Chapter Text
They never officially discussed it, but within a week, Lucy had practically moved into Tim’s. Her parents drove her insane, and someone needed to walk Kojo in the afternoon.
Lucy took back her job at Paula’s which she didn’t hate but didn’t exactly love either. Hearing Tim talk at dinner about his work- never disclosing too many details but giving just enough away that Lucy could fully appreciate just how much he loved his job, made her conscious of what she was missing. He might complain at having to leave her in bed each morning, or that he couldn’t join her for movie night on the sofa some evenings, but she could tell that he was passionate about what he did.
She couldn’t say she was passionate about lattes.
But she was careful to never complain, to never give him any doubt that she loved being in their little town, because she loved being with him.
Even if there was a part of her burning to leave, he was worth staying for.
Tim could tell Lucy was getting restless. He tried to tell himself that he was imagining it, she never complained, but his subconscious wouldn’t listen, and he was often awoken by nightmares of finding the right side of his bed empty and a note on the pillow explaining that she had left, had taken the first flight to anywhere that wasn’t here.
As time passed, such feelings only got worse. He watched as she smiled less, as she complained more about her parents, grew more reluctant to go to work, picked up less shifts. It was like Isabel all over again. But this time he knew what he had to do.
For once, he was home before her. She had gone to her parents after work to visit them and collect a few more of her things and Tim used the time to prepare some dinner for them. He didn’t have many dishes in his repertoire but Genny and the kids always liked his lasagne, so he settled for making that.
He was just pouring the wine when Lucy wandered in.
“Hey,” she greeted and then stopped, “what’s all this?”
“Nothing, can I not make us dinner?”
“I didn’t know you could cook,”
“Ah, see that was tactical, I liked your cooking too much to suggest I have a turn, but well that didn’t seem fair so… You do like lasagne, right?”
“Love it.”
Tim breathed a sigh in relief and smiled as Lucy threw herself down into the dining chair.
They filled the silence with their usual chatter about work, Kojo, how nice dinner was. Tim couldn’t say he could taste it too well himself, what with his stomach flipping every time he remembered what this dinner was really about.
“Tim, is everything okay?”
He startled, “Yes, why?”
“You just seem distracted is all-”
Lucy looked at him, her brow pinched in concern and Tim knew he couldn’t wait anymore.
“I admit I had ulterior motives for dinner tonight.”
Lucy tilted her head, “Oh yeah?”
He nodded, “I- I know we haven’t really spoken about it but you practically live here already and I just, well…”
Lucy reached out and covered his hands with hers. “Tim, whatever it is, it’s okay, you can just say it.”
“Do you want to leave Barnsville?”
Lucy blinked at him, speechless.
“I know you aren’t happy here. You deserve to do a job you enjoy, not work at Paula’s and I know your parents drive you insane and you never wanted to stay here long term.”
“Tim, what are you saying?”
“Let’s move to LA.”
He watched as Lucy’s mouth dropped open in surprise and he had to fight the urge to laugh at the complete shock on her face.
“Oh my god I thought you were breaking up with me.”
“What? No! Never!” Tim did laugh then, and she joined him, though he could hear that she was still nervous.
“I can transfer there easily, and there will be more opportunities for you there. It isn’t too far I could come visit Genny and the kids at the weekend, you could visit your parents too and-”
“Are you sure?”
“I love you, Lucy Chen. I’ve loved you since I was 13 years old and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You stayed these last few months for us, it’s time I left for you.”
Tim watched as a single tear rolled down her cheek. He reached out to catch it with his thumb and offered her a smile that he hoped was reassuring.
“I love you,” she said, and then her face lit up with the biggest smile he had seen in a long time. “Let’s go to LA.”
6 months later
Lucy took Tim’s hand in hers as they left his truck, both walking side by side towards the building in front of them. Their colleagues smiled in passing and as they got to the front door Tim dropped her hand, but only long enough to open the door for them, before he took it again.
“Ready for another shift, Sergeant Bradford?” Lucy asked with a cheeky smile on her lips.
Tim had got promoted shortly after arriving at Mid Wilshire precinct. The hours were difficult at first, longer shifts, less opportunity to take lunch together at their apartment, where Lucy was studying for her own future.
A future she was now living and couldn’t be happier with.
“With you by my side? Always.”
“Oh gag!” Lucy laughed, hitting him playfully on the arm.
“Chen!”
“Hey Nolan,” Lucy greeted, “What’s up?”
“I’ve got a case for you, just brought him in, attempted suicide, but we didn’t have any psych team available. Honestly, we could do with about 10 of you.”
“Yeah, well if the trial goes well, maybe there will be. I’ll just drop off my stuff and meet you at the break room? Assuming that’s where he is?”
“Yeah, see you there.”
Nolan left, leaving Lucy and Tim alone.
“Well, duty calls,” Lucy leaned up and pressed a kiss against Tim’s cheek. “Hopefully this won’t take too long, and I’ll be out on patrol with you before lunch?”
“Fingers crossed, they’ll probably send me out with Smitty in the meantime.”
“Oh, in that case I’ll take my time.”
Lucy laughed at the look Tim threw her way as she turned for the break room.
After joining Mid Wilshire, Tim had heard word of a trial they were partaking in, pairing cops with trained psychiatrists for calls that needed support and help that the police weren’t trained for. He had been nervous suggesting it to Lucy, and, as he expected, she had been reluctant at first at the idea of going back to psychiatry. But, after they did some reading on it, Lucy realized that this was the exact sort of opportunity she needed. She could help people, actually make a difference and wouldn’t be stuck behind a desk. And, getting to ride with Tim more days than not, well that was just a bonus.
So, after a three-month training course, she joined the precinct as one of three trained psychiatrists. The trial was going well so far, and they hoped to extend the team. Lucy would be part of the training scheme, putting her months teaching abroad to good use.
It felt like every little part of her life was coming together, that every decision she had ever made had put her on this path, and she couldn’t be happier. She could tell Tim was happy too.
As they should be, with their wedding quickly approaching.
Three months later
Lucy stood at the post office desk. She counted the invitations again, despite checking them three times in the house, and once in the car. She wasn’t sure there was any point in sending invitations out, they were getting married in Barnsville and the entire town was no doubt going to show up even if they were invited or not, but her parents had insisted.
Lucy’s relationship with them had healed from the middle distance now between them. It was the perfect distance really. She could visit them when she wanted, but was far enough away that they couldn’t show up at her doorstep unannounced. Her relationship with Tim, who her mom had always loved, and stable job had given them enough to talk about now too, and less to criticize her over. Lucy felt that for the first time they were actually proud of her.
The fiftieth letter landed on the desk, leaving Lucy with only one left in her hand.
She felt a bit silly writing it and had planned on posting it with no address but now she was faced with letting it go, she found that she couldn’t do it.
Instead, she tucked it back into her bag.
Back at home, she reached up to the top shelf of the wardrobe in her and Tim’s bedroom, where she kept the book Jean had made her.
Flipping through the pages, Lucy found herself reading over each letter she had sent Jean. The countries she had visited, the things she had seen, the adventures she had been on. And yet, every single one ended with the same line:
I hope Tim is doing well.
Despite the distance, the time, he had always been a part of her. And in a few months they would be starting the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.
Lucy took the final invitation, pressed a kiss to the seal and slipped it into the back page.
It looked like all the others, but she had written a note on the back. Tim had held her in his arms as she wrote it. He had shed a few tears of his own when he read her words.
To Jean,
You were right, he’s the one. We wish you could be there, but we know you will be there in spirit.
We love you and miss you every day.
Thank you for never giving up on us.
Lucy and Tim.