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Tim was sitting in his living room after one of the busiest weeks he had worked in a long time. His boots were off, his feet were propped up on the coffee table, and a cold beer rested in his hand. It was exactly the kind of quiet evening he had been looking forward to. The baseball game he had forgotten to watch earlier in the week was finally playing on the television, and for the first time in days, he didn't have anywhere else to be.
He settled further into the couch as the game started getting interesting.
Just as one of the batters stepped up to the plate, his phone rang.
Tim reached for the remote, pausing the game before glancing at the screen. A small crease formed between his eyebrows when he saw Angela's name.
It wasn't unusual for Angela to call him.
It was unusual for her to call at ten o'clock at night.
He answered immediately.
"Hey, Ang. Everything okay? You usually don't call this late."
On the other end of the line, Angela let out a tired sigh.
"I'm sorry to call at this hour," she said. "Our entire block just lost power. I was hoping the four of us could crash at your place tonight. My mom and Wesley's mom don't have power either."
Tim sat up a little straighter, concern replacing the relaxed expression he had been wearing moments earlier.
"Oh no," he said. "Do they need somewhere to stay too?"
Angela couldn't help smiling despite the frustrating evening. It was such a Tim question. Before thinking about how inconvenient it might be for him, he was already making sure everyone else had somewhere safe to go.
"No," she reassured him. "They're okay. Friends of theirs still have power, so they're staying with them."
Tim nodded, relieved to hear they had somewhere to spend the night.
"Angela, of course you can stay here," he said without hesitation. "You don't even have to ask."
The tension in Angela's shoulders eased.
"Thank you," she replied gratefully. "We'll be there soon."
"No rush. Drive safe. I'll get everything ready before you get here."
"We will. See you in a bit."
After ending the call, Tim set his beer on the coffee table and stood up. His quiet evening had changed plans, but he didn't mind. If his best friend and her family needed a place to stay, then his home was always open to them. He grabbed the remote to turn the television off before heading down the hallway to get the guest rooms ready for their unexpected overnight stay.
Tim headed down the hallway and gave the guest room a quick once-over. The bed was already made, and he'd changed the sheets the previous weekend, so everything was clean and ready to use. He straightened the pillows, picked up a book he'd left on the nightstand, and made sure there wasn't anything else lying around.
After a quick glance around the room, he nodded to himself.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
He walked into his own bedroom and looked around. His bed was bigger and more comfortable than the guest bed. Angela and Wesley would probably sleep better in there, especially after dealing with the stress of the evening.
Without a second thought, he stripped the bed and grabbed a fresh set of sheets from the linen closet.
Within a few minutes, the bed was neatly remade. He smoothed the comforter with both hands before stepping back to admire his work.
"That'll do," he muttered to himself.
The couch wasn't exactly luxurious, but he'd slept in far worse places over the years. One night wouldn't hurt.
Making his way into the kitchen, Tim opened the pantry and looked through the shelves.
The kids might get hungry before bed.
He found a package of chocolate chip cookies and set it on the counter where it would be easy to grab if Emmy or Jack asked for a snack. He filled a pitcher with water and placed a few clean glasses beside it, wanting everything to be ready before they arrived.
About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Tim walked over and opened the front door, immediately letting out a chuckle.
Standing on the porch were Emmy and Jack, both wearing huge smiles despite the unexpected adventure. Behind them, Angela and Wesley looked exhausted, as though the excitement of the power outage had worn off hours ago and they were more than ready for the day to be over.
Tim stepped aside, holding the door open.
"Hey, guys. Come on in."
The kids hurried inside while Angela followed with an overnight bag slung over one shoulder. Wesley came in behind her carrying another bag and a couple of backpacks.
Angela gave Tim an apologetic smile.
"Thank you so much. I'm really sorry for interrupting your night and completely taking over your house."
Tim waved the apology away.
"Don't worry about it. That's what friends are for."
Before Angela could reply, Jack wrapped his arms around Tim's waist.
"Uncle Tim," he said excitedly, "the whole house was dark! It was so cool."
Tim laughed as he rested a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I bet it was."
Angela gave her son a look.
"It was a lot less cool for the adults."
Jack shrugged with a grin, clearly unconvinced.
Angela shook her head before looking at both children.
"Okay, Emmy, Jack. Go change into your pajamas, and then it's bedtime."
Jack gave a dramatic sigh but took his backpack and headed down the hallway.
Emmy, however, wandered over to Tim instead. She leaned comfortably against his side and tipped her head back to look up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Then Uncle Tim can read me a bedtime story."
Tim looked down at her with a small smile before glancing at Angela.
