Work Text:
Sergeant Wade Grey stands tall amidst the subdued chaos of the police precinct, his gaze firm and his demeanor unwavering. Despite the wear and tear etched into his weathered features, there's a palpable air of authority about him, a testament to his years on the force.
Throughout his extensive career, Grey has encountered all manner of individuals, from hardened criminals to reluctant witnesses. But none quite like little Zoe Bradford. In her tiny stature and cherubic innocence, she presents a challenge unlike any he's faced before.
With a skip in her step and an infectious smile lighting up her face, little Zoe Bradford bounded into Sergeant Wade Grey's office, a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. Her cherubic cheeks flushed with excitement as she greeted the older man with an endearing chirp of "Grandpa!"
Wade looked up at the young girl with a comforting smile, “Oh there my favorite little officer,” He smiled. Zoe practically ran over to him, reaching for a hug, which Grey happily returned (because he wasn’t stupid.)
“Grandpa look!” She said, and pointed to the fake badge that was on her shirt, no doubt the sticker was from Officer Jan, who also happened to be a sucker for the little girl. “I’m a cop just like mommy and daddy!”
“Oh is that right?” He asked, smiling down at the girl.
“Yep!” SHe said, popping the last syllable.
“Well in that case, maybe you should try out my chair,” He said, and the girl’s face lit up with delight. He watched as Zoe, with a determination far beyond her years, made herself comfortable in the sergeant's chair, her feet dangling above the floor.
As Zoe settled into the seat of authority, her eyes gleamed with mischief and curiosity, her small hands exploring the various items scattered across Grey's desk. With each item she picked up, she peppered him with questions, her eagerness palpable in every word.
“Zoe, honey,” Grey said, because as much fun as he was having with the girl, he knew her parents would be looking for her soon. “Where are your parents?” He asked, and he swore the little girl had an itch of mischief in her eyes that no doubt came from her parents.
“Mommy went to the bathroom.” She said in a faux whisper. Wade raised an eyebrow.
“And where are you supposed to be sweetheart?”
Zoe's usual bubbly demeanor faltered as Sergeant Wade Grey delved into his line of questioning, her eyes darting nervously away from his penetrating gaze. Instead of responding, she diverted her attention to the notepad sitting open on Grey's desk, her tiny fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on the paper.
Grey observed her behavior keenly, sensing her reluctance to engage with his questions. He knew something was amiss, a hunch that only grew stronger when Zoe avoided his direct question about running away.
"Zo," he began gently, his voice tempered with concern, "did you run away?"
Zoe's head snapped up, her eyes wide with denial as she vehemently shook her head. "No!" she protested, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance. "They let me go."
Grey furrowed his brow, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. Despite the familiar faces that populated the station, he found it hard to believe that Lucy or Tim would allow Zoe to wander off on her own.
"Here's the thing, little missy," Grey said, his tone firm but not unkind as he moved to perch on the edge of his desk, "I think you might be lying."
Zoe's gaze dropped to her doodles once more, her fingers tracing over the lines with a newfound intensity. Grey's heart sank as he watched her retreat into herself.
"Zoe, you can't be running away from your mom and dad," Grey murmured softly, his words laced with gentle admonishment.
For a moment, Zoe ceased her drawing, her brow furrowed in contemplation. Then, without looking up, she returned to her artwork, murmuring, "They won't miss me."
Grey's heart clenched at her words, knowing deep down that nothing could be further from the truth. He was certain that if Zoe ever went missing, Lucy and Tim would move heaven and earth to find her.
Before Grey could offer reassurance, their conversation was interrupted by Lucy's frantic cry for her daughter, echoing through the station with a sense of urgency that cut through the air like a knife.
"Zoe!" Lucy's voice rang out, sending a jolt of realization through Grey as he exchanged a worried glance with the little girl sitting before him. It was clear that there was more to Zoe's story than met the eye, and Grey was determined to uncover the truth.
As Sergeant Wade Grey looked up from his conversation with Zoe, his eyes fell upon the figure of Lucy, unmistakably pregnant, weaving through the bustling station with an air of frantic concern. Beside her stood Smitty, his sheepish expression betraying his role in the unfolding drama.
The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place in Grey's mind as he watched Lucy's frantic search. It was clear now why Zoe had ended up in his office unaccompanied. A sense of understanding washed over Grey as he realized the situation at hand.
With a sharp whistle, Grey caught Lucy's attention, and with a pointed gesture, he indicated the little girl seated in his chair. He witnessed the moment when Lucy's fear melted away, replaced by palpable relief as she practically sprinted over to her daughter.
"Zoe Bradford!" Lucy hissed, her voice a mixture of relief and reproach. "I told you to stay with Smitty!"
Before Lucy could launch into a tirade, she pulled Zoe into a tight embrace, her words a soft murmur of concern. "I was worried about you," she confessed, her voice filled with maternal warmth.
Zoe, ever the precocious child, lightly pulled away, her demeanor a mix of defiance and vulnerability. "No, you didn't," she countered, her gaze flitting between Lucy and Grey.
