What if the UC mission had ended well (Season 5, Episode 1)

Part 44

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle warmth over the bedroom. Tim stirred first, his eyes slowly opening to the sight of Lucy nestled comfortably against him, her face serene and peaceful. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he watched her sleep, her hand resting lightly on his chest. He shifted slightly, not wanting to wake her, but Lucy, always attuned to him, stirred and blinked her eyes open.
Lucy- Morning.
She murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
Tim- Morning.
Tim replied, his voice equally soft. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, letting his fingers linger against her cheek.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. Tim tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer as Lucy snuggled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder. The world outside could wait a little longer.
Eventually, though, the day called. Tim sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of Lucy's head before reluctantly pulling away.
Tim- Time to get up.
He said, his tone light but tinged with regret.
Lucy groaned softly but nodded, knowing they couldn't stay in bed forever.
Lucy- Pancakes?
She asked, hopeful.
Tim- Always.
Tim replied with a grin.
They finally rolled out of bed and made their way to the kitchen, where Tim set to work on breakfast. Lucy watched as he moved around the kitchen with ease, flipping pancakes with practiced precision. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of the pancakes, creating a cozy atmosphere that felt like home.
Lucy set the table, placing plates and utensils down with a smile as Kojo trotted into the kitchen, tail wagging. The dog sniffed the air, clearly hoping for a stray pancake to fall his way.
Tim- Don't even think about it, boy.
Tim warned playfully as he slid a stack of pancakes onto a plate.
They sat down to eat, the conversation light and easy. After breakfast, they cleaned up together, a seamless dance of familiar routines. With the kitchen back in order, they decided to take Kojo for a walk. The morning was cool and crisp, perfect for a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood.
As they walked, Kojo happily trotting beside them, they talked about their plans for the day. They needed to run a few errands, and later, they would pick up Tamara from school for lunch.
The errands were mundane but they didn't mind. They enjoyed the simplicity of it, the normalcy that came with doing everyday things together.
By noon, they were on their way to Tamara's school. Lucy spotted her first, waiting near the entrance with a smile on her face. She waved when she saw them, and Tim couldn't help but smile back.
Lucy- Hi.
Lucy greeted, pulling Tamara into a hug.
Tim- Hey, kiddo.
Tim added, pulling her into a quick side hug.
They had lunch at one of their favorite restaurants, chatting about Tamara's day at school and more. It was a relaxing, enjoyable time, filled with laughter and stories. When it was time to take Tamara back to school, they payed and drove back.
With the afternoon stretching ahead of them, Tim and Lucy returned home, looking forward to some quiet time. They settled onto the couch, the TV playing softly in the background as they relaxed in each other's company. Tim's arm was around Lucy, her head resting on his shoulder, both of them content just to be close.
Their peaceful afternoon was interrupted by a call from Bailey. Lucy answered, and Tim could hear the excitement in Bailey's voice trough the phone, even from across the room.
Lucy- A grill party?
Lucy asked, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Tim.
Tim sighed inwardly. The last thing he wanted was to spend his evening at a loud, crowded gathering, but he knew how much Lucy enjoyed these things. And, well, he could never really say no to her.
Tim- Whatever you want.
Tim said, trying to muster some enthusiasm.
Lucy beamed at him.
Lucy- Thank you! It'll be fun, I promise.
Tim- Yeah, yeah.
Tim grumbled good-naturedly, but the smile on his face gave him away.
They took their time getting ready, arriving at the party fashionably late, thanks to Tim's less-than-enthusiastic approach to the evening. As they walked in, they were greeted by a chorus of hellos from their friends.
Bailey- About time you two showed up!
Bailey called out, raising a drink in their direction.
Angela- Yeah, we were starting to think you'd bailed.
Added Angela with a laugh.
Tim rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. He made a beeline for the cooler, grabbing his first beer of the night. If he was going to be here, he might as well make the most of it.
