As the weeks passed, Lucy began to find her footing again. It wasn't easy. There were days when the exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her, when her body still didn't feel like her own, and when she questioned whether she could ever be the cop she once was. But slowly, with Tim's support and her own determination, she began to feel more like herself.
She started running again, even if it was slower than before. She spent time with Emma, learning the rhythms of motherhood and balancing them with her job. And every day, she reminded herself that it was okay to not have everything under control.
One afternoon, after a particularly grueling day at work, Lucy found herself in the gym at the station, her fists pounding the heavy bag in front of her. She wasn't back to full strength yet, but she was getting closer. With each punch, she felt a little bit of the frustration and self-doubt melt away.
"Still got it," came Tim's voice from behind her, amusement lacing his tone.
Lucy stopped, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and turned to face him. He was leaning against the doorframe, watching her with a mixture of pride and affection.
"You spying on me, Bradford?" she teased, though she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
Tim smirked. "Just making sure you don't break the bag. You've been going at it pretty hard."
Lucy laughed softly, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. "Just trying to get back in shape."
"You don't need to prove anything to anyone," Tim said, his voice serious now. "Especially not to me."
Lucy walked over to him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I know. But I'm doing this for me, too. I need to feel strong again."
Tim nodded, understanding in his eyes. "You're already strong, Lucy. Stronger than you know."
Lucy smiled, her heart full as she looked up at him. He had been her rock through everything—through the pregnancy, the birth, and the difficult months that had followed. And now, standing here with him, she felt like she was finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Maybe she wasn't the same person she had been before Emma, but that didn't mean she was any less capable. She was learning to be a mother, a cop, and herself all over again. And she wasn't doing it alone.
"I love you," Lucy said softly, the words coming easily now. They had been building inside her for months, and now, she couldn't hold them back any longer.
Tim's eyes softened, and he stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I love you too, Lucy. Always have."
Lucy leaned into him, feeling his warmth, his strength, and knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. One step at a time.
