What if Tim and Lucy both had kids

Part 20

Saturday arrived with clear skies and a quiet stillness that Tim relished. He was up early as usual, taking a few moments with his coffee and enjoying the morning calm, knowing Josy would appreciate a little extra sleep. She'd gladly snooze half the day away if he let her, but he wasn't about to let their special day slip by while she dozed.
By 9 a.m., he set his coffee mug aside, heading to Josy's room to gently wake her up.
Tim- (softly) Hey, kiddo. Time to rise and shine. The world's waiting on us.
Josy groaned, burrowing deeper into her covers but, with a little encouragement, she finally dragged herself out of bed, her face still marked with faint pillow creases. They got ready, and soon enough, they were out the door, heading to their favorite local café for breakfast. It had been their go-to spot for years, and as they ate, they fell into easy conversation, catching up on little things and laughing over the silliest topics.
With breakfast finished, Tim drove them to the art studio. Josy's face lit up as they walked in, eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced over the various supplies and workstations.
When they arrived at the art studio, Josy's eyes immediately landed on a shelf filled with plain white mugs, plates, and small ceramic figurines just waiting for a splash of creativity.
Josy- Let's paint these! Way more fun than a canvas, don't you think?
Tim glanced over, instantly feeling more comfortable with the idea of painting something small rather than tackling a whole canvas. He picked up a simple, sturdy mug and examined it.
Tim- Now this I can work with. Plus, if it's terrible, at least it'll hold coffee.
They each selected a mug and found a spot at one of the tables, Josy already arranging her paints and brushes. She looked like a pro, fully focused as she planned out her design. Tim, on the other hand, took a more... spontaneous approach, dipping his brush in a vibrant green and making a few uncertain strokes along the side of his mug.
Josy leaned over to peek, stifling a laugh.
Josy- (teasing) Very avant-garde, Dad. What's the theme here, 'lawn clippings'?
Tim- (grinning) It's abstract. I'm going for that 'art teacher trying to be edgy' vibe. Very hip, very trendy.
They laughed, and Tim watched as Josy delicately painted her mug, that turned it into a work of art. His own mug soon became a chaotic mix of green and blue squiggles, but he didn't mind one bit. The act of painting together, playfully critiquing each other's "masterpieces," was exactly the kind of fun he looked forward to.
As they each worked on their mugs, Josy quietly decided to make hers a gift for her dad. She kept glancing over at Tim, making sure he was focused on his own "abstract" creation. When she was sure he wasn't looking, she carefully picked up her mug, tilted it, thought for a moment about what she wanted it to say and with a thin brush, wrote a small message on the bottom in neat letters:
"For my hero—who makes everything better. Love, Josy."
She looked it over, making sure he didn't see. To her, Tim was more than just her dad; he was her everyday hero, always there when she needed him most. Satisfied, she gently placed the mug back on the table, careful not to smudge the wet paint.
Tim, still completely absorbed in his own "creative" masterpiece, didn't notice her subtle gesture. He was too busy making what looked like a colorful, swirling storm of reds, greens, and blues—a work he would later tell her was "abstract on purpose." Josy just laughed, giving her dad an amused look as he swirled the brush around, blissfully unaware of her secret dedication.
When they finished, Josy set the mug on the drying rack. She watched as he admired his own mug and held it up acting all proud.
Tim- I think mine's perfect for a Monday morning—strong and a little chaotic.
Josy- You mean exactly how Mondays feel.
Tim- Yep, pretty much.
They left the studio with plans to pick up their mugs next week after they'd been glazed and fired.
After leaving the art studio, Tim and Josy drove to a small, cozy diner for lunch. It was one of those places with red vinyl booths and checkered floors, the kind of spot that had seen countless father-daughter lunches over the years. They slid into a booth by the window, and Tim gave a sigh of contentment, still riding high from their fun morning.
Tim- Alright, what's the plan, kiddo? Pancakes for lunch again, or are we branching out today?
Josy- Let's go for burgers this time. Extra pickles, please!
