Chapter Text
Lucy and Lockwood were sitting on the couch in his office, she was laying with her head in his lap as she looked at a file. He was angled, looking at the information in the file as they talked about who should take the job. His hand was gently running through her hair as they went back and forth about what agents they should assign to this new case that had come in and been accepted. She sighed and dropped the file onto her chest as she looked up at him. “This is so boring.”
“Still no patience.” He said with a fond smile.
She smiled up at him and shook her head. “Nope and never will.” She said making him grin at her. “I don’t know how you do this all the time. I’m ready to just hang them out and let them fight over who goes.” She said pushing to sit up, opting to lean against him as his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. Her smile brightened as he laughed.
“Your attention span is worse than George when he’s at the archives.” He teased, making her smirk and look at him. The two had been together as a couple for the last ten months and they had only grown closer as they figured out how to make a relationship work. The two smiled at each other, their eyes locked as they leaned in to share a kiss.
As their lips touched a voice had them breaking a part and looking at the door quickly. “Lockwood!” Holly called before she stopped in the doorway looking at the two of them, realizing she had interrupted something. “Sorry…” She trailed off.
“It’s fine.” Lucy said with a soft smile. The two women had also gotten closer since their heart to heart and had become close friends. “What’s wrong?” She asked as she shifted around to sit properly on the couch next to Lockwood who shifted to sit straight in the seat as well.
She paused another moment before she walked further in looking at the two. “You have to do something about Quill.” She said.
“What? What did he do?” Lockwood asked, confused.
“He’s been working nonstop for the last month; I told him he needed time off and he started asking for several jobs in one night. He won’t listen and he won’t stop and if I don’t put him on the list for the case, he’ll just do it anyway.” She threw her hands in the air frustrated.
Lockwood smirked and shrugged. “He’s probably just saving up for something. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s taken on extra since we expanded.” He said.
“I’m telling you there’s something going on.” Holly said insistently.
“I’ll talk to him if it’ll make you feel better.” He offered.
“Yes.” Holly said crossing her arms.
“No.” Lucy said making the two look at her. “No offence but you two are never going to just talk about something, especially something he obviously doesn’t want to talk about.” She told him. “I have to go talk to Barnes and get the next list of cases from DEPRAC anyway. I’ll take him with me and see if I can get him to talk.”
“You really think he’ll tell you when he outright refused to say anything to me?” Holly asked, almost offended.
Lucy shrugged. “I have a way.”
“A way?” Lockwood asked, looking at her. “What way is that?” He asked making her give a little laugh.
“A way that works every time, even on you.” She grinned. “Don’t worry about it.” She said leaning in to kiss him before she pushed to her feet. “I won’t be long.” She told him as she grabbed her black jacket from the side and left to find Kipps and drag him along with her to visit DEPRAC and the inspector that had become the liaison between the big agency and their smaller one.
“What do you think she meant?” Lockwood asked Holly who looked at him before she turned and left him to his thoughts, knowing it would never be as it was insinuated but didn’t mind playing along with Lucy’s game.
Lucy made her way through the Lockwood and Co office building; it had started to become busier as they received more calls and needed to hire more and more agents. She found Kipps sitting in his own office, looking at papers on his desk. She knocked on the door frame and made him look up at her. “Hey, I have to run to DEPRAC for the new files, you mind giving me a hand getting them back here?” She asked.
He looked at her a moment before he gave a nod. “Yeah, sure.” He pushed to his feet and started out with her, grabbing his own coat along the way. “Tony too busy being big boss?” He asked with a grin.
“Yeah, we were trying to make a few plans for some new jobs that came in but that is way too boring.” She said making him laugh as they made their way out and down the street.
The two collected the files and headed back towards the offices, each carrying a bundle of files in their arms. “It’s so freaking cold anymore.”
“Would think you’d be used to the cold, isn’t it colder back in your hometown?” Kipps asked with an amused smirk.
“Cold is cold.” She said giving him a look.
Kipps chuckled and nodded. “Come on, we can grab a coffee on the way back.” He offered.
“God yes.” She agreed as they ducked into a café to order their coffees and sit for a minute to warm up before heading back to the agency. She glanced at him standing in line beside her and tilted her head. It was time. “Hey, you doing okay?” She asked. “You look pretty run down.”
“I’m fine.” He said quickly and shrugged. “Must be all the work I’ve been doing recently.” He said.
“Maybe you should back off a bit. You look like George in the archives when he can’t find all the details of a story.” She said with a little smile.
“I’ll be fine.” He said again.
“Why are you grabbing so much work anyway? I mean with the upgrade in the agency it’s not like you only get the little pay from the small jobs we used to get.” She said nonchalantly as she looked around the people in front of them as if checking how much longer this line was going to take for them to get their warm drinks.
