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Tim peeks his head into the bedroom and watches as Lucy pulls on her dress. She catches his eyes and smirks at him.
“Are you spying on me Bradford?” She asks a teasing lilt in her voice. He walks over to her and wraps his arms around her middle and rests his chin on her shoulder.
“So what if I am?” He asks and she turns a bit so she can kiss him.
“I like it.” She tells him. “But why are you doing it?” He laughs at her question and squeezes her a little before letting her go and taking a step back.
“I was just making sure you are almost ready. We have a reservation.” He says pointedly. She grins at him as she turns around and puts her earrings in.
“I know you have mentioned the reservation like ten times.” She says. She breezes by him on her way to the closet. He watches as she bends down searching for her shoes.
And normally he wouldn’t be so uptight about a restaurant reservation but they were having dinner with Genny and his nephews at a nice restaurant. He already knew Genny loves Lucy, he swears they hang out more than he does with Genny. And he knows his nephews like her too although they didn’t know her as well. So this dinner was to test the waters before he proposes. Soon.
Lucy pops out again from the closet with high heeled shoes that look painful to wear. But she slips them on with ease.
She walks over to him and kisses him on his cheek softly. “I love you .” She mutters and he grins back at her, he kisses her gently on the lips knowing if he does anymore they wouldn’t make it to dinner.
“I love you too.” He says and she grabs her purse and then pulls him out of the bedroom.
“Bye Kojo!” She yells at the dog who is resting in the corner. “Be a good boy.” Tim hears the dog grunt but he doesn’t lift his head.
Lucy pulls Tim out the door and to his truck. He takes over now and backs her against the door. She squeals in surprise but laughs as he kisses her again and again. “You look beautiful tonight.” He says softly. Lucy traces her finger across his lips, and then leans forward to kiss him a little harder than before.
Tim still can’t believe this is his life. They have been dating for over a year now, and sometimes he has to step back in awe. He never thought in a million years he would be dating Lucy. All the trails, all the heartbreak and healing that got them here was 100% worth it in his book. He thinks of the small ring box that is hidden in his sock drawer and he knows he’s going to be pulling it out in the near future. He knows because Lucy is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
“Hey.” Lucy’s voice brings him out of his thoughts. He looks at her and she’s still smiling at him. “Are you okay?” She asks him. He nods and gives her one last kiss before he backs up.
“We should get going.” He says and she pushes of the truck giving him a look before she goes to the other side. He climbs into the truck and she slides in next to him. She immediately reaches for his hand.
“Are you nervous?” She asks him. He raises his eyebrows at her, a little befuddled by her question.
“No. It’s just my sister and my nephews.” He says. “You have met them before.” She nods in agreement.
“Right but we never have had dinner with them before. I mean all together.” She points out and he frowns. That couldn’t be right.
“We have been together for more than a year and we haven’t had dinner with my family?” Tim asks and she shrugs.
“We have busy schedules and lives Tim. But its okay because we are doing it tonight.” She says and he smiles at her. Right.
He starts the truck and backs out of the driveway, the drive down the street is quiet but comfortable.
They get to the restaurant in plenty of time and Tim sees his sister and nephews walk up to the door. Tim gets out of the truck and comes around to Lucy’s side. She slides her hand into his and he brings it up to his mouth to kiss it.
“I love you.” He mutters to her. He doesn’t know what makes him say it for the second time that night. He just needs her to know. She pulls him to a stop, and reaches up to kiss him.
“I love you too baby.” She says. “Now let’s go I’m starving.”
***
Tim smiles as Tyler recounts something that happened in PE class today. Lucy is listening intently and Tim is watching her. She’s beautiful and perfect, and she’s all his. Hopefully forever. Lucy high fives Tyler, effectively bringing Tim out of his thoughts. Genny laughs at her son and Lucy and reaches over to touch Tim’s hand.
