Work Text:
“Tim, Lucy welcome to the Blessed Sacrament, we are so glad you have chosen our parish for you wedding.” Said the priest. His kindly face and lilting Irish accent instantly putting them at ease. “What brought you to us?”
“Well father, I was brought up a Catholic” starts Tim “I always imagined I would be married in church, my first marriage was on the beach and ended in divorce. I haven’t attended mass since my nieces christening when my uncle’s gut ended up in the holy water!” The priest laughed “but Lucy is it for me, my soul mate, and I want to do it right this time, does that make sense?”
“Absolutely, as you know, because you have been married before we cannot have communion at your wedding but we can still celebrate your marriage in front of God and with all of your friends and family.
“Oh my mother and sister will be so pleased, they have been dreaming of a church wedding and big hats since I proposed to Lucy.”
The priest smiled again and looked at Lucy who has been silent. “What about you Lucy? This is your wedding too and looking at the paperwork, your first marriage.
“I’m ethnically Chinese, my parents left communist China in the 1970s. They didn’t have religion as religion was banned there. I was born here in LA. My parents brought me up without religion but were ambitious for me. I went to Chaminade Prep in Chatsworth, where my parents live. Marrying in a Catholic Church is really important to Tim, and I understand more about Catholics than most non religious people because of my schooling”
The priest smiled “Chaminade prep was certainly ambitious of your parents Lucy and look how well you have done. They must be so proud of you”
Lucy looks down, she cannot look the priest in the eye and lie about her parents. The priest sensing some discord moves on.
“Okay, so I know you are both police officers and so am I right in assuming you met at work”
“Yes that is right father” Tim and Lucy blush
“Oh there is more to this story, then? Please tell me I love a good cute meet- I have young nieces too, they tell me all the cool phrases to say, so that people don’t think I am old”
Tim and Lucy look at each other and laugh “okay father it started something like this…”
Flash back 2 years
Lucy picked up her tumbler of whiskey and looked around the room. A sea of dress blues in front of her doing the same. She swirled the whiskey in the glass and raised her arm “to Jackson”, she shouted. “To Jackson” they replied in unison, clinking glasses. A lone tear escaped and she whispered “to Jackson” to herself before knocking back the whiskey, it burned as it slid down her throat and she grimaced. She looked into the crowd of blue and saw him staring at her. Piercing blue eyes, full of unshed tears. How does he always manage to look so impossibly handsome, surrounded by his peers and colleagues who all scrub up well in their dress blues. Even Smitty looked the part. Tim Bradford managed to look like a Calvin Klein model in an LAPD dress uniform. Lucy shook her head. Jackson’s funeral is not the time or the place to be thinking about how gorgeous her former TO looked. Lucy chuckled to herself, Jackson would have called her out for checking Tim out in his dress uniform. She could just hear him “eyes front officer Chen, officer Zaddy ain’t no oil painting… he’s a frigging fresco” he would say! She blushes at the memory. Jackson knew she had a crush, no had fallen hard for her hard ass TO. Jackson would get frustrated with her, tell her to do something about it. Tell her life was too short and Tim was too hot, to not try her luck. “Have you seen the way he looks at you girl…he wants to eat you up or out!” He would smirk and then laugh that deep belly laugh, that Lucy loved, at his own joke. Not tonight Chen she said to herself. Tonight is about Jackson, giving him the send off he deserves.
Tim swirled the glass of single malt, that Commander West had bought for the whole station to toast to Jackson. He watched as Lucy raised her arm to lead the toast. Quietly confident in front of a sea of blue she shouted “to Jackson” Tim raised his arm and repeated the toast. He swallowed the liquor, It burned in the way that only really good whiskey does. Tim watched as Lucy grimaced and laughed to himself. Why does she look so fucking gorgeous in everything she does. Tim shook his head, now was not the time be thinking about his ridiculously inappropriate crush on his old rookie. The hug they shared at his place set him alight in ways he hadn’t felt since Isabel. He knew it wasn’t appropriate to feel like this about a junior officer, he knew it would damage both their careers, but god she was heaven.
Guests were starting to leave the reception and just the Wests and the mid Wilshire crew remained. Lucy started to look for a ride share in her Uber app. Lucy knew there would be some liquor today and she didn’t want to risk driving. Tim stalked over “do you need a ride home? I didn’t see your car at the parking lot?” Lucy looked up at Tim and smiled. “I’d like that, I’m not a fan of driving when I have had any liquor and I don’t like taking Ubers alone.” Tim nodded and said “let’s say our goodbyes and we can leave whenever you are ready.” Lucy moved away and approached the Wests first “Commander and Mrs West I am so sorry for your loss, Jackson was like a brother to me. today was beautiful, a real fitting send off.” Janet West spoke first “thank you Lucy and please call us Percy and Janet, you were like a sister to Jackson he loved you so much.” Commander West interceded “don’t be a stranger Lucy, we want to keep up with all of your news.” Lucy gave them a watery smile and turned. Fleeting goodbyes to Nolan, Harper, Lopez, Smitty before Sargent Grey grabbed her into a bear hug saying “you did good today Chen.” meant that Lucy was ready to leave.
