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“Zoe, honey, I gotta go to work,” Lucy said, looking down at the curly haired toddler sprawled on the floor with Kojo.
It was her day off. One of too few as the Watch Commander. Lucy just wanted to enjoy a quiet day (as quiet as it gets with a three-year-old) , finish the book she’d been reading, and laugh at how Zoe chased Kojo around the house.
Instead, she was called back in by Nyla, followed by a sincere apology message and a promise of one of her leave days. Apparently a case her and Angela had been working on involved something to do with the ATF. An agent would be joining the investigation, and had requested a meeting with the watch commander, which was none other than Lucy on her day off.
Zoe looked up at her with big blue eyes. She tilted her head. “Why?”
Lucy sighed softly as she slipped down the couch to sit next to her. “I’m gonna have a meeting with someone, bug.” she explained slowly, expecting the interrogation to continue, since Zoe had discovered the phrase ‘why?’
Zoe raised her eyebrows. “Wi– who?”
“I don’t know yet,” Lucy said as she pushed herself up by the knees. “Someone Aunties Angela and Nyla are gonna work with.”
“You catch bad guys?” Zoe asked, voice raising as she clapped once.
Lucy nodded. “Yes, to catch bad guys.”
Zoe squealed excitedly, waking Kojo from his nap. She got up and hugged both of Lucy’s legs. “I come too?”
Lucy thought about it for a beat—she had already called the daycare to notify them of Zoe’s absence, Tim was out on duty, and the rest of the squad was already at the station.
“Of course, honey,” she said, smoothing out Zoe’s hair.
Zoe giggled, already half way to her room. “I wear big girl clothes!” she called out, Kojo trailing beside her.
Lucy chuckled, shaking her head. The girl had a weird obsession with the station, and demanded to go with them every chance she had. Lucy couldn't help but wonder if it was because Smitty snuck her some snacks every couple minutes.
She texted Tim to let him know where they were, and went into the bathroom to grab a few hairbands—one for her and five more for Zoe.
“Mommy, mommy!” Zoe’s footsteps echoed in the hallway. Lucy turned toward her, and her outfit decision was… something. A flannel shirt that was very obviously Tim’s—how did she even get that?—and a bright pink tutu to go with it. Zoe grinned, clearly very proud of herself.
Lucy’s lips pressed into a thin line as she tried not to laugh. “That’s—” she breathed. “That looks great, honey,” she said, crouching beside her. “But why don’t we save this outfit for later and wear something more comfy?”
Zoe thought about it for a beat and then nodded. “Okay. But I wear Daddy shirt!” she said, shaking her arms and the very long sleeves wobbled.
Lucy sighed. “Okay, bug.” she said, pushing herself up to pick out a pair of sweatpants and a green t-shirt. “How about these to go with your Daddy’s shirt?”
Zoe squealed, nodding.
After ten minutes and a fight with Zoe’s hair, they were out and driving. Lucy called Angela and put her on speaker. After a few seconds of dialing, the detective’s voice crackled from the speaker.
“Hey. You’re coming right? We owe you one!”
Zoe’s head perked up as she heard Angela’s voice. Before Lucy could even speak, she called out: “Hi Auntie Angie! I come with mommy!”
Angela laughed on the other side, and Lucy shook her head. “I couldn’t leave her anywhere, so you guys have an assistant now. Did the agent come?”
“We’re still waiting. Apparently the guy had a massive BOLO. They practically grabbed the case from our hands.”
Lucy hummed as she tapped on the steering wheel. “Okay. Well, I’m five minutes out.”
“Alright. Thank you again.”
Lucy chuckled. “Yeah. You owe me big time. I’ll see you guys later—”
“Bye bye Auntie Angie!”
“Bye bye Zoe,” Angela chuckled. Zoe squealed from the backseat.
Lucy laughed quietly and hung up, adjusting the rear-view mirror so she could see Zoe.
It felt strange coming back to this place again after nearly ten years. The agent stepped into the building, into the familiar layout and hustle. She couldn't recognise any faces, which she had expected. She walked up to the front desk and showed her badge. “I’m expecting a meeting with the watch commander.”
The officer, which the agent assumed was a rookie judging by the long sleeves, looked up, and glanced at the computer screen beside her. “Okay. Sergeant Bradford will be waiting for you. The office is—”
The agent’s brows creased with the sound of a familiar name. “I’m familiar with the layout, thank you. And—” she tilted her head. “Bradford made sergeant?”