They placed their orders, and while they waited, Josy filled him in on all the latest school stories and more. Tim listened, smiling, watching her animatedly recount tales about her friends and teachers. Their food arrived, and they dug in, their laughter filling the little diner as they enjoyed the meal.
After they polished off their burgers, Josy eyed him with a mischievous glint, hinting at her next big plan for their day.
Josy- Sooo... remember how we talked about doing something fun after lunch?
Tim raised an eyebrow, sensing he was about to be roped into something he wouldn't normally agree to.
Tim- I have a feeling I'm about to regret saying yes.
Josy- (grinning) Nah, you'll love it! We're going to get our nails done!
Tim chuckled, shaking his head, though he could hardly say no to her. He knew this was all part of the fun. He was used to her antics, but a nail salon was new territory.
Tim- (sighing, with a smile) Alright, lead the way. But let's keep this between us, okay? I have a reputation to uphold.
Josy laughed, linking her arm through his as they headed out. The nail salon was only a few blocks away, a bright and welcoming spot with colorful nail polish displays lining the walls. Tim tried to play it cool, though he looked slightly overwhelmed by the sheer variety of colors and glitter on display. They settled into two chairs, and Josy wasted no time picking out colors for herself—an iridescent purple with a shimmer.
Josy- (pointing to a dark blue polish) Here, Dad, this one's perfect for you. Just a little something simple, no glitter—unless you're feeling brave?
Tim chuckled, shaking his head.
Tim- (holding up his hands in mock surrender) Whoa, whoa—hold up there. No way am I walking out of here with color on my nails. A clear coat is as adventurous as I'm getting.
Josy gave him a playful, exaggerated eye-roll, clearly prepared for this reaction.
Josy- You're missing out on a whole world of style, Dad. But fine, we'll start small. Just one little clear coat, so you don't feel left out.
Tim chuckled, relaxing into the chair as the nail technician began the process, much to his amusement. Josy, meanwhile, sat happily with her nails being painted a dazzling purple, complete with a bit of sparkle.
As they waited for their nails to dry, Josy admired her glimmering nails and then glanced over at Tim, who seemed uncharacteristically focused on his own hands.
Tim- (studying his nails) Well, I'll give you this—it feels kinda... fancy. But this is strictly a one-time deal, alright?
Josy- (smirking) Sure, Dad. I'll keep it a secret. Just think, you'll have the nicest nails at the station.
They both laughed, Josy clearly thrilled she'd managed to convince him to join her at the salon. When their nails were finally dry, they gathered their things, thanking the nail techs on the way out, and headed back to the car.
On their way home, Tim glanced over at Josy with a smile still lingering on his face from the nail salon adventure.
Tim- You know, you've got quite a talent for talking me into things I'd never imagine doing. Next thing I know, you'll have me trying out face masks or something.
Josy- (grinning) Don't tempt me, Dad. There's always next time.
Tim shook his head, laughing, as he turned into the grocery store parking lot. They hopped out and grabbed a cart, weaving through the aisles to pick up what they needed for the week. Tim glanced down at the list on his phone, muttering the items to himself as Josy scouted for her favorites.
Tim- Alright, eggs, bread, milk...you want anything special for lunches?
Josy- Ooh, can we get those little pretzel bites? And maybe some of that cinnamon granola?
Tim tossed a bag of pretzels into the cart, adding the granola as they continued down the aisle. Josy casually tossed in a few extra items when Tim wasn't looking, keeping a straight face as he pushed the cart along.
By the time they made it to the checkout, their cart had accumulated a few extra goodies. Tim raised an eyebrow at the assortment but didn't say anything, pretending not to notice the snacks Josy had slipped in.
Tim- (pretending to be serious) You know, these snacks don't just magically appear in the cart. Someone's going to have to fess up here.
Josy- (with an innocent look) Must've been the snack fairy, Dad. No other explanation.
They both laughed, loading their bags into the car. The drive home was filled with a comfortable silence, occasionally interrupted by Josy humming along to the radio. Tim glanced over now and then, a sense of contentment settling over him as he thought about their day together.
