Work Text:
“Thanks for dinner.” Lucy says as she puts her legs underneath her. Tim looks over at her, where he is kneeling on the ground pulling her stuff out. He didn’t mind doing this, one because it was Lucy and he would move mountains for her. Over and over again. He would make sure that she was comfortable and at home before himself.
It was Lucy.
Of course.
But he was also relieved that these boxes were getting out of the house. That the clutter would cease to exist and it would be their home.
“I just ordered it.” He says and he pulls out some throw pillows. Lord. It’s lucky he doesn’t have very much. “And heated it up.”
“Yeah but you did.” She says and she pulls a blanket around her that he doesn’t remember. “Thank you.”
Tim takes a deep breath, and stands up. He walks over to her and bends down to kiss her. He feels bad for this morning. He feels bad for getting frustrated unprovoked except for his hate for clutter.
“Lucy,” He says and he bends down to kiss her. “I would do anything for you. If that means ordering food and unpacking.”
“I know.” Lucy says and she has a mischievous grin on her face but it’s soft.
“I’m sorry I snapped.” He says. “I didn’t mean to. I just—” But Lucy puts her hand on his chest and then pulls him down.
“Remember when I said being more emotionally healthy was a turn on?” She asks. He nods, and his eyes are on her lips.
“How could I forget?” He asks. She smiles at him and trails her hand down his cheek.
“Well I meant it. It is a turn on. You communicated babe. You let me know how you felt.” She says. “And I appreciated that.”
“It has taken time.” He admits. “And I haven’t lived with anyone but a dog.”
“Hmm.” Lucy says and she pulls him down for another kiss. “I am a good roommate.”
“Yeah?” He asks. “You make me unpack your stuff.”
“That’s one of the perks babe.” She says. “You do this and I owe you. And we have a nice comfortable bed.”
That sounded fantastic.
Really.
Oh he loves her.
“I’ll get to work.” He says and he moves away to unpack another box. This one was labeled lamps.
“Did you leave Celina and Miles anything?” He asks looking over his shoulder at her. Lucy shrugs her shoulders.
“My bed.” She says. Tim snorts and pulls out a lamp. He puts it on the ground and then looks at Lucy who is now stretched out on the couch.
“I thought you were supervising.” He says. “You are laying down on the job.” Lucy rolls her eyes and pulls the blanket up closer to her face.
“Less yapping more unpacking Bradford.” He says. Tim sighs and continues to unpack. He puts things aside and then moves around so he can put them away. He can still smell their dinner in the air as he moves around the kitchen.
He hasn’t lived with anyone since Isabel. And even with Rachel and Ashley staying the night here and there.
It wasn’t like this. It wasn’t having the woman he loves back in his space. It wasn’t like having the woman he loves in his bed every single morning and every single night. Or in his kitchen, moving around the space like she has been here her whole life. She has already brought light into his house he didn’t know was missing. His life was pretty black and white until her. Until she brought everything her into his life. Into his house and his heart.
She was the missing piece to his puzzle. The one that fit perfectly, and she was the one who made it worth it to come home every single day.
This was forever, this was where he wanted to be for the rest of his life. Here with Lucy, and Kojo.
He looks over at the couch but he can’t see Lucy anymore. He heads to the bedroom, and starts unpacking the boxes in there. He hears Kojo come into the room and jump up on the bed. He looks over at the dog, and gives him a smile.
“You left her out there all alone huh?” He asks. And he’s tempted to go back out and join Lucy on the couch.
But—
He wants to get this done. And she’s tired, and he wants her to get some rest. He knows this was a hard case.
He pauses and goes over to give Kojo a pat. “Let’s get this done for Lucy okay?” He says. The dog looks up at him at her name and he doesn’t blame him.
“I know.” He says. He pulls some clothes out of the boxes. “I love her too.”
***
Tim gets the bedroom done in about two hours. And then he heads back out to the living room. He sees Lucy is fully asleep, and he smiles. He just had a little bit to do and then he would wake her and they could go to bed.
He starts to unpack being careful to be quiet as he moves around Lucy. He lets Kojo out to go to the bathroom and then he’s back inside. Tim finishes the kitchen and then takes a look around.
It looks more like home, it looks more like a place where they could come home and relax.
A refuge.
A home.
A place where they could come home.
He comes back over and bends down and presses a kiss to the top of her head. She stirs a little and then blinks up at him.
“Hey.” He mutters softly. He holds out his hand and she takes it. He pulls her up into his chest and presses a kiss to her forehead. “Are you ready to go to bed?” Lucy pauses and looks around the room.
“I thought you were unpacking.”
“I did.” He says. “Look around.” She steps back and looks around the living room and kitchen in amazement.
“You did—you did all this?” She asks. “But—the bedroom.”
“Done.”
“Bathroom—”
“Done.” Tim says softly. “It’s all done Luce. You fell asleep on the job.” Lucy gives him a look, and then walks around.
“It looks great.” She says. Tim shrugs his shoulders as she continues to walk around. He knows there’s probably things that she will move around. He knows she wanted to do this slow but—
It was done.
“You were really annoyed by this weren’t you.” She says but she has a teasing look on her face. “It was driving you insane.”
“A little.” He admits. “But it was worth it. You are here and you are moved in.” Lucy chews on her bottom lip and looks up at him.
“Were you afraid I was going to change my mind?” She asks. “That I would back out?”
Tim sucks in a breath and she really does know him too well. “A little.” He says. “I just want you to know I am all in.”
“Me too.” Lucy says putting her hands on his chest. “I’m all in Tim. Now. Tomorrow. I’m not going anywhere. You are stuck with me and all my stuff.”
Thank god.
“Thank god.” He mutters. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. Or you anywhere else.”
“Good.” She says. “Now can we please go to bed? I’m exhausted. And I just need those soft sheets. And you.”
Tim takes her hand and leads her down the hall to the bedroom. He stops and watches as she looks around the room. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him down.
“You are a wonderful man Tim Bradford.” She says. “And I love you.”
“So wonderful to cuddle for a little bit?” He asks and Lucy nods.
“I can do that.” She says. Tim presses a kiss to her forehead and then moves into the bathroom.
It takes a few more minutes for them both climb into bed. Tim gets in first and Lucy climbs in after. He pulls her to him right away, and she sighs in content.
“I know I have said this before but—” He pauses. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” She mutters and she sounds like she’s almost asleep. “Goodnight Tim.”
“Goodnight Lucy.”