“It’s nothing.” He waved her off as he glanced at the line as well.
“Well, whatever it is, if you need anything you know you’ve got us.” She said and looked at him. “Just because the agency is growing, and we don’t do a lot of cases together doesn’t mean we’re not here for you. We’re family after all.” She smiled brightly up at him.
Kipps paused looking at her. “Family?” He asked.
She snorted at his reaction. “Of course we’re family. I mean you and George are the brothers I never had and sometimes wish I never had but always the brothers I need.” She smiled at him. “And Holly…. Well, she’s basically like my sisters so she fits right in there.” She gave a little laugh as they took another step closer to the counter. “We’re a family, been through hell and back and you’re not getting out of that.”
He looked at her again before he grinned. “I don’t think it’s the worst family I’ve been in.” He chuckled making her smile. They stepped forward to the counter, placed their worders and found seats once they had their coffee in hand.
Lucy took a sip of her coffee as she settled into the chair and moaned happily. “God that’s good.” she sighed.
Kipps chuckled watching her amused. “You know sometimes I forget we’re basically a family.” He said softly as she looked at him and smiled softly, reaching out to rest a hand on his arm. “I need to try to get as much money as I can, so I’ve got to get as many jobs as I can to stack on the regular pay.”
“Why? Quill, what’s going on?” She asked concerned.
He shook his head and was quiet for a moment. She thought maybe he was done but then she heard his voice low, his eyes still on his coffee cup lid. “June….” He paused and she waited. “June’s pregnant.” He said before his eyes turned back up to look at the surprise on her face.
“What?” She gasped. “Well shit.” She said with a little smile. “That’s amazing, Quill!” She half yelled, a smile on her face as a little one broke out on his face.
“Yeah.” He huffed a little laugh. “Yeah, it is but… I have no idea what to do.” He said shaking his head, his hand running through his hair. “I was going to actually ask her to marry me and then she told me and I just…”
“God, you didn’t run away did you?” Lucy gave him a look.
“No.” He chuckled and shook his head. “No, I just… it’s a lot. I never thought about any of this really and now… what am I supposed to do?”
“You stay at her side, make sure she knows how you feel and enjoy the hell out of every moment.” Lucy smiled brightly at him. “Besides, you know you and June don’t have to do this alone. You’ve got your family behind you.”
“I haven’t told anyone.” He said.
“Whether you tell any of us or not, we’re here.” She gave him another soft smile. “You really should tell the others. This is really great; I know they’ll all be just as happy and excited for you.”
He laughed. “Somehow, I doubt that. Tony will have some comments and George…”
“Yeah, George will be an ass but he’s still going to be so happy for you.” Lucy laughed. “Think about telling them. I know Lockwood will be really happy for you.” She said with another smile. “Come on, we need to get back before they start sending out the search parties.” She joked as they climbed from their seats and made their way the rest of the way back to the offices.
1111111111
Lockwood was looking at a thick stack of papers when Lucy and Kipps arrived back. They handed the files over. “This pile keeps getting bigger.” He said looking at it sitting on his desk.
“Seems the problem is still getting bigger too.” Kipps said. “I’ve got to head out, got a case tonight.” He said.
Lucy gave him a little smile as he looked at her and gave a little nod, leaving for his job. Lucy turned back as Lockwood watched her walk around the desk and towards him as he turned his desk chair to face her. “Did you get him to talk?” He asked as she walked around the desk and he turned following her.
“I did.” She nodded.
“And?” He asked, reaching to put his hands on her hips as she came closer.
“And I’m not going to be sharing something he doesn’t want to tell you yet.” She said as she leaned down, her hands resting on the armrests.
“What was the look for?” He asked, the two staring at each other.
She looked at him a moment before a smile grew on her face. “Why? Are you jealous?”
“Do I have a reason to be?” He asked slyly making her give a little laugh.
“The famously cool Anthony Lockwood is jealous.” She teased with a little smirk.
He shook his head puffing out a laugh. “I am not. That would mean there would have to be something to be jealous of.” He said low as he leaned closer to her. She gave another laugh as he grinned at her then they leaned closer, connecting their lips. She squeaked as he pulled her into his lap. The two smiled and grinned at each other.
“So, what are you working on?” She asked as she shifted, leaning into his embrace as she looked at the stack of papers on the desk.
“I don’t think I should share it with you.” He said as he spun them away from the desk with a grin as she laughed looking back at him. “I mean fair is fair.” He teased.
She hummed as she looked at him. “It would be if it was someone else’s information to share.” She said as he grinned at her. She shook her head and cuddled into him. “He’ll tell everyone, just give him time to figure it out first.” She said and felt his arms tighten around her waist, holding her securely in his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder, tucking it against his neck and chin.
