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A lot had been going on in the Bradford house. Wedding plans were now set in stone. There was just little things here and there. Tamara was now officially a Bradford. Tim and Lucy had formally adopted her. Tamara had decided to live with her Mom, Dad and Kojo for the remainder of the school year. She was contemplating living on campus next year. However, Tim and Lucy wanted her to continue living with them. Tim wanted her to fully concentrate on school and not feel stressed with finances. Tamara was on a full scholarship. Tim was more than willing to help with any finances that she had so she wouldn’t have any extra stressors. Tamara had always been independent, working many jobs but it was getting to be a lot. After many conversations, Tim and Lucy made her realize she is not a burden, she is not alone anymore. She is their daughter. They wanted the absolute best for her. She finally came around and allowed her parents to help her out financially just like any loving parent would do for their child. She still demanded to keep one part time job to feel like she was contributing. She was right at the end of her semester before winter break. She was spending a lot of time at the library, but given what had happened with her attack a few weeks prior. She promised both Tim and Lucy she would return home before dark each night and do any night studying done at home.
Tim was right in the middle of a huge operation that Metro was heading. As he was the Metro Sergeant, some nights he was literally at the station or in the field on stakeouts around the clock. He had a couch in his office where he could catch little cat naps. Tim hated being away from Lucy. This was part of the job, unfortunately. Pine had given him a few hours off to go home and check in as he had spent the better part of a week working on this op. Tim and Lucy had a nice dinner together and were catching up on some top chef episodes. Tim had noticed something was off with his fiancée. For years now, he always noticed when things were off with her. Especially, the aftermath of her being kidnapped and trapped alone in that barrel. Tim still and probably would always carry a little guilt over the trauma she endured. Tim still felt he pushed her right towards Caleb even knowing full well he could have never foreseen what could have happened. Since that time, Tim would see when Lucy was feeling off in any way even through the years where they were denying their feelings and in the friend zone. Now, even more so that they were together and about to get married, that intuition was even stronger. As he was snuggled with the love of his life. He could see her physically struggling. She was congested and on a few occasions he could hear her breathing was a little laboured. She looked pale and seemed fatigued.
“Luce, baby. Are you ok? I can tell you aren’t feeling well”
“Tim. I’m fine. I think with work and the wedding planning, I am just run down. It’s just a common cold. I promise babe, I’m ok”
“Luce. I’m just worried. I never like to see you feeling like this. Especially, when I can’t be here to take care of you”
“Tim. If something serious come up. I assure you. You will be the first to know”
“OK. I will let this go, FOR NOW. I love you”
“I love you too, my fiancée”
“I CANNOT wait for you to become Mrs. Bradford”
Just as they were almost asleep in each others arms when Tim’s phone started chiming on the coffee table. “Ugh” Tim knew who exactly was interrupting them. As he picked up his phone and saw that he was in fact right. Pine was summoning him back to the station as they had a lead.
“I’m sorry, my love. I have to go”
“I know, babe. Stay safe and I love you”
“I love you too, beautiful. Take care of yourself. Promise me? And if you start to feel any worse, I want a call”
“I promise. Now get out of here and go save the world”
Tim grabbed his bag and keys. As he opened the door and looked back, he had a tear escape his eye. He never liked leaving her. Especially, when she wasn’t feeling well. All he wanted to do was take care of his girl. In that moment, he felt like he was failing her. This was the job and they both understood the sacrifices but it still never got any easier.
Tim pulled his phone out to make a phone call to their kiddo.
Tamara answered “Hey Dad. I’m just leaving the library and on my way home. Promise”
“Good. Hey kiddo. Listen. Luce isn’t feeling well and I have been called back into work. The last thing I wanted to do was leave. Of course, your mom is being well your mom. She is downplaying how she is feeling so I won’t worry. Can you please keep an eye on her? If anything seems even a little off, please call me right away”
“Of course I will. I will stay by her side. If anything seems off I will bomb your phone”
“Thank you, kid. Get home safe and text me when you get home. And…T? I love you”
“I love you too, Dad”
Tim had been staking out a situation for a few hours. He had headed back to the station to give an update to some of the team, catch a little rest. As Tim was sitting at his desk working on some paperwork, his phone started ringing. Seeing his daughters name flash across the screen.
“Hey, kid. Is everything ok?”
Tim could hear the panic in her voice.
“Dad. Something is wrong. Mom was having trouble breathing. I found her propped up in bed. Her breathing was wheezy and she was gasping. I called an ambulance. I don’t know if that was the right thing to do but I was scared”
“NO. T. You absolutely did the right thing. They didn’t want me to come in the ambulance. I am in my car about to go to the hospital. They wouldn’t tell me anything”
“T. Listen to me. I am heading to the hospital. I will be there as soon as I can. You just wait for me, ok?”
