from view, Lucy wiped a tear of laughter from her eye, still chuckling.
Lucy- Liv, that was the best thing I've heard all week.
Aaron nodded, grinning widely.
Tim smiled down at Olivia, pride evident in his eyes.
Tim- You've got a way with words.
Olivia, looking more at ease now, shrugged with a small, amused smile.
Olivia- I'm just pointing it out as it is. She really did have that kind of personality.
Aaron, who had been observing with a grin, nodded in agreement.
Aaron- Yeah, you hit the nail on the head there. We'll see you around.
Tim gave Aaron and Lucy a nod.
Tim- Yeah. Thanks for handling this.
Lucy and Aaron headed back to their shop, their laughter fading as they prepared to get back to work. Tim and Olivia watched them go, the tension from earlier now a distant memory.
Tim- Alright, Livi. Let's get out of here and head home. It's been a lot.
Olivia nodded, her earlier worry replaced with a sense of calm. They reached their car, and Tim opened the trunk to put away their groceries. Once everything was packed away, they took the shopping cart back to its spot.
The two of them walked back to the car and Tim opened the door for Olivia, giving her a reassuring smile.
Tim- In you go.
Olivia climbed into the car, and Tim closed the door gently before getting into the driver's seat. He started the engine and began the drive home, the familiar route providing a sense of normalcy and comfort after the day's events.
As they drove, the gentle hum of the car filled the silence. Olivia glanced out the window, her thoughts swirling. After a few moments, she turned to her dad, her voice tentative but curious.
Olivia- Dad, do you think that woman kept staring at Lucy because... well, because you were staring at Lucy too?
Tim's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel, caught off guard by the question. He glanced over at Olivia, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his eyes.
Tim- What do you mean, Liv? I wasn't staring at Lucy...You caught that?
Olivia nodded, her expression serious but with a hint of a smile.
Olivia- You're not as subtle as you think, Dad. And honestly, I think that woman picked up on it too, even if she didn't know what she was seeing.
Tim let out a small chuckle, trying to mask the sudden rush of self-consciousness.
Tim- I thought I was keeping it under wraps, but I guess not.
Olivia looked at her dad, her expression shifting from curiosity to gentle encouragement.
Olivia- Dad, I think you should just talk to her. Tell her how you feel and see what happens. I mean, what's the worst that could go wrong?
Tim sighed, his grip on the steering wheel loosening as he considered her words.
Tim- It's not that simple, Livi. Lucy and I... I'm her boss, but it's not just about me. It's about you too.
Tim hesitated, searching for the right words.
Tim- You and Lucy have this great bond, and I don't want to do anything that might ruin that for you. You don't have a mom around, and Lucy... well, she's kind of been there for you in ways I can't. It's important for you to have someone like that, especially now that you're getting older. I don't want to risk losing that support for you.
Olivia stared at her dad, processing his concerns. Then, a small smile formed on her lips as she shook her head.
Olivia- Dad, I appreciate that you're thinking about me, but honestly, I don't care. I really like Lucy, and I do trust her, but I'd rather see you happy. And besides, I still have other women in my life that are there for me. Aunt Genny, Angela... even my friends' moms. But what I don't have is a happy dad, and that matters more to me.
He felt a lump form in his throat at Olivia's words.
As Tim pulled into the driveway, he felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Olivia's words had left him both touched and unsettled. He had been avoiding this conversation for so long, and now it seemed he couldn't dodge it any longer.
Tim turned off the engine, and they both stepped out of the car.
Tim- Alright, let's get these groceries inside.
They walked into the house, and Tim quickly set about putting away the groceries, his mind still occupied with Olivia's heartfelt plea. Olivia, on the other hand, was practically buzzing with excitement.
As Tim finished putting the last of the groceries away, Olivia bounded over to the dining table where she had set her new iPad and Apple Pencil. She wasted no time; her enthusiasm was palpable.
Olivia- Dad, look! I finally get to open my new iPad!
She carefully unboxed the iPad, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Tim looked over, smiling at her excitement.
Tim- I see you're eager to get started.
Olivia nodded, her face lighting up as she peeled away the protective coverings.
Olivia- I've been waiting for this forever! I can't wait to start drawing and taking notes. It'll be so much easier to send them to my classmates I tutor.
Tim watched Olivia eagerly unbox her new iPad, her excitement almost palpable. As she unwrapped the Apple Pencil and began setting everything up, she mentioned using the device for tutoring. Tim's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Tim- Tutoring? I didn't realize you were thinking about using your new iPad for that. I thought you were mostly excited about drawing and that stuff.
Olivia looked up from her new gadget, her face bright with enthusiasm.
Olivia- Oh, definitely! I'm excited about all the drawing, but I was actually thinking it would be really handy for tutoring too. It'll make organizing lessons and sending notes to my classmates so much easier.
Tim watched with a mix of admiration and surprise as Olivia eagerly set up her new iPad. Her focus was intense as she paired the Apple Pencil and navigated through the initial setup screens. Tim shook his head, smiling at her enthusiasm, and decided to give her some space to get everything in order.
Tim- Well, I'm glad to see you're putting that new iPad to good use. I have to admit, I didn't see the tutoring angle coming.
Olivia glanced up from her new gadget, her face bright with excitement.
Olivia- Yeah, I thought I could also use it for that. It'll make organizing lessons and sending notes so much easier.
Tim- Sounds like you've got it all figured out.
Tim and Olivia enjoyed a relaxed dinner together. Tim had prepared a simple meal.
As they ate, Olivia excitedly talked about her plans for the week. Tim listened attentively, his face reflecting both pride and amusement at her enthusiasm.
They finished their meal, and Olivia helped clear the table. Afterward, they settled on the couch in the living room. Olivia curled up with her new iPad, already exploring its features, while Tim relaxed with a book, enjoying the peaceful end to a busy day.
As they were getting comfortable, Tim's phone buzzed with a new text message. He picked it up and saw that it was from Lucy.

Lucy: Hey Tim, just checking in. How's everything going? How's Olivia after the grocery store incident?
Tim quickly typed a response, his fingers moving over the screen.
Tim: Hi Lucy. Everything's good here. Olivia's doing fine—she's really excited about her new iPad, I think she forgot what happened, well I hope she did.