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Tim finds Lucy in the break room. She’s on the phone and she looks a little stressed as she paces a little. She doesn’t notice him walk by, and he doesn’t say anything as he walks to the kitchen area.
He leans against the character and then turns to look at her. “Thank you.” She says into the phone her eyebrows furrowed and then she looks over at Tim. “I—my husband and I will be right there.” She hangs up and then turns around, Tim can see she’s tense.
“What’s going on?” He asks pushing himself off the counter. Lucy turns to face him again her phone still in her hand.
“That was the kids school.” She says. Tim groans a little, they didn’t get a lot of phone calls from the school but usually when they did it was Ava. She would say something without thinking, she would want to help but then her plans would go a little awry.
“What’s did Ava do this time?” Tim asks already sounding exasperated. Lucy’s mouth twitches a little.
“It wasn’t Ava this time. It was your son.” Lucy says. Tim tilts his head at her in surprise.
“Levi?”
“Do we have another son Tim? Yes. It was Levi.” Lucy says amusement lining her voice for a few seconds.
“Okay. What did Levi do?” Tim asks. He really shouldn’t be surprised that it was Levi. Their son was always getting into some sort of pickle.
“He punched a kid.” Lucy says. Tim frowns at her, because while his son was mischievous he was never violent and he really was gentle. Especially to Lucy and his sisters.
“What did the kid do?” Tim asks. He knows Levi wouldn’t just punch someone for no good reason.
“Tim!” Lucy says aghast. Tim shrugs his shoulders, and keeps his eyes on Lucy’s face.
“What?” Tim asks. “You know as well as I do Levi wouldn’t punch anyone unless it was necessary. He’s not a violent kid.”
Lucy narrows her eyes at him and he knows she’s thinking the same thing. None of their kids were violent. In fact, they taught them to use their words for the most part. And while it didn’t always work. They did a pretty good job at controlling their emotions when it came to that.
“He—he saw June get pushed down in the mud and so he punched the kid.” Lucy says keeping her eyes on Tim.
“So he punched the kid because he was standing up for his sister?” Tim asks and really he shouldn’t feel so calm about this. But he’s proud of Levi for standing up for June even if he didn’t do it in the best way.
“Yes.” Lucy says. “But he knows better. He should have went to a teacher or an aide. He shouldn’t be punching kids.”
“I’m proud of him.” Tim says. “He stood up for his sister.”
“Tim,” Lucy says sounding exasperated. “Violence isn’t the answer. He can’t punch people every time they do something he doesn’t like.”
“I know that.” Tim says. “But he wouldn’t have done it if there wasn’t a reason to.”
“We still have to talk to him.” Lucy says. “We can’t have him thinking this is the answer.”
“I know.” Tim says and he does know. But Levi was only 7 and he would have to work on using his words. “But I’m still a little proud.”
Lucy rolls her eyes but a smile twitches on her lips. “Yeah me too.” Lucy says. “He’s a good boy huh?”
“The best.” Tim agrees. He didn’t know what it would be like having a son after two daughters but it was the best feeling in the world. It was like Levi was always meant to be there with them.
“Come on.” Lucy says. “We have to go pick him and June up from school.” Tim sighs softly but follows her out of the break room.
He knows they will have to sit Levi down and tell him it wasn’t okay to just punch someone but also that they were proud of him for standing up for his sister. Levi was already protective over June, and to see her being pushed around must have been hard for him.
“Hey.” Lucy says as they exit the station. She pauses and looks up at him. “We have good kids Tim. And they love each other so much. They just have to learn to use their words and not their fists.”
“I know.” He says leaning down to give her a soft kiss. “I know.” She smiles at him and they continue walking. They were going to have to have a long conversation with Levi but he knows it will be okay.
***
“Daddy!” Tim turns to look to see June running towards him. She has dried mud on the bottom of her dress and her eyes are red and puffy.
