Bradford and Chen

Hearts breaking and being reunited

The door opened and there she was. Tim's eyes met hers. She didn't immediately see him but saw Nyla embrace her.
Tim's thoughts became loud. How could she want to forget it, it made no sense. They worked. They helped each other. It seemed perfect.
Tim went and chatted to Wes and James.
He kept trailing his eyes back to Lucy. Stealing glimpses of her throughout the party.
She walked up to the food table. Tim took his chance.
Stay clear of the salmon he said laughing. Lucy smiled are you sure that the copious amounts of alcohol we consumed last night might impact the food. Tim laughed nodding his head true very true he said.
Luce I just want to make sure you're okay after last night Tim said. The two had moved closer bodies a mere inch apart.
Angela Nyla said look raising her eyebrows in Tim and Lucy's direction. There's something different about them. Angela shrugged trying her hardest to keep her best friend's secret. Maybe it's the UC work? She said.
Nyla nodded possibly.
Yeah I'm okay Tim are you? We talked about some pretty heavy stuff. Her eyes looking at his. He smiled yeah surprisingly I feel better for talking to you. Lucy smiled good I'm glad well you can always talk to me Tim smiled you too Luce anytime.
Tim went to say something but was interrupted by her phone ringing.
She pulled it out reading the caller ID it said Jasper. Lucy's eyes focused on the phone.
Answer it Tim said. Lucy clicked accept and walked away. She settled out the front of the house.
L- he-hello she hadn't heard from her brother in years.
J- hey sis
L- oh my gosh it's so great to hear your voice.

Tim watched her body language from the window Angela came over who's she talking to.
Her brother Tim replied
Angela's eyes widened. I didn't even know she had a brother.
Tim looked at Lucy then back at Angela she's had a fucking rough ride ange i had no idea either. Tim studied Lucy Angela tapped his arm go and see if she's okay. Tim nodded and slowly left. He walked up behind her.

J- I'm home well coming home for a couple of days possibly a week.

Silence

Lucy held the phone to her ear her mouth open but with no words coming out.

J- Lucy you there

Shaking her head she snapped back to reality.

L- um yeah I'm here when do you get back ?

J- tomorrow pick me up his voice almost breaking Lucy was the only family member he adored.

L- yes! What time at the airport ?

J- 11, I'll see you then I love you

L- love you too bye

Lucy crouched down exhaled and then stood back up turning round she saw Tim stood there. With Angela behind.
Jaspers coming home she said Tim gave her a hug having her in his embrace again felt right. He let go the intimacy of their hug was clearly more than friendship. Angela gave her a hug too. Who's Jasper she said. My older brother he's in the army she said.
Lucy happily rejoined the party and made conversation for hours her face wearing a smile.

Lucy looking at her watch it said 6pm she excused herself and said her goodbyes.
Arriving home she set up the guest room and cleaned her apartment she had put some music on to make the time go quicker. By the time she was done the clock read 01:23am Lucy lay down in her bed. Her soft mattress acting like a hug.
Her eyes heavy shut slowly.
In her sleepy state she drifted off excited for tomorrow.
She found herself dreaming of the day she had found Sam.
*Flashback*

Arriving home from school Lucy shoved her bag down
Mama papa she shouted hm that's strange i thought they would be home.
J she shouted he always beat her home. Nothing.
Lucy walked up the stairs stopping to look at the family photos. She scrunched her nose at the school photos. All 3 of them together underneath in her mums handwriting it said. Jasper Alexander Chen -18 Lucy Gabrielle Chen - 13 and Samuel Jonathan Chen - 13. There was only 11 months between Lucy and Sam they were the best of friends Jasper was 5 years older and wanted very little to do with them.
Sammy she said I fancy a milkshake do you want to come ? Sam had been home poorly the last couple of days. She knocked on his door no answer assuming he was sleeping she went downstairs and started her homework. Jasper came home an hour later Lucy smiled at him hey do you want to go for a milkshake Lucy said Jasper shook his head can't sorry going to go out in a bit with Tommy. Oh okay Lucy said
Go and ask sammy he said he likes hanging out with you. Sensing his little sisters disappointment.
He was sleeping earlier but I'll go and try again.
Lucy ran up the stairs this time opening his bedroom door.
Sammy she said excitedly come on milkshakes make everything better let's goooooo. Lucy stopped he wasn't in bed. She walked to his bathroom
Urgh my sock is all wet Sam you've flooded your bathroom mama is going to kill you.
Bye squirt Jasper shouted up the stairs
BYE Lucy shouted down
Make sure you lock the door if you guys go out Jasper shouted as he closed the front door.
She twisted the door knob to his bathroom hearing jaspers car pull out of their driveway
Then her eyes saw it.
There in the bath lay Sam's fully clothed body.
The water red.
S-Sam her usual loud voice now hardly above a whisper.
Sam she said again walking into the bathroom her socks now completely soaked. Why's the water red she moved towards him and touched his face his eyes were closed and mouth and nose submerged in the water.
Sam come on this isn't funny she said. Her eyes started to well up. Sam please she begged.
She put her hand to his mouth there was no air coming out. Panicking she ran to the phone.
She dialled 911
I need help Lucy said m-my brother is in the bathtub all the waters red and he's not breathing.
Lucy waited until she heard the knock at the door she went down stairs opening their front door. 2 paramedics and a police officer were there. Honey where's your brother she took them upstairs.
Lucy watched the paramedics pull her brother's lifeless body out of the bath tears streaming down her eyes.
the police office moved her away from his bedroom Lucy was small for a 13 year old the officer pulled her onto her lap it's ok darling you did everything right.
Just then Jasper came in. What the fuck is going on he said seeing the ambulance outside and the officer cradling his sister.
Jasper Lucy cried she stood up and ran into his arms he picked her up what's happened he asked. His eyes frantic darting between the officer and Lucy.
It's Sammy Lucy whispered he's dead.
Lucy couldn't let go of Jasper her hands stuck like glue around his neck.
What happened he asked the officer.
Who are you the officer replied
I'm Jasper their older brother I'm 18.
So we found your little brother Samuel in the tub he had cut his wrists.
Jasper held Lucy tightly.
Their mother and father arrived home. Their screams were bloodcurdling and they cried.
As Samuel's body was taken Lucy walked up to her mum. Mama she said opening her arms her mother pushed her away. This is your fault leave me alone she shouted. Jasper pulled Lucy back papa she turned to look at him as he came down the stairs with a bag.
Papa where are you going Lucy said her voice cracking
I can't do this her father said don't go papa Lucy cried he ignored and he left.
In the space of several hours she had lost most of her family.
A week later Jasper felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and anger he left joining the army.
It was just Lucy and her mum left. Her mum made it a living nightmare.

