Begin Again | Chenford (The Rookie)

Chapter 12

The day of Bailey and John's wedding had arrived, and Lucy found herself in the midst of preparations at her home. She stood before the mirror, clad in a stunning floor-length navy blue dress that tastefully revealed a hint of cleavage. It was a balance between elegance and allure, perfect for a wedding affair. She meticulously applied a bit more makeup than her usual workday routine, contemplating whether Tim would notice the subtle difference.

As Lucy perfected her look, she engaged in a lively conversation with Tamara.
"You look great for your date, Lucy. Tim is a lucky guy," her roommate remarked with a grin.

Despite the encouragement, Lucy couldn't shake off a lingering nervousness. She couldn't help but question the nature of her invitation. Was this a real date or merely Tim needing a plus one for the wedding? The uncertainty played on her mind, adding a touch of anxiety to her otherwise excited anticipation for the event.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell, signaling the arrival of Tim and Isla. Lucy took a final glance in the mirror, making sure everything was in place, before heading to answer the door. When she opened it, the sight of Tim and Isla standing there took her breath away. On the other side, Tim, in his sharp dark blue suit, had a momentary pause as his eyes took in Lucy's appearance.

Isla, quick to break the silence, piped up with a playful tone, "Daddy, it's not polite not to say hello!" Tim snapped out of his trance, his cheeks turning a subtle shade of pink. He managed a warm greeting, "Hey, Lucy. You look... beautiful." The compliment came out a bit more breathless than he intended, and Isla couldn't help but giggle at her dad's adorable flustered state.

Lucy, amused by the exchange, laughed gracefully. "Thank you, Tim. You both look fantastic too," she replied, gesturing towards Isla, who beamed at the compliment, and Tim, who was still grappling with the unexpected flutter in his stomach.

Tamara joined the trio at the door, her smile flickering mischievously as she observed Lucy and Tim. "Are you two matching on purpose or is that just fate?" she teased. Lucy, initially puzzled, followed Tamara's gaze and realized that, indeed, both she and Tim were clad in the same shade of blue. She glanced up to meet Tim's eyes, who has probably just made the same connection.

"I guess it's just a happy coincidence," Tim responded with a lighthearted grin. Tamara, still amused, wished them well with a playful wink. "Well, I hope you have a fun time at the wedding. But not too much fun!" she added, the innuendo causing Tim to blush and Lucy to roll her eyes. Isla, oblivious to the hidden meaning, looked at Tamara with a quizzical tilt of her head. "How can you have too much fun?"

Before the situation could become awkward, Lucy, checking her phone, smoothly redirected the conversation. "We'll figure that out later, Isla. For now, we have to get going, or we're going to be late to the wedding. Bye, Tamara!" Lucy waved, closing the door behind her and leaving Tamara with a knowing smile lingering on her face.

They descended the stairs, and upon reaching the car, Tim gallantly opened the door for Lucy, extending his hand in a chivalrous gesture. A smile played on Lucy's lips as she graciously accepted his assistance, teasing, "Being your date means getting the full princess treatment, huh?" Tim grinned, ready to respond, but his reply was halted by Isla, standing by her car door and impatiently awaiting her turn.

"Daddy, I need your help too!" Isla declared, observing their exchange. Tim and Lucy exchanged an amused glance before Tim hurried around the car to attend to his daughter. With a flourish, he opened the door for Isla, adopting a butler-like tone. "Here you go, princess," he quipped. Isla promptly embraced her princess role, expressing her gratitude.

With his girls settled in the car, Tim turned to the driver's seat and smoothly slid in. "Everyone buckled up?" he inquired, casting a quick glance to the back. "Yes, Daddy," Isla's voice chimed from the rear. Tim then turned his attention to the passenger seat, where Lucy had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she affirmed, "All good to go, sir."