What if Tim had a daughter?

Part 22

The rest of the shift passed by with only a few people trickling into the station to report minor incidents. A couple came in just to complain about neighborhood issues, but aside from that, it was a quiet day. Tim and Lucy worked through the small amount of paperwork they had left, chatting occasionally but mostly settling into an easy rhythm of comfortable silence.
When they finally wrapped things up, they both headed to the locker rooms. Tim was the first to change out of his uniform. He was quick, eager to get Olivia from his office and take her home. As he stepped into the hallway with Olivia in tow, he spotted Lucy at the other end, having just finished changing out of her uniform as well.
For a brief moment, just maybe, Tim had wondered if Lucy would be back in her dress from earlier, the one that had caused such a stir at Olivia's school event. But when he saw her, dressed casually in leggings and a slightly oversized t-shirt, he found himself smiling. She looked effortlessly stunning, as always, proving that no matter what she wore, Lucy Chen had a way of capturing attention without even trying.
Olivia waved at Lucy, who grinned and made her way over to them. Lucy approached with her usual bright smile, her eyes softening as they landed on Olivia.
Lucy- Hey. How're you feeling? Any better?
Olivia smiled up at Lucy, though there was a slight hesitation before she answered.
Olivia- I'm okay. It's a little better, I think.
She offered Lucy a small, brave smile, though there was still a bit of tiredness in her eyes. Lucy studied her for a moment, nodding gently.
Lucy- That's good to hear. But don't push yourself too much, alright? Just take it easy.
Olivia nodded, clearly trying to be strong, but Tim could see the weight of the day wearing on her.
Tim- Yeah, we'll make sure you rest up tonight.
As they made their way out of the station, the three of them walked together, the evening sun casting a soft glow over the parking lot. Tim kept a watchful eye on Olivia, who was staying close to his side, but she seemed to perk up a bit more with Lucy around.
When they reached the spot where they'd part ways to head to their respective cars, Olivia suddenly paused. She turned toward Lucy, her expression earnest.
Olivia- Thanks again, Lucy. For everything today.
There was a sincerity in her voice that made both Tim and Lucy glance at each other for a brief second. Before Lucy could respond, Olivia took a step forward and, without warning, wrapped her arms around Lucy in a hug.
Lucy blinked, momentarily taken aback by the gesture. Olivia wasn't usually one for spontaneous displays of affection, and it was clear from the surprise on Lucy's face that she hadn't expected it. But then, her expression softened almost immediately, her features melting into a warm smile as she gently hugged Olivia back.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything, the hug speaking more than words could. When they finally pulled apart, Olivia offered Lucy another small smile before stepping back to her father's side.
Lucy- You're welcome, Olivia. Anytime.
There was a softness in Lucy's voice, a hint of emotion that lingered. Tim watched the exchange quietly, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and admiration for Lucy. She had become such a natural part of their lives, fitting in so seamlessly, and seeing Olivia open up to her in such a way felt significant.
Lucy- Take care of her, Tim.
Tim- Always.
Lucy- Have a good night.
Olivia- You too.
Tim- Night.
With one last smile, Lucy gave them a little wave.
As Lucy walked toward her car, Tim and Olivia headed to theirs. Tim couldn't help but glance back for a brief moment, watching Lucy disappear into the distance. There was a sense of peace that followed them as they drove off—one that had everything to do with the woman who had just left.
As Tim drove, he couldn't shake a subtle, almost embarrassing feeling of jealousy that tugged at him. Olivia had gotten a hug from Lucy, and he... hadn't. But he'd love to hold her like that. He glanced in the rearview mirror, catching sight of Olivia, who was looking out the window, a small but content smile on her face.
He refocused on the road, mentally shaking off the feeling. Get it together, Bradford, he thought.
Tim- So, how was today for you, besides, you know, everything?
Olivia turned her attention back to her dad, thinking for a moment before she answered.
Olivia- It was good. We prepared a few things in the morning, before the mom's came. The moms were kind of weird, like they always are, but Lucy made it fun. She's... I get why you like her.
Tim was caught off guard by Olivia's bluntness. Sure, she knew about his feelings for Lucy—it wasn't a secret between them—but they never really talked about it. It was an unspoken understanding, something they'd danced around without directly addressing. But hearing her say it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world, did things to him.
There was a warmth in his chest that he didn't quite know what to do with. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. And Olivia's words kept echoing in his mind: "I get why you like her."
Tim- Yeah? Why's that?
He tried to keep his voice even, but there was no denying the curiosity and nervousness creeping in. Olivia, without missing a beat, shifted in her seat and shrugged, like it was obvious.
Olivia- Because she's fun. And she cares about me, unlike everyone else you've been with. She's always real with you and me too, but not in a mean way. She's... nice. But also tough. Like, she can handle you.