Lucy's expression softened with concern as she looked to Grey for confirmation, receiving only a shrug in response. "Of course I did, baby," Lucy reassured, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness. "I never want to not know where you are."
Zoe's lower lip trembled, tears glistening in her eyes as she voiced her next concern. "You have a new baby," she whispered, her words carrying a weight that belied her young age.
Lucy's gaze flickered with apprehension as she glanced up at Grey, uncertainty clouding her features.
As Wade observed the interaction between Lucy, Tim, and Zoe, he couldn't help but marvel at the emotional intelligence displayed by the young Bradford girl. It was evident to him that Zoe possessed a keen awareness of her own feelings, a trait undoubtedly inherited from her mother rather than her father.
Despite Lucy's best efforts to reassure Zoe about the impending arrival of baby number two, it was clear that the little girl still harbored feelings of insecurity and apprehension. Grey could see the tears welling in Zoe's eyes, a silent testament to her inner turmoil.
Unable to bear seeing Zoe's distress, Grey decided to intervene. "Hey Zo Zo," he said gently, his voice a soothing balm, "how about tonight you come home with me and you and grandma can have a sleepover?"
Zoe's face lit up with excitement at the prospect, the weight of their previous conversation dissipating as she bubbled with anticipation. "YES!" she cheered, her enthusiasm infectious.
Grey glanced up at Lucy, gauging her reaction. Though she appeared a bit unsure, Grey could see the trust in her eyes as she nodded her consent. "Fine, one night," she agreed, her voice tinged with a mixture of reluctance and gratitude.
With Lucy's approval secured, Zoe wasted no time in darting off to greet her father, her infectious joy brightening the room as she collided with Tim's legs. Lucy watched with a soft smile as father and daughter shared a tender moment, their bond evident in every embrace.
"You really don't have to take her tonight Wade," Lucy said softly.
Grey shook his head, "nonsense, you know Luna loves having her around. Besides, I think I can help with your little issue," He said.
Lucy sighed, "She's been a little nervous the closer we get to baby number two making an appearance." Wade nodded understandably.
"I understand, and besides this gives you and Tim some time before the baby comes and you have yet another energetic ball of energy on your hands." Lucy smiled.
She said softly, "I'll have Tim drop her off after shift," and Wade nodded, "Thank you, Wade." Lucy expressed her gratitude, her words laced with warmth and appreciation. Grey waved off her thanks with a smile that held a hint of paternal affection.
"Of course," he reassured her.
|~| THAT NIGHT |~|
In the cozy confines of Wade's living room, the soft glow of the television illuminated the space as Wade and Zoe sat side by side, engrossed in a show about animated blue dogs. Wade understood Tim and Lucy's stance on screen time, but if indulging Zoe with a bit of entertainment earned him some extra points, he was more than willing to oblige.
As the show played on, Wade heard the familiar sound of Luna's return, the jangle of keys signaling her entrance. "Wade," her voice called out, prompting him to respond, "Over here."
Following his voice, Luna entered the living room, her eyes alighting on the scene before her. "Hey Zo," Wade whispered conspiratorially, leaning in closer to the little girl, "you wanna surprise grandma?"
Zoe's eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded eagerly. This was a game they'd played before, and she was more than ready to play her part. With a mischievous grin, she darted behind the door, concealing herself from Luna's view.
"Hey love," Luna greeted Wade with a warm smile, her gaze drifting to the television. "I see we are watching captivating TV these days," she remarked with a chuckle.
"It's a good show," Wade replied casually, though he could feel Luna's pointed look directed his way. Before she could say anything further, Zoe leaped out from her hiding spot, letting out a loud exclamation. "Grandma!"
Startled but delighted, Luna quickly recovered, her smile widening as she knelt down to Zoe's level. "ZoZo!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with affection. "What are you doing here, love?"
Zoe practically vibrated with excitement as she delivered her news. "Grandpa said we are having a sleepover!" she announced, her joy palpable.
Luna's face lit up with delight. "Really?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with happiness. Zoe nodded vigorously in confirmation.
"Okay, little one," Wade interjected, a hint of amusement in his tone, "go wash your hands so I can feed you."
With a gleeful giggle, Zoe dashed off to complete her task, leaving Luna to turn to Wade with a questioning look, silently seeking an explanation for this unexpected turn of events.
Wade leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful as he addressed Luna. "She's having a little bit of a hard time adjusting to the possibility of no longer being an only child, and I told Lucy I'd give them all a little break from one another," he explained, his voice tinged with concern.
Luna nodded understandingly, her eyes soft with empathy. "Ah, so you think one of your famous Wade Grey talks will get through to a nearly six-year-old?" she teased gently, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Or maybe I was hoping that my amazing wife could step in and give some advice," Wade replied with a charming smile, his gaze lingering on Luna with affection.
Luna rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, but there was a fondness in her expression as she relented. "Fine, you're lucky that girl is extremely adorable," she conceded with a smile of her own, her love for Zoe evident in her words.
Wade chuckled, a warm feeling of gratitude washing over him as he realized just how fortunate he was to have Luna by his side. "I know," he agreed, his laughter echoing through the room as they shared a moment of lighthearted camaraderie.
