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Lucy knows Tim with their girls is a amazing thing. He is so tender, so soft and he would do anything for them.
Anything.
He would move the heavens and earth for all his kids.
Ava, Daisy, Levi and June.
She didn’t know how they would handle adjusting to having a boy. It was a whole different ballgame, she wasn’t used to trying to stop pee from going everywhere. She wasn’t used to Levi smiling cheekily at Lucy every time she came into the room.
Tim was nervous about having a boy, she knew that from the minute she found out. But she also knew that like with their girls he would be amazing.
And he was.
He doted on Levi like he dotted on the girls. It wasn’t in the same way of course but Lucy could see how much he loved having a son.
Levi was attached to her when he was a tiny baby but as he got older he would gravitate towards them both.
Tim still had that girl dad glow, he had three girls to make him glow but he also had something else now.
Something completely different.
It was pride, and love all mixed together on his face whenever he laid eyes on their son. It was something that she knows he never got with his dad. And something he was determined to pass on to his son.
He wants that son and father relationship and now he gets to have it with their son. She can’t describe the difference—there’s just something.
He’s still gentle with Levi, especially when picking him and cradling him. He’s still protective of him and if they go out walking,(Which is a whole thing at this point.) he will make sure Levi is covered up just as much as the girls.
They have never had a boy before, so despite being around Jack in years before they really weren’t prepared.
He just has this contentment about him, a radiance that shines bright.
And Lucy really, really loves it.
***
“Is Levi a handful?” Angela asks although it’s not really a question. Lucy watches as her son crawls around the living room floor. Jack crawls after him, but somehow the baby is faster.
“A little bit.” Lucy admits. Levi isn’t walking or talking yet but he is crawling and he can get anywhere—fast.
June is also crawling but she takes her time. However, the two of them together was a force to be reckoned with.
“Jack and Aria were pretty much the same.” Angela says. “But you have four kids with four different personalities.” Lucy nods in agreement.
That was definitely true.
Tim is on the couch talking to Wesley, the older girls are in the backyard. The door is open where they can see them and Jack is playing with the twins. Levi crawls over to Tim and Lucy watches as her husband looks down. He smiles and picks up the baby. He sets him on his lap, probably thinking Levi will sit still like June usually does.
But he doesn’t.
He wiggles on Tim’s lap and then gives him a stare that reminds Lucy of herself. Tim sighs and puts the baby down. He immediately crawls away, and Lucy just laughs a little.
Levi couldn’t sit still much like Ava.
“It’s definitely different.” Lucy says. “But Tim still has this iridescent glow to him.” Angela smiles and they look over at Tim.
Oh he definitely did.
***
When the twins turn one, it’s just a little gathering. Lucy has planned parties for Ava and Daisy but she has never done two at the same time. She figures much like the older girls, they didn’t need a whole party. They invite everyone over on the twins birthday, and have cake and ice cream.
Levi loves being the center of attention something he didn’t get from Tim. June however doesn’t want to be anywhere but Lucy’s arms. Levi is clapping along as they sing happy birthday.
“That’s my boy.” Tim mutters to Lucy. “Look at him.” Levi smiles up at Ava who takes his hand and leads him to the living room.
Levi loves his older sisters, he’s most like Ava but he also follows Daisy around.
“He’s so—” Tim starts. “He looks like me and there is just something familiar about him.”
“He is your son.” Lucy points out. Tim looks proud, as Levi sits down and starts playing with the firetruck he got. He loves trucks, every single one of them. He would squeal anytime he saw one drive down the road.
Firetrucks, much to Tim’s chagrin were his favorite at the moment. But Tim didn’t look upset, he just looked proud that Levi was theirs. They had a son, and they might only have one but he was worth it.
So, so worth it.
***
“Levi fell off the stool today and bumped his head.” The twins daycare teacher says. Lucy stops in her tracks and looks around the station hoping to spot Tim. “He’s okay. But can you come pick him up?”
“Of course.” Lucy says and her heart is in her stomach. She makes her way at towards Tim’s office and knocks. “We will be right there.” She pushes open the door, and Tim stands up when he sees the look on her face. She hangs up, and turns to look at her husband.
