What if Tim and Lucy both had kids

Part 15

As Tim and Lucy settled back at their desks, the atmosphere had shifted to one of comfortable silence, punctuated by the rustle of paperwork and the occasional sigh. The stacks of forms loomed over them, but after lunch, the burden seemed a little lighter.
Tim, already lost in his files, scribbled notes and updated reports. Across from him, Lucy had been flipping through her own pile, but her mind kept drifting back to Sam. She wondered if he'd been returned to his family or if they were still trying to reach someone.
Her fingers stilled on the page as she found herself picturing Sam's small face, his sad eyes as he clutched his juice and waved goodbye. A knot formed in her stomach, and she couldn't shake the image of the little boy standing alone on that playground. She knew that feeling—the uncertainty, the fear of what might happen next.
Lucy sighed quietly, her focus slipping from the paperwork in front of her. She hoped everything had gone smoothly with CPS. The idea of Sam being caught in the system or stuck in some temporary placement weighed on her. He was just a kid, and no kid should have to feel that kind of loneliness.
Tim glanced up at her, noticing the distant look on her face. He put down his pen.
Tim- Hey, you good?
Lucy blinked, coming back to the present. She nodded, though her expression was still thoughtful.
Lucy- Yeah, just... wondering about Sam. Do you think CPS managed to get him back to his family?
Tim leaned back in his chair, considering her question. He wasn't as vocal about it, but the kid had been on his mind too. Situations like that always lingered longer than they should.
Tim- I'm sure they're working on it. They know what they're doing.
Lucy nodded, though she wasn't fully reassured. She drummed her fingers lightly on the desk, frowning a little.
Lucy- I hope he's okay. It's just... he was so scared, you know? And he's so young.
Tim softened, understanding exactly where she was coming from.
Tim- I know. But we did everything we could. We got him off that playground and into the right hands. He'll be fine.
Lucy smiled faintly, appreciating Tim's effort to comfort her. But her thoughts still lingered on Sam. She couldn't help but worry about the little boy.
Lucy- Yeah, I just... I hate not knowing. I wish we could follow up, make sure everything's really okay.
Tim nodded, glancing at the forms in front of him before returning his focus to Lucy. He could tell the situation with Sam had gotten under her skin in a deeper way than usual. Well usually there are no kids involved and being a parent doesn't make things easier.
Tim- We can check in with CPS, see if there's any update. You know, just to be sure.
Tim picked up his phone, sensing Lucy's need for closure. He dialed CPS, watching as Lucy's foot tapped lightly on the floor. The silence in the room felt heavy with her concern for Sam.
Tim- Hi, this is Officer Bradford from LAPD. Just checking in about a case we brought in earlier today—Sam, the little boy from the playground. Any update on whether he's been reunited with his family?
Lucy stared at Tim as he spoke, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the file in front of her. Her mind was still on Sam, the way he had looked so small and scared.
After a few seconds, Tim nodded, his brow furrowing slightly as he listened to the person on the other end.
Tim- Uh-huh... I see. Okay. Thanks for the update.
He hung up and looked over at Lucy, who was practically holding her breath.
Lucy- Well?
Tim- They've located his parents, but he hasn't been returned yet. CPS is still working on the process. They expect everything to be wrapped up by the end of the day.
Lucy sighed, a mixture of relief and lingering worry washing over her.
Lucy- At least they found his parents. That's good. I just hope he doesn't have to wait too long. Poor kid's been through enough today.
Tim nodded, leaning back in his chair.
Tim- Yeah, he'll be fine. We did everything we could. The rest is up to them.
Lucy smiled faintly, her thoughts easing but not entirely letting go. She appreciated how Tim was always able to give her a bit of reassurance when she needed it.
Glancing at the clock, Tim straightened up.
Tim- We better get moving. It's time to pick up the kids.
Lucy blinked, momentarily pulled out of her thoughts, before nodding and gathering her things. The day was far from over, but at least they had a break from paperwork and could spend some time with their kids.
