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“Lucy, are you sure about this?” Angela asks as the two female detectives walk out of the locker room.
“Yes, Ang. It’ll be fine.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s Tim.” she deadpanned.
“Tim will be fine. Don’t you worry. He would do anything for his godchildren and I have ways to make him un-grumpy-”
“Okay ew! Enough.” Angela fake gagged which made Lucy giggle but she shut up.
“But no seriously.” Lucy continued. “You and Wesley enjoy your child free night. Tim and I will be just fine.
The older detective smiled gratefully and they went on about their days.
Lucy planned on telling Tim about their babysitting adventures when she saw him at lunch that day but unfortunately something had come up and they weren’t able to eat with each other. So when they saw each other for the first time since they got to work this morning, she’s not sure if she should say something now or wait until later when they are home and comfortable.
Her stomach swoops when he flashes her that goofy grin that she loves so much. “Hi baby.” He whispered, leaning down, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
“Hey.” Lucy smiled and grabbed his hand weaving their fingers together.
“You ready to go home?”
“Beyond.”
Tim walked her to his truck and led her to the passenger side. He backed her up against the door and kissed her harder this time, giving her a proper greeting. “Mm I missed you today.”
Lucy’s smile lit up her whole face. “I missed you too.” She leaned back in to kiss him and was met with his eager lips. However, after a few minutes they pulled away, recognizing that they were still at work.
“To be continued.” Tim whispered, resting his forehead against Lucy’s. She giggled and patted his chest. Then Tim helped her into the truck and they were on their way home.
“So I have something to tell you.” Lucy broke the comfortable silence as they drove.
Tim glanced at her, not wanting to take his eyes off the road for too long. “Okay. I don’t really like the sound of that.”
She let out a small laugh but quickly reassured him. “It’s nothing bad babe. I promise. But you have to promise not to be grumpy.”
“I’m never grumpy!” Tim tries to defend himself but that just earns him a curt look from his fiancee. “Okay fine. I promise.” Tim rolls his eyes but there’s no heat to it.
“I told Angela we’d watch Jack and Addie Saturday night so her and Wesley could have a date night.”
Tim doesn’t say anything for a minute, waiting to see if there’s more. But when she doesn’t and just stares at him he simply shrugs and says “That’s it?”
“Yes.” She narrows her eyes in his direction.
“That’s fine baby. You know I love them. It’ll be fun to have a sleepover.”
“You’re really okay with this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He asked her, genuinely taken aback at the worry she had at telling him. “Why is there more?”
“Well… no… I mean.” Lucy doesn’t finish her thought.
“Luce?” He probes.
“Okay well it’s just there’s this hayride at the park by the house and I thought it might be fun if we took the kids. There’s a little petting zoo while you wait in line, and there’s snacks and hot chocolate and then on the hayride, there’s little stops along the way with different activities.” Lucy trails off, unable to mask the excitement in her voice.
Tim wasn’t exactly the type of person who’d be caught dead at a children’s hayride. However, seeing how excited Lucy was over the idea and the fact that he’d be doing it for his godchildren, made him consider saying yes.
“What’s in it for me?” He teased, knowing he was going to say yes regardless.
Lucy rolled her eyes affectionately and placed her hand on her thigh. “I’ll show you on Sunday night when we have the house to ourselves again.” She looked at him through hooded lashes making him squirm in his seat.
“Deal.”
The rest of the drive home was done in comfortable yet heated silence. And if they got home and had a little preview of what Sunday would be, that was nobody’s business.
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Saturday rolled around and Lucy busied herself with making sure the house was clean, although she’s not sure why, and kid-proofed as much as it could be. Tim was showering and getting dressed when Angela and Wesley showed up to drop the kids off.
“Come in! Come in!” Lucy said cheerily as she ushered the family inside. Jack was holding on to Angela’s hand and Wesley had a sleeping Addie in his arms.
“Hey Lucy! Thanks again for doing this.” Wesley said as he gently handed Addie to her.
“Of course. Any chance to spend time with our favorite niece and nephew.” Lucy nipped Jack’s chin with her finger and the toddler giggled, letting go of his moms hand.
“Everything they’ll need is in the bag here. Extra clothes, pajamas, diapers, snacks, toys. I know you guys have some but these are favorites that will hopefully make the night easier.” Angela set the bag down on the couch and Lucy smiled at her. “Jack, come here.” Angela called for her son who was making his way towards Kojo who was sleeping peacefully on his bed in the living room.
“Mama.” He looked up at her with a toothy grin.
“You be a good boy for Aunt Lucy and Uncle Tim okay. Be a good boy and help with your sister.”
“Otay, mama. Yuv you!”
“I love you too, sweet boy.” the older woman squeezed the boy tight before giving Wesley a turn. Then they each took a turn placing a gentle kiss on Addie’s head who was still sleeping in Lucy’s arms.
“Call us if you need anything.” Wesley called back as they were practically running out the door.
Lucy could help but smile on at the couple, knowing that they’d be returning the favor in a few years. She carefully walked Addie to the couch, where she laid her down to continue sleeping. She placed a few pillows around her and on the floor just in case before turning to Jack.
“Where’s Unca Tim?” the toddler asked.
“He’s just finishing up getting ready, bud. We’re going to go on a hayride later. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“Haywide.” Jack parrotted and a grin appeared on his little face.
“We can go as soon as sissy wakes up. You wanna play with your toys until then?”
“Toys!” he clapped and sat down while Lucy dragged the box they kept in the living room for visiting children.
They were in the middle of building a block tower when Tim found his way into the living room and upon laying her eyes on her incredibly hot fiance, her mouth went dry. Tim emerged in a pair of dark wash jeans and a red and black plaid flannel with a white cotton tee underneath. He caught her staring and smirked. She didn’t care. He was hot and she refused to feel ashamed for admiring his sculpted figure.
