What if Tim had a daughter?

Part 27

The familiar sound of the car pulling into the driveway fills the air. Tim cuts the engine, and Olivia hops out, swinging her backpack over her shoulder as they head inside.
Olivia- Can we make tacos for dinner tonight? I've been craving them all day.
Tim- Tacos, huh? Alright, but only if you finish your homework first.
Olivia- Deal!
Tim and Olivia settle into their routine. Olivia works on her homework at the kitchen counter while Tim preps ingredients for tacos. He occasionally glances over her shoulder to check her progress.
Tim- How's it going over there?
He asks, stirring the pan of seasoned meat.
Olivia- Almost done. Just one more math problem.
Tim- Good, because these tacos aren't going to eat themselves.
Olivia laughs, finishing her work with a flourish before washing her hands and joining Tim at the stove.
Olivia- These smell amazing. You're getting better at this, Dad.
Tim- Better? I've always been great at tacos.
Olivia- Sure, if you say so.
They sit at the table, enjoying their meal and sharing stories. Afterward, they clean up and settle on the couch to watch their favorite show. Olivia leans against Tim, her eyelids drooping as the episode ends.
Tim- Alright, Liv. Time for bed.
Olivia- Fine. Night, Dad.
Tim- goodnight, sweetheart. Sleep tight.
Olivia heads upstairs, and Tim lingers in the living room for a moment before checking in on Olivia once more and retreating to his room.
Tim sits on his bed, scrolling through his phone. A message from Lucy catches his eye.

Lucy: Finally going back to patrol tomorrow. Can't believe how much I missed it, but I guess riding with you has its perks.
Tim: You missed it? Did I read that right? I'll have to remember this moment for when you complain next time.
Lucy: Don't push it, Bradford. I said I missed patrol, not your terrible driving.
Tim: My driving is flawless, Chen.
Lucy: Flawlessly terrifying.
Tim: You're just jealous because I can parallel park faster than you.
Lucy: Please. You probably practiced for hours just to impress me.
Tim: Is it working?
Tim smirks as he types the last message, not quite realizing the playful, kind of flirting, embedded in their exchange. Lucy's reply comes quickly.
Lucy: Not even a little.
Tim: Liar.
Lucy's laugh is practically audible through the phone. The messages flow faster now, their teasing tone shifting to something warmer, more personal.
Lucy: Seriously, though, it'll be nice to be back on the road. Desk duty was starting to make me stir crazy.
Tim: You? Stir crazy? Never.
Lucy: Don't act like you didn't notice. You were probably counting the hours until I stopped pacing around.
Tim: Maybe. But you're not the worst company.
Lucy: Wow, a compliment? I'm flattered.
Tim adjusts his position on the bed, propping himself up with a pillow as he keeps texting. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth with each reply.
Lucy: Don't let it go to your head, Bradford. You'll ruin the illusion that you're just a grumpy old man who hates fun.
Tim: Old? Grumpy? Who's grumpy? I'll have you know I'm the life of every party.
Lucy: Uh-huh. I'm sure you're great at parties—if the party involves a couch, a blanket, and a re-run of "Law & Order."
Tim: First of all, "Law & Order" is a classic. Second, I can be fun when I want to be.
Lucy: Oh really? Define "fun." I'm curious.
Tim: Wouldn't you like to know?
Lucy: I would, actually. Humor me.
Tim: Fun is... taking my aid on a wild ride through the streets of LA and not telling her the sirens don't work until we're already in pursuit.
Lucy: Seriously? You're a menace, Bradford.
Tim: *Fun, Chen. I'm fun.
Lucy: You're something, alright.
Tim: Careful, Chen. Sounds like you're dangerously close to admitting you like working with me.
Lucy: What if I do? What're you gonna do about it?
Tim pauses for a moment, the question lingering in his mind longer than he expected. He shakes his head, refocusing on their playful back-and-forth.
Tim: Probably just lord it over you for the next month. Minimum.
Lucy: Wow. Humility really isn't your strong suit, huh?
Tim: Nope. But you already knew that.
Lucy: True. But you've got other qualities, I guess.
Tim: Guess? That's rich coming from the woman who misses me when I'm not around.
Lucy: Don't get used to it, Bradford. It's only because we are partners on the force and I have no choice.
Tim: Keep telling yourself that.
Lucy: And you keep pretending that I don't make your job infinitely more interesting.
Tim: I'll admit, you do keep me on my toes.
Lucy: Flattery? From Tim Bradford? Is it my birthday?
Tim: I'm just full of surprises, Chen.
As the conversation flows, their tone becomes increasingly bold, their usual guardedness giving way to something more unrestrained.
Lucy: Speaking of surprises, I still can't believe you didn't crash us into a tree during that chase two weeks ago. I thought we were goners for sure.
Tim: Have a little faith. I always get us out alive.
Lucy: Barely. Pretty sure you shaved a year off my life with that stunt.
Tim: Worth it. Your scream was priceless.
Lucy: I wasn't screaming. I was yelling constructive criticism.
Tim: You were screaming, Chen. Like a teenager at a horror movie.
Lucy: I'll scream right now if it'll help you feel validated.
Tim: Don't tempt me. Your neighbors might start asking questions.
Lucy: What would they think if they knew I was texting you instead of sleeping?
Tim: That you've got better taste in company than they do.
Lucy: Smooth, Bradford. Real smooth.
Tim: You're not exactly pushing me away, Chen.
Lucy: Why would I? This is the most fun I've had all week after desk duty.
Tim: You must live a sad life if this is your highlight.
Lucy: Sad? Or just well-curated? Not everyone gets my time and attention, you know.
Tim: I feel sooo special.
Lucy: You should. I'm practically a gift.
Tim: Oh, don't worry. I've noticed.
They both stare at their screens, each caught up in the rhythm of their banter. Neither acknowledges how far their conversation has gone, nor how it might appear to an outside observer.
Lucy: It's late, Bradford. We should probably stop before you get too attached.
Tim: Too late. I already am.
Tim hits send without thinking, his smirk fading slightly as he realizes how his words might sound. Lucy's reply comes a moment later, her tone playfully deflective.
Lucy: Good thing I'm around to keep you in line, then.
Tim: Good thing.
They sit in their respective rooms, grinning like fools at their phones, completely oblivious to the intimacy they've let slip between the lines. When Tim glances at the clock again, he's startled by the time.
Tim: Chen, it's almost 2 AM. We're gonna hate ourselves in the morning.
Lucy: Speak for yourself. I'm thriving.
Tim: Thriving? Sure. We'll see how you're thriving after the first call tomorrow.
Lucy: Can't wait. Night, Tim.
Tim: Night, Lucy.