"I think I can handle that, if it's okay with your mom."
Angela smiled, grateful for the help.
"I don't think she'd let anyone else read it tonight."
Tim looked at Emmy, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. This little girl had stolen his heart the moment he had held her in the hospital for the first time. From that day on, the two of them had shared the sweetest bond. Everyone at the station loved it whenever Angela brought Emmy by because the tough, no-nonsense Sergeant Bradford disappeared the second she walked through the door. The officers would watch in amusement as the man who spent his shifts barking orders and intimidating rookies suddenly became patient, playful, and impossibly gentle with a little girl who had him completely wrapped around her finger.
Wesley noticed the hopeful look on Emmy's face before looking over at Tim.
"Emmy," he said, smiling, "Uncle Tim had a long day. Maybe he's tired."
Emmy slowly turned her attention back to Tim. She didn't say a single word. Instead, she looked up at him with those wide, hopeful eyes that somehow made saying no feel impossible.
Tim held her gaze for a couple of seconds before letting out an amused breath.
"Okay," he finally said. "One book, and then you heard what your mom said. Straight to bed."
Emmy threw both hands into the air.
"Yay!"
She took off down the hallway after Jack, who was already making his way toward the guest room with his backpack bouncing against his back.
Angela laughed as she watched her daughter disappear around the corner.
"If only the officers at the station could see you now."
Tim folded his arms across his chest, the corners of his mouth still turned up.
"They won't."
Angela raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You're not going to tell them."
She laughed again, shaking her head.
"I'll think about it."
Wesley chuckled as he watched the two of them go back and forth. After all these years, their friendship hadn't changed. The teasing came as naturally as breathing, and neither of them ever seemed to miss an opportunity to give the other a hard time.
Tim looked between the three of them before gesturing toward the kitchen.
"Listen, while you're here, make yourselves at home. Help yourselves to anything in the fridge or pantry if you get hungry. Drinks, snacks... whatever you need."
He glanced toward the hallway where the kids had disappeared.
"Do Emmy or Jack need a snack before bed?"
Angela shook her head.
"No, they're good. They'd actually just finished their snack when the lights went out."
Tim glanced over his shoulder when he heard the sound of rustling coming from the hallway.
Emmy had emerged wearing her fairy princess pajamas, her hair slightly messy from changing. She was kneeling beside the overnight bag she'd brought with her, carefully digging through it.
After a moment, she looked up at him with a grin.
"I'm picking a story for you to read, Uncle Tim."
Tim smiled to himself.
"I figured that's what you were doing."
Beside him, Wesley leaned over just enough that only Tim could hear him.
"Good luck," he whispered. "She insists every character has a different voice."
Tim let out a laugh, shaking his head.
"Does she now?"
"Oh, yeah. And she'll correct you if you forget one."
Tim laughed harder, glancing back toward Emmy, who was still completely focused on choosing the perfect bedtime story. He honestly didn't mind. There was something about that little girl that made every request feel worth it. She had more personality than most adults he knew, and every time she was around, she somehow managed to bring out a side of him that very few people ever got to see.
He walked over to the living room, stopping beside the couch before turning back to Angela and Wesley.
"The kids can sleep in the guest room," he said. "You two take my bedroom. I'll sleep out here on the couch."
Angela immediately shook her head.
"Absolutely not."
Tim wasn't surprised.
"We're already taking over your house," she continued. "We're not kicking you out of your own room too."
Tim folded his arms, completely unfazed by the protest.
"You can argue all you want, Lopez," he replied with a small smirk, "but it isn't going to change anything."
Angela opened her mouth to object again, but Tim beat her to it.
"And don't worry," he added. "I already changed the sheets."
Wesley, who had started walking toward the bedroom with their overnight bag, let out a snort of amusement.
Angela looked at Tim before laughing and shaking her head.
"Smart man."
"I've known you long enough," Tim answered. "I figured if I didn't do it before you got here, you'd end up doing it yourself."
"You're probably right."
"I know I am."
Wesley couldn't help but laugh as he disappeared down the hallway, leaving the two best friends to continue their familiar back-and-forth.
A few moments later, Tim settled onto the couch just as Emmy came walking over with a picture book hugged tightly against her chest.
"I found one!"
"I can see that."
She climbed onto the couch beside him without hesitation before curling into his side as though it was the most natural place in the world to be. Tim wrapped an arm around her shoulders, making sure she was comfortable before placing a gentle kiss on top of her head.
Then he looked across the room.
Jack was sitting comfortably in the armchair, already absorbed in a comic book.
"You good, buddy?" Tim asked. "Need anything?"