Tim settled into the lounge chair next to Wesley and Nyla, his beer cold in his hand. The evening air was warm, the smell of grilling meat filling the backyard. He took a sip of his beer, glancing over to where Lucy stood by the grill, chatting with Celina and Aaron. She was laughing at something Aaron said, her eyes bright, and the way she looked tonight—effortlessly beautiful in that outfit—made it hard for Tim to look away.
Nyla, ever observant, caught the way Tim's gaze lingered on Lucy. She smirked and leaned over to Wesley, her voice teasing.
Nyla- Looks like someone's got it bad. 
She whispered, nodding subtly in Tim's direction.
Wesley chuckled, glancing over at Tim.
Wesley- You're staring, Bradford. 
He teased, keeping his voice low.
Tim didn't bother looking away. Instead, he took another sip of his beer and shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips.
Tim- Just keeping an eye on her.
He replied, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of something deeper.
Nyla laughed, clearly not buying his nonchalant act.
Nyla- Sure, just keeping an eye on her.
She said, the sarcasm in her voice evident.
Nyla- You're allowed to admit you're smitten, you know.
Tim finally turned to look at Nyla, raising an eyebrow.
Tim- I'm not smitten.
He countered, though the amused glint in his eyes said otherwise.
Tim- Just...appreciative.
Wesley grinned, leaning back in his chair.
Wesley- You should be. She's way out of your league dude.
Tim chuckled, shaking his head.
Tim- I know.
He admitted, his tone light but sincere.
Tim- But somehow, I got lucky
Nyla raised an eyebrow, impressed with his honesty.
Nyla- Wow, Tim Bradford admitting he's lucky. I never thought I'd see the day.
Tim rolled his eyes but couldn't help the grin that tugged at his lips.
Tim- Don't get used to it.
He retorted, taking another sip of his beer.
Across the yard, Lucy must have felt his eyes on her because she glanced over, catching his gaze. Her smile widened, and she gave him a small, almost shy wave. Tim felt a warmth spread through him, a quiet contentment that he knew only she could bring.
Angela, who has just joined the three of them watched the exchange, shaking her head with a smile.
Angela- You two are disgustingly cute, you know that?
She teased, though there was no real bite to her words.
Tim rolled his eyes again but the smile on his face grew wider.
Tim- Disgustingly cute? I'll take that as a compliment.
Angela grinned, leaning against the back of Tim's chair.
Angela- Oh, it's definitely a compliment. Just saying, you two have this whole 'we're in our own little world' thing going on.
Nyla nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Nyla- Yeah, it's like you guys are in your own bubble.
Tim shrugged, his gaze still lingering on Lucy, who had started talking animatedly with Celina and Aaron.
Tim settled back into his lounge chair, beer in hand, as he continued to watch Lucy flit around the grill area. She was in her element, trying a little bit of everything, her curiosity leading her to sample various grilled treats.
Lucy took a bite of something. After chewing for a moment, she turned toward Tim, holding out the small portion on her plate.
Lucy- Hey, try this.
Tim accepted the little bite, popping it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, giving a polite nod.
Tim- Not bad, actually.
Lucy grinned and went back to try something else. It wasn't long before she returned with another small sample.
Lucy- Okay, this one's a bit weird. You might like it though.
Tim took the bite with a smile, savoring the taste. He made a show of considering it before giving her a thumbs-up.
Tim- This one's not too shabby either.
Lucy chuckled and moved on to the next thing, leaving Tim with the remnants of her taste tests.
Angela, who had been watching the exchange, leaned in with a knowing smile.
Angela- You know, Lucy's been trying out all these little bites and then passing the ones she doesn't like on to you, right?
Tim gave a small, amused grin.
Tim- Yeah, I know. She thinks she's tricking me into being her personal taste tester or whatever .
Angela raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
Angela- So you're just playing along?
Tim shrugged, taking a sip of his beer.
Tim- Why not?
As if on cue, Lucy appeared with another small portion of food, holding it out to Tim with a bright smile.
