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Lucy is used to being home alone. She was home alone for awhile before she got together with Tim. She was home alone with Emma even after they got together and before they were living together.
She is used to being home alone and she doesn’t love when Tim works late. She doesn’t love it because she would rather him be home.
But she makes do.
And then Emma is kidnapped, she finds out she is pregnant and everything just seems to be upside down. She didn’t like being alone especially after Emma was kidnapped, she didn’t like being away from her daughter or fiancé.
She managed to get through the nights, but the thing is Emma didn’t like Tim being gone either. The four year old would crawl into their bed and curl up with her.
Lucy would countdown the minutes until Tim came home.
Tonight was no different, she put Emma to bed and sat in her room for a little bit until the little girl drifted off to sleep. She didn’t like being away from either Tim or Lucy. Especially since Tim officially adopted her.
She tiptoes out of her daughter’s room and starts to make her way towards her bedroom. She really doesn’t like being alone but—
She can do it. She can do it.
She turns around and tiptoes to go downstairs, she needs to take a few deep breaths before she starts to get ready for bed. She goes to the kitchen and grabs a water bottle. She doesn’t know why she is so on edge tonight.
She takes a sip of the water before she starts to go upstairs but something stops her in her tracks. There’s a noise at the door, and she knows that happens. They have a ring camera and it catches even the littlest thing. But then she hears it again and again. It sounds like someone is trying to open the door.
Lucy clutches the water bottle feeling like she’s about to go over the edge. She glances up the stairs and she really hopes Emma doesn’t hear it.
She hears it again, and her stomach does a flip. She knows it’s the panic talking but what if Chris somehow got out of prison?
What if somehow he was here and trying to get to her and Emma.
He didn’t succeed the first time—
He could be coming back to get back at her. Emma too.
Oh god.
She runs upstairs to grab her phone and dials 911 without a second thought.
She goes back to Emma’s room but the little girl is still fast asleep and Lucy breathes a sigh of relief.
She says her badge number to the 911 operator and explains the situation. She goes back downstairs and hears the door rattling even more.
“Please,” Lucy says. “I have a four year old daughter—”
“Officers are on their way detective Chen.” The operator says calmly. “Go upstairs to your daughter.”
Lucy knows what to do but it’s like her brain isn’t working with her body. “Okay.” She says. “Emma. Get to Emma.”
She makes her way back upstairs and into Emma’s room. She shuts the door behind her and then crawls into Emma’s bed. The little girl doesn’t wake but rolls over and holds onto her. Lucy presses a kiss to the top of her head.
They will be okay.
They will be okay.
***
Tim hears the call on the radio, and his entire body freezes up when he hears the address. He knows that address. It’s his. His fiancée and daughter are there. He jumps in the shop before he can even think.
“What’s the problem?” He says into the radio as he steps on the gas. He knows there’s already officers dispatched there but he doesn’t care.
Lucy and Emma are inside the house that some jackass is trying to break in to.
Hell no.
Not on his watch.
“Detective Chen says there’s someone trying to break in. She mentioned it might be her daughter’s father.” The dispatcher says.
“No.” Tim says clenching his jaw hard. “That bastard is in prison for murder and kidnapping.” There’s silence over the radio.
He really shouldn’t get in the middle of this.
“Yes sir. I know—” the dispatcher says. “But there are officers there.” Tim just grips the steering wheel harder. He grabs his phone, and dials Lucy’s number. She answers right away, she sounds stressed out.
“Luce?” He whispers. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” She says. “I heard something at the door and just had this thought it was Chris. I know it’s not. I know he—”
“Baby, take a breath.” Tim says. He can hear the panic in her voice and he doesn’t like it. “Are you with the officers?”
“Yes.” Lucy says. “Just hold on Emma.” Tim closes his eyes and runs his fingers through his hair. He realizes that it’s not just Lucy, it’s Emma too. Emma was Chris’s victim even if he was really going after Lucy.
But he’s worried about both of them.
“I’m almost there babe.” Tim tells her. Lucy lets out a sigh between relief and concern.
“Tim, you shouldn’t have—”
“Well I did.” Tim says. “I heard our address on the radio.”
“I freaked out. It’s silly.” Lucy says. “He’s not getting out of prison.” Tim sighs and he has to agree that Chris Sanford would never see the light of day and if he somehow weaseled his way back on the streets Tim would make sure he wasn’t there long.
(He just doesn’t want that man anywhere near Lucy or Emma.)
“You are right he’s not but it’s not silly babe.” Tim reassures her. He pulls up to the house, and sees his yard filled with officers. It’s not a sight he wants to see.
“I’m here. Where are you?” He asks.
“Living room.” Lucy says. Tim hangs up and pushes his way inside. He glares at anyone who opens their mouth.
“Daddy!” Emma squeals sliding off the couch and running towards him. Tim catches her and squeezes her to him. He glances at Lucy who is on the couch with a blanket now thrown over her legs.
He walks over and she stands up, he pulls her into his arms without another word. “Are you okay?” He asks softly.
“I am now.” She says. “Someone was trying to break in but they think it was just a kid. The ring camera caught something but—”
Tim really doesn’t care (at the moment) who it was. He just cares his fiancée and daughter are safe.
“You and Emma are okay, that’s all I care about.” Tim mutters. He balances Emma and pulls Lucy closer.
“I’m glad you are here.” She says. Tim nods and presses a kiss to her head. He is happy he is here too.
His girls are safe and he is a little more relaxed. “Daddy, I love you.” Emma says burying her face into his shoulder. Tim looks at Lucy and she smiles at him, it’s a bit of a thin smile but it’s there.
Lucy finishes talking to the officers and then they are alone. Emma is practically asleep in his arms so heads Lucy upstairs. He tucks Emma into their bed and then he climbs in and Lucy follows.
“Don’t you have to go back to work?” Lucy asks sleepily. Tim sighs because technically he does but he doesn’t want to worry about it right now.
All he cares about is his family is safe and maybe they can all sleep peacefully.
And that’s all that matters.