She grinned at the last part, and Tim couldn't help but chuckle.
Tim- Handle me?
Olivia- Yeah. 
She laughed.
Olivia- You're a lot, Dad. But only sometimes.
That made him laugh out loud, but before he could respond, Olivia kept going, the smile lingering on her face as she turned more serious.
Olivia- You were kinda weird today though. When we got to the station, you went all quiet. And when we saw her after shift, you were... staring. A lot.
Tim's laughter died down as a flush crept up his neck. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road. Great. So Olivia had noticed that too.
Tim- I wasn't staring.
Olivia- Dad, you were. You looked at her like... I don't know, like one of those guys in movies who realizes he's in love.
Tim winced. It was hard to argue with the truth when it was staring him in the face, and Olivia was nothing if not brutally honest.
Tim- Okay, fine, maybe I stared a little.
Tim couldn't believe the words had just slipped out of his mouth. Did he really just admit to his 11-year-old daughter that he had been staring at Lucy—like some lovesick fool, no less? He could feel his face heating up, and he had to remind himself to keep his focus on the road as Olivia sat next to him, clearly reveling in this moment.
Olivia-A little?
She raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in a teasing smile.
Olivia- Dad, it was a lot.
Tim shot her a quick side glance, trying to play it off, but Olivia was relentless. He wasn't sure if this was better or worse than her usual pre-ten moods.
Tim- Alright, alright. Maybe it was more than a little.
He exhaled sharply, feeling like he'd just walked straight into a trap he didn't even realize was there. How did he get himself into these situations with her?
Tim exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief at how easily Olivia had cornered him. He wasn't usually one to let his guard down, but here he was, confessing things to his daughter that he'd barely admitted to himself. How did she always manage to do this?
Tim- I don't know how you got so good at this.
Olivia gave him a sly grin, leaning back in her seat as if she had just won some kind of victory.
Olivia- I watch people, Dad. You and Lucy, especially.
Tim sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He was still grappling with how much Olivia was seeing and understanding—more than he wanted to.
Tim- Yeah, well, maybe stop watching so closely, alright?
Tim chuckled, trying to shake off the lingering awkwardness. He decided to pivot the conversation, steering it away from his budding feelings for Lucy.
Tim- So, any plans for tonight?
Olivia- Actually, I wanted to ask if we could watch that new movie that just came out.
Tim raised an eyebrow, surprised but intrigued. He hadn't heard much about the movie, but Olivia's excitement was infectious.
Tim- Sounds good! What's it called again?
Olivia- I think it's 'inside out 2' I think. We've seen the first one.
Tim- Well, if we've seen the first one, then we. Have to watch it.
Olivia- Yes! Thanks, Dad.
Tim nodded, even though he was already mentally preparing himself to sit through the movie. They pulled into the driveway a few moments later, and as soon as they stepped inside the house, Olivia bounded upstairs with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
Olivia- I'm gonna shower real quick!
She called, already halfway up the stairs.
Tim- Alright!
Tim shouted back, then shook his head with a smile.
He headed to his room to take a quick shower as well, figuring he had enough time before getting started on dinner. After his shower, Tim dressed in something more comfortable some sweatpants and a hoodie and made his way to the kitchen. He set out the ingredients for dinner—spaghetti with homemade sauce—and started boiling the water, chopping up vegetables, and browning the meat for the sauce.
(Please comment some meals. Every time I have to come up with something, I end up with them having pasta.)
As the comforting smells of the meal began filling the kitchen, he noticed Olivia padding downstairs, her hair still damp from her shower. She didn't say much, just gave him a small smile before heading straight to the pantry.
Tim kept stirring the sauce, half-focused on dinner and half-wondering what Olivia was up to. He glanced over his shoulder to see her pulling out flour, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and a few other ingredients. She worked quickly, measuring and mixing, her focus entirely on whatever she was making.
He turned back to the stove, smirking to himself. She always had a project going on, and it looked like tonight was no exception. After a few more minutes of stirring, he heard the sound of the oven preheating.
Tim- You baking something over there?
Olivia- Uh-huh.
She answered, not looking up as she whisked a bowl of chocolate batter.
Tim- I see. Planning to make dessert?
Olivia shrugged, pouring the batter into a pan and sliding it into the oven.
Olivia- Figured why not? It'll be ready by the time we start the movie. And I was craving brownies.
Tim chuckled, shaking his head. Of course, she'd decided to whip up some brownies. He was always amazed by how quickly she could move through the kitchen when she wanted to.
Tim- Just make sure you clean up after yourself.
Olivia- I will!
Satisfied with that, Tim went back to finishing dinner, occasionally glancing at Olivia as she washed up the bowls and utensils she'd used. The house now smelled like a mix of simmering pasta sauce and freshly baked brownies, a surprisingly good combination.