Lucy- Here, try this one too. I'm not sure about it.
Tim took the bite, giving it a fair taste before nodding approvingly.
Tim- This one's actually pretty good.
Nyla- You know, she's going to catch on eventually.
Tim shrugged, his eyes following Lucy as she laughed at something Celina said.
Tim- Maybe. But until then, I'm happy to play along.
Lucy returned again, this time with a small plate of something that looked like a grilled chicken-vegetable skewer. She held it out to Tim, her expression a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
Lucy- Alright, last one. I'm really not sure about this.
Tim accepted the skewer, taking a thoughtful bite as Lucy watched closely. After a moment, he gave a slow, approving nod.
Tim- Surprisingly good. You might actually like this one if you give it another try.
Lucy tilted her head, considering his words before shaking her head with a playful smile.
Lucy- You hate it.
Tim- No, it's not that bad.
Lucy- Tim, you just ate a mushroom and you hate mushrooms.
Tim- I know I hate mushrooms.
Lucy arched an eyebrow, clearly amused but also curious.
Lucy- Then why did you say it's not that bad?
Tim chuckled, leaning back in his chair as he looked at her.
Tim- Because it's not about the mushroom. It's about you. If you think something's worth trying, then I'm willing to give it a shot.
Lucy shook her head with a soft laugh, touched by his words but not entirely convinced.
Lucy- You're seriously telling me that you'd eat mushrooms just because I handed them to you?
Tim shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Tim- I might not like mushrooms, but I like you. So, yeah, I'll take the mushrooms if it means you get to enjoy the rest.
Lucy's expression softened as she looked at him, her eyes warm with affection.
Lucy- You're such a sap, Bradford.
Tim grinned, unbothered by the tease.
Tim- Maybe. But you're still the one trying to trick me into eating things you don't like.
Lucy laughed, shaking her head as she handed the skewer back to him, this time without the mushrooms.
Lucy- Alright, you win this round. I'll keep the mushrooms, and you can have the rest.
Tim accepted the skewer, his smile widening as he took another bite, savoring both the food and the moment.
Tim- Deal. Just don't expect me to eat them every time.
Lucy winked at him, her playful mood back in full force.
Lucy- We'll see about that.
As she walked away, Tim watched her with a fond smile, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Nyla, who had been observing the whole exchange, leaned over with a smirk.
Nyla- You're whipped, Bradford.
Tim didn't even try to deny it this time, simply nodding as he took another bite.
Tim- Yeah, I am.
As the evening wore on, the party began to wind down. The warm glow of the string lights overhead flickered as people started to gather their things, saying their goodbyes and making their way home. Tim had relaxed into his chair, enjoying the steady buzz from the beers he'd consumed. He was in no rush to leave, but Lucy eventually appeared by his side, giving him a gentle nudge.
Lucy- Ready to head out, Bradford?
Tim nodded, though he made no move to get up just yet.
Tim- Yeah, I guess it's time.
Lucy smiled, amused by his slightly lazy demeanor. She could tell he was feeling the effects of the alcohol, just enough that she knew she'd be the one driving them home.
Lucy- Come on, let's get you home before you get too comfortable.
With a groan, Tim finally pushed himself out of the lounge chair and followed Lucy to the car. As they reached the vehicle, Lucy immediately went to adjust the driver's seat, moving it forward to fit her shorter legs.
Tim watched her, a small frown forming on his face.
Tim- You know I hate when someone messes with my seat, right?
Lucy shot him a playful look as she continued adjusting the seat.
Lucy- Yeah, well, it's your fault for drinking too much. Now I get to drive, and I need to reach the pedals.
Tim couldn't argue with that logic, so he just sighed and slid into the passenger seat. Once they were both settled, Lucy started the car, and they pulled out of the driveway, heading home.
