Work Text:
Note 1/9:
Lucy finds the first note on the counter, there’s a bottle of wine on top of it. She moves the wine bottle aside and reads the note:
I hope you had a good day. I’m sorry that I’m working late. I promise to make it up to you. Enjoy the wine. Dinner will be at the door soon after you get home. You don’t have to wait up for me.
P.S. there are other notes around the house.
There’s a heart at the end, and Lucy smiles a little blinking at it.
It wasn’t unusual for Tim to do small things like this, and usually when he had to work late he would pull her into his office.
They were just getting back into the swing of things after their wedding and honeymoon. Lucy is a little disappointed that he’s working late. She loves when she is home with her husband and they both curl up on the couch. Him with a beer and her with a glass of wine.
It’s perfect.
It’s domestic.
They might be married now, and it’s official but not much has changed even if they are just a little more in love at this point.
And she doesn’t mind it at all.
She sighs and grabs a wine glass from the cabinet, she opens the wine and pours it. It’s her favorite. Tim really does know her. There’s a knock on the door, and she puts her glass down and walks over to the door.
Oh how she loves her husband.
She opens it to find a bag from their favorite Italian place, one they frequent often. She grabs the bag and heads back inside.
She grabs her phone and texts Tim:
Lucy: I love you. I love you. Best husband ever.
Tim: I better be the only one. I’ll be home soon.
Lucy: I love you.
She smiles and opens the food, she misses Tim and she wishes he were right here next to her. But he would be here soon. He would crawl into bed next to her, and it would be perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
***
Note 7/9:
Lucy finds the next one in Kojo’s food. Tim is taking a shower and she is just finishing a few things around the house. She opens Kojo’s food bin and pulls the note out.
Kojo loves you more than me (I don’t blame him.) so I know he will be all over you if you give him some treats.
(There are new ones in the pantry).
P.s. I don’t know when you will find this one. These notes are all over the house.
Your husband,
Tim.
Lucy rolls her eyes a little at the end. Like she didn’t know it would be from him. But he usually says I love you at the end of his notes.
She makes her way to the pantry and whistles for Kojo. The dog comes running and Lucy bends down to pet him.
“Your dad says you love me more than you love him.” She says. “That’s my boy. But I love him so it’s okay.”
“Oh you do?” A voice says behind her. Lucy jumps a little and then gives Kojo a treat. She gives the dog a kiss and then stands up to face her husband. He’s shirtless and not all the way dry, there’s still water on his chest. His sweats are low hanging and she wonders how she got this lucky to see him like this every single day and night. She got to see him be the soft, sweet man she knew he was rather than the tough one he was at work.
(She likes both though. She likes both very much.)
“Yes I do.” She says. “I think that’s obvious.” Tim raises his eyebrows and pushes himself off the wall. She meets him halfway, and loops her arms around his neck.
“Thank you for the notes.” She says.
“Mmm.” He says. “There’s more.” He kisses her cheek and she breaks away from him. She needs to get ready for bed. And she can’t distract herself with him all night.
“I love you.” She says when she’s halfway down the hallway. She turns to look at him. He scans her up and down, and then in two steps he’s next to her again. He pulls her into his chest.
“I love you.” He whispers but it’s so faint she’s not sure he even meant to say it. She’s distracted by Tim lifting up her shirt and then them both falling into the bedroom.
Tim says I love you all the time and he shows her in his own ways.
But it’s odd.
“Lucy,” Tim says. She looks up at him and smiles. She would worry about it later but right now—
It’s all about them. It’s about Tim. Perfect.
***
Note 4/9:
Lucy finds the next one in one of the bathroom drawers.
Hi baby,
You look beautiful today. Or tonight. If it’s night please come to bed. I miss you.
Hurry up.
(Disregard if this is in the morning.)
Tim.
“You know you don’t have to sign your name right?” Lucy calls to Tim. He’s mostly likely already in bed waiting for her.