“That bad?” He asked.
“Not bad, just…. A lot.” She said. “Now, what’s with the tree sitting on your desk?” She asked.
He let out a breath. “It’s part of an idea I had.” He explained. “DEPRAC needs the license renewed for the agency and I started thinking about everything we’ve been through. I thought maybe changing some things in management of the agency.”
She lifted her head and looked at him confused. “What do you mean?”
“I had some papers drawn up to change ownership.”
“You’re getting rid of the agency?” She asked even more confused.
He shook his head and smirked at her. “Sharing it.” He told her. “If something happens to me-.”
“Which it won’t.” She cut in, giving him a look.
“But, if it does, the agency will still be around, you and the others will still be okay.” He explained.
“yeah, well I much rather have you than the agency.” She told him.
He smiled and pulled her tighter to him. “I’m not planning on going anywhere, I just…”
“I know.” She sighed and leaned forward kissing him. “I think it’s a great idea.” She said softly. “I love you.” She whispered and trailed her kisses to his neck.
“Luce.” He breathed, feeling her fingers run over his clothed chest. He captured her lips again before making his own trail to her neck, sucking gently and drawing out a soft moan from her throat.
“Did you get the files?” They heard making them part quickly as Lucy jumped to her feet and Lockwood turned pulling closer to the desk as Holly walked in. She paused and took in their looks and movements, realizing she had interrupted for a second time that day. “You really should learn to close your door.”
“I’ll make sure to remember that.” Lockwood said as he moved the stack of papers to the side and covered them with another file. “What did you need, Hol?”
“I was wondering about the files.” She said walking closer.
“Yeah, Barnes said there’s more coming.” Lucy said as she pulled the stack of files from the desk and handed them to her. “He said DEPRAC’s getting more and more cases that they want to be handing off to us, so start expecting more.”
“We’re going to have to hire a whole new agency if this keeps up.” Holly sighed. “There’s so many of them.”
“See if we can get all the emergencies done before the holiday. Would be a shame to have to make the agents work on Christmas.” Lockwood told her.
“We’ll have basically the entire agency here for the party anyway so if anything pressing comes up we can jump on it.” Holly said making them nod. “I’m heading home for the night. I’ll take a look at these first thing in the morning.” She said as she turned to leave. She paused at the door. “Shall I close this then or will you be going to a more appropriate setting?” She asked in a tone that could have been just asking or her teasing.
Lucy rolled her eyes as Lockwood just smirked and Holly was gone. He stood and took the couple steps to wrap his arms around her. “We should head home.” He said as he pressed a kiss to her neck making her let out a breath, leaning into his grip. He grinned, looking at her as she gave him that soft loving smile he loved so much and the two were on their way home.
111111
It had been two days since Kipps had confided in Lucy. He stopped in the hall, he knew he needed to talk to the others, he knew they would understand and be there and help him but it was still so surreal. He looked at the doorway to Lockwood’s office and stepped in. He stopped seeing him sitting in a chair at the small conference table to the side, working on the chains. “You turned into a baby agent now?” He asked making Lockwood look at him.
“No, I would rather make sure they’re cleaned and oiled properly or else get another Lucy lecture for not being able to use the chains on the next case.” Lockwood grinned making Kipps chuckle and walk a little further into the room.
“Want a hand?” He asked.
“Be my guest.” He said waving to the second chair.
Kipps walked over, taking a seat and pulling a chain and a rag from the table and started working on autopilot. They worked silently for a bit before Kipps glanced at him. “What lecture did you get this time?”
Lockwood sighed and shook his head. “She’s mad at me for not telling her something.” He said as Kipps smirked at him. “What lecture did you get?” He asked looking at his friend.
He took a breath and shrugged as he kept his eyes on the chain and continued to work. “That I should have told everyone something.” He said. He glanced at Lockwood who gave a little nod. “I’m guessing Lucy told you.”
Lockwood shook his head and looked at him. “You know she wouldn’t do that.” He told him. “As long as you’re alright, that’s all that mattered.” He shrugged. “Figured you’d talk about whatever it is that’s got you so worked up.” He paused and gave a little smirk. “I’m assuming it’s something to do with June and that ring you got her.” He smirked at him.
Kipps let out a breath and shook his head. “I think I’d rather it be about that.” Lockwood raised a brow. “June…” He paused trying to get the words together, it was still so strange to talk about it. “June’s pregnant.” He said and looked at Lockwood as both his brows went up and he looked at him. “I was going to ask her, and I had it all planned and then she said it and I just….”