Lucy climbed into Tim’s truck and strapped herself in. She knew better than to fiddle with the ac or radio. Tim started the engine and to her surprise Taylor Swift started to play. “Didn’t have you down as a Swiftie, Tim” Lucy giggled. Tim blushed and said “I take my niece to softball practice occasionally and she picks the tunes. Plus the early Nashville stuff is actually quite good.” Lucy hummed along to the radio and stared out into the LA night, lights twinkling all around. Wondering what Jackson would make of Tim giving her a ride home listening to Taylor Swift.
“You did well today” said Tim, interrupting Lucy’s thoughts. “Burying a fellow officer is tough, burying your best friend is impossible to comprehend. I wouldn’t have held it together as well as you did if it had been Lopez”. Lucy smiled Tim was kind underneath the hard exterior and he cared about his friends. Lucy’s mind wandered back to the hug they had shared the night Jackson was killed. Maybe her crush wasn’t was one sided as she thought. The rest of the journey was filled with chatter about Tim’s niece and nephews, softball and little league, his sister Genny and his Mom. Lucy didn’t realise that Tim had such a big family with so many aunts, uncles and cousins. He never talked like this usually. Something had changed.
Tim pulled up outside Lucy’s apartment building. Lucy was reluctant to get out she had enjoyed chatting to Tim about non work related things. “So erm Luce, this has been nice, chatting to you tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to grab a drink after work one night?” Lucy nearly choked. “Like a date?” Tim look flustered and had gone bright red. “We can meet with the others too if you want, doesn’t have to be weird.” Tim back tracked. Lucy took a deep breath. She was shocked, she hadn’t expected Tim to ask her out.
“Yes erm no” she stuttered “look Tim our friendship is so important.. the most important relationship in my life now. We shouldn’t ruin it. It isn’t worth it”
“Unless it is” Tim said more confidently than he felt. Lucy smiled softly at him “okay, it’s a date, but let’s ask the others too, a non date- date takes the pressure off!” Tim laughed at her plan but nodded his head in agreement. What was wrong with a classic American dinner and a movie date. Trust Lucy to come up with a non date-date to make him feel old.
Saturday came around and Tim was pacing in front of Joe’s Bar waiting for Lucy. Nolan, Harper, Lopez and Wesley had all agreed to come out for a drink after work. This random half date was not what Tim had planned but if Lucy felt comfortable then so be it. Lucy arrived in an Uber and she looked gorgeous as she slid out of the grey saloon. Black skinny jeans and floaty kimono jacket with emerald green flowers printed on the silk. Her bright red lipstick finished off the look. Tim sucked in a deep breath and smiled at Lucy trying to not look as nervous as he felt.
Tim held open the door of the bar and rested his had on the small of Lucy’s back. He saw Nolan at the bar and they headed that way. “My round guys” Nolan shouted, “2 beers okay?” Lucy and Tim smiled and nodded in agreement. “We are over in the corner on the big table. Jan, Webb and Smitty are here too. Lopez wants food, if you are game?” Tim breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this would be okay, they could socialise with their friends, chat and then maybe Tim could see Lucy home.
The night passed pleasantly enough, food, more beers and then a round of shots. Tim was feeling buzzed. Lucy kept smiling and laughing at his jokes. She had always been tactile but suddenly Tim was aware of every time Lucy tapped his arm, leaned over him and he was certain she had stroked his thigh at least once. Like at the funeral people started to leave. Lopez was very pregnant and called an early night with Wes. Others had shifts or plans for tomorrow. Once again Lucy and Tim were left alone. “So” Tim said “was that an okay non date?” “I would think so” replied Lucy. Lucy gave Tim a bashful smile. Tim didn’t know what to do or say next. Should he ask her out again. A redo date as it where? “Ask me again, later” said Lucy with a slow smile.
Lucy stood up and Tim followed her, Lucy took hold of his hand and they walked out of the bar hand in hand to wait for the Uber.
The Uber stopped at Lucy’s apartment they had held hands all the way. Lucy wondered if Tim was going to kiss her. They stepped out of the car and Tim, ever the gentleman walked Lucy to her door. Tim shoved his hands in his pockets and shuffled from foot to foot nervously. “It was a good non date you know” said Lucy “do you want to come in?” Lucy wasn’t sure what she was inviting him in for but it was too early to end the date. “I shouldn’t” whispered Tim.
“Are you nervous?” Said Lucy tentatively.
“A little, our other after work drinks haven’t had the promise of you know naked time”
Shit thought Tim “naked time” who calls sex naked time. Clearly me now!
Lucy chuckled “I think I need to manage your expectations, you aren’t going to see me naked for a while. I want to take this slow. We have had this date, I’d like to go on another, hold hands, have our first real kiss, you know?”
Tim smiled, that sounded better than fucking naked time. “Okay so would you like to have dinner with me on Wednesday?”
