Chapter Text
Lucy is in trouble, she lost Tim’s gift and now she has no idea what to get him. Neither Genny nor Celina were being much help either.
“Does Tim need a new watch?” Celina had asked.
And no he didn’t but she didn’t know what the hell she did with the baseball (and did he really need that?
No.
But it was special and it meant something to him.
Think Chen think.
And then it hits her, and it hits her hard.
The book.
Tim wasn’t much of a reader, he preferred to listen to books but he once told her about this book that he would read as a teenager. He would read it when things were really bad at home. He would read it when his dad was angry and throwing things around. He would read it until the pages were full of dog ear markings.
“So what would you do?” Lucy had asked him. They were curled up on the couch and Tim’s arm was around her shoulder. “Go in your room and read?”
“Pretty much.” He had answered. “My dad would be yelling, my mom and sister would leave the house and I would go re read it.”
“Really?” Lucy had said softly. She knew it was bad for Tim but until he started opening up more she didn’t realize how bad.
“Yep.”
“What was it called?” She asked. “Do you still have it?”
“I’m sure it got thrown out.” He said. “It’s called Infinity entangles the moon.”
“Sounds intense.” Lucy had said. Tim started telling her what it was about but she could only focus on him. How excited he got over the little things, the things that pulled him away from hell at least for a little bit.
“It’s amazing.” Tim had said. “I wish I still had it.”
“You never know you might run into it in the wild.”
“Doubt it.” Tim had said. “It’s old.”
“But you aren’t that old.” She pointed out. She nuzzled her face into his neck.
“No you keep me young.” He replied and that was that. The book was forgotten and it was just them.
***
Lucy completely forgets what the book is called and then Genny described the cover and she did a reverse google search and boom she found it but there were no new copies because it was out of print. So she found the local library, and explained the situation to the librarian and he was more than happy to give it to her. And he knew the author and told her he could give him a call.
Perfect.
This was turning out to be better than she thought.
She knows this might be even better than the baseball. Even though the baseball was special, the book meant something to Tim. It helped him throughout his childhood.
Tim deserves that—he no longer sat it fear or had to hide out in his room but this book meant a lot to him.
And that was worth everything.
***
“Thank you so much.” Lucy says to the man in front of her. Gaman Ellison. She couldn’t believe she actually found this man. “This book means a lot to my boyfriend.”
“I’m glad.” Mr. Ellison says smiling at her. “I’m glad it reached someone.” Lucy nods and gives him one last smile before she’s turning to leave.
This was even better than the baseball.
(Although she still needs to find the baseball).
***
Tim is a little panicked, and more than a little worried. He has to find something before tonight. He runs his hand through his hair, he has to find something. He had been in the phone for a few hours trying to find the perfect jewelry for Lucy. It was too cheesy to buy an engagement ring on Valentine’s Day.
(Although that was the next jewelry he was giving her for sure).
He already got her a necklace and bracelets were too hard to wear especially with their job. He sighs softly as he goes to the earrings. He scrolls through them.
“Sir? Which—”
“Just give me a minute.” Tim snaps. “It needs to be perfect.”
“Well if you didn’t wait until last minute.” The woman on the phone says. Tim scoffs. He didn’t wait until last minute, he had the perfect gift but he’s pretty sure he got scammed. He sucks in a deep breath. “What about a ring?”
“I’m not proposing on Valentine’s Day.” He snaps. “I want that to be special too.”
“Okay… what about earrings.” The woman says sounding exasperated. Tim rolls his eyes and continues to scroll.
That’s exactly what he’s looking at it.
“I’m looking. I’m looking.” Tim says and then he sees them. They look exactly like the necklace he got her. They match.
It’s not exactly what he wanted to give her for their first Valentine’s Day back together but unfortunately he was scammed and this was the only way.
He can’t not get her a gift so—
Earrings would have to do.
***
Tim picks the earrings up after work but before Wesley’s party. He tucks them in his jacket and he can’t help but feel a little disappointed.
He was so excited to give Lucy his gift and watch as she lit up. He knows she will like the earrings, and he thinks he still did good.
But she probably worked hard to get his gift, and here he was giving her earrings.
(It wasn’t the baseball of course because it was still behind the washing machine. He’s still not sure why it was there or how Lucy hasn’t found it yet).
He pulls the little box out of his pocket as he pulls up to the house. He was picking Lucy up, she told him that she had to get ready and she had an errand to run but still wanted to ride together.
(Which was great because so did he).
He watches as Lucy makes her way to the truck and leans over as soon as she gets in. “You look beautiful.” He says. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” He knows they already said it but it just feels right.
“Thank you babe.” She says. “You ready?” Tim nods and puts the truck in drive. The earrings are heavy in his pocket.
But—
Maybe he was scammed but the earrings would be okay.
It would be okay.
(He really hopes he gets his money back).
He really, really does.
But for now this would be perfectly fine.