What if Tim had a daughter?

Part 17

A few hours passed, and Tim was deep into a report when he heard a soft knock on his office door. He looked up to see Lucy standing there, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, a curious expression on her face.
Tim- Taking a break from all the fun?
Lucy smirked, stepping into the office and closing the door behind her.
Lucy- Something like that. I needed a breather before diving back into that mountain of forms.
She glanced around the room, noticing the small stack of papers on Tim's desk, significantly smaller than her own.
Lucy- You always make this look so easy.
Tim chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
Tim- It's just a matter of practice. And maybe a little motivation. Why? Thinking of making me do your paperwork too?
Lucy waved her hand dismissively, but there was a teasing glint in her eye.
Lucy- As tempting as that is, no. I actually came in here to ask you about something else.
Tim raised an eyebrow, motioning for her to continue.
Lucy hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how to broach the subject. Tim noticed the shift in her demeanor and raised an eyebrow, curious.
Tim- What's on your mind, Chen?
Lucy took a deep breath, clearly wanting to get this right.
Lucy- It's about Olivia. Remember, she asked me to go with her to that Mother's Day tea party/ brunch thing at her school. I promised her I'd be there, but I realized I don't really have all the details. All I know is that it's on Friday, three days from now.
Tim's expression softened immediately. He wasn't surprised Olivia had asked Lucy—it was a testament to the bond they'd formed—but he could see Lucy was taking the invitation seriously.
Tim- Yeah, she's been excited about it. It's a big deal for her. It's at her school, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. It's just for the kids and their moms... or, in Olivia's case, you.
Lucy blinked, processing the significance of that.
Lucy- So... I'll be alone with her?
Tim- Kind of, it's just for the moms. She really wants you to be the one to go with her. It's her way of saying how much you mean to her.
Lucy looked down for a moment, absorbing what Tim had just said. When she looked back up, there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
Lucy- I thought maybe Genny would be there too. I figured it might make things... I don't know, easier? Less awkward, maybe.
Tim shook his head gently, understanding where Lucy was coming from.
Tim- Look, Lucy, you don't have to do it if you're not comfortable. I know it's a lot to ask, especially with the way people can be. But if you're not up for it, it's fine.
Lucy quickly shook her head, her determination outweighing her doubts.
Lucy- No, I want to do it for Olivia. She asked me, and I can't let her down. It's just... I know how women can be. They can be judgmental, and I'm 27, Tim. Olivia's 11. I don't even want to imagine what they'll be thinking.
Tim leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk as he spoke gently.
Tim- You don't have to worry about that, Lucy. I've been the one taking Olivia to practice, going to all her games, and cheering her on from the sidelines. I'm at every school event or sports thing— with the moms. Most of them already know Olivia's situation—they know she doesn't have a mom around, and honestly, that's all they need to know.
Lucy nodded slowly, still deep in thought, before she looked back at Tim, her expression shifting to something more determined but with a hint of vulnerability.
Lucy- I hear you, Tim, but... I still can't help but worry a little about what they'll think. I know it's silly, but there's always that part of me that overthinks it—what people might say behind my back, how they'll look at me. But you know what?
She straightened her shoulders and met his eyes with newfound resolve.
Lucy- I don't care. Olivia asked me to be there, and that's what matters. I'm going to be there for that amazing little girl and make sure she has a great time. And honestly, I'll enjoy it too. I'm not going to let a bunch of judgmental mom-stares ruin it.
Tim- You'll be fine. If anything, they'll be judging me for sending you instead of showing up myself.
Tim smiled warmly at Lucy, visibly relieved by her shift in attitude.
Tim- Thank you for doing this, Lucy. It means a lot.
Lucy held up a hand, cutting him off with a playful but firm glare.
Lucy- Hold on, Bradford. Let's get one thing straight—I'm doing this for Olivia, not for you.
She raised an eyebrow.
Lucy- Don't think this gets you off the hook for that stunt you pulled with Grey, having me stuck with Smitty all day. Well, letting me believe that.
Tim couldn't help but chuckle, even as he raised his hands in mock surrender.
Tim- Okay, okay. I deserved that. But it wasn't that bad, right?
