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Their third true-crime documentary has just been released on Netflix. As they pull over in the Mid-Wilshire parking lot together. Lucy almost begs Tim to watch it with her. But, in typical Tim fashion, he shakes his head and says, "NO... NO... NO... That’s not gonna happen. It's bad enough that I had to participate in that nonsense. Please, Lu, spare me the agony of sitting through it. I promise to sit through any stupid show you want, but not this one. Please, have some mercy."
“Okay, Jezz. Tim, try not to be so dramatic. I won't pressure you. However, I'd like to let you know that Tamara and I will be watching it on television together in the living room,” Lucy says with a playful eye roll. Tim responds, "Then I'll spend the night at my house. The voice of that director, interviewer, or whoever he is just pisses me off. I just hate that he keeps on comparing our relationship to that of Jake and Sava’s. I wish I could punch him in the face and remove that smug smile.” "Hush, baby. He isn’t that bad. Besides, we are the star of this documentary. Thus, I am happy and super excited to watch it,” Lucy says while trying to conceal a smile.
Tim looks at Lucy with feigned annoyance and narrowed eyes as they walk into the station together. “Huh, I'm just waiting for this shift to end. Looking forward to hearing all the compliments. I hope Nana watches it today,” Lucy announces with excitement as she rocks on her feet. “Thank goodness I didn't read Jake's sexts. Nana would have suffered a heart attack if I had read those. Those were filthy,” she says, her expression changing from excitement to disgust. "And that asshole of a director compared me to that perverted freak," Tim interjects. Lucy giggles a little, amused by Tim's hatred of the director. Then she stands on her tiptoes and draws him close to give him a gentle kiss. So that he calms down before his long and tiring shift. Her kiss works like a miracle as it brings a smile to Tim's face.
After her shift, Lucy meets Tim at his office where she finds him buried in paperwork. She checks if he would reconsider her offer. He, however, denies saying, "I'm sorry, baby. I'm not going to be able to endure that monstrosity. I'll pick you up tomorrow and bring you breakfast." He then stands up and leans forward, kissing Lucy on the lips. Lucy utters an ‘okay’ and makes her way out of his office.
When Lucy arrives at her apartment, Tamara is there to greet her with a bowl of popcorn. To save time, she’s already showered at the station.
Lucy and Tamara laugh throughout the documentary, particularly after seeing how nervous Lucy appears in her intro scene. When the director asks, "And was it around that time you and Tim became intimate?" Of course, she has denied it on screen, but she knows deep down that this case was the catalyst for their relationship. Tamara smirks and turns to face her. Lucy tries to hide her embarrassment. She recalls Tamara catching her kissing Tim under the pretense of practice. Tamara starts cackling, which makes Lucy fluster even more. To stop her, Lucy gives her a scowl, which has no effect on Tamara. She thus finally cracks an uneasy smile of acceptance, Tamara nudges her, and they resume watching. Lucy has her eyes closed throughout the scene in which Jake's corpse is shown on screen. She is unwilling to open that emotional box. She simply doesn't want to think about it any further because the nightmares haven't stopped. Rather she tries to focus on the other hilarious scenes in the documentary such as John’s reaction while going through Jake's sexts, Grey’s reaction to the photo they all gifted him, and many more. However, according to Tamara, the funniest scene in the entire documentary is when Lucy refers to Tim as a 'softie' and the director follows up with the same question to Tim. And he gives a typical 'scary Tim' look while saying, ‘Do I look like a softie?', which prompts the director to retract his statement.
Lucy’s heart breaks for Sava when the documentary shows her intoxicated and back to her criminal ways after Jake's death. She hopes and prays that a miracle occurs and Sava undergoes a positive change. Despite Sava’s criminal ways, she did experience a great deal of trauma because a man she truly loved betrayed her just before he died. Finally, they're in the documentary's final scene, where the director compares her and Tim's relationship to Jake and Sava's. Even she is irritated by the director's line of questioning. But when she sees Tim defending their relationship, her heart melts and she falls even more in love with him (if that is even possible, as she is already head over heels for Tim). The documentary concludes with a still of her and Tim looking into each other's eyes. She laughs, thinking they must have edited the part where Tim signaled them to get out of her apartment.