Lucy's alarm woke her up. She sat up covered in sweat her heart racing she hadn't had that dream in years. Was it just because Jasper was coming home that she was seeing him after 5 years she felt nervous. Running to the toilet she vomited. She never did well with stress. She showered and attempted breakfast but was too shaky. Closing her eyes she focused on her rapid breathing. Then a chime.
Looking down she picked up her phone.
T- hope today is everything you want it to be.

Her breathing had calmed. Tim had that effect on her.
L- thank you. Not really sure what I want it to be yet.

T- go in with no expectations then each thing that happens is a bonus.

Lucy got changed wearing a blue denim skirt and white top with a brown cardigan and her boots. She left the house. Pulling up at the airport she looked at her watch 10:50am

She locked her car and started walking she settled on a place to spot him. As an influx of people appeared Lucy's eyes darted around the airport. Where are you she said under her breath.

Unbeknownst to Lucy Jasper had come through the other gate and was standing behind her.

Hey squirt he said. Lucy immediately recognised his voice and turned around her smile huge she threw her arms around him. He returned the hug pulling her in. Wrapping her in a tight embrace.

They made their way out and got to Lucy's car. Lucy was beaming I'm so happy you're here I've missed you she said. Jasper smiled I'm missed you too.

Putting his belongings in Lucy's apartment they then went on a walk. It wasn't long until they were met with an aroma of smells. Jaspers tummy rumbled I'm starving he said Lucy smiled here's nice she said pointing to the food truck her and Tim often venture too.
As they selected their lunch they sat down eating.
So what's new with you he said are you still with Chris. Last time we spoke over a year ago on the phone you had started dating the goon. Jasper made it very clear that he didn't like Chris.
Lucy shook her head no I'm not we broke up.
Why Jasper asked shovelling the food in.
He um cheated and was genuinely an ass Lucy said with a light chuckle.
What a bellend.  So are you dating anyone new Jasper enquired.
Lucy paused her and Tim weren't dating but she had never felt that way before.
I'm not dating anyone she said taking a sip of her drink.
Why'd you pause he said.
It's complicated she said try me Jasper laughed.
Well I slept with my former boss and partner at work he's possibly the nicest person I have ever met. My head is fucked I don't know anything and I'm somewhat spiralling.
Doesn't sound too complicated to me Jasper replied.
Well it just can't happen it's to messy she said.
Sensing she needed a change of subject he said Well I want to see your work shall we? Lucy nodded and they walked to the police station.
Entering the front door Angela ran up to her embracing her in a hug whos this she asked pointing to Jasper. Nyla walked over too interested.
This is Jasper my older brother. Jasper this is Angela and Nyla Lucy said introducing them. Nyla turned to Lucy god you two look so similar she said laughing Jasper laughed I got all the good looking genes though. Lucy rolled her eyes. Just then Tim walked up to them.
Jasper this is Tim Jasper shook his hand. He saw his sister slightly blush. He could always read her like a book. Deciding to have some fun. Jasper said oooh you're Tim that makes sense nice to put a face to a name man Tim clocked his head to the side he laughed. Lucy's cheeks flushed a pink and she scowled at Jasper. 
You two look very Tim paused Angela said they look alike don't they Tim nodded and shook his head it's weird he said chuckling.
Lucy went to get them a drink. Don't embarrass me I swear to god Jasper she said. He held up his hands in an innocent manner.
Tim said the resemblance is uncanny Jasper laughed yeah tell me about it man we had it growing up all the time he pulled out his wallet in it was a picture of Jasper at around 10 and Lucy and Sam at 5 they were all sat together. He held it out Tim took it and passed it to Angela and Nyla who made an awwww sound. Jasper turned to Tim. What's she like to ride with Tim said she's the best she always has my back she's brilliant at her job. Don't tell her though Tim said laughing. Ooh I know my sister's head it would grow and grow. Your secret is safe with me he said laughing.
Lucy came back and Tim handed back the picture. Lucy took it oh Jesus come on Jasper she playfully hit him. He laughed.
Jasper turned to her friends shall we all go out tonight get dinner and have a few drinks. Tim smiled and said yes the girls nodded Tim thought of how easy Jasper was to get on with. He was just like Lucy.
Why don't you guys come to Lucy's and we can uber there. Nods of agreement settled it. See you at 6 Jasper said.
The brother and sister smiled and bid farewell.
As they left the station Jasper turned to Lucy
There's nothing complicated about that. He likes you  and you like him. No he doesn't Lucy laughed as they walked home.