Work Text:
Lucy hums as she dresses Daisy in the little sheep costume she got her. Her daughter giggles as she puts her arms through.
“Mama!” Ava comes running into the room with her sheep costume half on.
“Hi baby.” Says Lucy shaking her head at her two year old. “I will help you in a minute okay?” Ava nods and Lucy continues to dress Daisy. Once she’s done, she turns to her oldest daughter and bends down helping her get her costume on.
“Cute?” Ava asks her tilting her head at Lucy. “Me cute?”
“Very cute.” Lucy says kissing Ava’s head. “Now daddy has to come home and get into his costume.”
Ava claps her hands eagerly and toddles off. Lucy picks up Daisy, and follows Ava who is crawling carefully down the stairs.
“Where daddy?” Ava asks Lucy once she reaches the bottom.
“Daddy went to the store to get candy.” Lucy says herding Ava towards the living room. They had done everything last minute this Halloween. Candy, costumes, decorating. They had been so busy in between work and having two kids they just didn’t really think of it this year.
Until…
Lucy saw this adorable video of a family as Woody, Bo Peep and a sheep. It made her heart melt and while she knew dressing up wasn’t Tim’s favorite thing she knew he would do it for them.
She wanted Tim to see the girls in their costumes first knowing he would be a puddle on the floor the minute he saw them.
She gives Ava her tablet and turns on a show for her, putting Daisy next to her and then she goes into the kitchen to clean up.
The door opens a few minutes later and Lucy hears Ava squeal and run to the front. She hears Ava’s giggles and then Tim comes into the living room holding Ava and stops short when he sees Daisy in her sheep costume.
She grins at the look on his face, its a soft look one that she knows all too well.
“Luce.” Tim is in the kitchen now and he’s holding both girls in his arms. “Why are they dressed like sheep?”
“It’s their Halloween costumes.” She replies. “Aren’t they adorable?”
“Are you trying to kill me with their cuteness?” He asks burying his face into Ava’s soft little hood.
“Wait till you see mine.” She says grinning up at him. “And yours.” He tries to frown but then his eyes are on Ava again who is playing with his shirt with her finger.
“I’m cute!” She tells Tim excitedly. “Mama said!”
“You are very cute Ava.” He says his voice cracking a little. “You too Daisy.” Daisy just looks up at him with big eyes and then lays her head on his shoulder.
Lucy smiles and gives him a small kiss. “I’m going to get changed into mine. And then you can put yours on.” She tells him. She kisses Ava’s cheek and then Daisy’s.
She goes up the stairs and she hears Tim following her slowly, asking the girls what mama has planned for him.
She changes into her costume quickly. It’s not much just a dress that looks like Bo Peep’s and she already has her sheep. She just needs her sheriff.
Tim comes into the room and his jaw drops when he sees her.
“All right Woody.” She says taking Daisy from him and handing him his costume. “Giddy up.” He sighs and puts Ava on the floor and then goes to the bathroom to change. She hears him grumbling to himself and when he comes out he has a frown on his face.
“I look ridiculous.”
“You look handsome.” She says going over and adjusting his hat. “And besides..how can you say no to this face?” She holds Daisy up and she squeals reaching for Tim. Tim’s face softens immediately and he takes Daisy and hitches her on his hip.
“I’m only doing this because the girls look adorable.” He says.
“And what about me?” She asks him raising her eyebrows. He smirks at her and leans in to whisper in her ear.
“I can’t say what I want to say in front of the girls.” He says. “Later.”
She throws her head back and laughs and picks up Ava. “What do you say sheriff? Want to go get some candy?”
He sighs but nods and leads them downstairs. They grab the double stroller that had been heaven sent since Daisy was born and head outside. Lucy knows they won’t be out long but it doesn’t matter.
They were together and even if the girls didn’t remember this, Lucy would. She would remember Ava’s excited squeals and Daisy’s giggles. She would remember Tim doing this even if he wasn’t the biggest fan of it. But he did it to make them happy.
She would remember looping her arm with Tim as they walked down the street and their daughters watching everything and everyone curiously.
“Hey.” She stops Tim and he pauses and turns to look at her.
“I love you.” She says. And she tells him this all the time but it’s true. She falls in love with him more and more everyday. Even now. Even after all this time. And she really hopes she never stops falling.
He smiles softly at her and kisses her once and then twice. “I love you too.”
She glances in the stroller to see Daisy fast asleep and Ava dozing off. She nudges Tim and he turns the stroller around.
Just as they are approaching their house, they hear a familiar voice shout something from the street.
“Looking good Bradford! You make a great Woody!” Tim groans and turns around to see Smitty on the sidewalk. He pulls out his phone and there’s a bright flash as he takes a picture.
“The mini Chen-Bradfords are adorable too! You too Chen!” See you at work tomorrow.” He waves and before Tim can say anything he’s gone.
“Every time.” Tim mutters. “Every damn time.”
Lucy just laughs and kisses his cheek. She wouldn’t have it any other way.