“She’s great Tim.” Genny tells him. “With the boys. She’s a natural.” Tim nods in agreement. He always know Lucy had this natural maternal instinct to her.
“Do you have any funny stories about Uncle Tim?” Tyler asks Lucy and she turns to him her eyes sparkling.
“Oh so many.” She says and he rolls his eyes at her. He reaches over to pinch her thigh and she squeals softly. “There was one time he was mistaken as a stripper but I wasn’t there.” Tim bows his head down as he suddenly feels four pairs of eyes on him.
“Tim?” Genny questions and he knows she’s laughing.
“I just didn’t announce myself!” He says and he feels himself flush red. “Not a big deal.” Lucy scoots towards him so their legs are brushing and she kisses him on the cheek softly. “I’ll make it up to you later.” She whispers in his ear.
The conversation goes on and Tim feels lighter than he has in a long time. He tugs Lucy closer so he’s breathing in her scent. Lucy is talking to Genny and the boys, just being her sunshine self and Tim falls even more in love with her. He didn’t even think that was possible, but he does. And he think he will always be falling for her.
The check comes and Lucy snatches it before Genny could, a feeling of pride rising up in him as he snatches it from her.
She gives him a amused look but let’s it go. She slides out of the booth and says she needs to use the restroom. He watches her go and then turns to his nephews.
“So do you like Lucy?” He asks. Tyler grins at him and rolls his eyes a little.
“Yes. But we already liked her.” He says. “She’s different.. and she lets us play with Kojo.”
“I let you play with Kojo.” He says pointedly. Tyler laughs and nudges his little brother.
“Lucy says Kojo was her dog first.” Tyler says. Tim rolls his eyes of course she did. Tim sees Lucy making her way back from the bathroom and Tyler turns to him again his face serious this time.
“I think you should marry her Uncle Tim.” He says. Tim looks at Genny who has a sparkle in her eye and then back at Tyler who is still wearing a serious expression.
“Yeah?” He says and he once again thinks about the small box in his sock drawer. And he just knows he’s going to get it out soon.
“Oh for sure.” Says Tyler. “But I demand to be your best man.” Tim laughs as Lucy slides up next to him giving him a curious look.
“What’s so funny?” She asks him. He kisses the top of her head and shoots Tyler a meaningful look.
I think I should marry her too.
***
The next night, Tim pulls the ring box out of his sock drawer and slips it in his pocket. He finds Lucy wrapped in a blanket sitting on the porch stairs. The sun is just about to go down and more importantly it’s just them.
He stands in front of her and she looks up at him curiously. She looks as beautiful as last night and the natural light on her face just brings it out. He knows he’s blocking her view but he won’t be for long.
She turns away for just a minute and he gets down on one knee. When she turns back her mouth hangs open. She doesn’t say anything though, instead she bites her lip.
“Lucy, you are by far the best thing that’s every happened to me and I fall in love with you every single day. And I hope you will let me do that for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?”
Lucy doesn’t answer straight away, and Tim heart pounds as he waits. Finally she reaches out to trace his lips with her finger.
“Yes Tim. Yes I will marry you.” She says her voice hitching a little. “Of course I will marry you.” He laughs as he stands up and pulls her up with him. She kisses him but it’s messy because she’s smiling so big. He slips the ring on her finger and then swings her around. She squeals but wraps her arms around his neck nonetheless.
Later they sit on one of the chairs together and Lucy lays her hand on his heart her ring sparkling even in the dark.
“What made you decide to ask tonight?” She asks him softly. He kisses the side of her head and thinks back to Tyler’s statement.
I think you should marry her Uncle Tim.
“Tyler.” He answers. “He said I should marry you and I was already planning to ask but it just kind of.. got me thinking. I want you for the rest of my life. So why not start now?”
Lucy laughs clearly pleased by his answer and buries her face into his neck.
He laughs as he holds her and he knows Tyler would be very pleased know Tim took his advice.
He couldn’t wait to marry Lucy.