That man had sworn to dedicate his entire life to training—and washing out—rookies. She had never expected him to actually rank up.
The young officer chuckled quietly. “Yes, ma’am.” she said as she handed the agent a visitor sticker.
The agent took the elevator to the bullpen, and the sight of the very few familiar faces made her stomach churn. Angela Lopez—assuming by the plain clothes, detective now—was standing in front of a desk where another detective sat. Next to them, a man she recognised as Wesley Evers sat, a boy with dark hair on his lap. The agent swallowed, and stepped into the bullpen.
The detective with dark skin looked up and nudged Lopez. She immediately got up and walked toward the agent, surprised. “Talia! It’s been a while. You the agent they sent in?”
The agent—Talia Bishop nodded, shoving her hands in her pockets. “Yeah. Good to see you.”
They shared a brief hug, and Lopez guided her toward the dark skinned detective. “Nyla, this is Talia Bishop. Nolan’s old TO.”
The detective, Nyla, nodded as she offered Talia a hand. “Detective Harper. Finished the old man’s training.”
Talia smiled politely as she shook Harper’s hand, looking around. “A lot of change around here, huh?” she murmured, more to herself.
Just then, a woman stepped in, holding her daughter in one arm. A woman none other than the hotshot, Lucy Chen. She crouched down to let the small girl run off toward them. Nyla smirked as Angela caught the girl in her arms.
“Hey, mama,” the detective said as Lucy straightened her jacket. “Lookin’ good.”
The younger officer chuckled as she shook her head. “I’m spending your spa ticket after this.”
Nyla raised her hands. “You have every right. Sorry for dragging you here on your day off. I assume you already know Agent Bishop?”
Lucy then turned toward Talia, eyes wide. “Talia? Hey, it’s been too long!”
Talia nodded, movement stiff. “It has,” she said. Then she gestured toward the girl and Angela. “You got a kid.”
Lucy nodded. “Zoe. She just turned three.”
Just then, the girl slipped away from Angela’s arms and padded toward Lucy. She gently tugged at her shirt to get her attention.
Lucy looked down, crouching slightly. “What’s up?”
The girl, Zoe, tilted her head. “Where daddy?” she asked as Angela walked back toward them.
“Yeah, where is he?” the detective said, hand hovering over Zoe as she wobbled on her feet.
Lucy huffed. “Last I heard, he’s assisting on a warrant service. Celina’s with him.” she said to Angela, then turned to her daughter. “He’s working, bug. We’ll see him at home, okay?”
The glint of a wedding band on Lucy’s finger caught Talia’s eye, and she scoffed lightly, drawing both women’s attention. “You… married a cop.”
Lucy nodded once. “I did.” she said, voice firm.
Talia had warned her about it, back when she was a rookie. She knew first hand how cop marriages always turned out. The biggest example being Tim and Isabel. Speaking of which…
“I’m supposed to have a meeting with Bradford.” she said, half to avoid pushing further, half to break the uncomfortable silence.
Lucy narrowed her eyes. Angela made a sound somewhere between a choke and a laugh. Talia immediately turned to the detective, confused.
“Why don't you do the honours of telling her?” Angela said simply, nudging the younger officer’s shoulder.
“What?” Talia frowned. “Is he not here?
Lucy drew in a deep breath. “There’s clearly been a misunderstanding about who is who,” she said slowly. “Let’s continue in the office.”
Then she turned to her daughter. “I’ll be right back, bug. You stay with Auntie Angela, okay?”
Lucy gestured to the Watch Commander’s office. “Shall we?”
Talia blinked and walked behind Lucy to the office. The name card caught her attention:
Watch Commander:
Sgt. Lucy Chen-Bradford
Talia’s gaze lingered on the name card for a beat too long after stepping into the office.
Lucy closed the door behind them and sat at her desk, gesturing at Talia to also take a seat. “Okay. There is obviously a lot to catch up on,” she said as she opened up a loaded case file.
“But I had to take my daughter here along with me, so,” she winced. “Let’s wrap this up as quickly as possible.”
Talia nodded, mouth still slightly agape. “Of course,” She cleared her throat. “Your officers took in Maxime Rodger for a drug charge,” she began, taking the case file from Lucy’s hand.
“We’ve been investigating him for about five months. He works for the Grinton family.”
Lucy’s brows creased at the name. The Grintons were what happened when one empire collapsed and the city pretended the problem was solved. They’d grown in the shadows after Elijah Wood’s prosecution—cleaner, harder to trace, and twice as dangerous.
