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Lucy groans when she sees the blue lights flashing in the mirror. She is seven months into traveling in her van, wondering where her life will take her next. She pulls over and rolls her window down. What she isn’t prepared for is the hottest cop in the LAPD to walk over. “Hello ma’am.” Her voice suddenly seems to be gone and she knows that she is caught staring by this officer in front of her. “Do you know why I pulled you over?”
She can feel her cheeks go red. “Umm, I was speeding.” It comes out more as a question instead of a statement because she swears she wasn’t.
His lips start to curl upward. “No, you surprisingly were driving the speed limit, but one of your taillights is out.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry officer. I really didn’t know.” Lucy feels dumb but at least it’s an easy fix. “I will go replace that right after this.”
“License and registration please.” She hands it to him and she sees him hand it over to someone else. She hasn’t even noticed that he had a partner with him. “What are you doing with the van?” He kind of waves his hand around.
“Well, I dropped out of grad school and decided to do the van life for a little while. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life anymore and I finally am doing something for myself instead of my parents.” Woah, why are you telling him your entire life story?
“That sounds kind of admirable, but also a bit dangerous. There are some pretty crazy people in this world.” Lucy shrugs her shoulders.
“I mean, if I got into trouble, I think I would be protected, wouldn’t I?” Why are you flirting? He’s hot, but he’s a cop, right? Who cares! Look at him.
“You would, as long as you’re in Los Angeles, you will be safe.” Once again, she can feel the redness creeping up her neck. The other officer walks back over and is staring at the two of them curiously. “Okay, Lucy, we are going to let you go with a warning.”
Lucy is relieved. “Thank you so much.” She isn’t overloaded with money at this moment and a ticket would put a damper on her adventures.
“I’m more than happy to help you replace that light.” She sees him smiling at her and it makes her knees feel weak. “Here’s your license and registration back.”
“Thank you.” The cops walk away and Lucy sees that he left his business card. Officer Tim Bradford. Now she has a name to go with that very handsome face.
Lucy pulls back onto the road and pulls into the parking lot for the first auto store she finds. Thankfully, they have the light she needs and she is able to easily replace it. All day and night, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome cop that she met. Funny enough, she’s been toying with the idea to become a police officer and has done some research on the academy. Maybe I can meet up with him and get some insight.
Lucy waits a few days and finally reaches out to Tim. She didn’t want to seem desperate.
To Officer Bradford:
Hi, it’s Lucy, the girl with the van that you pulled over the other day.
From Officer Bradford:
Hello again, Lucy. I was hoping you received my card. How are you?
To Officer Bradford:
Well, I’d love to meet up and talk. You were so kind and I would love to see you again. Are you free tomorrow? Lucy smiles to herself and has butterflies in her stomach.
From Officer Bradford:
You’re in luck. I happen to be off tomorrow and I know a great taco truck.
To Officer Bradford:
I just so happen to love tacos. Text me the address. I can’t wait to see you again.
Lucy hasn’t felt this excited about a guy or anything really in quite some time. She knows this will help her future, and maybe even have a new friend, or more, in her life. Never would she think she’d date a cop, but there’s something about him that she can’t explain. He is different and she can’t stop smiling when she thinks about him.
The next day, Lucy meets Tim for lunch. She has a list of questions for him and hopes that she doesn’t come across as desperate or anything like that. Tim sees her and stands up to meet her. “Hi Lucy.” She can feel his eyes on her.
“It’s good to see you again, Officer.” She smirks and it’s his turn to go red. “I wasn’t sure if I should reach out to you or not.”
“Is it wrong to say that I’m glad that you did?” He asks softly.
“Not at all, Tim. Are you hungry?” She has the softest expression on her face.
“Always.” They go to order their food and Lucy pays before Tim can.
“You know, I thought I would pay especially since I asked you to meet here.” Tim can tell that she will keep him on his toes and it makes him feel giddy.
Lucy shrugs and giggles. “Well, I guess you will have to be faster next time.”
They go to sit down and eat. The conversation flows easily. Once they’re done, Lucy looks at it. “I have a confession.”
Tim leans closer to her. “What’s that?”
“I was hoping that I could ask you some questions about being a cop.” Lucy chews her lip. “It’s something I’ve thought about doing for months, but I’m just not sure if it’s the right step for me. Then I met you, which feels like fate, and I wanted to meet up with you for more than just that, but I don’t want you to think it’s the only reason.” Tim’s hand on her arm stops her.
“Lucy, you can ask me anything.” He is so kind about it.
“Okay.” She takes a breath and starts her questions. Tim answers every single one with patience and she feels like this is the next step for her.
