Chapter Text
1.
The air inside their father’s house still smelled faintly of dust and old coffee, the kind that had soaked into the walls after too many years. The place was stripped bare— no furniture, no boxes, just walls waiting to come down. Genny stood in what used to be the living room, arms crossed, taking it in. Tim was prying up floor trim with a crowbar while Lucy wrestled with a stubborn stretch of old carpet near the hallway.
When Lucy stepped into the next room to grab more trash bags, Genny straightened and glanced over at Tim. “Not that I’m ungrateful for the help,” she said, casual but deliberate, “but when I told you to bring ‘your girl’, I thought you knew I meant the one you’re dating. Not your partner.” She paused, wiped her hands on her jeans, tilted her head. “Unless…”
The implication hung in the air. Tim’s eyes widened a fraction as realization dawned. “Oh— no.” He shook his head fast. “She’s not— no. We’re not. Absolutely not. And she’s not even my partner. She’s my gofer.”
Genny’s eyebrows lifted. “Your what?”
“My gofer. Like, she gofers my coffee, supplies…”
“So your assistant?”
“I guess she’s officially called my sergeant’s aide, yeah.”
Genny smirked. “So that’s why she’s helping us today too?”
“Well, no. I guess she’s… she’s also my friend,” he said, fumbling for a neutral tone but landing somewhere between firm and awkward. “Lucy’s a friend. Rather have her here anyway. Ashley’s… new. Don’t want to scare her off just yet.”
Genny hummed, pretending to buy it. “Right,” she said lightly. “And Ashley’s the girl you’re actually seeing. Got it.”
Before Tim could respond, Lucy reappeared with a roll of trash bags in one hand and a half empty bottle of water in the other. “Hallway’s about done,” she reported. “If we can finish up the living room next, we’ll be ready to hit the kitchen by noon.”
Genny nodded, a small smile touching her face. “You run a tighter ship than he ever did.”
Lucy shrugged. “Somebody has to keep him on schedule.”
Genny caught the flicker of pride in her tone and just smiled. Then, she heard her phone ring. She checked the caller ID and sighed. “Rob,” she muttered under her breath before answering. Her tone shifted instantly— pleasant but edged. “Hey.” Whatever was said on the other end made her glance at Tim with a weary kind of smile. Then she said, “Yeah, I’m still here. No, it’s fine. Why don’t you get the boys so they can say hi to Tim?”
She hit the Facetime button and handed Tim the phone, pressing it into his hand. “It’s for you.”
Two small faces crowded the screen— Tyler and Austin, eyes wide and bright. “UNCLE TIM!” they yelled in perfect unison.
Tim’s grin came easy. “Hey, you little troublemakers. What’s up?”
They talked over each other about school, Tyler’s baseball team, and how Austin got bubblegum stuck in his hair. Tim listened, smiling the whole time, dust in his hair and a crowbar still in his hand. Genny chuckled and started wiping down a wall while they chattered.
Then Lucy crossed behind Tim— shirt streaked with drywall dust, hair falling loose, laughing about something under her breath as she went to join Genny.
Austin’s eyes widened. He leaned toward the screen. “Uncle Tim,” he whispered, mesmerized, “Who’s that?”
Tim glanced over his shoulder. “Oh— uh. That’s… that’s my friend, Miss Lucy.”
Austin lit up. “She’s pretty,” he declared, eyes still on the screen like he’d just discovered a hidden jewel.
Tim laughed, caught off guard. “Yeah?”
Behind them, Rob appeared in the background, giving a long-suffering roll of his eyes that Tim couldn’t help but notice. “Alright, boys,” Rob said, “we’ve gotta get to the game. Say bye.”
“BYE!” the boys chorused.
Tim waved, still faintly flustered. “Bye, guys.”
“Love you, Mom!” Tyler yelled automatically as Genny leaned into view to wave and blow a kiss.
“Bye, Miss Lucy!” Austin added, grinning from ear to ear.
Lucy looked up, a little startled, then waved. “Bye!”
Genny took the phone, ended the call, and looked at Tim deeply amused.
Tim cleared his throat. “What?”
She shrugged. “Nothing.” She took the crowbar from him and placed it back under the baseboard, her voice light. “I think Austin may be smitten with your friend.”
Lucy laughed and went back to work.
Genny leaned toward Tim, lowering her voice just enough for only him to hear.
“Don’t worry,” she murmured, teasing. “I don’t think your nephew’s much competition.”