Lucy scoffed, rolling her eyes.
Lucy- Oh, come on. You know exactly what you did. I bet you were laughing the whole morning.
Tim grinned but tried to mask it.
Tim- I might've found it a little amusing.
Lucy- A little? Please. But don't worry, I'm still plotting my revenge for that one.
She crossed her arms again, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed any real threat. Tim laughed, shaking his head.
Tim- I'll have to keep an eye out, then. But seriously, Lucy... I appreciate it, and I know Olivia's going to love spending that time with you.
Lucy softened slightly, her teasing facade fading as she nodded.
Lucy- Yeah. I'm looking forward to it. She's a great kid.
She pushed herself off the doorframe, turning to leave.
Lucy- And don't think I've forgotten about Smitty. This isn't over, Bradford.
Tim chuckled as she walked out, her mock threat lingering in the air, but he knew underneath it all, they were in a good place. He shook his head, amused by their exchange, but also relieved. Despite the playful banter, he knew Lucy was serious about Olivia, and that warmed his heart.
As the minutes passed, the office filled with the quiet hum of work. Tim dove back into his report, but his thoughts occasionally drifted to the upcoming Mother's Day event. He knew how much it meant to Olivia, and seeing how Lucy had stepped up without hesitation only reinforced the bond they'd all formed.
Before long, the clock ticked over to lunchtime. The quiet shuffle of chairs and soft murmurs from the bullpen signaled it was time for a break. Tim glanced at the clock, realizing he'd been working straight through the morning.
He stood, stretching his arms overhead before noticing Lucy walking by his office again, likely with the same thought in mind.
Tim- Hey, Chen. Lunch?
Lucy paused, glancing back at him with a nod.
Lucy- Absolutely. I need something greasy and satisfying after staring at those forms all morning.
They made their way out of the precinct together, falling into an easy rhythm as they walked toward the line of food trucks parked nearby. The aroma of street food wafted through the air, instantly making both of their stomachs rumble.
Tim scanned the options, his eyes landing on his favorite taco truck.
Tim- Tacos? Or are you going to make me suffer through some weird health kick today?
Lucy smirked, eyeing the variety of trucks.
Lucy- Oh, you're safe. I think today's a 'cheat day'—I'm definitely grabbing tacos.
They approached the truck, ordered their food, and found a nearby bench to sit on while they waited. The midday sun was warm, but the conversation flowed easily as they settled in.
Lucy- So, any plans for the weekend?
Tim- Not much.Olivia's been wanting to go minigolfing this weekend. She's invited a few friends, and their moms will be there too. Honestly, I'd do just about anything to avoid being the only one among a bunch of kids and their moms.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, amused.
Lucy- That sounds like quite the situation. Why would you want to avoid that?
Tim- Well, you know how it is. I'm not exactly thrilled about the idea of being the only guy surrounded by a bunch of moms, trying to make small talk and avoid the dreaded 'so, what do you do?' questions.
Lucy chuckled.
Lucy- I get that. Small talk with strangers can be awkward.
Tim nodded.
Tim- Exactly. So, if you're up for it, you're more than welcome to join us. It'd be nice to have another friendly face around.
Lucy mulled over the invitation as she took another bite of her taco. The idea of joining Tim and Olivia for minigolf was tempting, but she wanted to make sure she could handle the moms on Friday first.
Lucy- Hmm, that does sound like a fun time. I might just take you up on that offer.
Tim raised an eyebrow, curious.
Tim- Oh? What's the catch?
Lucy- Well, I guess it depends on how the brunch on Friday goes. If the mom's aren't too much, then I might join you guys.
Tim smiled, understanding her concerns.
Tim- Fair enough.
Tim smiled, appreciating her honesty and the thoughtful consideration she was giving the offer.
Tim- Sounds like a plan. If Friday goes well, I'll look forward to having you join us for some minigolf.
Lucy nodded, looking more relaxed now.
Lucy- Yeah, I'm hoping it'll be a smooth day. Olivia's looking forward to it, and I'm excited to see her enjoy herself. Minigolf sounds like a blast too, especially the thought of destroying you on that golf course .
Tim grinned at Lucy's playful challenge.
