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Things were going well, so well for them. Lucy had officially moved in just yesterday and they were happier than ever and more in love than either have ever experienced. She sent Tim out to run some errands, picking up a few bins and containers she wanted to help better organize throughout the house. And since he wanted to make her favorite sea bass for dinner, he had to run to the grocery store to pick everything up.
She was sitting on the floor in their bedroom, Kojo laid out next to her fast asleep as she was going through some boxes. The first was kind of boring, a box of her gym clothes. She did laugh to herself after taking a pair of blue leggings out that always were a favorite of Tim’s. Without fail every time she wore them, he would comment about how good her ass looks.
She was kind of shocked to see how much space he cleared out for her but after her “you’re going to need more boxes” comment, he clearly wasn’t messing around.
The last thing she pulls out is one of his hoodies she insisted on wearing after they got back together. After making up for lost time, they were hungry and his hoodie was what looked most comfortable to her. She ended up wearing it back to the apartment and practically lived in it for the few days it took for her to be able to move in officially.
The next box however proved to be a little more sentimental. The small box sat on the top shelf of her closet always meant for safe keeping. The first thing she happened to pull out was a picture of herself, Jackson and Tamara after a movie night in the apartment.
Tears fill her eyes as she ran her thumb over the picture, wishing that touch was enough to bring him back. She can’t help but think of all the things he’d say, how happy he would be for her and being the first, besides Tim of course to help her pack up and then how they’d share tears as she left the apartment for the last time.
Knowing there was something else in the box that reminds her of Jackson, she dug until she found it almost at the bottom. The St. Michael necklace, the one that gave her a sense of family when she couldn’t even find it from within her own.
She brushes the last of her tears away and sets them both to the side, wanting to see what else is in the box. The next came a ticket stub from the first professional baseball game Tim took Lucy to. He was ecstatic when she agreed to go with him and spent the whole game being more patient than she deserved to explain everything to her.
The next were a handful of post-it notes all from Tim, her heart melting all over again as she read them.
The first, ‘I love you -Tim’ was hanging up in her bedroom up until just a few days ago. Even through the breakup, it was a constant reminder of what she had and then after the wildfire, her realizing that his love for her was never the issue.
The next was a simple ‘Ran out for coffee incase you wake up before I’m back 🖤’ the message was simple but sweet. He could’ve texted her that but instead took the time to write it out and even fill in the heart he drew.
The next one was one she spent practically hours staring at after she initially found it. When she was studying for the Sergeants exam, she flipped the page of her book and a piece of paper fell out. She picked it up from her lap and instantly smiled. ‘I know you’re already doubting yourself so it’s time to put the book down and take a break. Always your biggest fan -Tim’
His promise of small doses after the breakup were anything but small to her. From all his help dealing with Seth, supporting her after she jumped through the window to save the baby, helping her study for the exam, celebrating her when she placed first and everything in between. He truly showed up for her in all the ways that truly mattered most to her.
She didn’t even hear Tim come in the house, doesn’t even hear him come in the bedroom until he’s standing in front of her with that soft smile that’s only ever been reserved for her.
“What are you doing there, baby?” She moves a few things so he can sit down next to her.
“Look at what I found,” she holds up the notes with a wide grin. “I still and always will cherish these from you.”
She’s a little confused when he stands up and moves to his bedside table, opening up the top drawer and taking something out. He comes back to her and shows her his own collection of notes she’s left him.
“I kept these and would constantly look at them when we weren’t together.”
She smiles as he flips through them, reading them all to himself and smiling as if it was the first time he was reading them. After he was done, he sets them down and cups her cheek, not missing how she instantly leans in to his touch.
“I love you and I love that we’re doing this. I can’t wait for our future here.” He leans forward to kiss her, letting the moment linger as he kisses her one more time and pulls away.
She frowns, already missing his lips on hers making him chuckle softly, “I need to get started on dinner.”
He’s about to stand up when she grabs his arm to stop him. “Wait, I want to see what else is in this box with you.” Because he can’t say no to her, he sits back down as she grabs out of the almost now empty box.
“Aww,” she admires the 17st place trophy he had gotten for her after the whole detectives exam disaster. “You really remembered when I said all those years ago I love trophies, huh?”
“Of course I did,” he responds simply, “I remember almost everything you say, believe it or not.”
She scoffs at that, “No way. You’re telling me you remember all those days I was rambling endlessly in the shop? The same days you asked and I repeat, ‘do you ever stop talking?’”
“I never said that!” She glares at him, “Okay, maybe I did. But secretly I enjoyed it, you always could manage to get me out of my head.”
Her expression softens, reaching over to grab his forearm. Neither speak any words but the moment doesn’t need any, they both just know.
“Okay,” he finally says and clears his throat, “What else is in there?”
She gasps, forgetting all about this one somehow. “The birthday card you… I mean Kojo gave me.” She doesn’t even realize she’s crying until a stray tear rolls down her cheek, Tim reaching up to wipe it away.
“Babe,” he says sadly, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to celebrate you. But I knew I still had to do something and I figured you wouldn’t want to see me, figured there was no way you’d deny Kojo.”
“Thank you.” She mutters quietly, looking over at the dog and then back at Tim.
She sees tears in his own eyes and before she can comment on them, he’s leaning over to kiss her softly before actually standing up this time. “Okay, now I’m going to start dinner. You’re going to need that fuel for later,” he gives her a mischievous wink before disappearing out of the room.
That man. The love of her life is such a menace, and she loves it so much. She decides the unpacking can wait until later, getting up to go help him in the kitchen. The faster they finish with dinner, the faster they can fall back into bed together.