After the documentary is done, Tamara retreats to her room to finish her homework. Lucy begins to check her phone for the first time in the day. Since she has vowed not to look at her phone until she has finished watching. Her phone is full of text message notifications, all congratulating her on her latest true-crime documentary. Most of them are her friends from college or police academy and even some of her not-so-toxic cousins. Still, she feels a little down, as she was expecting a text message or call from her Aunt Amy or her Nana.
As if on cue, her phone starts to ring, and Aunt Amy's name appears on the mobile screen. Before her aunt could respond, Lucy answers the phone and asks, "Hello, Aunt Amy, did you watch my most recent true-crime documentary?" with a delightful smile on her face.
Aunt Amy: “Yes, sweetheart. I called to express my congratulations. You were fantastic in this documentary. You have a great screen presence. Additionally, this documentary was really eye-opening. I have heard that there are at least seven people in the world who look alike, but I have never believed it. But, Lucy, this Sava girl looks exactly like you. And Sergeant Bradford is spitting image of her boyfriend. I'm amazed!”
Lucy agrees, grinning at the thought that Tim wouldn't have been happy about Aunt Amy's 'spitting image' remark. Then she hears some commotion on the other side of the call. Then Aunt Amy resumes speaking,
Aunt Amy: “Lucy, my dear, your Nana is getting impatient. Please speak with her; she's almost snatching the phone out of my hand. (Aunt Amy giggles and says, “Yes, yes, Ma. I apologize for wasting Lucy's and your valuable gossip time. Come take the phone and talk to her.”)
Lucy laughs as she hears her grandmother sassing her own daughter to take the phone. She thinks she has definitely inherited her sass from her grandmother. Her mother used to say the same thing to her. She was always told that her rebellious steak was inherited from her grandmother. This was her mother's attempt to humiliate her, but it had the opposite effect: her similarity with her grandmother made her feel like she belonged to the family in which she grew up. Her grandmother's voice brings her back when her grandmother begins to say,
Nana: “Lulu, my dear, I am extremely proud of you. You did a great job in that documentary. And my goodness, you looked so beautiful. By the way, did you wear the talisman that I gave to ward off the evil eye? I do not want any jealous person casting an evil eye on my favorite granddaughter!”
Although Lucy has conflicting views about whether to believe in the whole 'evil eye' concept, she can never not do something her Nana asks her to do. So she did put on the talisman. As a result, she responds, "Yes, Nana. As instructed, I wore it around my upper left arm inside my uniform vest as well as my top.”
Nana: “Good girl. By the way, Lulu, you have got yourself quite a handsome guy. My future grandson-in-law looks like a movie star. You should be cautious of all the ladies around him, though. Heavens forbid, but if I had been younger and you weren't related to me, I might well have tried my luck. Your man appears to be someone who enjoys taking charge in bed, just like your Pops."
Lucy and Aunt Amy both squeal a simultaneous 'ew…' in response to her grandmother’s indecorous talk. Lucy can hear Aunt Amy's whinny complain over the phone, “Ma, why would you traumatize me by saying such things about my dead father? Also, could you please stop mortifying this poor girl with such talks?" She hears her grandmother's sarcastic laugh, " Oh, come on! Do not be such a prude; you are a grown woman with a husband of your own, so stop acting as if you have no idea what goes on in a bedroom. Furthermore, as Lulu's grandmother, I have every right to tease her and hear all of her juicy gossips.” Aunt Amy appears to be succumbing to her mother's impertinence as she stops objecting to her mother any further. Nonetheless, her grandmother now asks her, much more solemnly,
Nana: "Jokes aside, Lulu. I'm just curious. Does he make you happy? You're not dating him under duress, are you? I mean, wasn't he the one who trained you and isn’t he your boss?"