Tim just shook his head, turning away so she wouldn’t see the faint blush creeping up his neck.
2.
The field lights hummed overhead, washing the grass in a pale yellow glow. Most of the team had already gone— parents corralling kids, equipment clattering into the backs of cars. Tim stood beside Genny, hands tucked into his jean pockets, as they watched Lucy pacing by the fence, phone pressed to her ear.
Her posture shifted mid-conversation. Her shoulders tightened, voice becoming more alert, more professional. The easy, post-practice calm vanished, replaced by that sharp, focused stillness he recognized from work.
When she hung up, she crossed back toward them, tension in every line of her body.
“What’s wrong?” Tim asked.
“There’s something going on with my domestic,” she said with an exhale.
“You want me to come?”
Lucy shook her head, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “No, it’s okay. I got it.”
Tim frowned, but he didn’t push. “Text me when you’re done?”
“I will.” She managed a small smile before reaching out and giving his arm a quick squeeze. “Bye, Genny.” She waved, then jogged toward the parking lot, the grass crunching under her shoes as the night swallowed her up.
Tim’s eyes stayed on the spot where she had disappeared, hands still in his pockets.
Genny looked over at him. “So…”
Tim glanced over. “What’s up?”
“I wish you’d told me Lucy was coming tonight,” Genny said, her tone light but curious. “Austin would’ve wanted to come. He’s still obsessed with her.”
Tim shook his head. “I didn’t know she was coming. Thorsen told her I was subbing in as coach, and she wanted to see for herself.”
Genny nodded slowly, pretending to study the empty field. “Thorsen’s your new gofer, right?”
“Yep.”
“Why’d you replace Lucy anyway? What, were you guys getting too friendly?” she asked, voice all teasing warmth.
Tim opened his mouth, ready to respond, but a shout cut him off.
“Mom!” Tyler was running toward them with his teammate Blake close behind. “Can we go home now?” he begged.
“Right after we finish helping your uncle clean up,” Genny said, nodding toward the stray balls scattered across the infield.
The boys groaned but trotted off to help. Blake paused near Tim, clutching a bat almost as tall as he was.
“Coach Bradford,” he asked, looking up, “Is your friend gonna help coach us too?”
Tyler grinned, looking back. “I hope so. No offense, Uncle Tim, but you suck.”
Genny burst out laughing.
Tim stared at them, half-offended, half-amused. “Thanks for the feedback, kid.”
Tyler shrugged. “Just saying. Lucy seems to know a lot more about how to be better at baseball.”
Tim shot Genny a look but she only raised her eyebrows, biting back another laugh.
“Guess the team’s spoken,” she said.
Tim exhaled through a grin, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll let Coach Lucy know.”
3.
The backyard was strung with lights and half deflated balloons, paper plates balanced on every flat surface. Austin’s birthday party was in full swing— sugar-fueled chaos and all.
Tim stood near the grill, pretending to monitor hot dogs while really just trying to keep an eye on the swirl of kids darting through his yard. He still wasn’t sure how Genny had convinced him to host, but now he saw the plan clearly. He’d be stuck with the cleanup, and she’d get to go home at the end of the night pretending it had all been a team effort.
At least Lucy was here. She was crouched beside Austin as he unwrapped another gift. “Oh my gosh,” she gasped, perfectly on cue as he pulled out a remote control car. “That’s the coolest one yet!”
Austin beamed. “I know! And it lights up!” He pressed a button, and the toy burst to life in a wash of color.
“No way,” Lucy said, wide-eyed, playing along.
Tim couldn’t help the smile that crept across his face. Even from here, he could see how she belonged. Knees in the grass, hair falling loose, surrounded by laughter and sunshine. With him. With his family.
When Genny passed by with a tray of cupcakes, she gave him a sideways glance. “You’re smiling,” she noted. “Like, a lot.”
Tim scoffed, flipping a hot dog. “It’s a party. I’m having fun.”
“Uh huh,” Genny said, unconvinced.
Later, after the presents and the cupcakes and a very messy attempt at a piñata, the backyard had thinned out. The boys were inside watching a movie, the remaining adults trading stories over paper cups of spiked lemonade on the other side of the yard.
Tim found Lucy near the fence, collecting discarded wrapping paper into a trash bag. He slipped up behind her, voice low.
“You know,” he said, “I think Austin’s in love with you.”
Lucy turned, smiling. “He’s young. He’ll grow out of it.”
“Yeah,” Tim said, “but he’s not wrong about you being the prettiest girl in the world.”