After about thirty minutes, dinner was ready, and Olivia's brownies were cooling on the counter. They sat down together at the table, enjoying the meal, with Olivia doing most of the talking, filling the air with stories from her day and ideas for future projects. Tim mostly listened, occasionally chiming in to ask a question or throw in a comment, content to let her lead the conversation.
Once they finished eating, Olivia got up to clear the plates while Tim started washing up. The kitchen felt cozy and warm as they worked side by side, Olivia handling the dishwasher while Tim tackled the pots and pans.
When most of the cleaning was done, Olivia cut the brownies, and got the ice cream. After a moment of struggling with the ice cream container, she grunted in frustration.
Olivia- Dad, this thing is impossible!
Tim, amused, turned from the sink and glanced at the ice cream scoop stuck halfway into the tub.
Tim- Try holding the scoop under some warm water. It'll make it easier.
She followed his instructions but still struggled to get the ice cream out smoothly. Tim wiped his hands dry, came over to help, and effortlessly scooped out two perfect portions. Olivia shot him a mock glare.
Olivia- Show-off.
Tim- What can I say? Hard work at the gym's finally paying off.
Tim grinned, flexing his arms dramatically as if he were a bodybuilder showing off for a competition. He exaggerated the pose, making a big show of it.
Tim- Years of training for moments just like this—conquering ice cream tubs.
Olivia rolled her eyes, unable to hide her smile as she shook her head at his antics.
Olivia- Yeah, sure, Dad. You're a real superhero in the kitchen.
Tim- Hey, don't underestimate the strength it takes to scoop ice cream. It's an art form.
Olivia laughed, taking her plate with a pice of brownie, topped with ice cream and heading to the living room while Tim grabbed his own, still grinning from their playful exchange. As they settled onto the couch with their brownies and ice cream, Tim felt a sense of contentment wash over him. This was one of those perfect moments—simple, yet filled with warmth.
He wasn't expecting much—animated films weren't usually his go-to—but as the minutes passed, he found himself surprisingly engrossed. Despite his initial disinterest, the story of emotions navigating the complexities of life pulled him in. He found himself chuckling at parts, even glancing over at Olivia to see her fully immersed.
By the time the credits rolled, Tim was pleasantly surprised.
Tim- Alright, I'll admit, that it was better than I thought it would be.
Olivia- See? I told you. You should trust my movie choices more often.
Tim- Alright, maybe I'll give you that.
Olivia smiled, satisfied with her small victory, then stretched out her arms with a yawn.
Olivia- Well, I'm gonna head to bed.
Tim- Okay. You get some rest. I'll take care of the plates.
Olivia gave a quick hug she headed to her room, and Tim gathered their dishes, loading them into the dishwasher before starting it. The house was quiet now, the warmth of their evening still lingering. He glanced at the clock, feeling the contentment of a simple but fulfilling night.
Before heading to his own room, Tim decided to check on Olivia like he always did. Walking down the hallway, he was about to knock when the door swung open.
Olivia- Ahh!
She jumped, startled to see him standing right there.
Tim- Whoa, sorry! Didn't mean to scare you.
Olivia- You gave me a heart attack, Dad!
She clutched her chest, but the shock quickly turned to laughter as the tension dissolved.
Tim- I was just coming to check on you. What were you doing?
Olivia- I was about to get some water.
Tim nodded, feeling a little guilty for unintentionally startling her.
Tim- I'll get it for you. Be right back.
He headed downstairs, grabbing her a glass of water, and spotted her heating pad near the counter. Figuring she might want it for her back, he threw it in the microwave for a few minutes, before heading back upstairs. As he returned, he found Olivia brushing her teeth in her bathroom, her hair now tied back.
She glanced at him through the mirror, a playful smirk on her face.
Olivia- Gonna scare me again?
Tim- Nope. Just delivering water and this—
He held up the heating pad
Tim- —in case you need it for your back.
Olivia- Thanks, Dad.
She rinsed her mouth before taking the water from him and sipping slowly.
Tim- Again, sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to sneak up on you.
Olivia- It's fine. I'll survive.
She smiled, taking the heating pad from him.
Tim- Alright, I'll let you get to sleep. Good night.
Olivia- Night, Dad.
With that, Tim headed out, feeling reassured. He closed the door behind him softly and walked back down the hallway, content with the peacefulness that filled the house.
After Tim left Olivia's room, he went to his own, the house now silent except for the faint hum of the dishwasher running in the kitchen. He pulled off his hoodie, replaced it with a comfortable t-shirt, and brushed his teeth, going through his usual nighttime routine.
As he slid into bed, he sighed, enjoying the quiet moment of calm before sleep. But instead of closing his eyes right away, Tim reached for his phone on the nightstand. He unlocked it and scrolled through a few messages before landing on one he'd been meaning to send for a while.