Feelings Don't Just Fade - a Chenford Fanfic

6: Where Do We Go From Here?

He sighed as he answered. "Hey, Ash." Tim tried to sound chipper, but he was long past playing pretend.

"Well good morning to you Mr. handsome grumpy pants." He rolled his eyes. "Listen, I know we both work today, but I thought I'd stop by your place for breakfast before our shifts?" He really didn't want Ashley to meet Jaclyn or to see Lucy at his place. He may be prepared to leave her, but he wasn't a monster. But, this may be his only chance...

"You there babe?" She asked, he realized he hadn't responded in a minute.

"Yeah, that works for me. See you in an hour?" After she agreed, Tim hung up.

He turned his attention back to Jaclyn. "Well baby boot, this is going to be a fun morning. But, don't you worry about that other lady. I love your mommy more than anything." He kissed his forehead as he heard a door open. Turning around he smiled at the sight of Lucy.

She wore an asymmetrical black and white striped dress with white sandals. Her hair was down in beautiful waves, she had a hat on, and small gold hoops. She looked perfect.

"Hey, Bradford, if you're done staring you can pack up while I pack up stuff for Jaclyn." He nodded, putting his daughter in her high chair. His overnight bag was easy and quick so he helped Lucy pack up bottles and soft food for Jaclyn, while she packed up her big brown bag. In this short time, he wondered if he should warn Lucy about what was waiting at his place.

Outside, Tim helped Lucy grab the stroller out of her trunk and the car seat out of her backseat. Once all was secure in his truck they both climbed in the front.

"What happened to your orange beater?" He questioned her about the car he used to mock. There was definitely amusement in his voice.

"Wasn't super safe for Jaclyn, had to let her go." Lucy laughed, the sound made Tim smile.

"Well I guess I should be thanking Baby Boot then." They both laughed at that. "Look, uh, Lucy, I need to warn you about something." He glanced over at her as they were at a red light, this brought back many memories of their days riding together. When she didn't speak, Tim continued. "I've been seeing someone for a few months now. Her name is Ashley and she's a lifeguard..."

"I know. Tamara saw her name in your phone last night. I wasn't going to say anything because it wasn't my business..." she cut him off. With a tight lipped face he nodded, eyes back on the road.

"Well, I didn't bring her up, because even before I saw you again yesterday, or found out about Jaclyn, I had been planning on leaving her. We have nothing in common, and after a while I just realized she was only a distraction for me." A distraction from my feelings for you.

"I appreciate your honesty Tim, really. But, why are you telling me this?" He turned down his street, his eyes went to his house. He breathed a sigh of relief seeing that she wasn't there yet.

"Because she's coming here this morning, and I'm planning on breaking up with her. There are certain things in life I want and I can no longer deny what I want or feel." He felt a weight being lifted from his shoulders. Once inside, with only Jaclyn and her bag, Lucy made herself comfortable on the couch with her little girl. Tim stood at the edge of the living room awkwardly.

"Umm, I'm going to go grab a shower and pack a better bag. I'll be quick but if she comes, just come get me. And please make yourselves comfortable."

She smiled back at him. "Tim, we got this. It's okay." She turned their daughter towards him and waved one of her hands. "Say bye bye to daddy. He's a stinky butt and needs to get clean." The little girl giggled as Tim waved back to her.

Once in his room, Tim dropped his bag on his bed. With everything that had happened in the past twenty four hours, he couldn't help but remember the night several years ago, the night he and Lucy shared their night of passion. As he was alone with his thoughts, Tim realized just how much his mind was racing. He was on cloud nine and he'd be doing even better once he was no longer with Ashley. He walked into his bathroom to turn on his shower. While waiting for it to heat up, he stripped out of his sweats, he threw his uniform in his laundry basket (he knew he'd have to remember to wash that and have it ready to go back to Mid), and pulled out his phone. He had many, many texts from Ashley and even more from Angela. He only opened Angela's. Of course they made him smile, but he decided against responding. Tim knew he needed to be quick.