Jack looked up from the page and smiled.
"No, thank you, Uncle Tim."
"Okay. Just let me know if you change your mind."
Jack nodded before returning to his comic.
Tim watched him for a second before looking over at Angela and Wesley. The kids were kind, respectful, and genuinely thoughtful, and that didn't happen by accident. Angela and Wesley had done an incredible job raising them, and it showed in moments like these. Tim knew they were proud of the children they were becoming, and they had every reason to be.
Angela disappeared into Tim's bedroom for a few minutes before coming back out and making her way into the kitchen. After everything that had happened that evening, a cup of coffee sounded like exactly what she needed. She brewed herself one before carrying the mug into the living room and settling onto the loveseat beside Wesley just as Tim opened the book resting in Emmy's lap.
Emmy snuggled a little closer against Tim as he turned to the first page.
"Ready?" he asked.
She nodded enthusiastically.
Tim began reading, making it through exactly two pages before Emmy held up her hand.
"Stop."
Tim blinked.
"What?"
"You have to do the voices, Uncle Tim," she explained very seriously. "Or the story doesn't work."
Across the room, Wesley covered his mouth to hide his smile.
"It doesn't?" Tim asked, trying to keep a straight face.
Emmy shook her head.
"Nope."
Tim looked over at Angela, silently asking for help.
She simply shrugged.
"You heard the boss."
Tim let out an exaggerated sigh before flipping back to the beginning.
"Okay," he said. "Let's try this again."
This time, every character had their own voice.
The little rabbit spoke in a high squeaky voice.
The grumpy bear had a deep growl.
The owl sounded slow and wise.
By the third page, Tim was switching between voices so quickly that he almost confused himself. Every few sentences he had to stop, remember who was speaking, and start over because Emmy was listening with complete concentration.
"No," Emmy interrupted again, giggling. "That was the bear's voice."
Tim rubbed a hand over his face dramatically.
"It was?"
"Uh-huh."
"I can't keep track of all these people."
"You have to."
"Apparently I do."
Angela wrapped both hands around her coffee mug, trying as hard as she could not to laugh. Watching Sergeant Tim Bradford—the intimidating watch commander who could silence an entire briefing room with one look—being completely directed by a six-year-old was one of her favorite things.
She loved seeing this side of him.
Most people never did.
The officers at the station knew the disciplined leader who expected excellence. They knew the tough training officer who didn't tolerate excuses.
Very few people got to know the man sitting on his couch making squeaky rabbit noises because a little girl had decided that was the only acceptable way to read a bedtime story.
Her children absolutely adored him.
Every time Angela told them they were going to see Uncle Tim, both of them lit up with excitement. She couldn't have asked for a better friend for their family. Tim had been there through some of the hardest moments of her life, and somewhere along the way, he'd become family. She was grateful they had held onto the friendship they had built back in the academy because she couldn't imagine their lives without him in it.
Tim continued reading, doing his best to keep every character's voice straight.
It wasn't going well.
He accidentally gave the fox the owl's voice.
The rabbit suddenly sounded like the bear.
Then he forgot which character was even speaking.
Each mistake sent Emmy into another fit of giggles.
"No, Uncle Tim!" she laughed. "Start again!"
"I have to start again?"
"Yep."
Tim looked over at Angela and Wesley with an expression that practically begged for backup.
"Either of you want to take over?"
"No chance," Angela answered immediately.
"You're doing great," Wesley added with a grin. "Keep going."
"Some friends you two are."
By the time Tim reached the last page, all three adults were laughing just as hard as Emmy was.
He closed the book with a satisfied sigh before looking down at the little girl beside him.
"Emmy," he said, shaking his head with an amused smile, "you're lucky you're cute."
"I know."
That answer only made everyone laugh harder.
Angela stood from the loveseat and stretched.
"Okay," she said. "Time to say goodnight to Uncle Tim. You'll see him again in the morning."
Jack closed his comic book, climbed out of the armchair, and walked over to Tim.
"Goodnight, Uncle Tim."
Tim stood long enough to return the hug, giving the boy's back a gentle pat.
"Goodnight, buddy. I'll be right out here on the couch, so if you need anything during the night, just come get me."
"Okay."
Jack smiled before heading down the hallway toward the guest room.
Emmy was next.
She wrapped both arms tightly around Tim's waist, and he hugged her just as tightly before kissing the top of her head.
"Goodnight, Emmy girl."
"Goodnight, Uncle Tim."
"Just like I told your brother, I'm sleeping out here tonight. If you need anything at all, you come find me, okay?"
She nodded.
"Okay."