She laughed, a quiet, pleased sound. “Well, he’s sweet.”
“He’s competition,” Tim said, mock serious. “Genny told me once I didn’t have to worry about that, but now I’m not so sure.”
Lucy grinned, tilting her head. “You’re jealous of your nephew?”
“Jealous? No,” he said, stepping closer. “Protective, maybe.”
“Uh huh.”
“Pretty sure he’s plotting my downfall.”
Lucy laughed again, soft and close this time, and Tim’s hand found her waist.
“Careful,” she murmured. “We’re at a child’s birthday party.”
“I’m just making sure my girlfriend knows I’m keeping an eye on the competition,” he said.
“Girlfriend, huh?” she teased. “Not friend?”
“Different audience,” he said, and kissed her.
It was meant to be quick, but it lingered— warm and soft, deepening in that way it always did when the rest of the world disappeared for a second.
Which was, of course, when Genny’s voice cut in.
“Well,” she said, deadpan. “Don’t mind me.”
Lucy jerked back, face flushing. Tim sighed, closing his eyes for a beat. “Hey, Gen,” he said flatly.
Genny smirked. “I think I liked it better when you two were pretending,” she said, patting his shoulder on her way past. “Now come inside. The birthday boy wants Uncle Tim’s friend to sit next to him during the movie.”
Lucy’s laughter followed her, low and delighted. “Well, who am I to deny the birthday boy his wish?”
Tim shook his head, smiling despite himself. “Yeah,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint him.”
Later, when the dishes were mostly cleared and the noise had faded to a comfortable murmur, Genny found Tim on the porch nursing the last of a beer.
“Oh, hey,” she said casually, “I forgot to ask… how’s the new job going?”
Tim blinked, pulling his attention back. “It’s good. Intense. Metro’s a lot, but it’s better than sitting behind a desk as court liaison.”
Genny made a face. “I still can’t believe you even did that.”
He shrugged. “Didn’t have a choice.”
“Right,” she said, drawing it out. “Remind me— didn’t Ashley want you to change jobs so you two could be together? And you wouldn’t, so that’s why it ended?”
Tim rolled his eyes. “Your point?”
Genny’s gaze softened as she glanced back toward the house, where Lucy’s laugh echoed faintly from the living room where she and the boys were still watching the movie. “My point,” she said, “is that you changed your job for Lucy. So, I’m guessing this one’s serious. Like, really serious.”
Tim huffed a laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I should probably start prepping Austin for heartbreak,” she said, smirking. “And maybe start getting the boys used to calling her Aunt Lucy.”
Tim groaned. “We’re not there yet.”
Genny grinned, entirely unconvinced. “Tell that to your face right now,” she shot back.
4.
The front desk at Mid-Wilshire was busier than usual— officers coming and going, phones ringing, a steady line of both concerned and nosy citizens.
Tim spotted Genny the moment he stepped in from the hallway. She was standing at the counter with Tyler and Austin flanking her like small bodyguards, both holding half-melted slushies.
“Hey,” he said, already wary. “What’s going on?”
Genny turned, relief flooding her face. “Oh, thank God you’re here.”
“That’s not ominous at all,” he muttered.
“I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, “but I need help. I was supposed to take the boys to the movies with some friends tonight, but I just remembered a parent-teacher conference that I had scheduled.”
Tim frowned. “So you came to the station?”
“It was on the way back to the school!” she said, defensive but grinning. “And I figured— what the hell, it’s you. You’re responsible.”
“Questionable timing,” he said, glancing down at the boys. “I’m still on shift.”
Right then, Lucy strolled in through the side door, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her expression brightened immediately. “Hey, what are you guys doing here?”
“Lucy!” both boys yelled, rushing toward her. She bent down, and they collided into a three-way hug.
“Hi, guys!” she laughed. “What’s the occasion?”
Tim rubbed the back of his neck. “Apparently, my sister’s version of childcare is dropping them off at a police station.”
Genny gave him a look. “Desperate times. I would really owe you.”
Lucy straightened, one hand still resting on Austin’s shoulder. “They can hang out here until shift’s over,” she said.
Tyler shrugged. “I don’t care about the movie anyway.”
Genny hesitated, glancing at Tim. “If that’s okay?”
Tim sighed, but his tone was fond. “Yeah, it’s fine. We’ll take them home after, and you can pick them up later.”
Austin blinked. “Does Miss Lucy live with you?”