The drive was quiet at first, the hum of the engine and the soft sound of the radio filling the space between them. Tim gazed out the window, his head slightly leaning back against the headrest. The gentle sway of the car and the cool night air filtering in through the open window made him feel even more relaxed.
Lucy glanced over at him, a smirk playing on her lips as a mischievous thought crossed her mind.
Lucy- You know, Tim... you're officially my passenger princess now.
Tim turned his head to look at her, confusion flickering across his face.
Tim- Passenger princess? What the hell does that mean?
Lucy burst into laughter, the sound light and infectious.
Lucy- It means you get to sit there, looking pretty while I do all the driving.
Tim tried to muster a response, but the absurdity of the statement, combined with Lucy's infectious laughter, got the better of him. He couldn't help but chuckle, his laughter growing until he was nearly doubled over in his seat.
Tim- Oh, come on! I'm not a—
But he couldn't even finish the sentence, his own laughter overtaking him. Every time he tried to respond, Lucy's laughter would set him off again, leaving him completely unable to defend himself.
Lucy- Face it, Tim. You're a passenger princess now, and there's nothing you can do about it! The only thing you can do is sit there and look pretty.
Tim shook his head, still laughing.
Tim- I can't believe you just called me that.
Lucy grinned, clearly pleased with herself.
Lucy- Hey, it's not my fault you drank too much. Now you're stuck with me driving, so you better get used to it.
Tim leaned back, still chuckling as he gave up trying to argue.
Tim- Fine, fine. But only tonight. Don't get any ideas.
Lucy winked, clearly enjoying his good-natured surrender.
Lucy- We'll see about that.
As they continued down the road, the playful banter gave way to a comfortable silence. The soft hum of the car engine and the faint music from the radio filled the air, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Tim watched the familiar streets pass by, his thoughts drifting in the calmness of the moment. Despite the teasing, he felt content, knowing he was in good hands with Lucy behind the wheel.
Soon, they pulled up to Tim's driveway. Lucy parked the car smoothly, turning off the engine before glancing over at Tim with a mischievous grin. She was clearly still riding the wave of their earlier conversation.
Lucy- Alright, Princess, you just sit tight.
Tim raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure what she was up to now.
Tim- What are you doing, Luce?
Lucy didn't answer right away. Instead, she unbuckled her seatbelt and quickly hopped out of the car. Tim watched her with growing curiosity as she walked around the front of the car and headed straight for his side. Before he could react, Lucy opened his door with an exaggerated flourish, a playful smirk on her face.
Lucy- Allow me, Your Highness. After all, a true Passenger Princess deserves royal treatment
Tim couldn't help but laugh, the sound deep and warm. He leaned his head back against the seat, shaking it slightly as he tried to suppress his amusement.
Tim- You're really milking this, aren't you?
Lucy shrugged, clearly enjoying every moment.
Lucy- Hey, you made me the driver tonight. That means I get to call the shots. Now, come on, Princess. Out you go.
Tim rolled his eyes, but the grin on his face remained as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Lucy stood there, her hand outstretched as if offering him assistance. Tim looked at her hand, then back at her, an incredulous smile on his face.
Tim- You're really taking this seriously, huh?
Lucy nodded, not backing down.
Lucy- Absolutely. You don't get to open any door yourself.
Tim chuckled and placed his hand in hers, playing along as she helped him out of the car with mock grandeur.
Tim- Fine, but don't get used to it.
Lucy let go of his hand and gave him a mock curtsy.
Lucy- Of course not,—sweetheart. This is a one-time special.
They both burst into laughter, the sound echoing softly in the quiet night air. Tim closed the car door behind him, still chuckling as he and Lucy walked up the path to his front door.
Lucy- See? That wasn't so bad, was it?
Tim glanced at Lucy, his expression softening as they reached the door. Before he could reach for the handle, Lucy darted in front of him, her hand shooting out to open the door with a flourish.
Lucy- After you, Sunshine.
Tim raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but not willing to let this one slide.
Tim- Sunshine, huh? That's new.
