The Rookie One-shot

Facing the Past, Building the Future

Tim Bradford must confront his painful past when he visits his estranged father to uncover family secrets, all while dreaming of starting a family with Lucy Chen. With Lucy's unwavering support, Tim faces old wounds, discovers newfound strength, and takes a step toward a brighter future. A heartfelt story of love, resilience, and healing.

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Scene: Tim and Lucy's Apartment

Tim Bradford stood in the kitchen, gripping the edge of the counter as if it were the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. His chest felt tight, his breaths coming shallow and fast. The thought of seeing his father after all these years stirred a storm inside him, one he couldn’t quite contain. His mind raced with memories he thought he had buried—shouts, insults, the oppressive weight of always being made to feel small. Now, all of it was clawing its way back to the surface.

He stared down at the countertop, willing himself to move, to breathe, to do something. But all he could do was stand there, locked in place.

"Tim?" Lucy's voice floated into the room, soft and concerned. Her voice was always a tether for him, a steadying force. She appeared in the doorway, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail, dressed in her usual cozy post-shift attire—a worn sweatshirt that had somehow become his favorite, and sweatpants that she insisted were the most comfortable thing in the world. She radiated warmth, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes. "What's going on? You’ve been standing there for ten minutes."

He didn’t respond right away, afraid that if he spoke, the dam holding back his emotions would break. He tried to force himself to take a deep breath, but his chest felt like it was caving in. Finally, he glanced at her, his expression guarded but his eyes betraying his turmoil.

“I… I’ve been thinking. About us. About the future,” he said, his voice low and halting.

Lucy stepped closer, her eyes narrowing with concern. “Okay. What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.

Tim inhaled deeply, the words catching in his throat. He could feel his heart pounding, each beat echoing in his ears. “I want to have a baby with you.”

The confession seemed to startle her, but not in a bad way. Her face softened, her lips curving into a small, tentative smile. She tilted her head slightly, studying him as if trying to gauge where this was coming from. “Tim… that’s—"

“Wait,” he cut her off, his voice trembling. He straightened slightly, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive gesture. “Before you say anything, there’s something I need to do first.”

Her smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet concern. She stepped closer, her arms brushing against his as she leaned on the counter beside him. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”

He swallowed hard, his throat dry. “I need to talk to my dad,” he admitted, the words heavy as they left his mouth.

Lucy’s expression faltered, her brows knitting together. “Your dad? Why?”

Tim leaned against the counter, his arms still crossed as though he were trying to shield himself. He stared at the floor, unable to look at her. “I need to find out if there are any genetic diseases in the family,” he said, his voice quiet but steady. “I just… I need to know before we start anything. But…” His voice cracked, and he looked away, clenching his jaw to keep his emotions in check. “I don’t think I can do it alone.”

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of his admission hanging in the air. Lucy stepped closer, reaching for his hand. Her grip was firm and reassuring, her touch grounding him in a way nothing else could.