Tim froze. “Uh—”
Before he could stammer his way through it, Genny crouched beside Austin, smooth as ever. “You know how you have sleepovers with your friends sometimes?”
Austin nodded.
“Well,” Genny said, “Miss Lucy is Uncle Tim’s friend, right? So, sometimes they have sleepovers too.”
Austin’s eyes widened. “Can we have a sleepover with Uncle Tim too?!”
Tim groaned. “Not tonight, bud.”
Austin frowned. “Why not?”
Tim cleared his throat, shooting Lucy a flirty glance. “Because Miss Lucy and I already have plans.”
“What plans?” Austin pressed.
Tim hesitated, then said with mock seriousness, “We’re playing a special game tonight.”
Austin perked up instantly. “What kind of game? Can I play?”
Lucy bit her lip, doing her best not to laugh. “It’s… uh, a grown-up game,” she said smoothly. “Very boring.”
“Super boring,” Tim echoed. “No fun at all.”
Both boys made matching groans of disgust. “That sounds lame,” Tyler said.
“Exactly,” Tim said, relief slipping into his grin.
Genny stood, face twisting. “Gross.” She gave Tim one last look of sisterly gratitude mixed with amusement. “Thank you both, though— seriously. You’re lifesavers.” Then she hurried out, calling a quick goodbye over her shoulder.
Lucy turned to the boys. “Alright, you two, we’ve got snacks in the break room, and if you’re really lucky, there might even be leftover cake from earlier.”
Austin gasped. “You have cake?!”
5.
It was a Sunday afternoon that was quiet in that easy, weekend way— sunlight filtering through open windows, the sound of a basketball thudding against the driveway outside. Tyler and Austin had been outside for an hour, trading free throws and trash talk in equal measure.
Tim was half watching a game on TV, stretched out on the couch with a beer in hand. Genny sat nearby, scrolling her phone, humming under her breath. It felt comfortable. Familiar.
After a few minutes, she looked up from her phone and scooted closer, something nostalgic in her expression.
“Hey,” she said. “Look what I found the other day.” She held out her phone.
Tim glanced at the screen and blinked. It was from his wedding— he recognized the suit instantly— but it wasn’t a photo of him and Isabel. It was him and Genny, both mid-laugh, the reception lights soft and golden behind them. His tie was loose, her makeup smudged from dancing too long. The kind of picture no one ever framed but maybe should have.
“Wow,” he said, smiling faintly. “We look so young.”
“Yeah,” Genny said, leaning over to look. “And my eyebrows were basically nonexistent. God, how embarrassing.”
Tim chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”
She grinned. “Well, at least I’ll get a redo when you and Lucy get married.”
He looked over, caught between amusement and disbelief. “What?”
She grinned. “I’m serious. I’m gonna look great next time. Classic. I’ll even spring for new lashes.”
Tim rolled his eyes, ready with a retort— but before he could respond, the front door creaked open and Tyler wandered in, a basketball tucked under one arm, hair damp with sweat.
“Who’s getting married?”
Genny froze, too late to backpedal. “Nobody, honey. I was just teasing your Uncle Tim.”
But Tyler had already noticed the photo on her phone. He stepped closer, resting the basketball against his hip. “That’s from your wedding with Aunt Isabel, right?”
Tim nodded. “Yeah. That’s the one.”
Tyler stared at it for a long moment, thoughtful. “I miss her sometimes.”
Tim’s chest tightened. “I know, bud. I miss her sometimes too.”
Tyler’s gaze stayed on the photo, voice quieter now. “Is that why you have Lucy as a friend? So you’re not alone without Aunt Isabel?”
Tim hesitated, then nodded. “Kind of,” he admitted softly. “Lucy makes my life… better. Fuller.”
Tyler thought about that, frowning in concentration. “Is she Aunt Isabel's replacement?”
Tim exhaled, turning so he could face him fully. “Hey. Nobody’s replacing anyone, okay?”
Tyler frowned. “But you’re not married anymore.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s gone,” Tim said softly. “I still care about her. And if you ever want to talk to her or send her a message, we can do that. She’s in Arizona now, but I know she’d love to hear from you.”
Genny nodded, picking up the thread. “It’s kind of like what’s happening with me and your dad,” she said carefully. “We’re not married anymore either, but that doesn’t change how much we love you and Austin. People can move on and still care about each other.”
Tyler mulled that over, quiet for a long beat. Then he looked back at Tim. “Are you going to get married again though?”
Tim hesitated, then smiled faintly. “I hope so.”