Lucy clicked her tongue. “He did mention a bigger fish during interrogation. That’s where the ATF comes in?”
Talia sighed as she shook her head. “Drugs were the cover. Ghost guns are the real business.”
Talia and Lucy emerged from the office after fifteen minutes. Lucy handed the case over completely, making sure she’d be working alongside both Angela and Nyla.
They headed back toward the familiar huddle of their friends, but Talia excused herself to use the restroom.
“Harper, Lopez—a word?” Lucy said, gesturing vaguely at the two detectives.
They shared a glance before peeling off with her and settling into a quiet corner.
“So what’s the deal with this Rodger guy?” Angela asked, folding her arms against her chest.
Lucy huffed, pressing a hand on her forehead. “Works for the Grintons, apparently,” she said, nodding toward Nyla, who raised both eyebrows.
“Turned out to be their biggest ghost gun supplier.”
“What’s the game plan on this then?” Nyla asked.
Lucy handed them both a copy of the updated file. “You two are going to work together with the ATF. Bishop agreed to wire someone up and put them in front of Gabriel Grinton—the brain of the whole family. Then we set the bait, and move in for a quiet raid.”
Angela scanned the file, brows knitting together. “Metro joins automatically, then,” she muttered.
Nyla looked up, a smirk tugging at her mouth. “Speaking of Metro…”
She nodded forward.
Lucy turned just in time to see Tim—already taken hostage by Zoe.
“Go save your man,” Angela teased.
Lucy rolled her eyes but chuckled anyway, going over to see her husband and daughter.
“You and Celina did a good job pushing those two back together, you know,” Nyla whispered, nudging Angela’s shoulder.
Angela laughed. “Damn straight.”
“I missed you too, Z-bear,” Tim cooed, lifting Zoe up to his shoulders. His eyes softened at the sight of Lucy coming toward them.
“Hey,” she said quietly, reaching up to fix his uniform.
Tim’s eyes creased at the corners as he smiled and he pulled her for a brief yet warm hug with his free arm.
“Hi.”
Talia shuffled back into the bullpen, but froze mid-step as she saw Tim Bradford with a kid—his kid—on his shoulders, Lucy at his side. The domestic tableau in the middle of the bullpen.
She dropped her gaze immediately once Tim noticed her.
Tim smiled anyway, warm yet careful. He raised his hand, waving.
“Talia. Didn’t expect you to see you here,” he said, putting Zoe down carefully. Zoe kept her hand wrapped around his finger, staring at the agent.
Talia nodded. “Didn't expect to be back here again,” she said. “We got a joint case.”
Tim hummed. “You met Zoe, right?” he asked, brushing his thumb against her daughter’s knuckles.
Talia nodded, movement stiff as her gaze flicked to the wedding band on Tim’s finger. “Yeah. Sweet kid.”
Talia’s eyes lingered a beat too long—on Tim’s hand, on Lucy’s hand, on the identical bands.
“Didn't think you’d settle down with someone again,” she vaguely gestured between the couple. “Especially with your old rookie, and all.”
The air shifted.
Tim blinked once. The smile slipped right off his face.
Silence stretched between them.
Just as Tim opened his mouth, Lucy stepped a fraction closer, hand instinctively moving behind Zoe’s head.
“Okay. We’re not discussing our marriage here,” she said flatly. “If you’re done sightseeing, Agent Bishop, Metro is waiting for your briefing.”
Talia let out a clipped exhale, jaw tight as she nodded. “Understood,” she said curtly as she hurried out, heels clicking against the marble floor.
Tim stayed still for half a second, longer than necessary even after Talia left. The bullpen noise slowly came back, phones ringing, papers rustling, officers moving.
Lucy shook her head, gently smoothing out Zoe’s hair, and blew her a kiss when she looked up at her.
Tim let out a quiet exhale, hand finding Lucy’s. “Jesus…” he muttered under his breath.
“Yeah,” Lucy said quietly, squeezing his hand. “Anyway, the joint case.”
Tim nodded. “Right. Metro’s involved now?”
Lucy winced. “Yes. The man wasn't lying when he said there was a bigger fish. Nyla is already working on a background to wire up. Your guys are gonna do a quiet raid once the bait is set.”
“What’s a raid?” Zoe said curiously, nuzzling Tim’s legs.
Tim raised his eyebrows. “Uh, it’s when…” he said, crouching down at her level. “It’s when you visit the bad guys.”
Zoe narrowed her eyes, thoughtful. “You knock?”
