Chapter Text
Tim really didn’t think this would happen again. After Lucy’s father came, he was more on alert. He didn’t want to be surprised again and not ready to handle.. someone.
And yet—
He let his guard down and when there was a knock on his door he didn’t look up.
“Excuse me.” An unfamiliar voice says. Tim does look up and sees a woman standing in the doorway. She has a hard look on her face, her eyes narrowed and he knows who it is.
Damn it.
He has seen pictures of Lucy’s mom. But he has never actually had the pleasure of meeting her.
“Hello.” Tim says standing up and putting his hands behind his back. Her father never figured out they had already gotten married. He has a feeling it would be worse with her mother. “May I help you?” Vanessa Chen looks at him, her mouth still in a frown.
“You are Tim Bradford?” She asks. Tim nods. “You are engaged to my daughter?”
“I am.” Tim says and he can’t help but smile at that. Vanessa comes further into the office.
“You are the man she texted us about and told us that she was moving in with you.” Vanessa says. It’s not a question but a statement. Vanessa knows who he is, her husband probably told her. He is a little afraid to know what Patrick Chen said. Tim nods.
“Yes ma’am.”
“That wasn’t that long ago.” Vanessa says. “And now you are engaged.”
“We have known each other for a long time ma’am.” Tim says politely and calmly. “It wasn’t a rash decision on my part.”
“Yet you didn’t ask her father for permission.” Vanessa says. Tim swallows a little.
“To be fair, I didn’t know you. We have never met and Lucy—”
“You think you know what my daughter wants?” Vanessa asks. “You don’t. You got her kidnapped.”
“I know Lucy. She doesn’t believe that her dad needs to give permission.” Tim says. “And no getting kidnapped was not part of the plan.”
“You—”
“Sergeant Bradford.” A voice cuts her off and Tim looks up to see Lucy, because she would show up at exactly the right time. “Mom.” Lucy walks into the office past her mom and stands in front of the desk.
“Lucy.” Vanessa says tearing her eyes away from Tim. “Why did I have to hear from your father that you are indeed engaged to a man who put you in danger?”
“I don’t know mom.” Lucy says. “You could have asked me.” Vanessa frowns at her, and then turns to look at Tim. “Tim didn’t put me in danger. It’s a little complicated but none of that is his fault.”
“I don’t approve of this.” She says it directly to his face as if that’s going to change his mind.
(It wouldn’t not even a little).
“I know,” Lucy says drily. “Dad said as much and it doesn’t really matter. I love Tim. He loves me. You don’t have to approve. I’m marrying him anyway.”
Vanessa turns away from Tim and looks at Lucy. Tim’s shoulders drop in relief. But he straightens up a little. He is going to defend Lucy no matter what, and he would marry her again.
(Which is the plan.)
He wouldn’t let her mom intimidate him.
“You never called me like your father told you too.” Vanessa says. Lucy sighs and Tim remembers her struggling to do it. She spent two hours curled up on the sofa with her phone in hand.
The thing is, she wants to fix her relationship with her parents. She wants to have one with them so in the future—
But she knows her parents, and now Tim was beginning to see the bigger picture. They didn’t see this version of Lucy in their plans. They wanted her to do what they wanted. Lucy was free, independent and doing what she loved and wanted. She was with who she wanted to be with.
Her parents never would have chosen him for her.
So she did agonize over it until Tim pulled her up, put her phone aside and brought her to bed.
“I’m sorry mom.” Lucy says. “I got busy and I forgot. But you really should give me some warning.”
“I just wanted to see if your father was right.” Vanessa says turning her attention back to Tim.
“He said this man was useless and had no backbone.” Vanessa says. Tim sees the shift in Lucy before Vanessa does. She steps towards her, her eyes alight with anger.
“How dare you.” She says and her voice is surprisingly calm. “How dare you insult my fiancé. You don’t know him. You didn’t even bother. He is not useless and he is the best man I know.” Tim blinks.
“Lucy—” Vanessa starts but Lucy’s not done.
“He was very nice to dad despite dad being a jerk to him. I don’t care if you approve or not. I don’t care if you disagree with my life choices.” Lucy says. “I am happy. I am exactly where I need to be.”
Tim steps closer to Lucy, he doesn’t touch her but he is behind her. Supporting her.
“How are you—”
“You may leave now.” Lucy says her voice still calm. “You don’t have a visitor’s pass. We will call someone to escort you out.”
Vanessa turns up her nose, and then looks at Lucy. “Lucy, we just want what is best for you.” She says.
“I’m happy.” Lucy says. “That’s all that should matter.” Vanessa shakes her head a little, and maybe Tim has some hope she would come around.
But she just turns around and leaves without another word.
Lucy is silent and then she turns to look at him. “I am sorry.” She says.
“For what?”
“Both my parents showing up without warning.” Lucy says but it’s not like she could have known.
“It’s not your fault Luce.” He says. “And I have met them now so—”
Lucy sighs and Tim lifts her chin up to meet his eyes. “Still.” She says. “I wish they would just be happy for me.”
“I do too.” Tim says. “But nothing they say or do will make me not want to marry you…again.” Lucy cracks a smile and then pulls him down to kiss her and he forgets for a moment they are at work.
“Really?” She asks. “You love me that much?” Tim hums softly and then takes a step back.
“I do.”
“And you want to marry me in front of our family and friends.” She asks.
“I do. And I want you to invite your parents.” He says. She raises her eyebrows at him.
“They could have ignored you and stayed silent but they came to meet me.” Tim says. “I think part of them wants to fix their relationship with them. They are just doing it how they want.”
“Maybe you are right.” Lucy says. Tim smiles and he feels a little bit of weight being lifted off him.
“But whether they are there or not—I’m going to marry you.” He says.
“Good.” She replies. “You better be waiting for me.” Tim nods and he can’t wait.
“I love you.” He says and he says it everyday. Before work, after work. In a quick text message asking her what she wants for lunch. But it always feels good saying it out loud and it feels even better when she says it back.
“I love you too.”