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The engagement party wasn’t Lucy’s idea. It was definitely not Tim’s either, it was a combination of Joy and Angela.
They just told her one day that there would be a engagement party on a certain day and there really wasn’t anything she could do about it.
She supposes since both her and Tim were taken right after they got engaged and they were missing and no one even knew they were missing for a hot minute.
And they couldn’t even celebrate their engagement themselves.
She supposes since this was a special time and both of them deserved some normalcy it was okay.
But still—
The noise of everyone in a room together, Tim being pulled off to do something it wasn’t Lucy’s favorite thing in the world.
She appreciates the effort but she also would rather just be in bed with Tim.
“Hey,” a voice says next to her and she turns to see Tim. He has a soft smile on his face and she immediately gravitates towards him. “You good?”
“I am now.” She says. Tim pulls her close, and she breathes him in. She doesn’t know how she survived without him. He was her safety net, the person she leaned on always.
“What’s wrong?” He asks softly. Lucy shrugs and maybe it’s just the noise of it all. The overwhelming feeling that everyone who loves them did this for them. They went through hell, they fought to get out and now they were here.
At their engagement party.
“It’s just a lot you know? All of this—I know your mom and Angela worked hard on it.” She says.
“They did.” Tim says. “I know what you mean though.” Lucy nods and Tim presses a kiss to the top of her head.
“I appreciate it a lot.” Lucy says. “And it’s nice to have everyone here for us.”
“I know babe.” Tim says. “It’s okay. I’m overwhelmed too.” Lucy nods and relaxes into him. She looks around and the room and all these people are here for them.
It’s nice.
It’s really nice.
It’s just a little overwhelming and she feels a little overstimulated.
“I—” She stops when she sees a familiar face walk into the room. It’s her mother and her father but he’s more in the shadow of her mother. “Oh my god.” Tim turns to look too, just as Joy hurries over to her parents. Lucy lets go of Tim, and hurries over too. Joy is already talking to them with a big smile.
“You must the Chen’s.” Joy says holding out her hand. Vanessa stares at it with disdain on her face. Joy doesn’t seemed to be affected though. “I am Joy Bradford. Tim’s mother.”
“Whose Tim?” Vanessa asks. Lucy blows out a breath, she had told her parents she was engaged and they were having a party. She asked them to come but didn’t expect them to show up.
“My fiancé.” Lucy says shortly. “The reason we are having this party. My engagement party.”
“The one you moved in with?” Vanessa asks snidely. “The one you barely know?”
“They have known each other for a long time.” Joy says looking confused. “Don’t—”
“I think you need to think about this Lucy.” Vanessa says. “You never think about your choices or the consequences they may have.” Lucy gapes at her, her mother didn’t even know her or Tim for that matter.
She had no idea what they had to endure—together. Or what they had been through, and that Tim was her safe place.
“I think she knows what she’s doing.” Joy says standing up straight. “She loves my son and he loves her. And your daughter is amazing. She’s kind, empathetic and loving.”
“Yeah?” Vanessa says looking offended at Joy’s words. “And where is this son of yours?” As if on cue, or maybe he knew she needed him Tim is at her side. He kisses the side of her head, and she relaxes into him.
“This is Tim.” Lucy says looking at her mother directly. “My fiancé.” Vanessa looks him up and down.
“You convinced my daughter into marrying you? And then you get her kidnapped?” Vanessa asks. Lucy stiffens and so does Tim. She’s surprised her mom even knows about that.
“That wasn’t Tim’s fault.” Lucy says her voice cold and hard. “Not even a little bit.”
“You could have prevented it.” Vanessa says ignoring Lucy and looking at Tim.
“My son is honorable.” Joy snaps. “He did what was right. He protected the ones he loves.”
“Except my daughter!” Vanessa snaps back. “And who are you to talk to me like that?”
“Who are you to talk to your daughter like that?” Joy says. Tim pulls Lucy into him like he knows she needs an anchor. “You aren’t even listening to her.”
“I listen.” Vanessa says. “But I will never understand her choices.”
“You don’t have to.” Lucy says. “But you don’t have to agree to love me. You don’t have to agree with me. But you can still be proud and care about me. Be happy that I’m happy.”
“This won’t last.” Vanessa says. Lucy feels her heart pounding in her chest. Once again, her mother’s pride and inability to see anything but what she believes. She doesn’t believe that Lucy could fall in love with someone like Tim.
“And you know that how?” Joy asks. “You don’t seem to know your daughter at all.” Vanessa looks at Joy and then Lucy. Lucy reaches out to put a hand on Joy’s shoulder.
“Just forget it.” Lucy says. “She can’t see past her own biases.”
“Lucy—” Vanessa says. “Please—”
“No.” Lucy says. “I am happy for once. Tim has helped and healed me in ways I didn’t know needed healing. He loves me for me. Joy supports and cares about me. Like a parent does. I hope one day you can see past all our differences.”
“Lucy—”
“You are welcomed to stay.” Lucy says and she’s being way to generous with them. “Let me know if you want to talk.”
Lucy walks away without another word, she hears Joy say something to her parents but there’s a buzzing in her ears. She feels Tim’s arm wrap around her and then he’s leading her to the balcony.
“Luce—”
“It’s fine Tim. I expected nothing less.” She says. She really didn’t even expect them to show up.
“I know—”
“Lucy,” Joy steps out onto the balcony and she looks concerned. “I had no idea.”
“It’s okay.” Lucy says. “I wanted them to be happy for me but that was my mistake.”
“You deserve better.” Joy says. “I know you have probably heard that before.”
“I have but thank you.” Lucy says. “I do appreciate you Joy. A lot.” Joy nods and pulls Lucy into a hug.
“I will be there for you Lucy.” She says softly. “No matter what. You are part of the family.”
“Not yet.”
“You are.” Joy says and she looks at Tim. “From the beginning.”
“She’s right babe.” Tim says. Lucy sighs softly and wonders how she got so lucky.
Because she was lucky.
So, so lucky.
This was just the beginning of their next chapter and she couldn’t wait to get started. It was going to be so so good.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” Joy says. “I’ll leave you two be.” She steps back inside and Lucy turns to Tim.
“You have met my mom now.” She says. Tim just gives her a kiss and it’s like everything falls into place because he’s right next to her.
“I think my mom may have some choice words to say about her later.” Tim says. Lucy cracks a smile.
“I don’t blame her. I do too.” She says. Tim laughs and holds out his hand. She takes it and he pulls her in.
“Despite your parents doing all that this was a good night.” Tim says. It really was.
“I agree.” Lucy says. “I love you Tim.”
“I love you too Lucy.”