Tim- Destroy me, huh? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you might only win if we're playing for last place.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by his confidence. Her grin widened, enjoying the playful back-and-forth.
Lucy- Oh, come on. Knowing you, if you're aiming for last place, you'll probably end up second to last just because, well, you're just that incompetent.
Tim started to laugh, clearly entertained by Lucy's retort.
Tim- Okay, okay. That was a good one. I'll give you that.
Lucy leaned back, enjoying the playful banter.
Lucy- I said that. Of course that was a good one.
Tim wiped a tear of laughter from his eye, nodding appreciatively.
They finished their meals in good spirits, their playful banter making the lunch break enjoyable. As they wrapped up and stood to head back to the station, the warm sun and lighthearted conversation had put them both in a good mood.
Lucy- Alright, let's get back to work.
As the hours ticked by, Tim and Lucy settled back into the rhythm of work at the station. The usual stack of paperwork and reports loomed over them, but their earlier conversation had left them both in a lighter mood.
When the clock crept closer to the end of the school day, Tim glanced at the time and realized it was time to pick up Olivia. He stretched in his chair and began gathering his things.
Tim- I've got to pick up Olivia from school. Need a break from all this paperwork?
Lucy, already looking a little stir-crazy from being stuck behind her desk, glanced up eagerly.
Lucy- You know what? A break sounds perfect.
Without needing to be asked twice, Lucy followed Tim out of the station. The sun had shifted slightly, the afternoon casting a warm glow over the streets as they walked to Tim's car. As they drove to Olivia's school, the air felt relaxed, the earlier banter between them easing any lingering stress from the workday.
When they arrived at the school, the yard was full of kids, excitedly spilling out of the doors to meet their parents. Tim parked and leaned back, scanning the crowd for his daughter.
Tim- There she is.
Olivia walked over with her usual bounce, her smile wide when she spotted Tim and Lucy waiting by the car.
Olivia- Hey, Dad! Hey, Lucy!
Tim- Hey, Sweetie. How was school?
Olivia beamed as she slung her backpack off and leaned into Tim's quick hug before climbing into the backseat.
Olivia- School was good, actually!
Tim smiled at her enthusiasm as he settled into the driver's seat.
Tim- Yeah? What did you get up to today?
Olivia buckled her seatbelt, settling in as she began to explain her day.
Olivia- Well, today was... interesting. We were in biology, and Mrs. Klein started talking about some part of the human anatomy, but the information didn't line up with what was in our textbook. It was like... wrong. So, I told her that what she was saying didn't match the textbook.
Tim glanced in the rearview mirror, raising an eyebrow.
Tim- Uh-oh. How did she take that?
Olivia shrugged, her voice tinged with frustration.
Olivia- Not great. She got all flustered and said I was being disruptive. Then she said I was being disrespectful and sent me to the principal's office.
Tim blinked, caught off guard.
Tim- Wait, she sent you to the principal's office for correcting her?
Olivia- Yeah! And I wasn't even rude about it. I just pointed out what was in the book.
Lucy, curious, turned around in her seat slightly to face Olivia.
Lucy- What did the principal say?
Olivia smiled, clearly proud of how things had turned out.
Olivia- Mr. Thompson was mad at first because he thought I was being disruptive too. But then I explained what happened, and he looked through the textbook and the papers she handed out. He realized I was right, and I think Mrs. Klein might be in trouble now. He said he'd 'handle the situation.'
Tim's expression darkened a bit as he processed the story.
Tim- And no one thought to tell me you were sent to the principal's office? I should've gotten a call.
Olivia shifted in her seat, realizing she had overlooked that part.
Olivia- Mr. Thompson said I wasn't in trouble, so maybe that's why they didn't call. He said it was more about dealing with Mrs. Klein.
Tim shook his head, still clearly bothered by the situation.
Tim- I don't care what Mr. Thompson thought. He should have called me. Whether you were in trouble or not, I need to know if something like this happens.
Olivia bit her lip, a little sheepish now, but nodded.
Olivia-Yeah, I guess you're right. But it wasn't a big deal.
Tim glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his tone softening but still firm.
Tim- It is a big deal, Livi. If a teacher sends you to the principal's office, no matter the reason, I need to know. But more importantly, I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself.
