Work Text:
And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences
Sit with you in the trenches
Give you my wild, give you a child
Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other
Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother
Is it enough?
Tim is no stranger to being the buffer between people.
He was one between his parents for years. For Isabel and her parents while they were married. Even for Angela and Mrs Lopez because the older woman loved him. During a period at the start of their friendship Mrs Lopez thought he was future son-in-law material. Angela put that thought to rest pretty fast, though. He especially doesn't mind doing it for Lucy when she has to meet her parents.
He’s had the misfortune to meet them a couple of times before too. None of them pleasurable. Tim is well acquainted with their feelings towards his profession of choice. Lucy doesn’t talk much about her interactions with them but he’s seen how drained she looks after every meeting. This one cannot be avoided no matter how much they both want it. There’s no way Lucy can hide she’s pregnant from them. So when she tells him, begrudgingly, that she’s going to dinner to let them know Tim tags along without a second thought.
His plan is to stay quietly by her side. Grin and bear whatever unpleasantries they dish his way. Try to take the brand of their disapproval in general. Then he’ll drive Lucy home and stop at her favourite ice cream place as a little treat for making it through. Vaness and Patrick Chen are difficult people to impress. Not that Tim has any desire to do so.
The only person’s opinion that counts is Lucy’s and she somehow found it in her to forgive him - so Tim is happy. They seem surprised to see him when he takes his seat beside Lucy but do not comment on it. Dinner is a tense affair but they manage to keep it civil until dessert arrives. Lucy declines politely and he does too. Lately not many things sit well with her due to morning sickness. So she avoids anything sweet that’s not fresh fruit related.
“I’m happy to see you’re finally careful with what you eat,” Vanessa says offhandedly and Tim feels Lucy tense beside him. Of course, the first thing her mother will point out is her weight. He’s seen Lucy struggle with her body for a while. So he knows the comment is targeted. He bites his tongue, this isn’t about him. He’s here to support Lucy.
“It’s not so much me being careful as much as that nothing will sit well with me right now,” Lucy replies with a tight smile, trying to ease them into the long conversation that will follow.
“Oh,” Her father raises an eyebrow, taking a sip of his drink. Tim chances a look at Lucy and links their fingers together under the table. He squeezes twice comfortingly.
I’m here. I’ve got you. He wants to tell her but keeps quiet.
“I’m pregnant,” She rips off the bandaid quickly. Silence falls among them and Tim watches everyone carefully. For the briefest second and against all he knows, he wishes for Lucy’s parents to be happy. He wishes for them to want to know their grandchild. Tim knows that no matter what, their baby will be loved. They’ll have aunts and uncles that will go to war for them. They’ll have Grey and Luna as surrogate grandparents. For a single moment, though, he also wishes Lucy’s parents will want to be there for her .
“I thought you had broken up,” Vanessa states in a tone that sounds judgemental even to his ears.
“We took a break,” Lucy returns evenly. It’s not a lie. They’ve been in couples therapy for a few weeks now. It’s early and they’re still working through stuff but Tim knows that what happened was merely a break. He’s had his fair share of relationships and he loved all his exes a lot at that point. No one can measure up to how he feels about Lucy, though. No one before understood him like she does. No one called him out on his bullshit like her. Lucy is his equal in so many different ways - in and outside of work.
“So what?” Patrick’s tone is a bit more strained. “He got you pregnant so you couldn’t leave him?” It’s Tim’s turn to tense at the implications of his words. That he’s the kind of person to hold someone hostage through an innocent soul. Lucy never gave him the chance to tell her but he’d stand by her side no matter her decision. Had she told him she did not want to keep the baby he’d do everything in his power to help her. In any way she’d allow. She didn’t, though, and he’ll forever be grateful to her. For the second chance she gave him to prove that he’s worthy of her love and to be a father to her child.
“We’re not going to act like I’m a child,” Lucy cuts him off bluntly. “I’m thirty four years old. I have my own place and my own money. I could do this with or without Tim. I chose him to be part of our lives and I’m happy with this choice.” He feels warmth spread through his bones. At how sure she sounds of her words, at how her fingers squeeze his under the table the same way he did minutes ago.