Back home, they brought in the groceries, the warm afternoon light fading as they unpacked together. Tim noticed it was getting late, so he started to pull out ingredients for dinner. Josy, noticing him setting up, popped back into the kitchen, her face lit up with enthusiasm.
Josy-Mind if I help? I've got some solid stirring skills, you know.
Tim- Alright, sous chef. Just don't get too fancy on me; we're keeping it simple tonight.
As they got into a rhythm, Josy chopped vegetables while Tim seasoned and stirred, a comfortable silence occasionally filled with playful teasing.
Josy- So, what exactly are you going for here, "chef"? Another 'abstract' creation?
Tim- (chuckling) That's right. It's my signature dish—"Monday Night Whatever We've Got," on a Saturday. Think you can keep up?
Josy- (grinning) Challenge accepted!
They moved easily around each other, laughing when one of them inevitably ended up in the other's way. They shared playful banter, Tim secretly savoring the time with her, grateful for how natural and lighthearted everything felt. He'd originally thought they'd go that little cupcake place he'd planned to surprise her with, but he didn't mind. He knew there'd be plenty of other days to make that happen.
As the meal came together, Tim glanced over at Josy, trying to imagine how many more evenings like this they'd share. He knew things would change as she grew older, that one day these quiet, shared moments might become fewer, but for now, he was holding onto every second.
Finally, they plated their dinner and sat down at the table, a sense of quiet satisfaction settling over them as they dug into their meal.
They began eating, the warm, home-cooked meal adding to the cozy atmosphere. For a few minutes, they simply enjoyed the food, the quiet punctuated by a few laughs and the occasional clink of silverware. Then, as if testing the waters, Josy brought up a subject that had been lingering in the back of her mind, a topic Tim had been hoping to avoid.
Josy- So... you know about Ryan, right?
Tim's fork paused mid-air, and he forced himself to stay calm. He knew about Ryan—the boy she'd started to like recently. Josy hadn't said much, but his best Lucy had given him some perspective, urging him to be open and supportive even if he didn't love the idea of her dating just yet, or ever. Protective instincts still grumbled at the idea of anyone taking up so much space in Josy's life, but he'd reluctantly come to accept it was part of growing up.
Tim- (trying to sound casual) Yeah, Ryan. I remember. (pointedly) He's...not my favorite person.
Josy rolled her eyes with an amused smile, catching on to his reluctant tone.
Josy- (teasing) Oh come on, Dad. You and Ryan could totally be best friends—if you just gave him a chance.
Tim gave her a long look, knowing she was joking but feeling the faint pang of protectiveness that came with her growing up.
Tim- (sighing) Listen, I've accepted that he's in the picture. That's a big step for me, okay?
Josy- (smirking) And here I thought you'd be over the moon! Lucy said you're warming up to the idea.
Tim- (muttering) Lucy's a lot braver than I am when it comes to these things. But... (reluctantly) yeah, she's helped me see that you're more than capable of making good choices.
Josy softened, smiling as she recognized how hard it must have been for him to admit.
Tim took a deep breath, setting down his fork, trying to keep his expression neutral as he looked at her.
Tim- Alright, kiddo, you brought up Ryan for a reason. What's on your mind?
Josy hesitated, glancing down at her plate, her fingers fidgeting slightly—a telltale sign she was nervous. Finally, she looked back up at him, meeting his gaze.
Josy- So... I wanted to ask if I could go out with some friends next weekend. You know, like, to the movies or something. Ryan will be there too.
Tim's jaw tightened instinctively, but he forced himself to stay calm. He knew that letting her experience more independence was part of the deal, but it didn't make it any easier. He glanced down, gathering his thoughts before answering.
Tim- (nodding slowly) Alright. I appreciate you telling me up front. What are you thinking for plans? I'd like to know the details.
Tim took another deep breath, steadying himself as he listened to Josy explain her tentative plans.
