Lucy Chen-Secret Life

The Final Stretch

Grace: (whispering)
"Are we going home now?"

Lucy Chen: (nodding, her voice soft)
"Yeah, baby. We're going home."

As they make their way to the car, Grace holding Lucy's hand tightly, Lucy feels a sense of calm start to wash over her. The chaos of the day isn't gone, but right now, her focus is on getting her daughter back home, away from the worry and uncertainty of the outside world.

They reach the car, and Lucy opens the back door, helping Grace climb into her seat. As she buckles her in, Grace looks up at her, her eyes still wide but more settled than they were moments ago.

Grace:
"Are you okay, Mommy?"

Lucy's heart clenches at the question. For so long, she's tried to shield Grace from her life as a cop—from the danger, the unpredictability. But hearing her daughter ask that now, she knows she can't hide it all anymore. Grace is old enough to see through the cracks in the armor Lucy has tried so hard to maintain.

Lucy Chen: (smiling gently)
"I'm okay now. We're both okay."

She closes the door and rounds the car to get into the driver's seat, her mind still racing but calmer now that Grace is with her. She starts the engine, pulling away from the school slowly this time, her mind no longer in a blur of panic.

Grace clings to her, tears in her eyes, but Lucy can feel the tension in her small body start to ease. For the first time since the lockdown began, Lucy feels like she can finally breathe.

She holds her daughter for a few more moments, allowing herself to soak in the relief. The fear, the guilt, the secrecy—it all feels distant now. Grace is here, safe, and that's all that matters.

Back at home, Lucy pulls into the driveway. She gets out of the car, helping Grace out as well. As they step inside, the familiar warmth of their small home wraps around them, a stark contrast to the chaos they just left behind.

Grace heads to the couch, curling up with her favorite stuffed animal, still processing the day. Lucy watches her for a moment, her heart aching with love and guilt. She kneels in front of Grace, brushing a lock of hair out of her face.

Lucy Chen: (softly)
"Do you want to talk about what happened at school today?"

Grace shakes her head, pulling her stuffed animal closer.

Grace: (quietly)
"Not right now. I'm just glad you're here."

Lucy nods, giving her a soft smile. She leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to Grace's forehead.

Lucy Chen:
"Me too, sweetheart. Me too."

After making sure Grace is settled with some cartoons on TV, Lucy steps into the kitchen, her phone buzzing again. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself before picking it up and seeing a string of missed calls and texts from Tim, Angela, and Sergeant Grey.

She exhales slowly and calls Tim back first. He answers almost immediately, his voice a mix of concern and frustration.

Tim Bradford: (on the phone)
"Chen, are you okay? Where are you?"

Lucy Chen:
"I'm at home. Grace is safe. I... I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner."

There's a pause on the other end, and Lucy can almost hear Tim processing everything.

Tim Bradford:
"You should've told me. We were all worried. You can't just carry something like that alone, Lucy."

Lucy Chen: (sighing)
"I know. I just... I didn't know how to. I've been doing this on my own for so long, I didn't know how to let anyone else in."

There's a softer tone in Tim's voice now.

Tim Bradford:
"You don't have to do that anymore. We're your team, Lucy. We're here for you—for both of you."

Lucy swallows hard, feeling the weight of Tim's words sink in. She nods, even though he can't see her.

Lucy Chen:
"I know. I'll see you at the station tomorrow. We can talk then."

Tim Bradford:
"Okay. Just... take care of yourself. And Grace."

Lucy Chen:
"I will. Thanks, Tim."

She hangs up, staring at the phone for a moment before setting it down on the counter. The weight of everything that's happened still presses on her, but for the first time, she doesn't feel like she has to bear it alone.

Lucy glances toward the living room, where Grace is laughing softly at something on the screen, her small form relaxed on the couch. A faint smile crosses Lucy's face. Things won't be easy from here on out—she knows that. But she's finally ready to face whatever comes next, knowing that she and Grace have the support of the people who matter most.

As the night grows quieter, Lucy sits beside her daughter, her hand resting gently on Grace's head as they both settle into the warmth of their home. The lockdown is over, the secret is out, and now—finally—Lucy can start building the life she always wanted for both of them together with no more secrets.

The End..