Lucy smirked, holding the door open with a playful glint in her eyes.
Lucy- You always call me that. Plus I think it suits you.
Tim stepped inside, shaking his head with a grin.
Tim- Nice try, Luce. But there's only one Sunshine around here, and that's you.
Lucy arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the sudden turn in conversation.
Lucy- Oh, really? And what makes you so sure of that?
Tim stopped just inside the door, turning to face her with a gentle but firm look. His voice was warm, carrying a sincerity that left no room for argument.
Tim- Because you're my Sunshine. Always have been. And I'm your Starry, always have been and always will be.
Lucy's teasing demeanor faltered for a moment, replaced by something softer, more intimate. She stepped closer to him, their playful banter taking on a deeper meaning.
Lucy- Yeah, I guess that's right.
Tim nodded, his gaze steady on hers.
Tim- And I'm not about to let that change. You can open all the doors you want, Luce. But Sunshine? That's mine, for you.
Lucy's lips curved into a tender smile, the kind that reached her eyes and made them sparkle.
Lucy- Alright, Starry. I guess I'll let you keep that one.
Tim smiled, satisfied with the compromise as he watched her close the door behind them.
Tim- Good, because I'm not giving it up.
Lucy chuckled softly, the warmth between them lingering in the air.
Lucy- Fine, but only if you keep being my Starry. Deal?
Tim reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before nodding.
Tim- Deal.
They stood there for a moment, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. It was a rare moment of stillness, where the teasing and laughter had given way to something far more meaningful. Lucy's eyes softened as she looked up at him, and for a brief second, everything else faded away.
But before the moment could grow too serious, Lucy's playful nature reasserted itself. She took a step back, her smirk returning as she glanced at the door she'd just opened for him.
Lucy- Well, my princess, you're home safe and sound. Anything else you need before I retire for the night?
Tim chuckled, shaking his head as they stepped further inside.
Tim- No, I think I'm all set. Thanks for the royal treatment, though.
Lucy grinned, giving him a playful nudge as they headed toward the bedroom.
Lucy- Anytime, my Princess.
After arriving at Tim's house, they both headed to his bedroom to change into more comfortable clothes. The evening had been fun, but now it was time to wind down. They both changed into some sweatpants and a t-shirt. They both looked relaxed and content, ready to enjoy their quiet time together.
Once they were changed, they made their way to the bathroom. Lucy was already starting to remove her makeup, standing in front of the mirror with a determined expression. She used a gentle makeup remover to take off her concealer, not that she had much on—just some to go over a few little things.
Tim leaned against the doorway, watching her with a soft smile. As Lucy wiped away the last traces of the concealer, Tim couldn't help but think she looked even more beautiful without it. Her natural glow, the way her eyes sparkled, it was all the more striking in the soft light of the bathroom.
Lucy glanced up at him through the mirror, catching his gaze.
Lucy- What?
She asked, noticing his appreciative look.
Tim- Nothing.
Tim said with a smile.
Tim- Just thinking how stunning you are, even without all the extra stuff.
Lucy blushed slightly, a shy smile appearing on her face.
Lucy- Thanks.
She said, finishing up and tossing the makeup remover pad in the trash.
With that done, she picked up her toothbrush and squeezed some toothpaste onto it, ready to brush her teeth. Tim followed suit, grabbing his own toothbrush and mimicking her actions. They stood side by side, brushing their teeth in a synchronized rhythm.
The bathroom had two sinks, but somehow, their brushing routine always seemed to end in a playful fight over space. Tonight was no different. As Lucy tried to rinse her mouth, Tim blocked her way with a mischievous grin.
Lucy- Hey, move over.
Lucy said, nudging him gently.
Tim shook his head, a grin still on his face.
Tim- Not until I'm done.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, her patience running thin.
Lucy- Come on, Tim. I need to rinse too.
They continued to squabble good-naturedly, each trying to get the upper hand. Tim was determined to finish rinsing first, but Lucy was equally determined to use the sink.