“It’s Levi.” She says. Tim is already moving from behind his desk. “He bumped his head and they want us to pick him up.”
Tim nods and grabs his bag, it’s hard when one of their kids get hurt. It’s hard because they do everything they can to protect them.
Tim hurries her out of the office and then they are walking to the truck together.
Levi will be okay. Levi will be okay.
***
Levi is okay, and he toddles towards Tim first who scoops him up and presses a kiss to his head. Lucy watches as some of the worry fades from his face. Levi who usually preferred Lucy when he was hurt or sick wraps himself around Tim.
“Dada.” He says.
“Mama!” Lucy looks to see June with a big smile on her face. She clearly didn’t realize that Lucy would be showing up early.
“Hi Junie.” Lucy says scooping her up. Tim gathers the twins things and Lucy signs them out.
“I think we need to take him to the emergency room.” Tim says. “I don’t like this. He’s not himself.” Lucy looks at her son who has his head on his shoulder. He isn’t as lively as he usually is.
“Okay.” She says. “We need to pick the girls up—”
“Let’s get him to the emergency room and we can figure out everything else later.” Tim says and Lucy nods.
She knows Tim would drop anything for their kids. At any time. She knows they would figure out everything else.
***
Levi has a minor concussion, Tim stays with him and Lucy goes to pick up Ava and Daisy. She drops Ava, Daisy and June off with Genny and then goes back to the hospital.
When she steps inside the room, Levi is sitting up and giggling at whatever Tim is saying.
“Am I interrupting?” Lucy asks. Tim turns to look at her, and a smile lights up his face.
“Look bubba.” Tim says. “Look who is here.” Lucy steps more into the room so that Levi can see her. He squeals and reaches out for her.
“Mama!”
“There’s my boy!” Lucy says and she can tell Levi is feeling better. She walks over and presses a kiss to his forehead.
“Mama.” Levi says and latches onto her. Lucy gives Tim a look but he’s smiling and she knows he’s relieved Levi is getting back to himself.
Thank god.
***
“I love you daddy.” Lucy hears Levi say. She pauses outside the twins room. “I’m just like you.”
“You think so?” Tim asks. Lucy is quiet so she doesn’t interrupt them. The twins are five and about to go into kindergarten. She’s not sure how time went by so quickly.
“Yes.”
“You are like your mama bud.” Tim says softly. Levi chews on his bottom lip.
“Are you like your dad?” Levi asks. Lucy sees Tim’s shoulders fall. Lucy is stiff too as she watches her husband straighten up.
“I would hope not.” Tim says but his voice has changed. Lucy steps into the room and comes up behind Tim and rubs at his shoulders. “My dad—was not a good dad.”
Levi’s face falls and his blue eyes dart to Lucy and then Tim. “You didn’t have a good daddy?” He asks. And oh her sweet boy. Her sweet sweet boy.
“No buddy.”
“I’m sorry daddy.” Levi says. Tim looks up at Lucy, and then back at their son.
“It’s okay Levi.” He says.
“Your dad is the best dad.” Lucy says bending down in front of Levi. “You are so lucky to have him as a dad.”
“I know.” Levi says. Tim gives Lucy a soft look and she just nods at him.
“Mama! Daddy!” Lucy turns to see June in the doorway, she probably was finishing up getting ready for bed.
“Hi Junebug.” Lucy says and June runs over to her. Lucy gathers her in her arms, and turns to Levi who is still looking at Tim.
“I wish you had a good daddy.” Levi says. Lucy squeezes Levi’s knee. She wished Tom Bradford was better. She wishes that Tim could have a dad like he was to their kids. She wouldn’t change Tim for the world but—
“Some people shouldn’t be parents buddy.” Tim says. Lucy heart clenches a little. “But I hope I am a good dad to you.”
“You are.” Levi, Lucy and June say at the same time. Tim lets out a laugh, and Lucy swells with pride and happiness.
She loves her family so much. So, so much.
Tim is a great dad not only to their girls (from the very beginning) but to Levi. She was so proud of her and how far he has come. How far they have come.
Their family is complete and it’s not perfect. It never will be, but she hopes Tim never loses that glow or the look of pride.
Because it was so, so good.