“Hi Junebug.” Tim says bending down to her eye level. “What happened to you?” June’s lip quivers and she buries herself into his chest. Tim stands up and picks her up. She wraps herself around him immediately.
Tim turns to Lucy who is sitting next to Levi. He has his head down and is shaking his head at whatever Lucy is saying.
“Hey buddy.” Tim says coming to stand in front of him. “Do you want to tell us what happened?”
“They were bullying Junie.” He says still not looking up but Tim can tell his voice is shaking a little. “And they kept doing it. I wasn’t going to do anything.”
“Levi.” Lucy says putting her hand under his chin and lifting it up. Levi blinks at her as tears fill his eyes. “It’s okay buddy. Take a deep breath.” Levi does and then he looks over at Tim and June.
“H-he pushed her in the mud a-and I just punched him.” Levi says hanging his head again. “I’m sorry.”
Tim blows out a breath and sits down next to Levi as June curls into him. “Buddy, you know what you did was wrong.” Tim starts and Levi nods. “You know mom and I taught you to use your words.”
“I tried.” Levi says. “But h-he just wouldn’t stop. So—” Levi sighs softly and looks over at Tim again.
“You stood up for your sister Levi.” Tim says. His son’s face doesn’t changes but he does bite his lip a little. “You stood up to a bully. And we are proud of you for that but you can’t do it with violence.”
“I know.” Levi whispers. Tim’s heart breaks a little as he watches his son slump down. He really did wear his heart on his sleeve. He was so sweet and loving but also protective. Tim knew how it was—he protected everyone he loves no matter the consequences for him.
“Levi.” Lucy says glancing at Tim and then back down at their son. “We love you. You are an amazing brother. And son.”
“You are my favorite brother.” June says. Tim chuckles a little as Levi looks at June. “I’m not just saying that.”
Levi gives her a half smile and then gives one to Lucy and Tim. “Thanks.” He mutters. “Am I in trouble?”
Tim glances at Lucy and then back down at Levi. He was only 7, and he knew what he did was wrong.
“I don’t know yet Levi.” Lucy says. “Your dad and I will discuss it but for now let’s get you two home.”
Levi takes a deep breath and nods leaning over to hug Lucy. “I love you mom.” He says softly. “I’m sorry.” Lucy presses a kiss to the top of his head and rubs his back.
“It’s okay buddy.” Lucy says pulling him back and puts a hand on his cheek. “You are the best protector for our family. We are so lucky to have you.” Tim stands up with June and joins them in the hug.
“I’m so proud of you Levi!” A voice says causing Tim to jump back. Ava is standing behind with a grin on her face. Daisy is next to her with a smaller smile on his face. “And you are the best brother ever.”
“Oh my god girls.” Lucy says. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in class?” Ava shrugs and comes to join in the hug.
“Word travels fast and there’s only one Levi Bradford.” Daisy says. Tim rolls his eyes a little, kids gossip was as bad as cop gossip.
“Alright.” Lucy says shaking her head at Ava and Daisy. “You two go back to class. We will pick you up in a little bit. You two are coming with us.” Tim puts June down and she follows her siblings out of the office.
“Insane.” Tim says. “We have chaotic kids.” Lucy laughs and leans up to give him a kiss.
“Yeah.” She agrees. “But they are pretty great. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Me neither.” He says. “Me neither.”
***
A couple of weeks later, Lucy walks into his office with a familiar look on her face and he knows what is coming.
“Who was it this time?” He asks before he’s standing up and meeting her in the middle. Lucy rolls her eyes a little.
“Ava.” Lucy says.
“What did she do?” He asks because he’s never sure what to expect with Ava.
“Someone stole her snack so she kicked him in well you know—.”
“That’s my girl!” Tim says puffing his chest out a little.
“Tim!”
Tim shakes his head a little and he knows they will have to deal with this. And this was just another crazy day but like Lucy said a few weeks ago he wouldn’t have it any other way.