After a few more nudges and playful shoves, Lucy managed to push him aside just enough to get to the faucet.
Lucy- Victory!
She declared, rinsing her mouth with a triumphant smile.
Tim laughed, stepping over to the other sink.
Tim- Alright, alright. You win this round.
As he finished brushing his teeth at the second sink, he watched Lucy through the mirror, her playful demeanor softening as she finished her own routine. They stood there, side by side, their earlier banter now a comfortable, affectionate part of their night.
Once they were both finished, Lucy gave him a final, satisfied grin before turning off the light and heading out of the bathroom. Tim followed her, his heart full and content.
After their playful bathroom antics, Tim and Lucy made their way to the bedroom. The lights were dimmed, casting a soft, cozy glow over the room. They moved in sync, a well-practiced routine of getting ready for bed. Tim pulled back the covers, and Lucy slipped in beside him, immediately feeling the familiar warmth of their shared space.
As they settled onto the bed, Tim pulled Lucy close, wrapping his arms around her with a gentle firmness. Lucy nestled her face into the crook of his neck, the soft, comforting scent of him calming her. Tim's face was buried in her hair, his breath warm against her skin.
They adjusted their positions until they found their perfect comfort. Tim lay with one leg straight and the other bent between Lucy's legs, drawing her closer. His arms were securely wrapped around her, holding her snug against him. Lucy responded by curling her body against his, her arms resting around his waist, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on his back.
The warmth of their bodies and the intimacy of their embrace created comfort. Tim's hand gently stroked her hair, his fingers tangling slightly in the soft strands. Lucy sighed contentedly, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing against her cheek.
Tim- This is nice.
His voice was a low murmur, barely more than a whisper. Lucy responded with a soft, contented hum, her breath warm against his skin.
Lucy- It really is.
As they lay there wrapped in each other's embrace, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the comforting presence of each other. The room was filled with the soft, rhythmic sound of their breathing, each rise and fall a soothing reassurance.
Tim's hand continued to gently stroke Lucy's hair, his touch tender and calming. Her soft sighs and the gentle warmth of her body against his created a cocoon of tranquility. Lucy's fingers remained lightly tracing patterns on Tim's back, their movements slow and languid, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
Tim- I'm really glad we're here together like this.
His voice was barely more than a whisper, filled with the sincerity of his words. Lucy nuzzled closer, her face still nestled in the crook of his neck, her breath warm and even.
Lucy- Me too. It feels like everything is just right.
Tim pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, his lips brushing against her hair.
Tim- You make everything feel right, you know that?
Lucy's eyes fluttered closed, her entire being relaxed and content. She let out a soft, sleepy chuckle.
Lucy- And you make me feel safe and loved. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything.
Tim's arm tightened slightly around her, pulling her even closer in a gentle, protective embrace. His gaze softened as he looked down at her, his heart full of affection.
Tim- I'm really lucky to have you.
Lucy's eyes remained closed, a small, peaceful smile on her lips. She nuzzled against him, her voice barely a whisper.
Lucy- And I'm lucky to have you.
They lay there, wrapped in their shared warmth and affection, the night enveloping them in its quiet embrace. Tim's hand continued its gentle caress through her hair, the steady rhythm of their breathing creating a soothing lullaby.
As the minutes ticked by, their breathing grew deeper and more synchronized. The tranquility of the room, combined with the security of each other's presence, led them both to the brink of sleep. Lucy's body relaxed completely against Tim's, her breathing slowing to match his.
Tim- Goodnight, Sunshine.
He whispered the words with a tenderness that only deepened as he spoke them. Lucy's only response was a soft, contented murmur, her grip around him loosening slightly as she drifted off.
Lucy- Goodnight, my Starry.
The finality of their goodnights settled over them like a gentle blanket. Tim and Lucy fell asleep in each other's arms, the world outside ceasing to matter as they surrendered to the comfort and love they found in each other's presence.