Olivia's expression brightened a little at his praise, but Tim wasn't done.
Tim- And don't let anyone, not a teacher, your classmates or even your friends, treat you like that. You did the right thing by speaking up.
Tim took a deep breath, glancing back at Olivia through the review mirror, with a gentler tone.
Tim- And listen, this wasn't your fault. It's the principal's job to keep me informed. You did everything right, and if something like this happens again, you can always call me.
Olivia relaxed a little, her worry easing at her dad's reassurance.
Olivia- I didn't even think about calling you. I guess I just figured it would get sorted out.
Tim smiled, catching her eyes in the rearview mirror.
Tim- I know you can handle yourself, but never hesitate to call me if something feels off. Whether it's during school or anything else, I'm always here.
Olivia's expression brightened, the weight of the situation lifting from her shoulders.
Olivia- Thanks, Dad. I will.
Tim- Anytime, sweetheart. Just keep being you.
Lucy sat quietly in the passenger seat, observing the exchange between Tim and Olivia. She couldn't help but smile softly to herself, watching Tim handle the situation with such care. His gentle yet protective nature always caught her off guard, especially in moments like these. He was tough, sure, but when it came to Olivia, his whole demeanor shifted. Lucy admired that about him—how fiercely he protected the people he loved.
As Tim reassured Olivia, Lucy's thoughts drifted. She couldn't help but compare this moment to her own childhood. Her dad had been distant, focused more on his career than his family. She never had these kinds of heart-to-heart conversations growing up. It made her realize how rare and special Tim was, and how much she respected him for it.
God, he's such a great dad, Lucy thought, feeling a familiar warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't just admiration—it was something deeper, something she had tried to keep buried for a while now. Watching Tim with Olivia only made it harder to ignore.
She glanced over at Tim, his face softened as he caught Olivia's eyes in the rearview mirror, offering her that rare, proud smile. Lucy felt a flicker of something she couldn't say out loud. Her heart tugged at the sight of him, that protective, loving side he didn't show very often. But it wasn't just that. She wished for something, something she could never say out loud.
Lucy quickly pushed the thought aside, glancing out the window to distract herself. She knew she couldn't go down that path.. Besides, he had no idea how she felt—and it was better that way.
As they drove along, Olivia noticed Lucy's far-off gaze. She seemed lost in thought, her usual vibrant energy subdued.
Olivia turned to her, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Olivia- Hey, Lucy? Why are you so quiet? Everything okay?
Lucy, momentarily jolted from her thoughts, blinked and tried to muster a smile.
Lucy- Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just... thinking about stuff.
Olivia, ever the curious and perceptive 11-year-old, tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest.
Olivia- Really? What were you thinking about?
Lucy hesitated for a moment, her mind racing to find a plausible explanation that wouldn't reveal her deeper feelings. She quickly decided to focus on the upcoming event.— She couldn't just tell her; 'Oh, I was just thinking about your dad. You know, like how handsome he is, how caring and how much I just want him to..., Especially with him sitting hext to her.'
Lucy- Oh, I was just thinking about what to wear on Friday. I'm trying to decide if I should go for something casual or dress it up a bit.
Olivia's curiosity only deepened as she leaned forward slightly in her seat.
Olivia- For Friday? Oh, you mean for the Mother's Day brunch?
Lucy nodded, grateful for the easy transition, though her heart was still racing from how close she'd come to blurting out her real thoughts.
Lucy- Yeah. I want to look nice since it's a special event, but I'm not sure how dressed up I should get.
Olivia grinned, clearly excited about the brunch and eager to help.
Olivia- You should totally dress up! It's going to be fun. I think a lot of the moms go all out, but you don't have to wear, like, a gown or anything. Maybe something pretty, like a sundress?
Lucy smiled at the suggestion, her shoulders relaxing a bit.
Lucy- A sundress, huh? That's actually a great idea. I might have one that works.
Olivia beamed, happy to have contributed.
Olivia- You'll look awesome, Lucy. And I'm really glad you're coming with me. It means a lot.
Lucy's heart softened even more. Olivia's sweet, genuine nature always had a way of making her feel like she belonged, and it warmed her to know the girl was excited about her presence.