“To Lucy?”
The front door swung open again and Austin came bounding in. “Oh, please say yes! Mom says if you do, we get to call her Aunt Lucy!” he announced proudly.
Tim blinked, caught off guard. “Uh…”
Tyler smirked. “So, is that a yes?”
Genny burst out laughing. “He’s got you there.”
Tim shot her a look. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Immensely,” she said, grinning. “It’s karma. You teased me for years.”
Tim groaned, sinking back into the couch. “Yeah, yeah.” His phone buzzed on the coffee table, Lucy’s name and picture lighting up the screen. He picked it up and walked into the kitchen, voice softening as he answered. “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” she said, warmth in her tone. “You surviving your nephews?”
“Barely.”
From the living room came Austin’s voice, loud and delighted, “HI, AUNT LUCY!”
Lucy’s laughter burst through the speaker, bright and amused.
Tim closed his eyes, smiling despite himself. “So that just happened.”
“Should I even ask?” Lucy said, still laughing.
+1
It was late evening when Tim showed up at Genny’s house.
No smile. No warmth.
He didn’t text first— just showed up and let himself in.
The sound of the TV drifted from the living room. Cartoon voices, soft laughter. Tyler and Austin were sitting cross legged on the floor, a half-finished puzzle between them.
When they saw him, both boys jumped up.
“Uncle Tim!” Austin shouted, racing over. “Is Aunt Lucy here too?”
Tim froze. His throat tightened. He swallowed hard, eyes flicking away. “Uh, no,” he said quietly. “She’s… busy.”
Genny found him later in the kitchen.
He was standing at the counter, head bowed, hands braced on the edge like it was the only thing holding him up.
She didn’t say anything at first. Just stepped closer, waiting.
“I broke up with her,” he finally said, his voice cracking on the last word.
Genny exhaled softly. “What— why? What happened?”
He shook his head, jaw tight. “Because she deserves better.” His voice was rough, frayed at the edges. “She’s incredible, Gen. And I’m… I can’t give her what she needs. So, I walked away.”
“Tim…”
His shoulders began to shake then, just slightly, and Genny didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
For a moment, he stood rigid, holding himself together by sheer force of will. Then the dam broke. He leaned into her, silent but shaking, his breath catching on every exhale.
She held him like she used to when they were kids, when he’d pretend their dad’s tune-ups didn’t phase him. When he needed someone to remind him that being tough and being okay weren’t the same thing.
After a long moment, he pulled back, unsteady. His eyes were red, his voice barely there. “I don’t know how to tell them,” he whispered. “The boys. They love her.”
Genny’s chest ached. She squeezed his hand. “We’ll figure it out,” she said gently. “Together.”
A few weeks later, Tyler and Austin were sitting side by side on Tim’s couch, controllers in hand, yelling over each other as their characters battled on-screen.
“Alright, that’s enough for now,” Tim called from the kitchen. “Lunch is ready.”
“After this level!” Tyler yelled.
Tim sighed. “You said that twenty minutes ago.”
Austin groaned as his character got knocked out. “Uncle Tim, you made me lose!”
Tim leaned against the doorway, managing a faint smile. “Pretty sure that’s on you. Come on, food’s getting cold.”
But Austin didn’t move. He paused the game, the screen freezing mid-fight. He crossed his arms. “Where’s Aunt Lucy?” he asked suddenly.
The words hit harder than they should have. Tim froze. The smile faded. He set the plate down on the counter and turned toward the couch. “Didn’t your mom tell you?” he said gently. “She’s…” He swallowed. “She’s not around anymore, bud.”
Austin frowned, quiet for a moment. “Did she move away?”
Tim shook his head slowly. “No, uh…”
Tyler glanced up from the controller, annoyed. “They’re not friends anymore, Austin.”
Austin blinked, processing that. “Oh. Really?”
Tim’s throat burned. He forced himself to meet his nephew’s eyes and nodded once. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Really.”
Austin hesitated. “But why?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Was she mean to you?”
“No.”
“Were you mean to her?”
Tim’s breath caught. “I guess you could say that.”
Austin thought about that, brow furrowed. “You should say you’re sorry. Then you can be friends again.”
Tim swallowed hard.
Austin then set his controller aside and headed toward the kitchen. Tyler followed, eyes flicking once toward his uncle before moving on.
Tim stood there for a long moment, Austin's words echoing in his mind.
You should say you’re sorry. Then you can be friends again.
He wished it were that simple.