Work Text:
Lucy gets the idea from a clip talk video, and she has a feeling she knows how Tim will react to this but she does it anyway. And besides if she can go out this weekend without the girls that means she will owe Tim—and that’s never a bad thing.
Lucy: Hey can you babysit this weekend?
Tim: Who? Jack and Aria?
Lucy: No. Ava and Daisy.
Tim: My daughters?
Lucy: Yes. I want to go do some errands.
Tim: Lucy…
Lucy: Yes?
Lucy pauses and waits for Tim’s response. The dots appear and then disappear from the screen and she knows he’s twitching a little. He probably wants to call her, and ask what the hell she’s doing.
Tim: You know I’m their dad right? No the babysitter.
Lucy: Yes… I need a babysitter this weekend.
Tim: Will I get paid?
Lucy: No… I just need you to babysit Ava and Daisy.
Tim: But I’m their dad. Not their babysitter. What is the matter with you?
Tim: I am going to play with my girls just like I do every time you aren’t here.
Tim: are you okay? You know we are equals.
Lucy: Can you or not?
Tim: Yes babe. I will parent my girls this weekend.
Lucy: Thank you 🩷
Tim: Hold on….
Lucy raises her eyebrows as her phone buzzes in her hand and she lets out a soft laugh when she sees it’s Tim.
“Hello?”
“Are you okay?” Tim asks in lieu of a hello. “You do realize we are equals. I don’t babysit the girls—our girls. I parent them.”
“Yes Tim—”
“I am a good parent.” He says but his voice falters a little. “I don’t babysit.”
“Tim.” Lucy says and she feels a little bad for messing with him. She never wants him to feel like he’s not a good dad. “Of course you are a good parent. You are a good dad. The best dad to be honest. I love you.”
Tim blows out a sigh of relief, and Lucy laughs a little. “I was just messing with you babe. But I really do need you to watch—to parent the girls. I have a few things I need to do.”
“Of course baby.” Tim says. Lucy looks up at the ceiling, feeling grateful that she is has Tim in her life.
“Thank you.” Lucy says. “I really do appreciate it.”
“Always.” Tim says. “Always.”
***
Tim lays in bed and turns over to face Lucy. She is reading a book, her eyes on the page and not paying attention to him.
“Hey Luce.” He says. Lucy hums but she still doesn’t turn to look at him. “I want to talk to you about something.” Ever since Lucy asked him to babysit Ava and Daisy it had been on his mind. He knows she was messing with him, but for some reason there was still a heavy weight on his shoulders. A pit at the bottom of his stomach. He never wants Lucy to feel like she has to do all the work, he never wants her to feel like she’s the only parent sometimes. Like when he has to work late or he stays downstairs to watch a game.
They are both parents.
They are a team.
Lucy does turn to look at him, her eyes curious as she scans him up and down. “What?” She asks. Tim smiles at her and reaches to brush her hair out of the way.
“Your messages today—”
“Babe, I was joking.” She says and she does look like she feels bad. “I’m sorry. You are not their babysitter. You are their dad. Their hero. Their favorite person sometimes and I don’t blame them.”
“I appreciate that baby.” Tim says. “I know I am their dad. And I know it was a joke. But I never want you to feel like we aren’t equals. We have two kids. We both have jobs we love. I know sometimes that takes away from our life but—”
“We are equals.” Lucy finishes for him. “Of course we are baby. Always. I love you and I am really sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Tim says. “It gave me time to think. And since you messed with me—” His smile turns into a smirk and Lucy rolls her eyes.
“You are going to get me back aren’t you?”
“Oh absolutely.” He says and he’s grinning big. “Payback is real Lucy.”
“I love you Tim Bradford.” Lucy says softly. Tim smiles at her and leans in to kiss her. One of these days he will get her back. But for right now being in bed with her is all he needs.
“I love you too Luce.”