Satisfied, she gave him one last squeeze before skipping after Jack.
Angela smiled at the scene before looking over at Tim.
"Thanks again."
"You never have to thank me."
Wesley nodded in agreement.
"We really appreciate it."
Tim gave them an easy smile.
"I know. Now go get those two to bed."
Angela and Wesley wished him goodnight before heading down the hallway to tuck the kids in.
A few minutes later, the house grew noticeably quieter.
From his spot on the couch, Tim could hear the muffled sounds of Angela and Wesley talking softly with the kids, followed by hugs, another request for one more story, and finally a chorus of "goodnights."
A smile settled on his face as he listened.
His evening hadn't gone anything like he'd planned.
The baseball game would still be waiting tomorrow.
Tonight, he was just happy his friends were safe, comfortable, and under his roof.
Before long, the comforting sounds of the house settling around him pulled him to sleep.
The next morning, Tim was pulled from a deep sleep by something gently poking his shoulder.
He frowned and shifted beneath the blanket before another tiny poke landed against his arm.
Slowly, he cracked one eye open.
The first thing he saw was Emmy's smiling face just inches from his own.
She was trying very hard to stay quiet.
"Uncle Tim," she whispered.
He blinked a couple of times, still waking up.
"Yeah, Emmy?"
She leaned a little closer.
"I'm hungry."
Tim let out a sleepy chuckle and reached for the watch resting on the coffee table. It was only a few minutes past seven.
Earlier than he would have liked, but not unreasonable for a six-year-old.
He pushed himself upright, and as soon as he did, Emmy climbed onto the couch beside him before settling comfortably in his lap like she'd done a hundred times before.
Tim wrapped an arm around her automatically, rubbing slow circles across her back as she leaned against his chest.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked.
Emmy's eyes lit up.
"Pancakes."
Tim nodded.
"I think I can manage that."
She grinned even wider.
"Heart-shaped pancakes."
Tim laughed.
He really should have known asking an open-ended question would come back to haunt him.
"I can make pancakes," he admitted, "but I don't know if I know how to make heart-shaped ones."
Emmy looked at him with complete confidence.
"I'll show you."
That made Tim laugh even harder.
"Oh, you're going to help me in the kitchen?"
She nodded as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Of course."
Then, after a brief pause, she added very seriously, "And we have to make pancakes for everyone."
Tim smiled at how quickly she'd thought of the rest of her family. She hadn't just wanted breakfast for herself. She wanted to make sure everyone else had some too.
"I think that's a great idea."
He kissed the top of her head before helping her down from the couch.
"Come on, Chef Emmy."
She giggled and took his hand as they headed into the kitchen together.
Tim pulled one of the sturdy kitchen chairs over to the counter so Emmy could safely stand beside him. After making sure it was secure, he gathered everything they needed while Emmy proudly pointed out each ingredient.
"We need flour."
"Got it."
"And eggs."
"Right here."
"Don't forget the milk."
"I wasn't planning on it."
Working together, they measured, poured, and stirred until the batter was smooth. Emmy insisted on helping with every step she could, carefully mixing the batter while Tim kept the bowl steady.
When it came time to cook, Tim poured the batter onto the griddle, doing his best to make heart shapes.
His first attempt looked... questionable.
Emmy tilted her head.
"That's not a heart."
"No," Tim admitted, looking down at the oddly shaped pancake. "I don't think it is."
"It looks like a potato."
Tim burst out laughing.
"A potato?"
She nodded very confidently.
"A potato."
"Well, let's hope the next one looks a little more heart shaped than a potato."
With Emmy's enthusiastic directions and several more attempts, the hearts gradually started looking more like actual hearts.
About halfway through making breakfast, Angela wandered into the kitchen, still looking half asleep.
She stopped in the doorway and looked between the two of them.
"What is going on in here?"
Tim looked over with a grin.
"You tell her, Emmy."
Emmy beamed.
"Pancakes, Mommy! We're making pancakes."
Angela smiled as she took in the flour on the counter, the mixing bowl, and Tim carefully flipping another pancake while Emmy supervised from her chair.
Tim chuckled.
"She woke me up because she was hungry, and then she requested pancakes."
"Heart-shaped pancakes," Emmy corrected.
Tim nodded.
"Heart-shaped pancakes."
Angela laughed.
"That's my girl."
She walked over and kissed Emmy's forehead before looking at Tim.
"I'm sorry she woke you up."
He shook his head.
"It's no big deal."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Angela smiled gratefully.
"I appreciate it."
