Work Text:
June 10th
Lucy looks around the station nervously before she walks up to Angela. She really didn’t know how to start this conversation. But Angela knew Tim and had known him a lot longer than she had.
“Hey.” Lucy says stopping in front of Angela. “I have a question about Tim.” Angela raises her eyebrows but pauses what she is doing.
“Yes?”
“Father’s day is on Sunday.” Lucy says. “And I want to do something for Tim. Emma calls him daddy and as much as Tim—” She stops for a few seconds. Emma had started calling Tim daddy and Tim was still in disbelief every time it came out of her mouth. And no matter how many times Lucy told him he was her dad—despite not being her biological dad. He never seemed to believe her.
“Tim is Emma’s dad.” Angela says. “I know he has a hard time believing that some times.”
“He does.” Lucy agrees. “He’s more of a dad than her sperm donor ever will be. He was a dad before she even started calling him that.”
“I know.” Angela says. “So what’s the question?” Lucy sighs and takes a seat in the chair across from Angela.
“I didn’t know what to do last year for Father’s Day.” She says. “We just started dating and he made my Mother’s Day amazing but—I took him out for dinner and gave him a card from Emma. But it wasn’t much.”
“I’m sure he appreciated it Lucy.” Angela says. “He didn’t really celebrate Father’s Day growing up because his was—”
“I know.” Lucy says quickly. “But we are more in a routine now and Emma is older and sees him as her dad. She calls him daddy. I want to do something special for him.”
“I think just showing him how much you appreciate him and how he is Emma’s dad will do it.” Angela says. “Just showing him he’s one of the good ones.”
“Right.” Lucy says. “One of the good ones.”
She gets up and sees Tim walking towards her with a smile on his face. She feels butterflies in her stomach as he approaches. She can’t help but feel giddy, because she had a man who loves her despite everything. She has a man who loves her daughter and her daughter loves him right back.
“Hey.” He says. “Are you ready to go?” Lucy nods and gives Angela a quick smile before she loops her arm with Tim’s.
She would figure out how to make this Father’s Day perfect.
***
June 12th
“Okay Emma.” Lucy says bending down next to her daughter. “Can you make daddy a card?” Emma chews on her bottom lip and nods. She picks up a crayon and starts scribbling.
“Good job baby.” Lucy says. Emma pauses and smiles up at her.
“Love daddy.” She says. Lucy hums softly and presses a kiss to the top of her head. She had no doubt that Emma loved her daddy. She saw it in her eyes every time Tim walked in a room. She saw it when Emma didn’t want to be comforted by anyone but Tim.
“I know you do Bug.” She says. “We are going to celebrate daddy on Sunday. Okay?”
“Okay mama.” Emma says as she continues to color. Lucy smiles a little, she knows Emma doesn’t understand any of this but it was nice to know her daughter could celebrate Father’s Day with Tim.
Emma finishes the card and Lucy writes in it: Happy Father’s Day daddy! I love you. Love, Emma.
Lucy had a few more ideas on how to make this Father’s Day perfect for Tim.
Because he deserves it. He deserves it every single day. He was one of the good ones after all.
***
June 13th
“Hey.” Lucy says coming to stand next Tim as they get ready for bed. “I have a question.” Tim turns to look at her curiously.
“I may have an answer.” He says. Lucy rolls her eyes and then takes a deep breath, she really didn’t know to approach this except to just come out and say it.
“Father’s Day is on Sunday.” She says. Tim freezes and turns to face the mirror. He catches her eyes and then picks up his razor.
“That’s not a question Lucy.” He says his voice quiet. She can hear the hesitation in his voice. “What about it?”
“I want to celebrate you. For father’s day.” She says softly. “You deserve it.” She watches Tim puts shaving cream on and then starts to shave his face. He avoids Lucy’s eyes and the silence that takes over is heavy.
“Why?” He finally says. “I’m not a father.” Lucy sighs and taps the counter with her fingers and then steps closer to him. They had been over this before and she would tell him everyday if she had to.
He is a father. To Emma.
