Work Text:
“Hey.” Tim says coming up behind Lucy and wrapping himself around her. She catches his eyes in the mirror and then turns around in his arms.
“Hi.” She says looking up at with troubling brown eyes. She looks tired but happy. They had a long Saturday with wrangling the kids from activity to activity and then Ava told them she had a project due on Monday. It was a hectic day but he couldn’t help but feel relieved it was over and he finally got some alone time with Lucy. “How’s my current husband?” Tim frowns at her, but Lucy remains in place and schools her face.
“What did you just say?” He asks. Lucy puts her hands on his chest and looks up at him innocently.
“What do you mean?”
“You said current husband.” He says and he hates that he feels a little panicked. He thought they were good, he thought they—
“Yes.” Lucy says and he sees a tiny smile playing at her lips. “You are my current husband.”
“But current? Do you plan on getting another one?” He asks. He takes a deep breath and looks at Lucy who is trying not to smile.
“No.” She says. “I was just asking how my current husband is doing.”
“You are infuriating—” He starts to say but he’s interrupted by a voice.
“Are you getting a divorce?” Lucy freezes and lets go of Tim. He turns too and sees Ava in the doorway. She is in her pajamas but she doesn’t look like she has laid down like she was suppose to.
“What are you talking about Aves?” Lucy asks walking over to her and bending down into front of her. “Of course we aren’t getting a divorce.”
“But you said current husband. Are you going to—” She says but Lucy shakes her head and pulls Ava into a hug. Ava instantly relaxes into her arms like she’s at complete peace. Tim stands back a little, and watches them. It’s how he feels when Lucy hugs him. He just relaxes into her arms knowing that she is his safe place.
“No! It was a joke. I saw this trend on ClipTalk and thought I would try it on your dad.” Lucy says and she looks up at Tim giving him an apologetic look. Tim rolls his eyes and joins them in the doorway.
“Mom was being silly Aves.” He says and he hears her let out a amused breath. “Mom and I love each other very much.”
“Promise?” Ava asks. Tim nods and he realizes for a eight year old this could be quite stressful and distressing.
“We promise Ava.” Lucy says pressing a kiss to the top of her head and then standing up. “Now what are you doing out of bed?”
“My current parents didn’t say goodnight to me.” Ava says crossing her arms crossed her chest . Lucy lets out a laugh and then covers her mouth with her hands and Tim just shakes his head a little.
“Current parents?” He asks. “Are you going to get new ones Ava?” Ava shrugs her shoulders and turns to leave the bathroom. Tim and Lucy follow her to her room.
“Maybe.” She says climbing into bed. “Maybe my new parents won’t forget to tuck me in.”
Damn she was good.
“Well played Ava.” Lucy says bending down to give her a kiss on the forehead. “Now that you are tucked in you need to go to sleep.”
“Okay.” Ava says but her eyes are already closed. Tim takes Lucy’s hand and leads her from the room. He pauses outside Ava’s door and pulls it so it’s not all the way closed.
“See what you did?” He asks teasingly. Lucy rolls her eyes and pushes at his shoulder.
“Okay current husband.” She says. Tim rolls his eyes this time and pushes her towards their bedroom. “Whatever you say.”
“Don’t push it Luce.” He says. “You might be out a husband—” Lucy scoffs and pushes at his shoulders.
“No I won’t.” She says. “You are my current, first and only husband. You are stuck with me.” Tim breathes a sigh of relief even though he didn’t really doubt it was good to hear out loud.
“Good.” Tim says. “Because we have our hands full with Ava.” Lucy laughs and nuzzles up to him, and he feels immensely grateful for her.
He feels immensely grateful for his family and even the craziness that comes with it. Because they are worth it. They are worth everything.
“We do.” Lucy agrees. “And Daisy, Levi and June.” Tim hums softly and backs her towards the bed.
“Current parents my ass.” He says as he climbs into the bed with her. “As if she would actually try and find new parents.”
“It’s Ava.” Lucy says. “She throws us curveballs all the time.” Tim rolls his eyes and pulls her close.
“I love you.” Tim says. “Even when you pull silly trends on me.”
“I love you too.” Lucy says. “Even when our eight year old thinks we are getting a divorce.”
“I love you too.” A voice says from the doorway. Tim sits up and sees Ava standing there—she has a small smile on her face. “Even when you forget to tuck me in.”
“Ava Rose.” Lucy scolds but she’s already making room for her. Tim knows she won’t go to sleep unless she’s had a little bit of time with them. She was still their baby girl even if she wasn’t so little anymore.
Ava climbs up and gets in the middle of them and settles down. “Goodnight current parents.” She says. Tim looks at Lucy who just shakes her head.
“Goodnight Ava.”