Tim- (nodding slowly) Okay, so you're thinking a movie, maybe some food after—nothing too crazy. I can handle that. But... (clears his throat) who else is going to be there, exactly?
Josy glanced away for a moment, then back at him, listing the names with a hint of caution.
Josy- Well, it'll be me, Sarah, Emma, Maddie, Brandon, and... Ryan. Oh, and maybe Theo too, but he's not sure yet.
Tim gave a nod, doing his best to seem casual as he processed the list. But he couldn't help the glimmer of relief at the mention of Theo being there too, maybe—he trusts him.
Tim- (smiling, trying to keep his tone light) Alright, sounds like a solid group. And hey, if Theo decides to tag along, that means I'll have someone to go and cry while you're gone. You know, seeing my little girl growing up and all... (mock-sniffles) Might just be too much for me to handle.
Josy laughed, nudging him playfully.
Josy- I think you'll survive, Dad. And hey, if it's too hard on you, you can always call Lucy for backup. I'm sure she'd love to hear about your "crisis."
Tim- (chuckling) Oh, don't worry, she'll hear about it—whether she likes it or not. But seriously, thank you for being open with me. And just so you know it's not always going to be this easy to convince me to let you go out with friends.
Josy- Of course. (pausing) And, for what it's worth, Ryan's really nice.
Tim- Yeah, I'm not too sure about that.
Josy's smirk softened as she watched Tim's skeptical expression. She'd known he wouldn't be completely thrilled about Ryan, but his patience so far was better than she'd expected.
Josy- (giving him a knowing look) Dad, come on, you don't even know him yet.
Tim- And that's exactly the problem, isn't it? You only told me about him a few days ago, but I'm guessing it hasn't just been a few days since you started hanging out with him.
Josy bit her lip, realizing he wasn't wrong but unsure how to respond.
Tim- I mean, if he's interested in my daughter, he should be introducing himself to me—not the other way around. It's his job to show he's worth my trust. He's the one who should be saying hello, looking me in the eye, not hiding in the group.
Josy- Okay, fine. I get it. But you're a cop. That's intimidating.
Tim lets out a sigh with a soft chuckle.
Tim- Josy, sweetheart, listen. I'm not just a cop. I'm your dad. And no matter how old you get, or how many boys come into the picture, I'm always going to be the dad of the girl they like. That's my job.
He pauses, eyes softening as he tries to lighten the mood a little.
Tim- Unless, of course, he does something stupid—then, yeah, I'll be a cop, and I'll arrest him. But until then, I'm just going to be the dad who's a little protective of his daughter.
Josy lets out a laugh, shaking her head at her dad.
Josy- You're impossible.
Tim- That's what you get when you have a dad like me. I come with the territory.
Josy- I guess so.
Tim smiles as he watches Josy roll her eyes, but there's a warmth in his expression that betrays the protective side he's trying to hide behind his teasing.
Tim- You know, I never imagined I'd be that dad—the one who gives their kid a hard time about everything. But here we are.
Josy- Yeah, well, you're doing a great job so far.
Tim leans back in his chair, giving her a long look. He could tell she was growing up, and he couldn't stop it, no matter how hard he tried. He'd have to keep learning how to adjust and let go, piece by piece. But he was glad she felt comfortable talking to him.
Tim- You're not making it easy for me either, you know. But I do get it. You're growing up, and I just... want to make sure you're safe, that's all.
Josy- I know, Dad. I know. And I promise, I'll be smart about things. But I don't need you to worry so much. I can handle myself.
Tim- I know you can handle yourself, I taught you. I just don't trust the people around you. There are only a few I trust.
Josy- So, who are the people you do trust, Dad? You've got all these "not trustworthy" people, but who actually makes the cut?
Tim pauses, considering her question. He didn't want to sound too possessive or make her feel like she couldn't trust anyone, but he also wanted to be honest with her.
Tim- Well, it's not like I've got a list or anything, but... I trust people who show respect. Not just to you, but to everyone around them. People who earn trust, not just assume it.
Josy- And that would be?