The drive to the school was quiet but comfortable, both lost in their own thoughts. As they pulled up, Theo was standing by the school gate, scrolling through his phone. Nearby Josy was talking animatedly with a group of her friends.
They spotted the car at the same time and waved goodbye to their friends before making their way over.
Theo- Hey, Mom. Hey, Tim.
Josy- Hi, Dad! Hi, Lucy!
They climbed into the backseat, settling in for the ride. It was a familiar routine by now, and both Tim and Lucy were grateful for the moments of normalcy their kids provided in their otherwise chaotic lives.
Lucy- How was school today, guys?
Theo- It was alright. I got an A+ on that math test.
Josy- Ugh, math. We have a project due next week. So... not looking forward to that.
Tim glanced in the rearview mirror, chuckling at his daughter's dramatic sigh. He caught Lucy smiling as well, her expression more relaxed now that she was with Theo.
They drove to Lucy's place, the kids chattering in the backseat. When they arrived, Theo and Josy hopped out, heading inside.
Theo- See you later, Mom.
Josy- Bye, Dad!
Lucy and Tim waved them off, watching as they disappeared into the house. Once the kids were settled, the two officers exchanged a brief glance before heading back into the car.
Lucy- Back to work.
Tim- Yep.
As they drove off, the city buzzing around them, the weight of the job slowly returned, but the moments with their kids had given them both the energy to push through.
The drive back to the precinct was calm, the kind of quiet that comes after a long, emotionally charged day. Tim and Lucy sat in comfortable silence, their minds wandering as the city passed by in a blur of evening lights. Occasionally, they'd make small talk, but it was mostly routine.
As they cruised through their patrol route, not much was happening on the streets. A few pedestrians strolled by, a couple of cars passed, and the hum of the city provided a steady background. For the most part, it was an uneventful few hours.
Lucy- Quiet day, huh?
Tim glanced out the window, nodding.
Tim- Yeah, not complaining though.
Lucy- Same.
They continued down the streets, the occasional crackle of the police radio breaking the stillness. There were a few minor calls, nothing out of the ordinary—a noise complaint, a traffic stop, but nothing that required their immediate attention. The rhythm of patrol settled into something familiar and almost relaxing.
Tim- Theo seems to be doing well in school. That A+ in math—impressive.
Lucy smiled, glancing over at him.
Lucy- Yeah, math's definitely his thing. He just gets it, you know? But he's been working hard with everything else too. He's really trying.
She smiled softly, a mix of pride and relief in her expression. Raising a teenager while juggling work was never easy, but moments like this made it worth it.
Tim- That's good. I'm still trying to figure out how Theo managed to tutor Josy. I tried helping her with math myself, and... let's just say she wasn't too happy about it.
He chuckled, shaking his head at the memory.
Tim- I mean, I get math, but trying to explain it to her? It was like I was speaking another language, or like...like trying to reason with a brick wall. I don't know how he does it.
Lucy- That's not nice to say about your daughter, Tim.
She raised an eyebrow playfully, though there was a hint of seriousness in her tone.
Lucy- Josy has plenty of other talents. You don't have to pick on her just because math isn't her thing.
Tim gave a sheepish grin, knowing Lucy had a point.
Tim- Yeah, I guess you're right.
Lucy smiled, proud of Josy and the progress she'd seen in her.
Lucy- For one, her Spanish is way better than yours. And she's learning French too. Plus she's been tutoring Theo in that. And all of that at the age of 13 and before.
Tim- Yeah, I know. It still blows my mind.
Lucy chuckled, giving him a sideways glance.
Lucy- Guess they balance each other out. It's good for them to have that. Plus, it takes some of the pressure off us.
Tim laughed.
Tim- Amen to that. If they can teach each other, maybe we can stop pretending we remember everything from school.
The two shared a laugh as they continued their patrol, the ease of their conversation making the shift feel lighter despite the long hours.
As their shift continued, Tim and Lucy moved through the quiet streets, the usual hum of the city providing a soothing backdrop to their conversations. They stopped by a few routine calls, handling them efficiently, but nothing of real consequence occurred. The hours slipped by in a comfortable routine, with their banter and the steady rhythm of the world making the work feel less taxing.
