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When Nolan knocked on the door of the Bradford-Chen house to offer his congratulations to the happy, newly engaged couple, he found Lucy was having a problem he thought she would never have. “Just a minute.” Came a sweet voice from inside.
When Lucy finally opened the door, what awaited Nolan when he entered the premises could only be described as absolute chaos. The living room looked as if it had been ravaged by a tornado made of papers and books and stickers. Lucy apologized over and over again for the mess, she kicked some papers, books and stickers out of the way before sitting back down on the floor, grabbing one of the notebooks and frantically scribbling something in her notebook, completely forgetting Nolan was there.
“What on earth?” Nolan questioned in bewilderment as he took another tentative step toward Lucy. She finally looked up at him, “Don’t take another step!” She warned as her hand flew up. “You’re going to mess up my notes.”
As movement was now forbidden by order of the sergeant, Nolan remained in place, not moving a muscle. That didn’t mean he could stop himself from commenting: “Here I was thinking I would find you basking in newly engaged bliss, yet here you are,” He offered her a smile. “Hard at work, as always.”
“That’s me.” Lucy replied lightly, returning his smile. “Though with this being arguably the most important task of my life, I fear no amount of work is going to help me finish it.”
“My, my,” Nolan tutted. Trying to get a sense of what she might be referring to. “And what are you doing?”
“Trying to draft my vows.” Lucy replied, still scribbling frantically into her notebook with a yellow marker. “Ah.” Nolan sighed in understanding, giving her a wide smile as he clapped his hands in excitement. “That is indeed a significant task.” He leaned in, still smiling:
“So tell me, Mrs. Bradford, how much do you love your husband?”
“I don’t know!”Lucy replied desperately, almost shouting as a fresh wave of panic seized her and her hands came up to grip her hair. She stood up, walking over to him, completely ignoring the fact that now she was the one stepping over and crunching up the pieces of paper that covered the floor when she had earlier forbidden Nolan from doing that very same thing. “I don’t know how to express it,” Lucy admitted. “I love him so much that no expression of love feels sufficient.” She cast a mournful glance at a stack of heavy, thick dictionaries on the coffee table that had completely escaped Nolan’s notice before. “It’s just…” she paused, sighing as her features softened and a dreamy, soft look that was as warm as an afternoon summer breeze appeared in her eyes. “I’ve looked through every dictionary in my possession and I can confidently say,” She let out a giggle. “And this is backed up by solid evidence, mind you, that there really are no words to express what I feel for my future husband.” Letting out a frustrated groan. “How could I, Lucy Chen, of all people not know how to express my love for my husband?” She let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“You’re not going to find the answer in any dictionary Luce.” Nolan said, effortlessly offering the sage advice he was so well renowned for. “Just tell him what lies in your heart.” He said simply. Then Lucy looked at him and suddenly it was as if a light bulb had switched on in her brain.
“Wait! Stay there! Don’t move!”
“I’m already not moving!” Nolan exclaimed in defensive amusement.
“I need to practice.” The sergeant declared. “You’re going to be Tim and I am going to recite my vows to you.” She decided in such a tone that Nolan knew he had absolutely no choice but to play the role she had assigned him.
“Yes, ma’am!” He exclaimed, even saluting her with a smile.
She crossed over to him and gripped his shoulders to really get into the roleplay.
“Tim,” She started and the mention of her Sergeant’s name instantly caused her tone to soften and a smile to grace her lips.
Then, she grimaced in concentration, “You’re standing wrong.” She decided. “Try crossing your arms and look more grumpy.” She requested firmly.
“Lucy,” Nolan replied, trying to sound like Tim. He fulfilled her request, but apparently she still wasn’t satisfied, so she decided to adjust his stance herself, muttering that she must do everything herself. This only caused Nolan to smile, failing to maintain the grumpy persona he was going for.
