Work Text:
Tim is so focused on the paperwork in front of him he doesn’t hear the knock on the door or the footsteps.
“Hi Tim.” Tim freezes and looks up and sees the last person he expected to see standing in front of him.
Ashley.
His ex girlfriend.
The one who broke up with him after his surgery without a second thought for anyone but herself.
The one he told Lucy he could see himself marrying but that wasn’t the truth. He was just kidding himself. It was never serious with Ashley, she didn’t want anything serious except for him to look good on her arm.
“Ashley.” He says. “What are you doing here?” Ashley steps closer to the desk and Tim scoots back in his chair.
“I heard a rumor you were the new Watch Commander.” She says fluttering her eyelashes at him. “That’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah.” He says drily but he doesn’t offer anymore and Ashley frowns a little. She walks over and picks his name plate up off the desk.
“You had your name on the door, and your desk?” She asks. “You are important.”
“I guess I am.” Tim says. “You still haven’t told me why you are here.” Ashley blinks at him, looking disappointed she’s not getting more of a reaction out of him.
“I just wanted to see if you wanted to grab a drink.” Ashely says. “After work. I thought we could catch up.”
“No thanks.” Tim says. He looks past her and sees Lucy’s heading towards the office. She always came in when they were about to clock out.
To go home. Together.
It was a glorious thing. He’s not sure he would ever get used to it. He watches as Lucy steps into the office, she sees Lucy and frowns.
“Hey.” Lucy says coming up to stand in front of the desk. “You ready to go home?” Ashley does a double take at Lucy and then Tim.
“Home?” Ashley says looking at Tim in disbelief. “With her?”
“Yes.” Tim says looking at Lucy and smiling. “More than ready. It’s been a long day.” Lucy nods and looks at Ashley.
“Ashley.” She says politely. Tim comes to stand next to her and puts a hand on her back. “How are you?”
“Tim,” Ashley says looking at him. “One drink. Please. I know I broke up—”
“Sorry.” Tim says and he gives Lucy a look. He wants her to know that she is the only one for him. “But my live in girlfriend Lucy and I have plans.” Ashley frowns as Lucy goes over to stand next to him.
“Well maybe another time.” Ashley says her voice faltering.
“Don’t count on it.” Tim says. Ashley opens her mouth to reply and then shuts it. She turns around and leaves the office muttering under her breath.
Lucy turns to look at him with an amused look in her eyes. “Plans?” She asks. “I thought we were going home and ordering in to watch that documentary we started.”
“Oh we are.” Tim says pressing a kiss to her cheek and then nudging her towards the door. “But she doesn’t need to know that.”
“True.” Lucy says and he takes her hand leading her out of the office. He’s grateful that they are getting a second chance. He’s getting a second chance to prove to her she is all he wants.
Forever and always.
***
“How did Ashley find out you were Watch Commander?” Lucy asks putting her legs on Tim’s lap. “And why did she care so much?”
“It’s about looking good for her.” Tim says giving Lucy’s feet a little rub. “She didn’t care about me per say but just how she looked with me.”
“You are okay.” Lucy says giving him a smirk. “You aren’t that—”
“Shush.” Tim says giving her foot a squeeze. “You think I’m adorable and cute.” Lucy rolls her eyes at him.
“Sometimes.” Lucy says. “So she—just wanted you to make her look good?”
“I guess.” Tim says shrugging his shoulders. “She didn’t want marriage or kids. And I did—I do. I should have known when Kojo didn’t like her.”
As if on cue, the dog comes over and nudges Tim’s hand to pet him. “That is true.” Lucy says. “I always thought that was weird.”
“Uh huh.” Tim says giving her a look, he thinks it might have been more than that but it didn’t matter. Because they were here, with each other. They had each other’s backs. They were in love. “It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t matter anymore.” Lucy smiles at him and then she whistles for Kojo to come over to her.
The dog trots over and Lucy scratches behind his ears. He watches her and he feels nothing but love for her. He has spent too many lonely nights on the couch wishing he had never let Lucy go.
This was the life and this was their new chapter.
A beautiful new chapter.
“Hey.” He taps her foot. “I love you Lucy.” She smiles and sits up more and takes her legs off of his and then scoots closer to him. She leans in to kiss him and he meets her in the middle. Their lips meet and he knows this is all he wants for the rest of his life. She pulls away and puts a hand on his cheek and gives him the softest smile.
“I love you too Tim.”