Lucy snorted softly beside them, reaching down to place her hand on Zoe’s shoulder. “Sometimes, bug.”
Zoe hummed in agreement and patted on Tim’s cheek. “Daddy always knock,” she said firmly. “Because Daddy nice.”
Tim chuckled. “Daddy is nice,” he corrected gently, then turned to Lucy. “Remind me to knock on Gabriel’s door when we bust him.”
Lucy let out a low laugh, brows creasing as Zoe let out a big yawn. She checked the time and clicked her tongue quietly. “She missed a nap,” she muttered.
Tim gently lifted Zoe, and Lucy took her. “Go home,” he said, kissing Zoe’s forehead, then Lucy’s cheek when she glared at him.
“I’ll be home by six if nothing comes up.”
Lucy nodded, adjusting Zoe on her hip as the girl nestled closer against her chest. “Okay. Be safe.”
Tim nodded, waving at Zoe as he walked back, then disappeared down the hallway.
Angela waited exactly three seconds.
Then—
“Okay,” she said, folding her arms as she stepped into Lucy’s path. “What was that about?”
Lucy sighed through her nose, shifting Zoe higher on her hip. “Just… catching up.” she said flatly.
Angela raised an eyebrow. “Lucy.”
Lucy met her gaze for a beat, then exhaled. “Talia has… opinions.”
“Oh, I noticed,” Angela said dryly. “Very loud ones.”
Lucy clicked her tongue softly. “She doesn't like the ending,” she said. “Ours.”
Angela scoffed. “That sounds like a her problem. She can't expect everything to be the same after ten years.
Lucy hummed. “Yeah.”
Zoe stirred, pressing her face into Lucy’s shoulder. Lucy instinctively started rocking slightly, thumb tracing slow circles against her daughter’s back.
Angela’s expression softened. “You good?”
Lucy nodded. “Yeah. We’re good.” She paused, then added, firm and certain. “We’ve been good for a long time.”
Angela smiled—small, genuine. “Alright,” She stepped aside, giving Lucy room. “Go home. I’ll make sure no one tries to start a therapy session in your bullpen.”
Lucy chuckled. “I appreciate that.”
As she passed, Angela leaned in and murmured, “For what it’s worth? You handled that like a pro.”
Lucy didn't stop walking. “I know.”
She headed for the exit, Zoe already half-asleep against her shoulder, the noise of the station fading beside them.
Zoe stirred when Lucy buckled her in her car seat, reaching for Lucy’s arm with both hands. “Mommy?” she said, voice small, almost hurt.
“Yeah, Zoe?” Lucy replied, brows creasing. “What’s wrong, honey?”
Zoe chewed on her bottom lip before answering, eyes already glistening. “Agent lady doesn't like you and daddy?”
Lucy’s chest churned at the question, and her shoulders sagged. “We just haven’t seen each other in a very long time, bug,” she explained slowly, sitting on the edge of the car seat.
“You friends?” Zoe asked, tilting her head.
Lucy exhaled through her nose, gently wiping the tears from Zoe’s cheeks. “We used to work together. She taught your Uncle John how to be a cop.”
Zoe blinked, and her bottom lip quivered. “Why didn’t she smile?” she asked, sniffling.
Lucy shifted slightly, wrapping an arm around her daughter. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, hesitant. “It’s okay to wonder,” she began, pulling away until Zoe could see her face.
“But right now, why don’t we put this question in a little box to keep it safe,” she said, squeezing Zoe’s shoulder gently. “And take it out again when we’re at home, then we can talk about it with Daddy too?”
Zoe sighed softly as she thought about it, then nodded. “Okay. I put in little box,” she tapped at her temple. “Box is in my brain.” she added, serious.
Lucy chuckled quietly. “Yeah, it is in your brain, bug.” she said as she got up slowly. “Let’s go home, yeah?”
Zoe nodded. “We go home!”
Back at their home, Lucy prepared Zoe a little snack before her nap, and the blue-eyed toddler fell asleep not even fifteen minutes later, curled up on Kojo’s side, still clinging to the applesauce pouch.
Lucy covered Zoe—and Kojo—with a soft blanket, then snapped a picture to send to Tim.
“Kojo is being held hostage :) And just so you know—Zoe had a big question about the Bishop thing. We put it in a box for later.”
Lucy stole a glance at her daughter, a small smile tugging at her lips. Tim’s reply came back a few minutes later:
Tim: “Poor guy ;) Understood, anything you want from the grocery store?”
Lucy hummed, tapping at her chin.