The sergeant gave him a playful eyeroll, but continued her speech. “My whole life...“She let out a soft, teary laugh and firmly gripped the temporary Tim’s shoulders, looking back at her friend pretending to be the love of her life.
And Nolan just couldn’t help but completely melt at the love he saw reflected in her eyes, the love she has for Tim.
It was then that the door opened, signaling the return of Lucy’s real sergeant.
“Nolan was already married the last time I checked," A voice entirely too familiar deadpanned.
Lucy yelped, instantly letting go of Nolan’s shoulders with the speed of lightning.
“Am I interrupting something?” Her Sergeant asked, glancing at them with his arms crossed.
“No, Sir.” Nolan was quick to reply. “I was just following orders, Sir.” He reassured the other sergeant. “Nothing untoward occurred, but the information about what we were doing remains highly classified Sir.”
“Is that so?” Tim’s eyebrows went up and he looked at his wife without saying a word.
Apparently, just his glare was enough for Lucy to give in. “He’s blameless, Tim.” She confessed. “I used him to practice my vows to you.” She said, her lips forming a cute pout. Tim let out a fond chuckle at that, causing Lucy to smile too.
“And how are the vows going, officer Nolan?” Tim asked to Lucy’s surprise, amusement still in his voice.
“Sir, I am afraid I am sworn to secrecy,” Nolan replied, smiling at Lucy. He walked over and rubbed Tim’s shoulder. “But I will say your future wife loves you very much, Sir. Congratulations to you both again. Bailey and I are really happy for you guys.”
“Thank you.” Both sergeants replied at the same time. Nolan gave them one final nod.
Permission to retreat?” The older officer asked.
“Granted.” Tim allowed, looking back at his wife, he wanted to be alone with her.
As soon as Nolan exited. Lucy decided to try her luck again. Maybe looking at her Tim… her husband once more will finally cause the right words to come to her, “Tim! Tim, I love you! No I don't! Wait!" She exclaimed quickly and blushed furiously, a bright, red blush covered her cheeks and her hand covered the squeal that came out of her mouth.
“You don’t?” Her husband asked through a bewildered, fond laugh even his eyes were mirthful instead of hurt. "I'm a very unfortunate man then. My wife agreed to marry me, but she doesn't love me... What's a fella to do?"
"No! That is not what I meant!" Lucy squealed again, now in complete mortification. She walked over to him and finally looked closely into the eyes of the man she loves. Her eyes were filled with so much adoration that it stole his breath away, but there was also frustration in her tone when she continued: “I just meant of course I... I mean... how could I not? It's just that saying just 'I love you' doesn't feel right, because it doesn't adequately describe..."
Words failed her yet again and she smiled at him. “It seems you make me speechless.” She said sheepishly. “A feat I thought was impossible to accomplish until now,” her thumb stroked his cheek again with a feather-light touch and he couldn’t help but lean into her hand. “Then again you always did surprise me.” And her smile turned radiant as she said it.
“I aim to please.” He said, smirking in a tone that was just a little bit smug. He pulled her into a kiss then and Lucy let herself melt into it.
When they broke apart, however, the competitive spark in her eyes returned. “I will express my feelings for you clearly!”
His wife vowed. (though that was not her official vow. It was just the promise of a better, more eloquent one, you understand.) She pointed a finger at him. "I will do it! Or my name isn’t Mrs. Bradford. "Mark my words which are yet to come but when they do you're going to want to mark them because they are going to be unforgettable and utterly romantic and worthy of my sergeant!"
This time Tim really couldn't help himself, he laughed loudly, so loudly it echoed in the whole living room and left his whole body shaking with it. When he finally calmed down enough to be able to form a coherent sentence again, he simply pulled her into his arms and kissed her head. “I know, my love.” He whispered in her ear. “You can rest assured, if there’s anything in this world I’m certain of,” he continued softly. “It is that you love me.”
Hearing that, happy tears spilled from Lucy’s eyes at last as she smiled into his chest.