"I'm happiest when he's around. I've never been happier. This is the most amazing relationship I have been in, since ever. And no, Nana, he did not coerce me into our relationship; he would never do such a thing. Instead, he even quit his favorite job so that he would no longer be my superior and we could date openly, and most importantly, so our relationships would be appropriate. He is the most honorable person I have ever met. He prioritizes my needs over his. We've only been dating for a few months, but these are the best months of my life. He understands me like no one else. I feel so seen when I am with him. Although we are very different, we work very well together. Tim completes me. Even though I realize it's too soon to confess my love for him, I can already see myself growing old with him. The thought of messing this up in some way or of him not feeling the same way about me shakes me to my core.” Lucy says with a jittery laugh. “The thought of screwing this up in some way, or of him not feeling the same way about me, sends shivers down my spine," Lucy says with a nervous laugh. "You and Pops were married for over 50 years, Nana. The happiest marriage I've ever witnessed is yours. I've always desired a married life like yours. Your love has always inspired me. Did you have the same feelings for Pops as I do for Tim?" Lucy inquires, a little nervously. Her grandmother draws a deep breath and begins to speak.
Nana: “Lulu dear, allow me to tell you about my love story. I was betrothed to your granduncle, your pops’ older brother, as our families come from neighboring villages. However, he had always been boring to me, so being the rebel that I am, I rejected him. It was far too scandalous back then. This did two things: it made me the family's black sheep and it helped me stay in school. Anyway, as things begin to return to normal for me, I met your grandfather and father at my village's winter fair. I was there with my friend Nuo, who eventually became your grand aunt. When your granduncle approached me and thanked me for rejecting him because Nou and he were in love but were too afraid to tell his parents. And before I knew it, those two had left us to go explore the fair. In the beginning, I thought your Pops was smug, arrogant, rude, and completely despised. So, as those two went off to enjoy the fair without interruption, they left your Pops and me alone. I initially despised your Pops; he was smug, arrogant, and had that city vibe. We frequently got into arguments when we got together, and even when we weren't, we kept complaining about each other Every day, I cursed Nou for dragging me along as a cover while she went on dates with your granduncle. But, as time passed, I discovered that your Pops was not only a genuine person but also a mathematical genius. My weakest subject was that, so I requested his tutoring. While your grandaunt and granduncle swam in the sea of love, your Pops and I solved mathematical problems. He was anything but lenient with me. However, once he recognized my potential, he became very encouraging, and we eventually became almost friends. We enjoyed each other's company, and as we talked, we realized that, despite our differences, we understood each other in a way that no one else had ever done before. One day, when Nou's older brother was about to catch them, I simply held your Pops' hand and walked past him to divert his attention to us out of instinct. Although we never vocally acknowledged it, that miniscule touch changed everything. Nevertheless, all hell broke loose when he snitched about us to our families. Both of our families were vehemently opposed to the idea of us being together. My family locked me in the house and threatened to beat your Pops. For almost a year, they didn’t let me out, not even to the school. During that time, my parents tried to find me a match, but by God's grace, I managed to dodge them. Even though I didn't know how your Pops felt about me, I simply couldn't fathom being with someone else given how strongly I felt about your Pops. Your Pops' parents, on the other hand, forced him to return to the city where he was studying. They didn't want their prodigal son to be involved with a rebel who had disobeyed them by breaking off her engagement to their older son. Despite his attempts to resist, your great-grandmother threatened him with suicide in order to force him to leave. As all this was going on, we had no idea how one person felt about another. We were waiting without expecting anything. And when we finally met after almost a year, I burst into tears at the sight of him and jumped into his embrace. I never thought I could miss someone as much as I missed your Pops, and then I instantly blurted out that I loved him. He simply looked into my eyes with those big, beautiful brown eyes of his that you have inherited, smiled, and said, 'You took pretty long. I've been in love with you since we solved our first sum together.' And from that moment, I knew your Pops was the one. We eloped and then moved to this country, where he worked menial jobs to keep me in school because he knew I wanted to be a teacher. He gave up on pursuing his engineering dream, and he never held it against me. He merely desired my success. But once we had some stability in our lives—after I got a good job and our kids started going to college—your Pops did return to school, and being the brilliant man that he was, he finished his engineering. In every way, we were each other's support system, protector, best friend, pillar, and partner. Don't get me wrong: we fought and argued a lot, but we also genuinely loved each other. We found our zhī yīn in each other. I lost him almost five years ago, but I still feel his presence around me. I know he's waiting for me on the other side, so we can fight some more when I join him. Lulu, I'm telling you this because you should only pursue your relationship if you feel this way about your man. If what I said makes sense to you and you feel even a speck of it for your man, I would advise you not to hold back your emotions because you only get one chance to be with your zhī yīn in your lifetime, and you should take advantage of it, so you don't have to regret it later.”