Lucy climbed out of her car, she was regretting the decision to wear this dress instantly. Too many cut out bits, too low cut. She had stopped Tim at holding hands on Saturday night and now she was dressed like she wanted “naked time” as he put it. That thought made her laugh. Tim’s embarrassment was hilarious. She would have loved to tell Jackson the naked time story. She could just hear him “girl treat yo’self to some Tim Bradford naked time” She straightened up and walked towards the entrance. Tim was waiting for her by the door. He looked shocked when he saw her, he smiled that devastating smile that makes his blue eyes sparkle like the sea. His brain looked a little broken as he lead her into the restaurant. “Hey Luce, you look stunning”
“Thanks” Lucy replied “not too naked”
Tim went bright red “no just naked enough” he squeaked out.
The restaurant was beautiful, Lucy had googled it before hand. It was listed as the most romantic restaurant in LA and it had a good range of vegetarian and vegan food as well as lots of seafood. Tim had put a lot of thought into this date. The conversation was stilted, they made small talk about the bread and the menu and both of them kept looking around. “do you think someone from work is going to walk in.” Said Lucy
“No” said Tim a little more high pitched than he had intended. Their conversation was halted by a clanging from the open kitchen “restaurants are stressful environments.. have you seen top chef?!” Lucy giggled he was talking about her new favourite reality tv show. Surely Tim didn’t watch the food network. The chef and another man in kitchen whites run out into the restaurant shouting at each other. “Knife” shouts Lucy. Tim stands, draws his off duty piece and holds out his badge. Lucy asks a waiter to call 911 as she helped the chef bandage his hand with a cloth napkin.
“Still worried about seeing someone from the station?” Lucy half joked.
Tim bit his lip, took a deep breath and stepped in front of Lucy.
“You owe me a redo on this date” said Lucy as Tim walked her towards her car, holding her hand. “If you wear that dress again It will give me the will to live” Lucy laughed, “I will see you tomorrow at the station.”
“Hey you what’s the plan for the redo?” Lucy said to Tim as they walked out of the station side by side. Too close for friends, their knuckles brushing against each other.
“I was thinking food truck in the park, it’s called something of Vietnam. Reviews are good”
“Ooh treats of Vietnam. It’s so good. Jackson and I used to go there all the time for crab cakes and them rice wrapper spring rolls that you make yourself.” Grinned Lucy, her mega watt smile melting Tim just a little more.
“Treats of Vietnam it is then. Meet you there in 20?”
Lucy took a deep breath, a date at her and Jackson’s favourite food truck, felt too much. Should she take a rain check and maybe see these not so great dates as a sign not to agree to a date at a funeral. But it’s Tim she reasons. Tim who I have had a crush on since day one when he turned and looked all surly and smug when Grey paired us up. Tim who is quite possible the most attractive man she has ever met. Lucy turns on her engine and pulls out of the station garage. At the junction it’s left to go home and right to go to the park. Left, right, left right she chants in her head and she joins the line of cops finishing shift. She sees Tim’s truck up ahead he makes the right turn. Left right left right, like a ticking clock. “Girl you only live once” she hears in her head. She flicks the turn signal up and makes the right turn.
Tim is already in the line at the food truck. It’s busy for a Thursday night. “Hey” he grins “so what are the best treats?” She smiles “crab cakes, rice paper spring rolls with shrimp and veggies and pot stickers” Tim looks a bit bewildered. He is a plain food kind of guy really a taco is about as exciting as it gets and a taco to an Angeleno is like a pretzel to a New Yorker. He smiles “ok I trust you, but can we have a noodle thing too, the one with the peanuts.”
“Pad Thai isn’t Vietnamese but I’ll see what I can do” says Lucy. Lucy orders their food and two beers. Tim carries the tray and they sit down at a tiny table under a string of fairy lights. “So treats of Vietnam was where we ended up, I guess this counts as our first date then.”
“No last night was for sure.. it’s a better story for the grandkids”
“so we have grandkids now” Tim grins “nice.. I guess telling them I held their grannies hand on our first date is a cute story”
Tim leans in and Lucy leaned closer. Tim’s legs caging her in under the tiny table. Tim kissed Lucy gently his soft pillowy lips putting gentle pressure on Lucy’s his tongue darting out, seeking permission before entering Lucy’s mouth and licking and stroking with increasing passion. Lucy felt her stomach flip over, she knew she would need to come up for air soon but this was just so good. Better than holding hands.
**present day**
“So see father we can’t tell all our friends that we decided to date at the funeral of our fallen colleague and Lucy’s best friend.”
The priest smiled. “I understand, great cute meet to share with the nieces next time they are in town. So just 8 weeks for the wedding. You two take care of each other and I’ll see you at mass on Sunday.”
Tim and Lucy grinned at the priest and held each others hand as they walked out of church and down the street.
“Well, you don’t get many couple who held hands on their first date these days.” Muttered the priest to himself as he locked the door and headed to his apartment, maybe this pair were meant for each other.