As the evening progressed and dinner was finished, Wade, Luna, and Zoe found themselves cozily clad in their pajamas, gathered together in the living room. Zoe was engrossed in a picture book, her small fingers tracing over the colorful illustrations as she absorbed the story.
Wade exchanged a meaningful glance with Luna, silently conveying his desire for her to broach the sensitive topic that weighed heavily on Zoe's mind. Luna, understanding his unspoken request, rolled her eyes in playful resignation before nodding her consent.
"ZoZo," Luna spoke softly, her voice tender as she addressed the little girl, "come here, sweetheart, come sit with me."
Zoe obediently closed her book and made her way over to Luna, settling into her lap with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Luna gently brushed a strand of hair away from Zoe's face, her eyes filled with maternal warmth.
"So tell me, love," Luna began, her voice gentle yet probing, "Are you excited about being a big sister?"
Zoe's expression faltered, a hint of sadness clouding her features as Luna's question pierced through her defenses. "What's wrong, honey?" Luna inquired, her concern evident in every word.
Wade chimed in, his voice a soothing reassurance. "Zoe, honey, you can tell us anything, you know that."
Zoe let out a soft sigh, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I don't want to be a big sister," she confessed in a hushed tone.
Luna's heart clenched at Zoe's admission, her maternal instincts kicking into high gear. "Why not, honey?" she asked gently, her voice filled with empathy. "You are going to be a wonderful big sister."
Zoe hesitated, her lower lip trembling as she voiced her deepest fear. "Because Mommy and daddy are going to forget about me," she whispered, her words heavy with sorrow. Luna wrapped her arms around Zoe, holding her close as she exchanged a glance with Wade, silently communicating their shared resolve to comfort the little girl.
"Zoe, sweetheart," Luna began softly, her voice warm with reassurance, "having a new baby in the family is going to be such a wonderful adventure for all of you."
Wade nodded in agreement, his gaze gentle as he met Zoe's eyes. "That's right, kiddo," he chimed in, "you're going to be the best big sister ever."
Zoe's brows furrowed in uncertainty, but she leaned in closer, drawn to the comfort of Luna's embrace. "But what if Mommy and daddy forget about me?" she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Luna's heart ached at Zoe's words, but she knew they needed to ease her worries. "Oh, sweetheart, they could never forget about you," she reassured, pressing a kiss to Zoe's forehead. "You're their first little miracle, and nothing could ever change that."
Wade reached out to gently stroke Zoe's hair, his touch tender and reassuring. "And you know what being a big sister means, Zo?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement. "You'll have a new little friend to play with, to teach things to, and to share all your adventures with. They are going to look at you, and you are going to be best friends."
Zoe's eyes widened with wonder at the thought, the fear in her heart beginning to ebb away. "Really?" she asked, a glimmer of hope in her voice.
Luna nodded, her smile bright with encouragement. "Absolutely," she affirmed. "You'll get to show your new sibling all the amazing things you know and introduce them to all your favorite toys."
Wade grinned, adding his own words of encouragement. "And you'll always have someone to look out for you too," he added, his voice full of pride. "You'll be the best big sister, Zoe, and we'll be right here cheering you on every step of the way."
As Zoe's fears began to fade, replaced by excitement and anticipation, Luna and Wade exchanged a knowing smile.
For the remainder of the night, Zoe's enthusiasm knew no bounds as she regaled Luna with plans of all the cool things she would teach her new little sibling. From showing them her favorite toys to teaching them how to draw the most magnificent pictures, Zoe's excitement bubbled over, filling the room with infectious energy.
As the evening wore on, Zoe reveled in her time with her surrogate grandparents, soaking up every moment of love and attention they showered upon her. From drawing pictures to reading stories, the night passed in a blur of laughter and joy, with Zoe's infectious enthusiasm lighting up the room. She ended up falling asleep in Wade’s lap.
The next morning, as Lucy and Tim knocked on the Grey's door, they were greeted by the sight of Zoe proudly displaying her artwork to Luna. Tim's hand was wrapped in Lucy's, and Lucy's free hand rested gently on her belly, a silent reminder of the new addition to their family.
"How did it go?" Tim asked, his voice tinged with curiosity as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Great," Wade replied with a smile, a sense of pride evident in his voice. "I think we really got through to her."
Lucy looked a bit surprised by Wade's assertion. "One night with you got her to change her mind?" she asked incredulously, her brow furrowing in disbelief.
Tim muttered under his breath, "I've been trying to convince her that having a sibling is a good thing for the last month."
Wade chuckled at their reaction, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, maybe she just needed a few more opinions," he teased, his words laced with playful humor.
Their conversation was interrupted by Zoe's excited screams as she caught sight of her parents at the door. Lucy quickly knelt down to catch her daughter, while Tim placed a reassuring hand on her back to steady them both.
As Wade watched the scene unfold, a swell of pride filled his chest. Lucy and Tim were amazing parents, and they had raised such an incredible kid thus far. There was no doubt in his mind that they would continue to do so as they welcomed their newest addition into their loving family.