“Hurry up!” Tim calls back. Lucy rolls her eyes and then finishes washing her face.
She walks to the doorway and pokes her head out. “I found two notes tonight. Am I going to find anymore?”
“I don’t know. Hurry up!” Tim says again. “Didn’t you read the note?” Lucy turns off the light and climbs into bed.
“You are really impatient you know that?” She says but Tim just reaches out and pulls her in.
“When it comes to you being next to me. Absolutely.” He says. He presses a kiss to the top of her head. And really she doesn’t blame him, she has a much better time with Tim next to her.
“Goodnight Lucy.” He says softly and she sighs softly.
“Goodnight Tim.”
***
Note 2/9:
Lucy finds the next note when she’s doing laundry. She started the laundry with good intentions but got frustrated when she realized they are out of laundry detergent. She sorts Tim’s clothes from hers and finds the note laying on some of his sweatpants.
Luce,
Did you really think we would be out of laundry detergent. Check the garage. Thank you for doing the laundry. I’ll do it next time.
Tim.
Lucy can’t help but smile and puts the note aside and then makes her way to the garage where she finds the laundry detergent.
He really did think of it all.
And he did do the laundry, and he did clean the house. He did a lot for her and he did it without question and she couldn’t be more thankful for that.
She pulls her phone out of her pocket and dials Tim’s number. He was at obedient class with Kojo who had chewed up their clothes and a chair.
It wasn’t his fault.
But Tim told her that he wouldn’t stop if they just kept brushing it off.
“Hello?”
“How’s my boy doing?” Lucy asks. She carries the laundry detergent to the laundry room and then goes to get the clothes.
“Your boy is a goober.” Tim grumbles. “He is trying to make friends and that’s not the point of the class.”
“He’s a good boy.” Lucy argues.
“He’s not when he keeps chewing things.” Tim says. “What’s going on?”
“Thank you for being on top of it and keeping laundry detergent in the house.” Lucy says.
“Oh you found it.” Tim says and he sounds quite pleased. “Good. Thank you for doing the laundry.”
“You owe me.” She says and she’s half joking.
“Of course.” Tim says. “I gotta go. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay!” Lucy says. “Love you!” But there’s already a dial tone. She stares at the screen until it goes blank and then she gets back to work.
Weird.
But she knows Tim loves her. She knows he does. That’s all that matters.
***
Note 5/9:
Lucy finds the next note later that night. It’s under her pillow, Tim’s not in bed yet so she’s not sure how long it’s been there or if he just moved it.
Lucy,
I know you get thirsty at night and when I’m not enough. I gotta you some water.
Your husband.
She looks at the bedside table and sees two bottles of water just sitting there. She shakes her head, and opens one of the water bottles.
This man.
This wonderful man.
Tim emerges from the bathroom, once again shirtless but this time he’s dry.
“Oh you found the note.” He says. Lucy nods as he climbs into bed and she turns to face him.
“You moved it huh?” Lucy asks. Tim shrugs but then nods.
“We had a salty meal tonight and I know how frustrated you get when you forget your night water.” He says.
“You must really love me.” Lucy says and it’s not lost on her that neither of the notes today said I love you.
“I do.” Tim confirms. “You know I do.” It’s not exactly what she wants to hear but it’s something.
She has never doubted Tim’s love for her. Ever. It’s just the notes—they were so thoughtful and yet…
There just seemed to be something missing. Something that was holding him back from saying I love you.
“It would be nice to hear it out loud.” She mutters. Tim hums softly and presses a kiss to her temple.
“I love you.” He says but it’s soft again. “Don’t forget to drink your water.” Lucy rolls her eyes a little but watches as he closes his eyes to go to sleep.
He loves her.
So why can’t he write it down?
Why couldn’t he write I love you on all his notes?
She watches him sleep, her eyes never leaving his face until she finally drifts off to sleep.
***
Note 8/9:
Lucy finds the next note after a fight with Tim. It’s not that serious and she thinks it’s all the stress. He’s been working overtime and barely coming home for dinner.