Lockwood watched his friend a moment. “I suppose that explains the extra work you’ve been picking up and driving Holly up a wall.” He said. Kipps looked at him as he flashed a grin and nodded at the man that had turned from his rival to his friend. “Knowing Lucy, she’s already told you everything and gave you a bit of one of her famous lectures so I’ll just say, whatever you need, Quill.” he paused again as Kipps gave a little nod. “I can’t believe you of all people are going to be dad.” He chuckled.
Kipps laughed and shook his head. “Yeah well, you just wait till it’s your turn.” The two men chuckled settling back into the work as they talked about the newest cases, they had coming in.
11111111
Lucy rolled her eyes as she sat in a chair, her feet on the table as she watched Holly rushing around giving orders and demands. She was frantic trying to make everything perfect for the company party later that night and Lucy was tired just watching her. “Lucy.” She scolded as she walked over, pulling the glass out of her hand and pushing her feet from the table. “Can’t you be any help?!” She half yelled. “I’m trying to get this all ready.”
“You don’t have to be all uppity.” Lucy scoffed. “We’re an agency fighting visitors, rolling around in dirt and dust and being sprayed with ectoplasm and covered in sweat, no one is going to care if that balloon matches that balloon.” She said with a shrug. “Which it doesn’t.”
“What?” She said as she turned quickly to look at the balloons to the side going to investigate.
“I think that’s enough trying to make Holly explode.” She heard making her tilt her head back to see Lockwood standing there with a grin.
She smiled brightly as she looked at him and shrugged. “It’s just so easy with these things and it’s been forever since I’ve been able to bring back the good old days like this.” She said putting her feet back up on the table.
No sooner did she put them back up than Holly was pushing them back off with a glare. “Lockwood, do something.” She said looking to him for help with Lucy.
He put his hands in his pockets and glanced at Lucy who raised her brow as if daring him to do something to make her stop. “Well, she’s mad at me already, not sure doing something about this is going to help any.” Holly nearly gasped as she looked at him. He smirked and looked back at Lucy. “I need you to look at something.”
“I don’t think you do.” Lucy said. “I think I’m rather comfortable here.” She said trying to put a foot up only to have it smacked down and a fierce glare from Holly.
“It’s that plan I was telling you about.” He said. “I have a final draft, I want to run it by you, see what you think of it.”
Lucy looked at him before she nodded. “Yeah, no problem.” She said as she climbed form her seat and the two started off to his office as Holly half shouted a ‘thank you for getting rid of the biggest problem’. She grinned hearing the other woman and Lockwood couldn’t help but smirk. The two may still be at odds at times but they weren’t going to kill each other, they had come such a long way. “So, you got things figured out?”
He gave a nod as he shut the door behind her and walked to the desk to the much smaller stack of papers. “I have it set to split the agency amongst all five of us, with me still holding a larger amount like you said.” He started explaining and going over everything in the packet.
“I think it’s perfect.” She said with a little smile. “It’s a perfect present.” She said.
“Oh, before the others arrive and the party starts.” He said as he walked around to his drawer of his desk and pulled a wrapped little item. “I wanted to give this to you.” He said walking back over.
“I thought we were going to wait until tomorrow for gifts.” She said softly as he stopped in front of her.
“We are, this is just a taste.” He said with a smirk. He handed her the package and she started opening it. “I wanted to make sure you have a reminder that I will always be at your side.” He said watching her. “Something that’s just yours, something to match your sapphire necklace.” He said as she opened the box and gasped. Her eyes flicking between him and the item. “I promise you will always have my devotion, loyalty and love, and I will always be right here with you, at your side.” He said softly watching her eyes go back to the ring. “This is a reminder that I swear you’ll always have me.” He finished and watched as she looked back at him, her eyes a little glassier but she smiled at him, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer.
“It’s perfect.” She whispered.
He gave her the soft loving smile that always managed to melt her heart, and they kissed, taking in the moment together.
1111111
The first agency Christmas had started and wound up with the entirety of the newly expanded Lockwood and Co. They celebrated late into the night and enjoyed the night off as they spent time all together. Lockwood stood to the side watching as everyone from the brand-new young agents to the original five that had brought Lockwood and Co to where they were today. He couldn’t be prouder of everything he had managed to accomplish but he knew he never would have done any of it nor made it to today without any of his friends, his handpicked family. “I’m surprised.” He heard turning to see Lucy walking closer with a little smirk. “The attention starved Anthony Lockwood standing in a corner away from people.” She teased.
Lockwood chuckled and wrapped an arm around her as they looked at the crowd. “It’s just amazing how far we’ve come.”
“Two boys treating an interview as a game to a real bonafide agency.” Lucy gave a little laugh, the two looked at each other.
“You have to admit it really works to make sure we have the best.” He shrugged and she smiled brightly at him. “Come on, let’s enjoy.” He said tugging her along as they made their way through the crowd, joining the party.