SURPRISE? // CHENFORD.

ADJUSTING.

3 WEEKS LATER.

Tim and Chase were sleeping in Tim's bed. Chase had been struggling with vivid dreams, Tim would cuddle and comfort him and assured that he'd move him into his own bed, but he would always melt and stay with Chase the whole night. It was a bad, but addictive habit. Seeing his sons innocent face next to him, the rising and falling of his miniature chest brought a smile to his face. The curves on Chase's lips, the creases by his eyes, it all looked like Tim.

He felt a sinking feeling in his chest, a large weight on his shoulders. Despite the happiness Chase bought him, Tim couldn't help but feel his heart ache for the young boy. He was so pure, innocent, oblivious to his mother's wrongdoings. He was determined to keep it that way.

One thing he couldn't criticise was Lucy. She'd been so accepting and helpful of the situation. She'd given him time and space to adapt to this new 7 year old, Chase shaped change. Today he was going to let her in, open up.

Tim got out of bed slowly, making sure he wouldn't wake Chase as he stood up, sliding on a pair of sliders, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He saw Kojo sat downstairs, wagging his tail eagerly, and clearly hungry.

"Hey boy." Tim said, showering him with kisses and affection. Kojo panted and kissed, or rather licked, Tim's face in response.

Tim smiled and stood up, going to the pantry and getting Kojo's bowls filled, one with dog kibble and the other a bowl filled with water, vitamins and medication were also mixed in within.

He then sat on one of the kitchen stools with a sigh and picked up his phone.

No new messages.

He went on his iMessages and clicked on Lucy's contact. He hovered his thumb over the call button, but before he could make contact with the screen, there was a knock at the door.

Kojo's head shot up and he walked to the door, sitting there.

"Go eat Kojo." Tim said and attempted to drag him away from the door, which was unsuccessful. He sighed and opened the door, leaning one arm on the doorframe.

On the other side was Lucy. She was dressed in a black shirt, some black jeans and a denim jacket.

"Can we talk?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure. I was about to call you." He said as he stepped aside, blocking Kojo from overwhelming Lucy with his foot.

"Thanks." She said and walked in, looking around as he closed the door behind her.

"Where's Chase?" Lucy asked.

"He's sleeping. Why'd you come over?" He asked.

"It's about.. us. And Chase." She said, but before she could explain he cut in eagerly, almost desperately.

"Okay. Let me explain." He began. "I had no idea about Chase, okay? You gotta believe me. I understand if you want to walk the other way because of it. I understand. And I want to say I'm sorry, I didn't even know-" Tim attempted to tell her, worriedly and panicked.

She silenced him with a finger on his lips. "Okay, stop. You know I'm here for you, and him. Always. So stop thinking that I'm going to leave you." She said.

"I came to ask something. It's pretty heavy. And I'm not surprised if you decline, but I just have to ask." She said, fiddling with her hands.

"What is it?"

"I want to help you with Chase. I want to be there for you both, and Kojo." She said. "So.." She continued, "Me and Tamara have talked about selling the apartment, and.." She left a pause, "And moving here."

It was a lot to process for him, they'd not even been dating long, and she was gonna bring Tamara? I mean sure, they'd fit, but would it work?

"You would?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I would." She reached and held her hands in his. "We'd all live here, Tamara can look after Chase while we're at work, she's a babysitter."

"Since when?"

"Since now." She said, "Bug that's not the point. Is it okay if we do? If not, we can cancel the selling-"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes."

He left no time before pulling her close by her waist and kissing her deeply.

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TWO WEEKS LATER.

Tim, Lucy, Chase, Tamara and Kojo had all been living together for a decent amount of time. They'd become a sort of family, not by blood but by compassion and love.

"Come on. You're both gonna be late for school." Tim groaned as he waited by the door, holding Chase's spider man lunchbox in his hand.

"Tamara!" Lucy shouted up the stairs towards her room.

"What?!" Tamara shouted back.

"Come on, you're gonna be late!" Lucy shouted while Tim huffed and sat on the sofa next to Chase.

"You okay?" Tim asked Chase.

"Can I have a sleepover with Marcus on Friday?" Chase asked, "Please?"

Tim sighed, Chase's puppy dog eyes always working their damn annoying magic.

"Of course you can." Tim smiled, then Tamara came bounding the stairs, clearly annoyed that she'd been rushed.

"Seriously? I came down here and nobody else is ready." She complained with a huff and grabbed a pastry from the pantry.

"We're all ready, just waiting on you." Tim said as he gave Chase a tap on the shoulder, a signal to stand up as they made their way to the door.

Today was Lucy's day off, but, the house was never quiet so she was of course up with them.

Tim went over to her and kissed her forehead. "I love you. Date night Friday?" He asked with a smirk.

"I love you too." She smiled, despite the length of their relationship, those three words always made her heart feel fuzzy. "And yeah, sure, where's that come from?" She asked, holding his forearms gently as she looked up at him.

He shrugged. "You deserve to be treated and spoiled. I don't do it enough." He smiled as he looked down at her, placing one last peck on her lips before leading Tamara and Chase out towards the car.

Lucy smiled like a giddy schoolgirl as she watched from the doorway, waving them off.

Only one thought ran through her mind.

I could get used to this.

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