“Another disappointment,” Vanessa sighs, shaking her head. “I have to admit Lucy, we hoped this little rebellion would end soon. You’re adding a child now, out of wedlock might I add.” Lucy opens her mouth to say something but he beats her to it.
“Patrick, Vanessa,” He interjects. “I’ve mostly kept my thoughts to myself because I’ve known you and your daughter enough years to understand that you view her as some kind of failure. She’s anything but that. Lucy is exceptional at her work and does it in a way that gives voice to the people of the city. I’ve been right beside her through her training and patrol years. So trust me when I say she’s what the rest of the police force should aspire to be. She’s smart, resourceful but most of all caring. Lucy is going to be a wonderful mother with or without you by her side. I know she’s the one for me, I’ve known it years before I was ready to admit it even to myself. The only reason there’s no ring on her finger is because she hasn’t asked for it. The moment she says the word it’s hers.”
“Tim-” Lucy’s voice is thick with tears when he turns to face her. Vanessa and Patrick are looking at them in stunned silence.
“I love you,” He shrugs. “Every single part of you, even the ones I know you hate. Nothing is ever going to change that.” He wipes a stray tear that escapes her eyes. “Ready to go home?” He asks and when she nods he flags the waiter.
Tim hands over his card and doesn't give a chance to the older couple opposite them to say anything else.
The drive back home is quiet.
Which is unusual for them. Tim has not known a moment of quiet since the day Grey assigned her to him as his rookie. Lucy seems lost in her thoughts and he doesn’t want to disturb her. Whatever is going through her beautiful brain is hers for now. She’s going to let him know when she’s ready to talk. He lets Kojo out as she disappears into the bedroom to get ready for bed. Lucy is dressed in a pair of his old sweatpants and an LAPD t-shirt with the name Bradford stamped over her heart.
His heart skips only a few beats because of it.
“You have a ring for me,” Her tone is accusatory and Tim smiles.
“I do,” He agrees, leaning casually against the kitchen island, crossing his arms over his chest. Lucy’s eyes trail to his biceps for a few seconds and his smile grows bigger.
“It’s not in this house,” She matches his stance.
“It’s not,” Tim teases.
“It’s not in the apartment either,” She pushes and he shakes his head.
“Come on,” He pushes back. “I’m smarter than that.”
“Lopez has it?” She narrows her eyes.
“Lopez can’t keep a secret to save her life.” He huffs.
“John?” She tries next.
“As if I’d trust Nolan with something so important.” It’s his turn to roll his eyes. He watches her as she goes through possible names. It takes her a moment to put two and two together.
“She wouldn’t,” Lucy mutters to herself.
“If you say so,” Tim shrugs and watches as she grabs her phone. She presses the call button and the other person picks up on the first ring.
“Someone better be dying,” Harper’s voice comes through the receiver.
“You have something that’s mine,” Lucy’s gaze is locked on his.
“I’m pretty sure Bradford’s balls are hanging off of your keychain,” Harper replies without missing a bit and Tim snorts. Ain’t that the fucking truth, not that he’s complaining.
“Nyla,” Lucy warns and the older woman finally laughs.
There wasn’t a safer place than Harper keeping a hold of the ring. An engagement ring he’s had way before that night in the parking lot, mind you. This wasn’t a decision fueled by desperation because now he knows what sleeping without her in his arms feels like. Or a rushed one because they’re having a baby. He bought it on a random Tuesday his sister had dragged him to the mall. They were passing by a jewellery store and the emerald stone caught his eye. It was the same colour her dress had been the day of Angela’s wedding. That green dress that haunts his dreams to this day.
“I may or may not have a gorgeous ring an idiot left in my care, yes,” Harper finally admits teasingly. “What is it to you?” There’s a challenge in her tone. One he knows Lucy loves to take on.
“Nothing for now, bye,” She ends the call without waiting for a reply. “I want that ring,” She tells him boldly and Tim pulls her in his arms.
“Then it’s yours,” He agrees and kisses her softly.
But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret
The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me