Eventually, their shift ended. Lucy and Tim signed off and gathered their belongings, exchanging one last friendly nod before heading their separate ways.
Lucy drove home, the familiar route easing her into a sense of normalcy. When she arrived, the house was filled with the comforting noise of the tow kids. Theo and Josy were at the kitchen table, both engrossed in their activities—Theo on his laptop and Josy flipping through a book.
Lucy- Hey, what are you guys doing?
Theo- Oh, hey, Mom. We're just hanging out. I'm finishing up some research for a project, and she's reading. Nothing exciting.
As they chatted, the doorbell rang. Lucy walked over to answer it and found Tim standing there, looking slightly tired but with a warm smile.
Lucy- Hey, Tim. Come in.
Tim- Thanks, Lucy. I'm here to pick up Josy.
Lucy- Of course. I think she'll be ready in a minute.
Tim followed Lucy into the kitchen. Josy looked up from her book and smiled at her dad.
Josy- Hi, Dad.
Tim- Hey, ready to head home?
Josy- Yeah, just give me a sec.
Josy finished gathering her things while Tim chatted with Lucy for a moment.
Tim- Thanks again for having her over.
Lucy- No problem at all. It makes things easier for everyone.
Tim- I agree.
Josy finished up.
Josy- See you tomorrow, Theo. Have a good night!
Theo- You too, Josy.
Tim and Josy headed out, leaving Lucy and Theo behind. As the door closed behind them, the house felt quieter. Lucy and Theo exchanged a contented look, each finding solace in the calm.
Lucy- So, Theo, how's the project coming along?
Theo It's going well. Just wrapping up some details. I'll be done soon.
Lucy- Good to hear. I'm going to make us some dinner. What are you in the mood for?
Theo- Anything sounds good. I'm not too picky right now.
Lucy smiled and headed to the kitchen. She set about preparing a simple, comforting meal—some pasta and a fresh salad. The familiar rhythm of cooking was soothing, and she enjoyed the process of chopping vegetables and stirring the sauce.
While Lucy cooked, Theo finished his work.
With dinner ready, Lucy and Theo sat down at the table and enjoyed their meal together. The conversation was light, centered around their day and the small things that brought them joy.
After they finished eating, Lucy cleared the table while Theo retreated to his room to play video games. She tidied up the kitchen and then settled into her favorite chair in the living room with a book. The soft light and quiet atmosphere provided a perfect backdrop for her reading.
As the evening wore on, the house grew even quieter. The distant hum of the neighborhood outside their windows was a soft reminder of the world beyond their walls, but inside, it was peaceful. The rhythmic turning of pages in Lucy's book was the only sound that accompanied the ticking clock on the wall. Time seemed to slip by unnoticed as she lost herself in the story.
Before she knew it, the hour had grown late. She glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was well past the time Theo usually went to bed. With a sigh, Lucy set her book down on the side table and stretched, her muscles stiff from sitting for so long. She stood up and made her way to Theo's room to remind him that it was getting late.
She knocked on his door softly at first.
Lucy- Theo, it's getting late. Time to wrap things up.
There was no answer.
Lucy frowned slightly but wasn't too concerned. She knocked again, a bit louder this time.
Lucy- Theo?
Still no response.
Sighing, Lucy turned the doorknob and peeked inside the room. The dim glow from Theo's computer screen bathed the room in a soft blue light. Theo sat at his desk, completely engrossed in the game he was playing, his back to the door, his headset firmly over his ears.
A smile tugged at Lucy's lips. Of course. He couldn't hear her over the game.
She stepped fully into the room, approaching him quietly, and gently tapped him on the shoulder. Theo startled slightly, pulling off his headset and spinning around to face her.
Theo- Oh! Sorry, Mom, I didn't hear you.
He said, blinking up at her with a sheepish grin.
Lucy chuckled.
Lucy- I figured as much. You've been at it for a while, though—it's getting late.