Tim- Well, there are a few. People like Lucy—she's a good friend, and she's always had my back. I trust her instincts. Angela, too. She's always been reliable, and I know she would never put you in harm's way. Then there is Nyla.
Josy- (cutting in) Wait, Nyla? Why Nyla? I mean I like her but you two always fight. I don't think I've ever seen you two talk like normal people to each other.
Tim- (chuckling softly) Yeah, I get what you mean. Nyla and I don't exactly have the smoothest conversations, do we? But that's just how we are. We've known each other a long time, and it's kind of a weird dynamic. We bicker, we tease each other, but at the end of the day, I know if things ever went sideways, she'd have my back without question. And I'd do the same for her.
Josy- But why all the back-and-forth then? It feels like you two are always on each other's case.
Tim- It's just how we've always been. We're not the type to hold back, and it's not about being mean or anything—just how we joke around. I respect her, Josy. She's been through her own stuff, and she's strong. The way we talk to each other is just... well, our way of communicating. It's how we know we've got each other's backs.
Josy- I don't get it. You're saying you trust her, even if you don't get along.
Tim- Exactly. It's not always about being polite or agreeing on everything. It's about knowing when push comes to shove, she'll be there for you, and she knows I'd be there for her. That's trust. Sometimes, it's not all rainbows and sunshine, but it's real.
Josy- (shrugging) Well, I guess I can see that. You've never given me a reason to doubt her.
Josy- Okay, so... are there any people my age that you actually trust? Or is it just a whole bunch of us that you're suspicious of?
Tim smiled and thought for a moment, before answering her question.
Tim- Believe it or not, yeah, there are two people. Just don't go letting it get to their heads if they ever find out.
Josy- Really? Two? I thought I'd be lucky if there was even one.
Tim- (chuckling) I'm picky, but I'm not unreasonable.
Josy- (leaning in, intrigued) Alright, I have to know—who are these two that have somehow managed to meet your approval?
Tim- (pausing, giving her a knowing look) I don't know, maybe I should keep that one to myself. Keep you all guessing.
Josy- Dad! Come on, spill. I need to know who "the chosen ones" are.
Tim- (laughing) Alright, alright. First, there's Sarah. I've known her for a while now, and she's got a good head on her shoulders. Smart, level-headed, doesn't give in to the kind of nonsense a lot of other kids get into. She's one of those friends I know would look out for you.
Josy- Yeah, I guess I can see that. Sarah's always been a solid friend. And who's the other one?
Tim- Theo.
Josy- (surprised) Theo? Really?
Tim- Yes, really. Why are you so surprised?
Josy- He's annoying and... is Theo one of them, because he's Lucy's kid?
Tim- First of all, it has nothing to do with him being Lucy's kid. Theo's earned that trust himself—before I figured he's Lucys son.
Josy- (rolling her eyes) Okay, fine. But he is annoying. I mean, he never takes my side on anything, and he's always got some opinion to throw in.
Tim- That's exactly why I like him. Just because he doesn't take your crap and actually has his own opinions doesn't make him annoying. It means he's not afraid to be himself, and he's not just going along with everything for the sake of it. Plus he has your back.
Josy- (grudgingly) I guess... but still, he could be less stubborn.
Tim- Stubborn? Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?
Josy- (gasping, feigning offense) Are you saying I'm stubborn?
Tim- (grinning) I'm saying Theo might be one of the only people in your life who's just as stubborn as you are. That's probably why you two clash so much.
Josy- (sighing, but smiling a little) Alright, maybe. I'll admit he's... okay, sometimes.
Tim- (teasing) Don't let him hear you say that. Wouldn't want him to get a big head.
Josy- Oh, trust me, he won't hear it from me.
Tim- (stretching as he stands up) Well, now that we've dissected all your friendships and you've begrudgingly admitted Theo's not the worst, how about we tackle these dishes?
Josy- Sure thing.
They start clearing the table. Josy begins loading the dishwasher while Tim tackles washing the pans by hand. They work quietly for a few moments, the only sound the running water and clink of dishes.