“Lucy, I think that you would be a great cop. I know I don’t know you that well and I’m sorry for being so forward, but you’re kind and compassionate. You would bring empathy but you’d also take someone down without any hesitation.” Lucy giggles. “You’re kind of amazing and I’d really love to keep talking to you, no matter what it might be about.”
Lucy grabs his hand and her fingers run small circles on his palm. “I’d love that, Tim.” The last eight months have been amazing yet emotionally draining and a lot of crappy things have happened, but in this moment, she knows that it will all be okay. “I’ve loved getting to know myself again during this phase of my life.” She knows she should be honest with him. “I’ll say that there has been both good and bad that’s happened. Somehow, all of it led me to getting pulled over by you.”
“I guess it’s just fate, Lucy.” He moves closer and the urge to push her hair behind her ear takes over. “I’m sorry, you’re just so beautiful.” Lucy blushes and Tim cups her cheek before kissing her.
“I’m kind of glad you pulled me over.” She murmurs after and Tim can’t stop the smile from forming on his face. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
Tim nods and stands up. He reaches out for her hand and they walk the pier. They talk for hours and even sit on the beach. “Thank you for today, Tim.”
“Lucy, today has been amazing. I’m usually only focused on work, but I have always felt something wonderful was missing from my life. You seem to be helping to bring joy back to it.”
“After my ex cheated and with my parents disowning me, I’ve felt a little lost. I think we are helping to glue each other back together piece by piexe.” Tim wraps her in a hug and Lucy can’t help but melt into his embrace. This is the safest she has felt in months, maybe even years.
“So does this mean that I can help you study?” Tim teases her.
“Hmm, I do like the idea of that.” Tim goes to pull away but Lucy grabs his shirt. “But I also hope we can do other things as well. Cuddling is always a good start.”
“Cuddling is the best.” He crashes his lips against hers once more.
Tim and Lucy talk every day. She stays in the van, while trying to find a place to live. It’s becoming difficult and Tim offers his spare room to her, especially since she’s starting the academy soon. She does move in, but rarely spends her nights in the spare room. Their relationship does move fast, but there has been a spark since the beginning and sometimes when you know, you just know.
A month and a half after they first met, Lucy starts at the academy. She almost feels like has an advantage because Tim has been very helpful with preparing her and studying. She befriends Jackson West and Aaron Thorsen not too long after they start at the academy. “I hear you are kicking everyone’s ass.” Tim tells her a month after she has started. They’re in bed and Tim’s nuzzled against her neck.
“Are you checking up on me, Bradford?” He smirks and kisses her neck.
“Oh you’d love that.” She slaps his chest. “I always check in because you know, I’m a training officer. I need to see what new blood we could be getting.”
Lucy moans when Tim nips her tattoo gently. “And what are your thoughts so far?”
“Well, there’s this one woman who is hot, badass, and has kicked almost everyone’s ass there. I wish I could train her, but somehow I don’t think they would allow it.” Lucy chuckles and turns around to face Tim.
“That’s too bad. You’re such a great teacher and she could learn so much from you.” Lucy has her arms around him and rolls him onto his back. “Although, I think we can play training officer and rookie at home just fine.”
Tim groans when Lucy grinds into him. “Having you here, with me, is so much better.”
Training seems to be flying by and Lucy is four months into the academy before she knows it. She gets home before Tim, which surprises her. Her phone rings and it’s the hospital. Tim was involved in a scuffle and has a concussion. She hopes she doesn’t get pulled over trying to get to him.
Lucy rushes into the emergency room, arriving unscathed, and goes to the front desk. “I’m looking for Tim Bradford. Someone called me to tell me he was hurt.”
The nurse smiles at her. “You must be Lucy. He’s in room two ten. You can go back.” She doesn’t notice the cops in the waiting room staring at her. Lucy finds his room and walks in slowly.
“Hi baby.” She murmurs and Tim blinks his eyes open. “Are you okay?”
Tim manages the smallest smile. “I am now because you’re here. Sorry, I wanted to call you, but things have been a bit crazy and I kind of have a headache.”
Lucy sits on his bed and as gently as she can, she runs her fingers down his cheek. “I’ll make sure you’re feeling better soon.” This was her first time dealing with Tim being injured and she knows that it comes with the job and it’s terrifying, but she also knows it will be rewarding. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”
“I’m okay Luce.” He closes his eyes and they hear a voice clearing. Tim sees his two closest friends, Angela Lopez and Wade Grey, standing there. “How’s the other guy?”
Wade shakes his head. “He’s in jail. Are you Lucy?”
“Yes sir.” She stands and shakes his hand. “You must be Wade and Angela.”
“It’s about time we get to meet. I hear you’re going to be the best officer we’ve seen in a long time. Honestly, probably since I joined the LAPD.” Lucy giggles. Tim’s jaw drops.