Lucy watched as Theo shuffled out of his room to the bathroom, yawning as he moved through the hallway. He grabbed his toothbrush, slathered it with toothpaste, and began brushing with half-closed eyes, his movements slow and robotic. Lucy stood nearby, watching as he methodically went through the motions. Once he was done, he splashed some water on his face, dried off with the towel hanging beside the sink, and shot her a tired, toothy grin.
Lucy- All set?
She asked, her voice soft.
Theo nodded.
Theo- Yeah. I'm good. Night, Mom.
Lucy. Goodnight, sweetheart. 
She kissed his forehead, something she hadn't done in a while, but tonight felt different—like she needed the connection. Theo didn't protest, too sleepy to care. He simply trudged back to his room and crawled under the covers.
Lucy stood in the doorway for a moment longer, before she quietly closed the door behind her and made her way back down the hall.
As she moved through the house, the quiet pressed in on her, more suffocating now than comforting. It wasn't just the late hour or the stillness that made the silence so heavy—it was the absence. The unspoken absence that had never truly left.
Two people were missing.
Lucy found herself back in the living room, sinking into her chair, but this time, she didn't reach for her book. Instead, she just stared at the walls, at the pictures on the mantle—the memories that now felt like fragments of a life that had slipped through her fingers.
Her late husband, Derek, smiled back at her from a photo, his arm around her, holding a baby Theo. It was taken on Theo's first birthday, when everything was just perfect.
Lucy exhaled, her chest tight with the weight of that loss, but it wasn't just Derek's absence that gnawed at her tonight. It was the child she'd never had the chance to hold. Their daughter. She was so close to the second trimester, but she had never made it past the first trimester, still, in Lucy's mind, she had always been real. She would've been around four and a half now. Her name was supposed to be Chloe, She and Derek had chosen this name, when she was pregnant with Theo, before they knew the gender.
She could almost imagine what life would've been like with Chloe in it—how different the house would feel. The walls wouldn't seem so quiet, the rooms wouldn't feel so empty. There would be another set of footsteps echoing down the hallway. There'd be laughter, and bickering between Theo and his sister, more late-night talks and shared moments over the dinner table.
Lucy pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the dull ache that always resurfaced when she allowed herself to think about what could have been. It had been years since she'd lost Chloe, but the ache never truly went away. Some days, it was just a whisper, a shadow in the background of her life. Other nights, like tonight, it came back, tugging at her heart, reminding her of everything she had lost.
She glanced down at the book in her lap, but she had no desire to read anymore. Her thoughts were elsewhere, caught between the past and the present, between the life she had and the life that might have been.
With a sigh, Lucy rose from her chair and walked over to the kitchen window. She gazed out into the darkness, feeling the familiar pull of memories. She didn't often allow herself to dwell on these feelings—she had Theo, and he was enough, more than enough. But that didn't mean the losses didn't still haunt her.
Dereks's laugh, Chloe's imagined smile—they were ghosts in her life, always hovering just out of reach.
The house was quiet, but it wasn't a peaceful quiet. It was the quiet of absence, of the things that could never be filled. And as Lucy stood there, staring out into the still night, she allowed herself to feel it—to really feel the weight of the years that had passed without them.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away, unwilling to let herself fall apart. She had long since learned how to carry the grief, how to live with it. But sometimes it was harder than other times.
Tonight was again one of those times.
Lucy took a deep breath, the cool air from the window grounding her, reminding her of the life she still had. Theo was in his room, safe and sleeping, and that was something to be grateful for. She had him, and even though the emptiness would always be there, so would the love she shared with her son.
Slowly, Lucy turned away from the window, wiping away the stray tear that had slipped down her cheek. She would get through this night, like she had so many others. The pain would ebb, and the quiet would eventually feel less suffocating.
But for now, she let herself feel it. The loss, the grief, the love—everything all at once.
Then, she turned off the lights and headed to bed, ready to face another day. Knowing that their daughter was safe, she was with her daddy and Lucy knew he'd take good care of their baby girl, while she's taking care of Theo, here.