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“Well, you might break it again if you leave her hanging too long.”
Angela’s words kept replaying in his head. He was on patrol with Miles today and definitely knew he was distracted.
“You alright there, sir?” He hears Miles ask him from the passenger seat snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Yep.” His response rigid.
Miles just shakes his head and looks back out the window hoping for a call to get him out of this shop away from Tim so he could breathe.
As Tim kept driving, he kept thinking about what he wanted to say to Lucy. Not only was he trying to be respectful of her but now their opposite shifts make things a little more difficult, too.
•••
Finally the day was over, Tim walked out of the locker room hoping to see Lucy. The last few evenings, they’ve met at the elevator and exchanged a quick ‘hello’, Lucy asking how his shift was and him telling her to have a good night and be safe. It wasn’t much but something was better than nothing.
“She’s off tonight,” Celina walks up behind him.
“Lucy?” He turns slightly to face her.
“Yes, she’s off tonight then works the next three. I’m kind of surprised you didn’t know that, though.” She gives him a smirk.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, everyone’s seen you waiting around for her the last few shifts.”
“Not everyone,” he rolls his eyes. “Besides, we haven’t really talked like that.”
“If you say so. Anyways, I’m off to Rodge’s for dinner, I’ll see you later.” She waves him off as she walks towards the exit.
He wasn’t far behind her, quickly getting into his truck knowing what he needed to do. Who he needed to go see.
•••
To say her body was still trying to adjust to working nights would be an understatement. She was definitely glad to be off tonight but that didn’t take away the way her body aches or how tired she is.
Lying in bed, scrolling her phone, there was a knock at the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone, didn’t order anything and Celina would definitely use her key.
*knock knock*
Deciding now she had to get up to see who it was, she threw on a pair of Tim’s boxers she had found weeks after the breakfast folded in his drawer. Of course she was wearing one of his shirts, too.
Moaning and groaning as she made her way over, she didn’t even look into the peep-hole before opening.
“Oh… hey.” She can’t say she isn’t shocked to see Tim standing on the other side.
“Hey yourself,” he smiles while admiring her. “Nice shirt you got there.” He teases, waiting for a smart comment back from her, which he doesn’t get.
“So, what are you doing here?” She questions as she moves over to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water.
“I think we should talk.” He immediately sees the panic in her eyes. Putting a hand up, “it’s nothing bad, at least I don’t think it is.”
“Let’s go sit on the couch,” she sighs. “Do you want something to drink?”
“No, thank you though.” He sits down and turns to her as she’s sitting as well.
“So…” She bites down on her bottom lip.
“I know I haven’t been as open as maybe you would’ve liked or thought I’d be. I’ve been trying to give you space, respect your boundaries and follow your lead. The truth is, I don’t want to wait any longer. I don’t want to wait to be able to tell you I love you. I don’t want to wait to take you on dates.
I don’t want to wait to be able to hold you when you need it, or kiss you just because. I know I was the one who screwed it all up and walked away, but I’m tired of waiting. I want you, Lucy. I want a future, a forever.”
For the first time since he opened his mouth, he looks up at her. He can normally read her and know exactly what she’s thinking and how she’s feeling, except he can’t in this moment.
“Tim, I…” she looks down at her lap. “I want all that too. I do. I’m just scared. But I’ve come to realize, especially since working the night shift and not seeing you nearly as much as I’d like, that I don’t want to be scared anymore. I just want you.”
Her eyes meet his and both are glossy with unshed tears.
“After you became Sergeant, I went out and bought you something. I didn’t know if or when I’d have the chance to give it to you but I think now is the perfect time.” He takes a small velvet box out of his pocket, she immediately gasps.
“It’s not what you think it is… yet.” His face now blushed, “here, open it.”
She takes the box from his hands and carefully opens it. She almost drops it when she sees a moonstone ring, but not like the one she already has. This one is full of diamonds. Looking up at him with tears running down her cheeks,
“It’s a promise ring. A promise that I won’t run when things get hard. A promise I will love you every single day the way you deserve.”
“It’s beautiful Tim. I don’t even know what to say… and not in a bad way. You were waiting for me to make the first move while I was waiting for you to do so.” She chuckles while wiping the tears with one hand, still holding the ring box in the other.
“Can I do the honors?” He asks looking at her and then down at the ring.
“Oh! Yes of course.” She blushes, watching him with shaky hands place the ring on her finger.
“There. It’ll keep the space warm until I give you the real deal.” He winks sending a shiver down her spine.
She looks down at the ring, admiring how beautiful it is. How beautiful the man who gave it to her is and his big heart. She sees his growth, she sees he’s putting in the work.
“Tim?” She says quietly looking up at him, not even sure if he can hear her.
He tilts his head waiting for her to say what’s on her mind.
“Take me to bed.”
“Luce, are you sure?” He asks honestly putting a hand on top of her own giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Yes. We have so much to catch up on but for now… for now, I just want you.”
That’s all it takes for him to stand up, offering a hand to her. Before she can even take a step, his mouth is all over her, kissing any and every place that he can.
They stumble their way into her bedroom, forcefully closing the door behind them. He starts taking her jacket off, kissing her neckline and slowly moving down the v neck of her shirt.
His shirt is off and she’s working on unbuckling his belt when they hear a noise coming from the living area.
Tim is too distracted still kissing her, he either doesn’t hear or doesn’t care.
“Wait… stop.” She says quietly against his lips.
“Hmm?” He mumbles before placing his hands under the hem of her shirt, trying to get her to take it off.
“I think Celina’s home.” She says before kissing him again.
“Lucy?” They hear from the other side of the door.
“Hold on!” She yells back.
They’re not sure why they both panic in that moment. It’s like they’re teenagers worried they’re about to get caught by their parents.
“Closet, now!” She shoves him quietly, throwing his shirt at him before closing the door behind him.
Lucy jumps onto her bed, lying at a very awkward angle before calling out to Celina. “Come in.”
Celina opens the door, immediately looking down at Lucy with a growing smile on her face. “Hey, how was your day?”
“Decent, good some good rest. How was your shift?”
“Good,” she nods. “Sooo… should I expect to see Tim around more often?” She smirks. Lucy knows they’re busted.
“What- why would you think that?” She’s doing everything she can to keep a straight face.
“Oh, no reason. But he’s definitely in the closest, right?”
Not being able to resist the smile that’s creeping onto her face, “Oh my gosh! Okay you caught us.” She sits up and goes to open the closet, letting Tim out.
“Ha! I knew it!” Celina cheers.
“Okay, okay you were right. Now can you shut the door and leave us alone?” Lucy playfully shouts with a laugh.
Celina just shakes her head before turning around and closing the door behind her.
“So,” Tim walks in front of her pulling her into his arms, “Where were we?” He kisses her hard while lowering her down on the bed.