It’s not his fault.
But she’s been extra sensitive lately and everything is just hitting her at once.
So yeah maybe she is picking a fight. She finds the note on the refrigerator and she yanks it off a little harder than necessary.
Lucy,
Look in the drawer. It’s a gift card and you can buy whatever you want on it. I don’t know what I did but I’m sorry. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and if I’m working late I miss you.
Tim.
Lucy throws the note down and picks up her phone. She dials Tim’s number and he answers right away.
“Hello—”
“You are a jerk.” She says. “You know I’m picking a fight because I miss you. I want you home with me.”
“I’m sorry—”
“You are so incredible even when I’m mad at you. And I—” Lucy pauses. “Holy shit.”
“You just figured out something didn’t you?” Tim asks. “I’m not mad Lucy. I know we both been under a lot of stress.”
“Uh huh. Yeah.” Lucy says. She’s already on her way to the bathroom, she bends down and digs through the cabinets. She pulls a pregnancy test out and stares at it.
How did she not see it?
It all made sense her being over sensitive, and tired. Her being moody and picking a fight with Tim. She wasn’t actually mad at Tim.
No.
She opens the pregnancy test and pulls it out. She’s so focused on it that she forgets she is till on the phone with Tim.
“Lucy?” Tim says. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” She says. “Love you!” She hangs up before he can say anything more. She really doesn’t want to tell Tim about this over the phone. She reads the instructions and then takes the test. Her phone buzzes but she ignores it, and then it buzzes again when she’s setting the timer.
Soon she has 4 missed calls from Tim and a panicked text. But her heart is pounding too hard, her hands are shaking.
She knows Tim is probably on the way home, but she just paces the bathroom.
How did she not realize the obvious.
If it was obvious.
The timer goes off and she takes a deep breath before flipping the test over.
Pregnant.
Holy shit.
“Lucy!” She freezes and hears Tim’s heavy footsteps in the hallway. He didn’t even take his shoes off. “You can’t just—” She turns to face him with the rest in her hands.
“What’s that?” He asks but by the look on his face he knows. “What—”
“It’s my fault.” She says. “I have been moody, and tired. I’ve been taking it out on you and technically it—”
Tim steps closer and she meets him in the middle. “Holy shit.” He says. “You—”
“Yes.”
“We are—”
“Yep.”
“This isn’t a joke?” He asks. She shakes her head and he gathers her in his arms and all her tension melts away.
She’s not mad anymore and she never really was mad. She swallows and looks up at her husband with such love she could burst.
They were having a baby.
“We are having a baby.” Lucy says. Tim makes a noise and holds her closer.
Perfect. This was perfect.
***
Note 6/9:
Lucy finds the next note in the shower. She really loves that she has found these out of order. She luckily finds it before she turns on the shower.
Lucy,
Naked picture? I’m just kidding or am I? Or just a picture? You know I love both. Clothed or not.
Tim.
Lucy grins a little and then steps out of the shower. She’s not sure if she wants to send him a fully nude picture. Her body was changing, and it was noticeable now. Everything felt a little different, it looked different too.
She knows Tim wouldn’t care either way because he made it clear he loved her inside and out. In fact, he seemed to appreciate it more now.
But still—
It was her own brain telling her differently. She puts the note aside and steps into the shower. She washes her body, and then stands there letting the water fall down on her.
She turns it off and then steps out, she pulls on her pajama shorts and then her night shirt. She goes into the bedroom and grabs her phone. She pulls her sleeve down to make it a little more sexy.
She snaps a picture and sends it to Tim before she can change her mind. She hates being insecure but she’s not used to this.
Her phone buzzes right away, and she is a little nervous to look down at it.
Tim: You are beautiful. I’m almost home.
Lucy: I’ll wait up.
Tim comes through the door 15 minutes later with a smile on his face. He leans down to kiss her, and then pulls back.