A little while later, everyone gathered around the dining room table with plates stacked high with pancakes. Emmy proudly announced that she had helped make breakfast, making sure everyone knew exactly which pancakes were hers and which ones Uncle Tim had made.
Wesley cut into his pancakes before looking across the table at Tim.
"Thanks again, man, for letting us stay the night."
Tim shrugged casually.
"Honestly, it wasn't a problem. It was actually nice having some company."
Wesley smiled.
"We appreciate it."
Tim took a sip of his coffee before looking over at Angela.
"Any idea what caused the power outage?"
Angela nodded.
"We talked to the power company this morning. The power's already back on."
"That's good."
"Apparently there were some problems with the electrical grid."
Tim shook his head.
"Man, that sucks."
He took another bite of his pancake before smiling.
"At least they got it fixed pretty quickly."
"They did," Angela agreed. "Hopefully that's the last of it."
"Let's hope so."
The conversation drifted to lighter topics as breakfast continued, the table filled with easy laughter, teasing, and the comfortable conversation that came naturally between people who had long since become more than just friends. By the time everyone had finished eating, the unexpected overnight stay had turned into one of those simple memories none of them had planned, but all of them would remember fondly.
With breakfast finished, everyone carried their plates into the kitchen.
Tim had barely reached for the first dish when Angela was already gathering glasses while Wesley started loading the dishwasher.
"You two don't have to do that," Tim said. "You're guests in my house."
Angela didn't even look up.
"Nope."
"Angela..."
She pointed at him with the plate she was holding.
"Don't even start."
Tim sighed in defeat.
"I wasn't going to win that argument, was I?"
"Not a chance."
Wesley laughed as he rinsed another plate.
"You've known her long enough to know better."
Tim shook his head with an amused smile.
"Fair point."
The three of them worked together until the kitchen looked exactly as it had before breakfast. It didn't take long, and with three people pitching in, they were finished in just a few minutes.
Angela dried her hands on a towel before looking toward the living room.
"Okay, kids," she called. "Go get changed so we can head home."
"We're going!" Emmy answered.
A few minutes later, both kids came running back wearing the clothes they'd arrived in the night before.
Jack walked over to Tim first.
"Thank you, Uncle Tim."
Tim smiled warmly before pulling him into a hug.
"You're welcome, buddy."
Jack stepped back with a grin before heading toward the front door.
Emmy was next.
She wrapped both arms tightly around Tim, squeezing him with all the strength a six-year-old could manage.
"I had the best time ever," she said. "Thank you, Uncle Tim."
Tim laughed as he hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.
"You're both very welcome."
He smiled down at her.
"I had fun too."
Emmy beamed.
"You know," Tim continued, "you're welcome to have a sleepover here anytime you want."
"Yay!"
Emmy bounced excitedly, making everyone in the room laugh.
Wesley looked over at Tim with a grin.
"Careful."
Tim raised an eyebrow.
"You might've just invited yourself a permanent house guest."
Tim laughed.
"I think I can handle it."
"I'm not so sure you know what you've agreed to."
"I'll take my chances."
The easy laughter followed them to the front door.
Wesley reached out, and Tim shook his hand firmly.
"Seriously," Wesley said, "thank you. We really appreciate everything."
"You don't have to thank me," Tim replied. "You know you're always welcome here."
"I know."
Wesley gave him one last smile before stepping outside to help the kids into the car.
Angela lingered for just a moment after Wesley left, looking at Tim with a grateful smile.
"Thank you," she said softly. "Really. You have no idea how much this meant to us."
Tim didn't answer with words right away.
Instead, he pulled her into a quick hug.
Angela hugged him back just as tightly.
When they stepped apart, Tim smiled.
"That's what best friends are for."
Angela returned the smile.
"I'll see you at work on Monday."
"You will."
With one last wave, she walked outside and climbed into the passenger seat.
Tim stood in the doorway until the SUV disappeared down the street. Only then did he step back inside and close the front door behind him.
The house was silent again.
His baseball game was still paused on the television, the blanket was still draped over the couch where he'd slept, and there were faint reminders throughout the house that it had been full of laughter only a short time ago.
Tim looked around his now quiet home and smiled to himself.
He thought back to the academy, when he and Angela had first met. Neither of them could have imagined that years later they would become this close. Through promotions, difficult cases, victories, losses, marriages, children, and every challenge life had thrown at them, they had remained a constant in each other's lives.
Their friendship had never been about keeping score or asking for permission to lean on one another. It was built on trust, loyalty, and the unspoken understanding that no matter what happened, the other would always show up.
Last night had simply been another reminder of that.
If either of them ever needed help, the answer would always be the same.
They'd be there.
No questions asked.