Archive of Our Own ^beta

“The paramedic is back.” Tim grumbles to Angela. His eyes go to Lucy and Emmett who has his eyes on Lucy. Of course out of all the bars in the city, they had to go in the one where Lucy’s ex boyfriend was. He was dressed in his work shirt and pants. He looked like he had just gotten off work. 

“Yes and what are you going to do about it?” Angela asks raising her eyebrows. “They are just talking Tim.” 

Tim sighs and watches Lucy closely. He knows they are just talking and he has no reason to be jealous. Lucy made it very clear that she didn’t want to date anyone else. She just was figuring some stuff out. He was very confident in them and getting their relationship back on track. And it was going well because she was where with him. And they were going home together. 

But still.

He didn’t like the way Emmett was looking at Lucy. He didn’t like the way that he was reaching out to touch her arm. 

He hears Lucy laugh a little, and his heart clenches. He loves her lap. He loves her. And the paramedic is all over her. 

Lucy looks over at him, and she gives him a big smile. She touches Emmett’s arm and says something and then walks over to him. 

“Hi.” She says and she wraps her fingers around his wrist. “What’s going on?” He looks over at Angela who just gives him a smile and then walks over to the bar.

“Nothing.” He says. “Emmett is back?” Lucy raises her eyebrows at him. 

“No.” She replies. “He’s actually moving to Texas. This was his last shift.” 

“Really?” 

“Really. Are you jealous Tim?” She asks. Tim looks over at Emmett who is watching them. 

“No.” He says. “I just don’t know why a man who broke up with you over text is all over you.” 

“You broke up with me and you are always all over me.” Lucy points out but she’s smiling. Tim hears the implications behind her words. And she’s not wrong. On either point. And he  regrets one of them.

“Well true—” Tim starts and he really doesn’t have much to say. “But you love me.” 

“A little confident aren’t you Bradford?” Lucy asks giving him a nudge. But she doesn’t deny it. 

“Hey Bradford.” Tim looks away from Lucy and sees Emmett approaching. “Long time no see.” 

“Yeah.” Tim says gruffly. “I hear you are leaving LA.” 

“I am.” Emmett says. “Let me buy you both a drink.” Emmett walks off before they can say anything. 

“Cops are way tougher than paramedics.” Tim grumbles. Lucy laughs and stands on her toes to give him a soft kiss. 

“Well you aren’t wrong there Tim.” She mutters. “Just tone down the jealously a little.”

 “Deal.” Tim says. He reaches for her hand and gives it a squeeze. “As long as I am the one you go home with.” 

Lucy looks at him, a smile spreading across her face. 

“That was a given.” She says. “I will always go home with you. And only you.” Tim grins at her, and pulls her into his chest just as Emmett approaches again. He doesn’t look surprised in the slightest. 

He hands Lucy her drink and then Tim his and steps back a little. “You know I thought this would happen one day.” He says. Lucy tilts her head back to look at him. She gives him a soft smile and then she turns to look at Emmett.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Emmett says and he looks at Tim with a questioning look in his eyes. “He treats you right?” Tim wants to snap at him, that yes he does. He would never break up with Lucy over text and just say it’s not working out. 

But he really doesn’t have room to talk and he doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Lucy reaches for his hand and squeezes it.

“He does.” Lucy says her voice soft. He definitely does.” Emmett nods and gives Lucy a smile. He waves to someone behind them and then walks off without another word.

“Not jealous huh?” Lucy asks turning to look at him. She takes a sip of her drink and then sets it on a table next to them. He sets his down too, never taking his eyes off of her. 

“No. Not jealous.” He says. “You did deserve better than him.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” Tim says. “I’m not perfect. You are incredible. And I’m so lucky you are giving me a second chance.”

“You deserve it.” She says. “I choose you Tim over and over. I choose you.” Tim looks over at Emmett who looks like he’s chatting with a coworker. He’s not sure what would have happened if Emmett never broke up with Lucy. It might have gone a lot differently. He’s not sure if they would be standing here today—choosing each other. 

But he’s glad they are. 

He’s glad he gets to live this life with Lucy. He’s glad she’s going home with him tonight. 

“I choose you too.” He says and pulls her into him. He presses a kiss to the top of her head and she gives him a soft smile. “Every single day.”

“Good.” She says. And maybe their life would get a little messy sometimes but it’s okay because jealously or not. 

They are in this together.