“You know I said I didn’t mind—”
“Yeah I know.” Lucy says. “I’m just not confident right now.”
“What?”
“My body Tim.” Lucy says looking away from him for a minute. “It’s changing.”
“Yes and?” Tim asks raising his eyebrows. “Do you think I would—”
“It’s not you Tim. It’s me. I—” she trails off when she sees his face.
“You are beautiful one way or another. You are carrying our child and I love you.” Tim says. Lucy sighs because Tim always says the right thing.
“You are just saying that.”
“I’m not.” Tim says. He leans down and lifts her shirt up. He presses a kiss to her belly. “I know your body is changing. I know you might think it but you are beautiful and you always will be not matter what.”
“And you love me?”
“Always.” Tim says. Lucy sighs and nods. Tim gives her another kiss. “I’m going to get ready for bed. You took all your vitamins?”
“Yes.” Lucy says shaking her head a little. Tim had been on her prenatal vitamins more than she has. The minute he found out, he went on Amazon and got everything she needed.
(She really loves him.)
“Good.” Tim says. “Get some rest baby. I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.” She says and she watches him walk into the bathroom. “Love you.”
***
Note 9/9:
Lucy finds the next note next to her vitamins. She picks it up and smiles at it. She loves getting these notes but none of them have said I love you.
Lucy,
This will be my last note for awhile. I just want to make sure you take your vitamins. (Yes I did change this note because I was going to take you out for sushi).
I know this baby is worth it. You are worth it, and I love you. Inside and out. Just because I don’t always say it.
I know you Lucy, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
I love you,
Tim.
P.s. Come to the kitchen. I made you (decaf) coffee.
She can’t help the smile and takes her vitamins without another word.
Her husband. Her wonderful husband. She makes her way out to the kitchen where Tim is waiting for her.
“I love you.” He says pressing the mug into her hand. “I hope you know that. Whether it’s written or not.”
“I know.” Lucy says and it’s silly really. Tim shows her everyday how much he loves her. He didn’t need to write it down because she knows.
She knows she gets him for the rest of her life. The rest of their lives. They are having a baby, and it’s just the start of another wonder chapter.
(She is going to have talk to him about him keep writing notes.)
“I love you.” Tim says again. He leans forward and presses a kiss to her forehead. “It’s you, me and this baby.”
He puts his hand on her growing bump.
Yes, it’s them forever.
And it’s perfect.
***
Bonus note:
Tim finds the note in his truck as he’s leaving for work. Lucy is riding with him but she is just finishing getting ready. The morning sickness was really getting to her.
He frowns a little and reads the note:
Tim,
Hi. I know this is a silly way to do this but I couldn’t wait to tell you. I can’t believe we are having a baby. Look in your glove compartment.
Tim reaches over to open the glove compartment and an ultrasound picture falls out. He picks it up and sees a sticky note on it.
It’s a girl.
Tim blinks at it and before he can even process a thought, the door opens and he looks over to see Lucy climbing in the truck.
“Oh just in time.” She says. She closes the glove compartment and leans over to kiss him. “See I can leave notes too.”
Tim lets out a laugh, he started the notes because he wanted to show Lucy how much he loves her. Even when he can’t put it into words.
She’s an incredible person, his wife, his person and the mother of his daughter.
He loves her. A lot. He messes up and they both get frustrated but—
“We are having a girl?” He asks. “How did you find out? You are only 12 weeks and five days.”
“Tim, I didn’t even know that.” Lucy says with a grin on her face. “ I did a sneak peek test. I took it and well—”
“We are having a girl.” He says. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to write my own note.” Lucy says. “Please never stop writing notes.”
“Okay.” Tim says. He leans down and lifts her hand up to his mouth. “As long as you never stop being you.”
“Deal.” Lucy says. “I love you.”
“I love you Lucy.” Tim says and he’s never going to not say that to her. It’s the one thing that he will never stop saying.
It’s just him, her and their baby girl.
That’s a pretty good life if you ask him.
Pretty good indeed.