“But you are a father.” She says. “You are more of a dad than Chris ever was. You are more of a dad than my dad was. Emma calls you daddy. So yes Tim you are a father.”
“I know but—” Tim starts and she can see he’s working through this. It wasn’t that long ago Emma did start calling him daddy. She understands it’s confusing when he didn’t meet Emma until she was six months and they didn’t start dating until she was a year and half but still.
“I will tell you this everyday babe. That little girl looks up to you, she loves you and she feels safe with you. You deserve to be celebrated everyday and I know I didn’t really do anything last year and I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize baby.” He says. “I just never thought I would celebrate Father’s Day. I never did when I was growing up.” Lucy nods and steps closer to him wrapping her arms around his neck and peering up at him.
“It was hard for me to celebrate my dad when he was so—not there for me.” Lucy says. “My parents wanted me to do what they wanted and to not be myself.”
“You deserved better.” Tim whispers pulling her flush against him. “You deserved to be treated better.”
“You deserved better too.” Lucy says remembering when Tim’s father stopped by the house drunk. She couldn’t even imagine what he went through with his dad. “And you aren’t your father. You are better than that.”
“Lucy.” Tim says softly. “We don’t have to celebrate it. Okay? Having you and Emma here is all I need.” Lucy blows out a breath and stands on her toes to kiss him.
“But I want to.” She tells him. “I want to do this. You gave my daughter something I never thought she would have. Ever. You are her dad Tim and she loves you. Let me—let us do this for you.”
Tim takes a couple minutes to reply, and she can practically see the wheels turning in his head. “Okay.” He says finally. “Nothing too fancy.” Lucy grins at him and presses a kiss to his cheek and then pulls him from the bathroom.
“No promises.” She says. “Emma and I are going to go all out.” Tim shakes his head but pulls her to the bed.
“You are amazing Lucy.” He says, “I’m not sure how I got so lucky.” Lucy shrugs and climbs into bed. Tim follows suit and she curls up around him.
“Ditto.” She says. “I love you Tim.” She hears Tim hum softly and nuzzle his nose into her neck.
“I love you too baby.” He mutters. There’s a long silence and then a tiny voice sounds from the doorway.
“Daddy?” Lucy watches as Tim sits up, she does too and sees Emma in the doorway. She’s holding a bear and a blanket. Her hair is all messed up and she’s rubbing at her eyes.
“Hi Bug.” Tim says gently. “What’s wrong?” Emma shrugs and walks over to the bed. Tim pulls her up on the bed and puts her in the middle.
“Love you daddy.” She says looking up at him and putting her thumb in her mouth. Lucy makes a soft noise and Tim looks over his face soft.
“I love you too Emma.” He says softly. “You are my little Bug.” Emma moves over and lays her head on his chest.
“Night daddy.” She says. “Night mama.” Lucy laughs and rubs Emma’s back and presses a kiss to her head.
“Night Bug.” Lucy mutters. “Night Tim.” She hears Tim huff out a laugh, and she catches his eyes again.
“Night Luce.” Tim replies. “I love you.” Lucy closes her eyes, and she knows this Father’s Day will be one for the books.
***
June 14th
“Should we get daddy a brown leather money clip or a black one?” Lucy asks Emma. Emma blinks up at her and then reaches into her little snack bag and pulls out some Cheerios.
Lucy sighs and looks at both the money clips, she thinks the brown fits him more. She puts the black one back and holds onto the brown one.
“What else should we get for daddy?” Lucy asks Emma who is still happily munching on her Cheerios.
“Me!” Emma squeals but she doesn’t look up from the bag. Lucy chuckles a little and pauses the basket in the middle of the aisle.
“We should get daddy you?” She asks. Emma finally looks up and her eyes are shining as she nods her head.
“Daddy love me.” She says and then she goes back to eating her Cheerios. Lucy laughs and pushes the basket down the aisle. She thinks about the conversation they had the other day about Father’s Day. She knows it’s difficult for him to think about and wrap his mind around. Tim probably never thought this day would come.