Lucy- I wouldn't miss it for the world, Liv. It's going to be a great time.
As Tim listened to Olivia and Lucy's conversation, his mind wandered, picturing Lucy in a sundress. The thought of her looking so radiant in something light and flowing stirred something in him he hadn't expected. He tried to brush it off, but his thoughts lingered longer than they should have, and his mind betrayed him. He imagined the way she'd smile, the way the dress would move with her, and before he could stop himself, the heat in his chest began to travel lower, making him shift uncomfortably in his seat.
Get it together, he thought, trying to refocus on the road ahead. But it wasn't just admiration—something deeper, more primal, was surfacing. He felt the tension building in his body and quickly tried to redirect his attention, tightening his grip on the steering wheel and flexing his arm to encourage the blood flow away from where it was going. His leg shifted awkwardly as he adjusted himself in his seat, hoping the moment would pass unnoticed.
But of course, Olivia, always observant, caught him flexing.
Olivia- Dad, why are you flexing your arm like that? Did you hurt yourself?
Tim blinked, snapped out of his thoughts, and immediately conjured up a quick excuse.
Tim- Uh, no. My shoulder is just a little sore.
He glanced at Olivia through the rearview mirror, hoping she wouldn't question it further. Olivia raised an eyebrow but seemed to accept his answer.
Olivia- Oh. You should be more careful, Dad.
Tim chuckled softly, feeling a wave of relief.
Tim- Yeah, you're right. I'll be more careful next time.
Olivia turned back to Lucy, satisfied with his explanation, and Tim mentally sighed in relief. He stole one more glance at Lucy, who was looking out the window, oblivious to his brief internal struggle.
He silently scolded himself. He really needed to stop thinking like that. Friday would be about Olivia, not his wandering thoughts about Lucy. Still, he couldn't shake the anticipation he now felt, hoping for a few harmless glances in her direction when the day came.
As the car pulled into the station's parking lot, the comfortable atmosphere between them settled once more. Tim parked the car, took a deep breath, and felt his muscles relax, grateful the slightly tense moment had passed without Olivia digging too much into his flexing excuse. He cast one last quick glance at Lucy before Olivia's door swung open, jolting him back into reality.
Olivia- I'm heading to the break room, Dad! See you in a bit, Lucy!
Tim smiled as Olivia hurried out of the car and disappeared into the station. Lucy, still seated, glanced at Tim and offered him a warm smile.
Lucy- You ready to get back to it?
Tim nodded, clearing his throat as he climbed out of the driver's seat.
Tim- Yeah, let's get back to work.
They both made their way into the station, the familiar buzz of activity greeting them as they walked through the doors. Olivia had already slipped away to the break room, and Tim and Lucy headed toward their respective desks, ready to dive back into the day's tasks. But even as they got back to work, Lucy's mind was still occasionally drifting to the upcoming brunch and how Olivia had made her feel so welcomed and valued. And as for Tim, he kept reminding himself to stay focused, though he couldn't quite shake his anticipation for Friday either, hoping to maybe see Lucy in that dress.
Meanwhile, in the break room, Olivia was already settling in, grabbing a snack from the vending machine before spotting some familiar faces from the station.
Olivia- Hey, guys!
A couple of the officers waved at her as she walked over, casually hopping onto a chair. Olivia had gotten used to spending time at the station after school, and she always managed to catch up on the latest gossip. She liked being "in the know" and had been Lucy's unofficial "informant" for all things going on at the station. Whether it was news about who was dating whom, some juicy stories about the latest rookie blunders, or funny things that happened on patrol, Olivia had her ears everywhere.
Today, she hoped there would be something interesting enough to fill Lucy in on later. Of course, she had to be careful—if her dad ever found out she was the one keeping Lucy updated on all the station's gossip, she'd definitely be in trouble. But that was half the fun, and Lucy always appreciated the insider scoops.
Officer Jenna glanced over at Olivia with a playful grin, her voice teasing as she leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
Jenna- Well, well, look who's here. How's our favorite station guest today? What's the latest?
Olivia beamed, swinging her legs from the chair, but keeping her expression casual.
