The babysitter

The sergeant exam

The day of the sergeant's exam arrived, bringing with it a mixture of nerves and determination for Tim Bradford. He woke before dawn, slipping out of bed quietly so as not to wake Lucy or Emma. The house was still, the faint hum of the heater the only sound as he brewed his morning coffee.

Tim had been preparing for this moment for weeks, but he couldn't shake the flutter of anxiety in his chest. As he sipped his coffee, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the flash drive Lucy had given him. It had been a lifeline—her voice guiding him through late-night study sessions, her calm encouragement keeping him focused.

He clenched the drive in his hand, feeling a surge of gratitude. Whatever happened today, he knew he wasn't facing it alone.

By the time he arrived at the exam center, the parking lot was already full. Officers from across the department were gathered, some chatting nervously while others reviewed their notes in silence. Tim took a deep breath and joined the line at the entrance, flashing his ID to check in.

Inside, the room buzzed with a low murmur of voices. Rows of desks were neatly arranged, each with a single exam booklet and a pencil. Tim found his assigned seat and sat down, surveying the room.

A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Bradford."

He turned to see Sergeant Grey standing at the front of the room, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

"Good luck," Grey said simply, his tone as firm as ever.

Tim nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Sarge."

The proctor called the room to attention, and the murmur died down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sergeant's exam. This test is designed to evaluate your knowledge, leadership skills, and decision-making abilities. You have four hours to complete the exam. Good luck."

The sound of flipping pages filled the room as everyone opened their booklets. Tim took a steadying breath and dove in.

The questions were as challenging as he had expected. Scenarios tested his ability to handle high-stress situations, while others delved into departmental policy and legal codes. He worked methodically, drawing on everything he had studied.

As the hours ticked by, Tim found himself thinking of Lucy and Emma. He pictured Lucy's encouraging smile and Emma's infectious enthusiasm, their unwavering belief in him pushing him forward.

One question stood out:

"As a sergeant, how would you handle a subordinate officer who challenges your authority in front of the team?"

Tim's mind flashed to moments in his career where he had faced similar situations. He answered honestly, detailing how he would address the issue privately while maintaining professionalism and respect.

By the time he finished, his hand ached from writing. He glanced at the clock and saw he had fifteen minutes left. He used the remaining time to review his answers, making small adjustments where needed.

When the proctor finally called time, Tim put down his pencil with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. He glanced around the room, noticing the varied expressions of his fellow officers—some confident, others uncertain.

Outside, the crisp air hit him like a wake-up call. He took a deep breath, letting the tension in his shoulders ease slightly.

He pulled out his phone and saw a text from Lucy.

Lucy: "How'd it go?"

Tim smiled and typed back: "Not bad. I'll know for sure when the results are out."

Lucy: "Proud of you already. Emma and I are baking a cake to celebrate—whether you passed or not. 😊"

Tim chuckled, his heart feeling lighter.

The following week felt like an eternity. Tim threw himself into work, trying to keep his mind off the results. Lucy and Emma were a constant source of support, distracting him with movie nights and family dinners.

Finally, the day arrived.

Tim received an email with the subject line: "Sergeant Exam Results."

He opened it with shaky hands, scanning the text until his eyes landed on the words he was looking for:

"Congratulations, Officer Bradford! You have ranked 4th out of 108 candidates."

He read it again, just to be sure. The number stared back at him, solid and undeniable.

A laugh of disbelief escaped his lips. He had done it.

"Lucie!" Emma's voice rang out from the living room as Tim entered the house. "Daddy's home!"

Lucy appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. "Well?" she asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Tim held up his phone, showing her the email.

"Fourth out of 108," he said, his voice still tinged with awe.

Lucy's face lit up, and before he knew it, she was throwing her arms around him. "I knew you could do it!" she said, her voice filled with pride.

Emma joined in, wrapping her small arms around his legs. "Does that mean you're a sergeant now, Daddy?"

"Not quite yet, kiddo," Tim said with a grin. "There's still some paperwork and a promotion ceremony, but it's happening."

Emma beamed. "Can we celebrate now?"

Lucy laughed. "We already baked the cake, didn't we?"

Tim shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You two are something else."

As they sat around the table later that evening, enjoying slices of chocolate cake, Tim couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

Lucy caught his eye across the table. "You deserve this, Tim. All of it."

He nodded, his throat tightening with emotion. "I couldn't have done it without you," he said softly.

Lucy smiled, her eyes shining. "Always."

And in that moment, Tim realized that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he had something far more valuable than any promotion—he had a family who believed in him, every step of the way.