Lucy came into his life with Emma and they all just—bonded. And it wasn’t like Lucy was looking for someone to be a dad to Emma. She had actually given up on that and she would never force someone to be a dad but Tim—
He just got it. He knew what they needed and he went above and beyond for both of them. And she falls in love with him more and more every day.
“Daddy does love you baby.” Lucy says. “And we are going to celebrate him tomorrow. How does that sound?” Emma claps her little hands together and she doesn’t understand but Lucy knows she loves her daddy.
And that’s all that really matters. He’s one of the good ones. And he always would be.
***
June 15th (Father’s day)
Lucy wakes up early on Father’s Day and goes downstairs to set everything up. She knows Tim will be up soon and she wants to make sure everything is in place. She puts all the presents she bought into a bag and then starts the coffee maker. She pulls out the card that she bought so she could write a note to Tim. She’s not even sure she has the words to tell him how much he means to her and Emma.
How he is always would be their safe place. And Emma’s daddy.
She sighs softly and chews on her bottom lip before she starts to write.
Tim,
I know this day was a day you never thought you would celebrate. I know you have reservations but I also know how much you love Emma. You make her feel safe, you make smile and sparkle. She was so attached to me and then you came along. Her first word was im. You saved her life, and you continue to love her no matter what. She loves you Tim and in her eyes you are her dad.
I love you too. You continue to make my life better and I couldn’t want anything more. Thank you for everything you do for me and Emma.
Happy Father’s Day.
Love Lucy and Emma.
She rereads it and then slips the card in the envelope and writes his name on it. This was going to be a good day. She was going to make sure of it.
“Hey.” Says a voice behind her. She turns around on her heels and sees Tim standing there holding a sleepy Emma. “You are never up before me.” Lucy grins at him and steps towards them motioning him to sit down.
“I had to get stuff ready.” She says. She goes over and pours him some coffee and pushes it towards him.
“You didn’t have to.” Tim says. He puts Emma on the stool next to him and takes a drink of the coffee. “But thank you.”
“Of course.” Lucy says smiling at him and then she turns to Emma. “Emma, do you know what today is?” Emma just stares at Lucy blankly still looking like she’s half asleep.
“No.” She finally says. Lucy laughs and makes her way around the counter to whisper in Emma’s ear.
“Happy daddy day.” Emma says to Tim who freezes a little. “Love you.” Tim’s face doesn’t change until he looks away from Emma and at Lucy.
“You’re amazing you know that.” He says. “I—”
“So are you.” Lucy says pushing the bag towards him. “Today is about you Tim.” Tim reaches in and pulls out the money clip which Lucy had personalized and the coffee grounds she found so he could make his own coffee at home. And the six pack of beer and Emma’s homemade card.
“This is from Emma?” He asks raising his eyebrows at her. Lucy shrugs and leans in to kiss him.
“I helped.” She says. “Emma made the card.” Tim picks the card up and reads it. She watches as his face softens and he reaches over to pull Emma onto his lap.
“Thank you Emma.” He says into her hair. “I love it.” Emma just snuggles into him and closes her eyes.
Tim picks up the card that Lucy had gotten him and he opens it. He blinks a few times after he’s done and puts it aside before he’s turning to Lucy.
“I don’t know what to say.” He says. “I love you both.” Lucy just smiles at him, she knows this is overwhelming for him.
“We love you too.” Lucy says. “You are one of the good ones Tim. And I’m thankful you are mine.”
“My daddy.” Emma says clutching Tim’s shirt with her tiny fingers. “Mine.”
“And Emma’s.” Lucy says laughing. Tim laughs and presses a kiss to the top of Emma’s head and then turns to look at Lucy his eyes sparkling.
“Thank you.” He says. “This is amazing. You are amazing. I—” Lucy nods and she knows this is the first of many father’s days they celebrate and she can’t wait to see them in the future.
“Of course.” She says. “Hey Tim?” He turns to look at her, his eyebrows raised. He’s still holding onto Emma whose eyes are still closed.
“Yeah?”
“Happy Father’s Day.”