“Wow, you two ganging up on me already? Real nice.”
Lucy kisses his forehead. “Don’t worry, baby. It’s all out of love.”
Wade speaks next. “I am pushing to have you placed at Mid-Wilshire. From what we have heard and seen, you’re the type of cop we need and want here. Don’t let him overdo it and Tim, listen to her. Don’t be stubborn.”
“Yes sir.” Tim grumbles. They talk for a bit longer before Angela and Wade leave. The nurse comes to discharge Tim an hour later and Lucy is very glad to have him home.
“We will have you feeling better in no time.” Lucy helps him into bed. “I love you Tim and when they called, I thought maybe I’d never tell you. I have fallen so in love with you.”
Tim pulls her down close to him. “I’ve fallen in love with you too. I felt like a coward for waiting but I’ll say it every single day. I love you.”
Lucy kisses him and then gets into bed as well. She pulls Tim up and he lays in her arms. They are each other’s safe place.
The next two months fly by and before they know it, Lucy has finished the academy. She has passed every test with flying colors and people are impressed by her. Captain Anderson was able to get her placed at Mid-Wilshire, which made them both very happy that they would see each other more, even if Tim wasn’t training her.
It’s the day of graduation and Lucy is excited. “Are you ready for this, Officer Chen?” Tim’s standing behind her while she finishes putting her uniform on.
“I’m more than ready.” She turns around and loops her arms around his neck. “I had a wonderful teacher.”
“Is that so?” Tim’s lips are close to hers. “I’m proud of you.” He kisses her passionately.
“We need to go.” Tim pouts slightly but he knows that it’s time. He wears his dress blues and Lucy licks her lips when she sees him. Tim sits in the front row of the audience and he is cheering louder than most. Even Angela and Wade showed up to support her. Angela will be her training officer, much to her amusement and she can’t wait. “Congratulations Lucy.” She finds the group after the ceremony. Jackson and Aaron have followed her over.
“Thank you.” Angela pulls her in for a hug.
“You three will all be at Mid-Wilshire Monday morning.” Grey looks at Aaron and Jackson. “I look forward to getting to know you two. Your dad and I are good friends.” Lucy hides her smile and Jackson wants to crawl in a hole.
“We are looking forward to working with you as well.” Lucy hugs them goodbye and turns back to the group. “Thank you all for being here.” She can feel Tim pull her against him tighter.
“We are just as proud of you as Tim is.” Tim smirks and shakes his head. “We will see you Monday.”
They all say goodbye and Tim pulls her out of there to go celebrate. It was a very fond night and weekend before things became quite busy for the two of them.
Lucy’s rookie year starts and she is glad to be partnered with Angela. Tim is training Aaron and she’s a bit jealous. She knows they can’t be paired together, but they go home together every night. Tim does have his moments where he is overprotective and they fight about it, but they work through it.
After a long rookie period, Lucy finishes the FTO program. Tim is proud of her and he proposes the night that she finishes. They get married six months later and wait a few years to start a family.
“…..And that’s mommy and daddy’s love story.” Tim finishes speaking and smiles at Lucy. He still feels butterflies to this day. She is the greatest thing to ever happen to him.
“Daddy?” Tim has their twin boys, Logan and Liam who are four, on his lap and Lucy has their daughter Audrey, who is one, with her.
“Yeah bud?” Tim ruffles Logan’s hair.
“I love when you tell us your story.” Tim grins.
Every year, they take their family on a trip for a week. Lucy had convinced Tim to try out van life their first vacation they had together and it’s become a tradition ever since. He never thought he’d do something like this, but Lucy has changed his life in all the best ways. “I think it’s time for you to go to bed.” Audrey is already asleep against Lucy.
They tuck all three kids into the bed and then sit by the fire. Tim tugs Lucy to sit on his lap. His hand moves to her belly, where the fourth, and final, baby Bradford is growing. “I love you.” Lucy murmurs. “And I love our life.”
Tim kisses the top of her head softly. “I love you gorgeous. I’m so glad I pulled you over that day.” Lucy giggles. “You’ve made my life whole again.”
“And you’ve given me the most incredible family.” Lucy curls into Tim more, both knowing the meaning behind her words. The station has become their family too. “I love these trips.”
“They’ve grown on me.” Tim smirks and Lucy shoves his shoulder slightly. He is now a Lieutenant and Lucy is a Sergeant in the LAPD. “We’ve made them our own and we’ve created our own adventures.”
“But our life together is the greatest one of all.” Lucy whispers and she closes her eyes listening to Tim’s heart beating.
“You are my favorite adventure.” He smiles down at his wife, who is asleep laying agaisnt him. “I can’t wait to see where our lives take us next.”