Olivia- Oh, you know, just hanging out. Nothing much going on.
Jenna smiled, clearly entertained by Olivia's vague response. She walked over to grab a coffee from the machine, casting a curious glance at Olivia.
Jenna- How's school? And you're doing something fun with Lucy this week, right?
Olivia tried to keep her excitement in check, not wanting to reveal too much.
Olivia- Yeah, we've got a brunch thing on Friday. It's for school.
Jenna nodded, stirring her coffee.
Jenna- Sounds nice. It's cool that Lucy's going with you.
Olivia smiled and gave a small nod, though she kept her lips sealed about just how much Lucy meant to her. This brunch was huge to Olivia, but no one needed to know that. She inked Lucy a lot and really trust her.
Jenna smiled warmly at Olivia before taking a final sip of her coffee and tossing the empty cup into the trash.
Jenna- Well, you two have fun on Friday. I've got to get back to work before they start thinking I've gone missing.
With a wink, Jenna waved and left the break room, leaving Olivia to her thoughts once again.
Time ticked by as she scrolled through her phone, occasionally overhearing bits of chatter from the hall, but nothing that seemed worthy of passing on to Lucy yet. Olivia's eyes darted to the clock—she still had a little while before it was time to go, so she decided to head back to the main area where Lucy was working, not too far away from her dad's office.
As she wandered toward their desks, she spotted Lucy deeply focused on her computer screen, her fingers tapping away at the keys. Tim was standing  next to her, leaned on her desk, reviewing paperwork with a concentrated frown.
Olivia went to her dad's office, grabbing a book, settled on the little couch and started reading.
Eventually, the hours slipped by, and the station began to quiet down as officers completed their shifts and the evening crew took over. Olivia felt a mix of relief and anticipation as she noticed Tim beginning to gather his things.
Tim- Alright, kiddo, time to go.
Olivia hopped up from where she had been sitting, more than ready to head home. She grabbed her backpack and stretched, glancing at Lucy as she stood from her desk as well.
Olivia- You heading out too, Lucy?
Lucy looked up, flashing Olivia a warm smile.
Lucy- Yep, I'm all done for the day. Make sure your dad rests his shoulder, I hate being stuck with paperwork all day.
Tim rolled his eyes with a playful groan, stretching his arms as if to prove a point.
Tim- My shoulder's fine, Lucy. You just like bossing me around when I'm stuck at the desk.
Lucy chuckled, giving him a mock-serious look.
Lucy- Someone's got to keep you in line. And besides, paperwork's not exactly your strong suit.
Tim smirked, raising an eyebrow.
Tim- Well, maybe if you didn't hog all the interesting cases...
Olivia, watching the banter between them, couldn't help but grin.
Olivia- You guys are like the twins in my class—always teasing each other but kind of in sync at the same time.
Both Tim and Lucy paused, caught off guard by the comparison. They exchanged quick, amused glances, much less awkward than before.
Lucy- Twins, huh? Lucky we're not, because I couldn't handle that. He's enough to deal with at work. I need breaks.
Tim chuckled, shaking his head as he packed up his things.
Tim- I'm not that bad. Besides, who else would keep you on your toes if not me?
Lucy- Oh, please. You're more like the annoying little brother who's always trying to one-up me.
Tim raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended.
Tim- Annoying little brother, huh? I guess that makes you the overbearing older sibling who never lets me have any fun.
Lucy laughed, leaning against her desk with a grin.
Lucy - Well, someone's got to be responsible around here.
Tim and Lucy exchanged another glance, this time with genuine warmth in their eyes.
With that, the three of them headed towards the parking lot, the evening air cooling around them. The playful camaraderie between Tim and Lucy had created a relaxed and cheerful end to the day, and Olivia felt content knowing she was part of this close-knit dynamic.
As they reached their cars, Lucy waved goodbye.
Lucy- See you both tomorrow. And don't forget about Friday's brunch!
Olivia- We won't. Have a great night, Lucy!
Tim- Goodnight, Lucy. Drive safely.
Lucy- Will do. Night!
With that, Lucy got into her car and drove off. Tim and Olivia climbed into their own car, the day winding down as they made their way home.