A sense of relief washes over Lucy when she realizes how similar her and Tim's story is to her grandparents'. Her grandmother's words simply add context to something she has already known but has chosen to ignore for longer than she is willing to accept. She feels maybe not now, but soon she will be there when she will be able to vocalize it. She calmly says "thank you" in a quiet voice to her grandmother and she is sure her grandmother got her. As her grandmother continues in a kind voice.
Nana: “Lulu, I'd like to present you with my favorite pearl earrings. This was your grandfather's first gift to me. I want you to wear these to your wedding one day. I had always intended to give them to you once you found your Zhiyin, and now that you have, I'd like to give them to you. I may die before I see you walk down the aisle, but knowing you have this trinket will allow me to die in peace. I believe you are the only one who understands the emotions involved. But of course, only wear them if they complement your gown.”
Lucy can hear her grandmother's gentle giggle, but her grandmother's words are tinged with melancholy. “Nana don't say that, please. I want you to be there when Tim and I get married. Don't send such negative thoughts out into the universe," she grumbles like a petulant child. Upon finishing her sentence, Lucy notices that she just used the word "husband" and Tim's name in the same sentence. When it comes to any of her ex-boyfriends, she has never done this. She doesn't feel strange or scared; rather, like everything else with Tim, this thought also comes effortlessly. As if reading her mind, her grandmother asks,
Nana: "Doesn't it feel good, Lulu, to think of Tim as your husband?"
Lucy timidly agrees with a low, almost whispering "yes." This makes her grandmother chortle, and she declares,
Nana: “See, this is how you feel when you have found your zhī yīn. It's been five years since mine left me here, and he's getting a little impatient up there. So, I hope you understand why I'm in a hurry.”
"Nana, please," Lucy begs, trying hard not to cry. But somehow, she does understand how her grandmother feels; she hasn't been with Tim for that long, and the thought of living without him kills her. Her grandparents, on the other hand, have spent almost their entire lives together. She then recalls how she felt seeing Jake's dead body, and she can't be grateful enough for Tim's presence in the room when Aaron radioed. She closes her eyes and prays to the universe to spare her from ever existing in a world where Tim doesn’t. In any case, her grandmother senses her mood and makes an attempt to lift her spirits by saying:
Nana: "Lulu, please do remind me to put a curse on that stupid director for casting an evil eye on your relationship. I wanted to slap him across the face for his distasteful questioning.”
Lucy's mood does shift as she titters and replies, "Nana, Tim will be glad to hear this. Even he hates the director." Her grandmother concurs.
Nana: “Oh, that earns your man an extra point. I was already a fan, and now I like him even more.”
Lucy chuckles at grandmother's retort and says, feigning irritation, "Nana, you are incorrigible." Her grandmother simply says 'meh' before continuing,
Nana: “While we're on the subject, when will I get to meet my future grandson-in-law? I know you're both busy, but could you please make time to meet this old lady?”
Lucy is ecstatic at the prospect of Tim getting to know her grandmother. "Sure, Nana, I'll check with him," she responds. "He generally keeps busy these days, but the next time he has a day off, I'll try to take the same day off as well so we can meet for brunch. You, me, my aunt Amy, and him?" She hears her grandmother's voice in agreement as she says it in a playful voice.
Nana: Lulu, I'll be waiting for your call. Your aunt Amy is giving me ominous looks, so I believe it is past my bedtime. So, my sunshine, good night; be safe; and remember how much your Nana loves you. Also, don't forget to tell your man that I not only approve of him but that I already adore him."
As Lucy disconnects the call after greeting her 'good nights' and 'love yous' to her grandmother and aunt, the advice from her grandmother to ‘not hold back her emotions because a person only gets one chance to be with their zhī yīn’ floods Lucy's mind, making her heart swell up. She is certain Tim is her soulmate, and this realization makes her want to leap into his arms. While she contemplates going to his place, she hears her apartment’s doorbell ring. As she peers through the peephole, she sees Tim holding Kojo's crate in one hand and his leash in the other. She simply smiles to herself before opening the door, as she is convinced that Tim is indeed her ‘zhī yīn’.