“See something you like?” He asked, with a smug tone.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Lucy chided before clearing her throat and returning to her and Jack’s block tower.
“UNCA TIM!” Jack yelped and stood from where he was sitting on the floor, launching himself into Tim’s arms. He caught the boy with ease and threw him up in the air before tickling him.
“How’s my favorite two-year-old?” Tim teased the toddler.
“I not two Unca Tim. I free.” He held up three fingers.
“How forgetful of me.” He rolled his eyes in feigned awe and smiled. “Where’s Addie?” He asked more to the room rather than Jack or Lucy specifically.
Lucy smiled with her finger to her lips and pointed to the sleeping one-year-old on the couch. Tim nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to Jack.
“Are you ready to go on a hayride later buddy?”
“Yes! Haywide! Haywide!” he chanted.
“I told him we’d go as soon as Addie woke up.” Lucy informed Tim.
Almost as if hearing her name, summoned the girl awake, she began to stir on the couch. She lifted her head, looking around and taking in her surroundings. She began to whimper a little, no doubt confused. After all she’d fallen asleep with her mom and dad and woken up with her aunt and uncle.
“Well good morning princess.” Tim said softly leaning over the couch, Jack still in his hold.
Addie calmed at seeing her brother and sat up, reaching for Lucy. “Hi sweet girl.” Lucy picked her up and placed a soft kiss on her crown.
“Sissy up.” Jack said matter of factly. “Haywide.”
“You’re right buddy. Why don’t we go get sissy changed and get ready to go while Uncle Tim gets your seats ready in the car.
Jack wiggled out of Tim’s embrace in way of a response and Tim nodded towards Lucy, already picking up the car seats that Angela and Wesley left by the door.
Twenty minutes later, the car seats were loaded, the diaper bag was packed, Addie was changed and Jack was bouncing off the walls. They loaded both kids into Tim’s truck and began the journey to the park.
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When they arrived, the park was lazy with families with children of all ages, partaking in the various activities available. After they unloaded the kids, Jack’s eyes lit up, taking in his surroundings. Addie rested her head on Tim’s shoulder, still a little young to be as excited as her brother.
“Okay Jack. You have to stay with me or Uncle Tim at all times. No running off.”
“Otay Aunt Yucy.” he sang out and he pulled her hand toward the petting zoo.
The foursome made their way to the petting zoo. Tim and Lucy admired how excited Jack was. He wanted to pet every animal and Lucy had to remind him to be gentle. “Remember how we have to be soft when we pet Kojo. We don’t want to scare the animals.”
He absorbed his aunt’s words and slowly put his hand out to pet a goat that was eating something out of a wooden bucket. He giggled when the goat turned its head and stuck its nose into his cheek.
Tim smiled watching the scene in front of him. He marveled at how great Lucy was with kids. He couldn’t help but let his mind wander, thinking about her with their own kids. He felt Addie pick her head up off his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Do you wanna pet the animals, Addie?” He jostled the small girl but didn’t get a response. He moved closer to Lucy and Jack and kneeled down so Addie was more level with the goat that Jack was still infatuated with. “Go ahead sweetie.” He encouraged her.
Addie didn’t make a move to pet the animals, just watching as her brother interacted with them. They moved away from the goats and walked over to where there was a miniature horse. Lucy picked Jack up so he was able to pet the horse’s head.
“Yike dis sissy.” The boy picked his hand up and once again slowly moved it to pet the animal.
Watching her brother, Addie picked her hand up and reached out to touch the horse. Tim moved forward a little bit so her hand could make contact. As soon as the soft fur was under her hand she pulled it away and laughed.
“Are you guys ready to get on the hayride?” Lucy asked the group.
“YES!” Jack jumped down from Lucy’s arms and grabbed her hand, once again leading the way to their next activity.
They got in line to wait for their ride. Thankful that there were vendors selling snacks and hot chocolate so they didn’t have to get out of line. They purchased three hot chocolates and a bag of popcorn to share. When they finally reached the front of the line, Lucy took Jack’s hand and led him up the stairs and to a seat in the back corner of the tractor. Tim followed, still holding Addie, although shifting her onto his lap as he took a seat next to his fiancee and godson. When the tractor is full, they feel it roar to life and soon they are off. They watch as the kids’ faces light up seeing the attractions and Tim and Lucy both know they made the right choice doing this. They pass a small makeshift graveyard where people in skeleton suits with glow sticks attached to them are dancing. They continue on to see a ghost puppet show further down the lane. They make it to the first stop and get off. There’s a small corn maze that they can walk through. And then there is makeshift playground equipment set up for the kids. Jack and Addie especially have a good time playing in the corn pit. When it’s time to get back on the tractor, both Tim and Lucy can see the kids are fading fast. Addie has reclaimed her spot on Tim’s lap, resting her head against his chest. And Jack is on Lucy’s lap. He’s more alert than his sister but his energy level is not nearly what it was when they arrived. They make it to the last stop and when they get off they see a pumpkin patch off to the side. They decide to let each kid pick a small pumpkin to take home with them.
When both Jack and Addie have picked their pumpkins, they make their way to the front to pay and then walk back to Tim’s truck. They haven’t even made it out of the parking lot before both kids are snoozing in the backseat.
“Today was a pretty great day.” Lucy says, reaching for Tim’s hand.
He brings their joined hands up to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “It was.”
“Couldn’t help but think about doing this with our own babies in a few years.” Lucy added looking down at her lap almost shyly.
“Yeah?” Tim couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. “Me too Luce. Me too.”
Lucy sighed happily and squeezed Tim’s hand. Not letting it go for the rest of their drive home.