“Zoe mentioned some animal crackers. And I may have mentioned that ice cream we ate at Angela’s—you know? A week ago?? :)”
Tim: “Copy that. Be there in twenty. Love you both💛”
Tim came home exactly twenty minutes later, and as if on cue, Zoe woke up thirty seconds before his arrival.
He let himself in as quietly as possible, and before he even had time to put the shopping bags down, Zoe was already hugging his legs; hair sticking up in a hundred different directions, one sock missing.
“Hi Daddy! I take nap.” she squealed, and Tim chuckled, crouching at her level.
Lucy walked toward them, leaning against the counter. “A solid twenty-two minute nap, I might add,” she said, tilting her head.
Tim raised his eyebrows. “Twenty two?” he echoed, exaggerating his facial expression as he turned to his daughter. “She telling the truth?”
Zoe nodded proudly, holding out four fingers. “Two two’s!”
Lucy laughed, bending down to lift Zoe up. “Alright, let Daddy settle in,” she said, eyes following Tim as he got up. “Welcome home,” she said quietly.
The corners of his eyes creased as Tim smiled, and he leaned in to press a quick kiss to Lucy’s lips. “Hi.”
They let Zoe run off into the living room, Kojo trotting beside her. Tim and Lucy watched as their daughter rambled on to the dog about how applesauce was better in “the little bags” and that “Daddy’s beard was itchy”.
Tim turned to Lucy, taking her hand in his. “How big was her question?” he asked, nodding toward Zoe.
Lucy sighed. “She clocked the tension immediately.”
Tim nodded, lips pressing into a line. “Smart girl,” he murmured.
Just then, Zoe’s head perked up, and she looked at her parents. “Mommy, we take the question out now?”
Lucy stole a quick glance at Tim before answering. “Of course, bug.” she said, guiding Tim into the living room.
“Here we go,” Tim whispered as he joined Zoe on the floor. “What’s the question, Z?”
Zoe looked at Lucy before answering, eyes hesitant. Lucy nodded encouragingly, easing herself off the couch and next to Tim.
Zoe’s fingers curled into the hem of her shirt before she spoke. “Why agent lady so mean?”
Tim sighed through his nose as he leaned in closer. “We used to be friends a long time ago,” he began, voice gentle. “And then she left our station to work somewhere else. So many things have changed since she last saw us. And sometimes, when people see something that surprises them a lot, they can forget to be kind and accepting.”
Zoe hummed, chewing at her bottom lip. “She surprised you and Mommy are married?”
“She was, bug,” Lucy chimed in this time, resting her hand on Tim’s lap. “That’s because she knew us before Mommy and Daddy were Mommy and Daddy. But a lot of time passed since that, and she didn't think it would happen.”
“Why not?” Zoe asked, tilting her head.
Lucy raised her eyebrows, and she glanced at Tim for a beat. “Well, because grown-ups can sometimes be wrong about what’s possible,” she said, nudging Tim’s shoulder.
Tim nodded, squeezing Lucy’s knee gently. “Sometimes grown-ups just guess wrong,” he said. “And that’s okay. Mommy and Daddy are exactly where we’re supposed to be.”
Lucy smiled softly, brushing Zoe’s hair back. “And if you ever guess something wrong about other people,” she added gently, “You still be kind, okay?”
Zoe nodded. “Okay Mommy,” she said, and reached toward them with both arms.
Lucy pulled her toward them, and she settled on Tim’s lap. Tim ruffled her hair and pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Lucy laughed quietly as she pushed herself up. “Alright, the big question is all resolved. Who’s hungry?”
Zoe squirmed free from Tim’s arms and squealed. “Me, me!” she called out, bouncing on her toes as she shot her hand into the air.
Tim chuckled, getting to his feet. “Shocker,” he said dryly, already moving toward the kitchen. “What’s the request, bug?”
Zoe gasped like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment. “Pasta with red sauce,” she declared. Then, after a beat of serious consideration, “And apple juice. In blue cup.”
Lucy smiled at the sight of them—Tim opening cabinets, Zoe narrating every step like a supervisor, Kojo padding behind them in case something fell.
She followed them a moment later, setting plates on the table as Zoe chattered about Kojo’s nap and how Mommy had promised animal crackers for tomorrow.
They sat together—knees brushing, Zoe swinging her legs under the table, Tim passing her the parmesan like it was the most important task in the world.
Some questions didn't need big answers.
They just needed time, kindness, and a kitchen that smelled like home.