His shower was beyond fast, maybe because he didn't want Ashley to wait or maybe because he didn't want to miss any more time with Jaclyn... both were possible answers. Back in his bedroom, he didn't bother with packing a new bag yet, he wasn't sure if he should, but he wanted to. Instead he dressed in dark blue jeans, a black short sleeve, his favorite light gray button up, and his black boots. As he was about to walk out, Tim heard a knock on his door. Lucy ran back into his bedroom, Jaclyn in one arm and her bag in the other.

"What do you want us to do?" Lucy seemed panicked. Tim did his best to reassure her, placing his hands on both of her arms, he looked into her big beautiful eyes.

"You and Jaclyn can stay here. This will not take long." He wanted to kiss her forehead at least, but for the time being he decided against it. Leaving both girls there he closed his bedroom door and ran to meet Ashley at the door. Kojo had also followed him out of his room, beating him there.

"Hey." He smiled as he opened the door, Kojo began to bark like a wild man.

"So, where have you been? I texted you many times last night and this morning. You also didn't answer my calls." Why was she so whiny? Kojo followed her all the way to the couch. She paid him no mind.

"You texted me 20 times between then and now and called me 5 times. Just to clarify. But, please come in." Of course he knew, it was second nature to him.

"Are you okay baby? I think since we both had tomorrow off we should go out tonight? Oh oh, we could check out the new club on the beach. It's got a really fun, race like vibe.." Mm-hmm, probably somewhere way too trendy where Tim would have no idea what to say or do.

"Ashley, I don't think that's going to happen..." please get the hint...

"Well why the hell not? Tim, what's going on? I'd really rather not spend the whole day off sitting on this couch watching sport games and being slobbered on..." Or not.. Tim wasn't sure how he'd managed to stay with her this long.

"Well, besides the fact that I now have to work tomorrow, I just think this needs to end. Us, I mean. We have absolutely nothing in common, including the futures we want."

"That's absurd. I think things are going very well and we could have a wonderful and fun future, ya know, once you decide to leave the force..." She was joking right? Her dad worked Mid-Wilshire until his last day with Tim.

"That's the thing Ashley, I'm never going to leave the force. I'm going to do that work and be there until I retire." Just like your dad...

"Well then, I guess you're right. This needs to end." Obviously...

"I know, that's what I just..." Was she not listening?

"No, no, Tim. No need to prolong anything..."And then there was a noise from the bedroom, Tim knew it was Jaclyn and he wasn't upset. But, Ashley certainly looked upset.

"What in the hell what that? Is there a baby here? Who's in the bedroom?" Before Tim could stop her, Ashley was racing back towards his bedroom.

"Why the hell are you here? And why the fuck do you have a baby?" Tim barged in just as Ashley finished yelling at Lucy and Jaclyn began to cry.

"They are here because Lucy and I are working a case together. And that BABY is our daughter. And you will not yell at Lucy or in front of my daughter!" Tim was actually livid.

"Since when do you have a kid?!" Ashley was still yelling.

"Listen, Ashley, before I would have answered all of your questions and I would have introduced you to my daughter in a better way. But, as of fifteen minutes ago, I don't have to explain anything to you. Now please get the fuck out of my house." Though he was angry, that was the most calm Tim had ever been in that kind of situation. He followed her out to the living room so that he could close the door behind her.

And with that she was gone, Tim just sat back against the couch closing his eyes. He felt free and his mind cleared. Kojo joined him on the couch, nudging his arm for head scratches. Tim happily amused his canine companion. In his pocket, Tim's phone made a noise.

Lucy: Is it safe to come out?
Tim laughed before responding.
Tim: absolutely and bring our girl. I think it's high time the king of canines met his little sis

He faintly heard her moving about before she joined him in the living room.

'One step closer.' Tim thought to himself.