When Lucy got into her car, she took a moment to breathe for five minutes. She had missed Los Angeles during the day. She had finally left the night shift a few weeks earlier to return to the day team, the one she knew by heart, the one she trusted. And even though she had nothing to prove, habits still needed to be unlearned.
She was no longer just an officer; she was a sergeant, she had authority, and sometimes people seemed to forget that. Like today, when an officer had deliberately refused to follow an order, nearly getting his partner killed. Actions sometimes have consequences: a ton of paperwork, and a suspension. Not to mention the other crimes and criminals the city of Los Angeles harbored, not to mention her body still trying to catch up on lost hours of sleep, not to mention that blow she had taken to her ribs, one that would surely leave a bruise.
Lucy quickly rummaged through her bag and grabbed her phone. One ring, two rings, three rings.
"Hey you..."
"Hey..."
"Done?"
"Finally... felt like the day would never end."
"Tired?"
"Exhausted... but excited to go out tonight."
"Perfect..."
"Can I get ready at your place? I don't have the energy to go back and forth."
"Of course."
"See you in 20 minutes."
"Drive safe, babe."
She hung up and started her car. Things with Tim were better, much better. So much better that, after one whole night spent talking, after both confessing to each other, they had decided to take the leap again, a second time. That conversation had probably been the last tie to the past. And even though she had already forgiven him long ago, she needed to put it into words, she needed him to put it into words, to talk. The wound had healed; the bandage only needed to be ripped off once and for all. Since then, she was alive again, she could finally breathe fully. He was her ride or die, the one she had planned to grow old and happy with.
⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪
After retrieving her bag from the trunk, Lucy walked up to the door. She used her key and entered Tim's place. Dropping her things in the entryway, she headed toward the living room to steal a hug before quickly getting ready.
"Tim, I'm—"
But to her surprise, she found herself face-to-face with a set table, dim lighting, music in the background, and a wonderful smell filling the air. Pulled from her thoughts by two arms wrapping around her from behind, Lucy tilted her head slightly back.
"Tim..."
"I thought we'd be better off, just the two of us, in peace, especially after your day."
"It's perfect..."
"Go sit down..."
"I should get changed first."
"No need, you're perfect like this."
"Charmer!"
"But not a liar..." he said, kissing her temple.
Lucy shook her head, slightly amused, and went to sit down at the table as asked. The table was simply but tastefully set, a bouquet of flowers, a few candles.
"Wine?"
"Yes... please."
The glasses were filled, and the meal was served right after. Tim sat next to her.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Luce," he said, raising his glass.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Tim," she replied, clinking hers with his.
And deep down, she didn't need anything more than this. She didn't need a fancy restaurant where the menus given to women hide the prices; she just needed him, only him.
"I had to write up a report on Miller."
"Again?"
"Refusal to follow an order, putting his partner at risk... he's suspended."
"You did what you had to."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean it's the part I like best."
"I know..."
"Babe?"
"Mm?"
"Where's Kojo?"
"Oh, at Genny's."
"Getting rid of the competition?"
"Because I'm competing with him?"
"Maybe..."
⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪
Lucy finished her glass and set it on the table. She took a moment to study Tim.
"Thank you..."
"For?"
"For tonight, for everything," she said, grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers. "And because I love being here, with you, only you."
Tim then remembered that conversation he had once tried to start a few months earlier, when Lucy had fallen asleep on the couch and hadn't heard a word of it, too tired to keep her eyes open. He had never brought it up again, thinking maybe he'd been too ambitious at the time.
"Move in with me."
Surprised, Lucy looked at him intently.
"Tim..."
"No, listen, you already spend more than half your time here, which I don't mind at all. You even say yourself that you love being here. This house has become a home since you've been spending your nights and days in it. And I love that. And even though I grumble because you leave your sweater on the couch, I love waking up and seeing your sweater on the couch. I want it to be permanent, for this to be the next step in what we're building. Move in with me, here."
"You do realize I'm going to invade your space, your closets, I'll probably mess up your order more than once, I'll want to repaint the walls, add even more plants, and I'll definitely let Kojo on the bed more than once, right?"
"Yes... I love that chaos. I love you."
Lucy stayed silent for a moment, as if she needed to think about an answer she already knew.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah..."
Lucy got up from her chair and sat on his lap.
"What do we have to lose, hm?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied before kissing her.
The kiss, tender at first, quickly deepened as Lucy slid her hand between them, unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time.
"What are you doing?" he whispered between kisses.
"Celebrating..."
Tim suddenly stood, Lucy clinging to him, before he carried her to their bedroom, slamming the door behind them.
⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪ · ⬪
Entwined under the sheets, Tim gently caressed Lucy's back, as if time no longer had any effect on them.
"Tim?"
"Mm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Tim tightened his hold, and Lucy let herself be soothed by his touch and his breathing. Tomorrow would definitely be a new day, a new chapter. Finally.
* * * * * * * *
Hello everyone, just felt like sharing a little something I'd love to see in season 8. We can all agree there's little chance it'll actually happen, BUT a girl's allowed to dream. :) Take care!