“Ok. I will see you soon”
“Kiddo. She’s gonna be fine. I promise you. I love you and will see you very soon”
Tim found Pine in her office. Telling her the situation with Lucy. Pine didn’t even hesitate and told Tim to go. He had been on this op around the clock and somethings matter more. She assured him they would cover the op in his absence. Ordering him to go and be with his family.
Tim raced to Shaw Memorial. He put the pedal to the metal like he was in a high speed chase all to get to his family. Tim bolted through the doors where their daughter was waiting for him.
Tamara’s face was puffy and red. She had been crying and full of worry.
“They won’t tell me anything. She has been back there for almost an hour”
“Come on, kid. Let’s go get some answers”
As they approached the nursing desk.
“My name is Sergeant Tim Bradford. This is our daughter and we would like to see my fiancée, Lucy Chen…NOW”
“Ok. Sir. Let me go and see what I can find out for you”
Ten minutes later, a doctor emerged from the back.
“I’m Dr. Brody. You are Lucy Chen’s family?”
“Yes. I am her fiancée and this is our daughter. I-Is she ok?”
“So. Firstly, your daughter did absolutely the right thing getting her here. Secondly, Lucy has pneumonia. After a chest X-ray, it was found there is a significant amount of fluid surrounding her lungs. There is extensive wheezing in her breathing. Her O2 sats were very low. We now have her on IV steroidal antibiotics. This will overtime, attack the infection. She will need to stay here for a few days on a strict medication protocol. I fully expect her to make a full recovery”
“Thank you, doc. When can we see her?”
“I will send a nurse to come and escort you shortly. She is being moved to a room now”
Tamara gasped out a breath of relief. Tim swiftly grabbing her into his arms.
“You did so good, kiddo. We are so lucky to have such a smart daughter”
“Thank you, dad. That was scary. You were right to be concerned. You knew something was off with mom”
“After so many years, I tend to see things with her that she doesn’t even see or because she is so stubborn refuses to see”
“Dad, you are in a for a crazy ride”
“Am I ever. I wouldn’t change a thing. Let’s go see your stubborn mom”
Tim and Tamara entered Lucy’s room. She had an IV running from her arm giving her medication. Oxygen prongs in her nose to keep her O2 sats elevated. She looked pale and tired. Lucy hears footsteps, opening her eyes and giving a vague smile. Tamara ran over to her beside.
“T. I’m ok. Thank you for getting me here. I am sorry for scaring you”
“I was terrified but I’m just glad you’re gonna make a full recovery. You know, dad knew. He ordered me to get home because he couldn’t be there. He didn’t believe your ‘I’m fine’ bit for a second”
“Oh, I am sure that’s true. I should really know by now that I can’t get anything past him”
“Yeah, you would think after all these years. You would just stop fighting everything and reside in that fact” added Tim.
“Ok. I could use some coffee. I am going to give you some time with dad”
Tamara passed Tim “Take it easy on her”
“No promises” Tim smirking
Tim made his way towards Lucy’s bedside. Interlocking his hand with hers.
“Baby. You scared me AGAIN. This has to stop”
“I know. I am sorry. I honestly knew I didn’t feel well but I never thought I was this sick”
“Uh huh. I should’ve never left you. I knew something was wrong and every part of me hated leaving”
“Babe. You could have never seen me becoming this sick. Of course, you called for reinforcements. We do have an amazing daughter”
“We sure do”
“I’m gonna be just fine. I will follow all doctors orders and more importantly yours”
“Have I died? Are you really gonna listen to me?”
“Oh, stop”
“Luce. You have been going non stop. Work, wedding planning. It’s been too much. I am going to do a better job of helping you. Whether you want me to or not. We are a team and I am going to offload any stress. I never want to see you sick like this every again. I was trying to keep it together for T. I was terrified. I love you so much”
“I love you, Bradford. Kinda ironic the vows in regards to ‘in sickness and in health’ rings even true before we are officially married”
“Yeah. The irony is not lost on me. How about we just concentrate on the health and not the sickness for the foreseeable future”
“Sounds good to me. I am tired. I am gonna try and get some rest”
“It’s about time. You sleep, gorgeous. I will be right here when you wake up”
Tim sent Tamara home. She had finals to prepare for and needed rest. He was not only in husband (almost) but also dad mode. He promised to give her play by play updates. Tamara reluctantly left. Tim sat beside Lucy’s bed. Feeling such relief and also pure love for his perfect family. Only four weeks until Lucy would officially be Mrs. Bradford.