Disclaimer: I own nothing. A belongs to Timeless and ABC.
Bittersweet Dreams
Lucy-
Lucy was dreaming, but what was strange was that she knew she was dreaming. It was almost as if she were watching TV, able to watch the memories from the sideline, and internally comment on them. Her dream was pleasant, the most wonderful dream she'd had in months. It was of her childhood; her, Amy and her dad, or the man she'd grown up thinking was her dad. She didn't want to wake up because she was so happy to see them, her heart ached from how much she missed them both.
Watching her dad play with her and Amy was bittersweet. It felt like eons had passed since she was as happy as the little girl she was watching. A sudden anger came over Lucy as she watched her dad tickle Amy. The anger wasn't because of watching them, but the reminder that her mother had lied to her her entire life. Despite the circumstances between her mom and Benjamin Cahill, her mom had had no right to keep the truth from her. In the original timeline when she'd thought Henry Wallace was her dad, or this new one where she apparently grew up where her mom was a single parent. It wasn't right or fair!
Lucy decided she needed to let go of her anger, at least for the time being. She had no idea how much longer this wonderfully strange "dream" was going to last and she wanted to soak up every second she could of her dad, she would always feel Henry Wallace was her dad, regardless of which timeline, and Amy. A feeling of nostalgia swept over her at the scene she was watching, remembering that particular day. The three of them were having a picnic in the backyard. Her mom was inside the house working on research for a book, as was her wont to do on most Sunday afternoons. It was okay though that she hadn't joined them, they were having a blast without her.
The two little girls giggled uncontrollably as their dad finally caught them at the same time during their game of tag. He wrapped an arm around each girl from behind and swung them around in a circle until they were both shrieking with delight. A tear ran down Lucy's cheek, a happy tear mixed with some sadness. She felt joy fill her soul. It soon faded however. The noise had distracted Carol and if there was one thing Carol Preston couldn't abide, it was interruptions in her important work. She stormed outside, berating all three of them, as if they'd done something wrong by having fun.
Lucy's smiled faded. She realized just how many times this had happened as she was growing up. Her mom was always more focused on her work than she really was on her family. That's why her and Amy had been so devastated when their dad had died. He'd been the one to pay more attention to them. Her mom had become more attentive to her when she'd became a little older, but it was only to push her in her schoolwork. Amy had been allowed to be a free spirit. Lucy had always been jealous of Amy's freedom, but she'd never let it get in the way of their sisterly relationship. And despite how much more their mom seemed to care about Lucy's success, Amy had never resented her, she had become her champion, her greatest ally, even though she was the younger sister. Especially after their mom had gotten sick, Amy had been pushing Lucy to find and follow her own dream, not what their mom had planned for her.
The images before Lucy began to fade away and she thought she must be waking up. Sure enough, a few moments later, she became aware she was lying in a bed. She wasn't ready to open her eyes yet so she just stretched her arms and legs a bit. She remembered going to sleep in the same position she was in, and she didn't usually stay that way, so she was a bit stiff. Opening her eyes she looked around the quaint hotel room. It was modest and she liked the simplicity of the decor. It was just her style.
Not sure how, Lucy could tell Flynn was awake, despite the fact she was facing away from him. Happiness infused her entire being, content in the place she currently found herself and thinking about how wonderful last night had been. She smiled, liking how he was still pressed against her, his arm around her, her hand atop his. She squeezed it and said, "Good morning."
Lucy turned to face him as Flynn replied, "Good morning." She could tell from his timidity that he was nervous, although he tried to hide it, and it was something very out of character for him. She reasoned he was worried how she felt about what had happened the night before. She wanted to make sure he knew she wasn't sorry so she smiled. She was glad when he smiled back. "Did you sleep well?" he solicitously asked.
"I did. I was very comfortable." Lucy could feel her cheeks burn a little from embarrassment. She didn't elaborate on what type of comfortable she meant. Flynn was an intelligent man and he also knew her well, better than she liked most of the time, and she knew he would figure out her meaning. It embarrassed her some, but didn't want to dwell on it. There was no use in it, and she wanted to enjoy these peaceful moments with Flynn. She didn't know what time it was, but she figured Carl would be there soon, judging from how much sunlight filled the room. The thought saddened her. She didn't want to go back to the real world, the one where they were trying to outmaneuver the other.
Shake it off, Lucy, enjoy the time you have! she told herself. Carpe diem* as they say. She brought her hand up to run her fingers through the fringe of his bangs, pushing them away from his forehead, something she'd denied wanting to do for a long time now. Flynn closed his eyes and sighed, clearly enjoying her touch.
"Flynn," Lucy said quietly.
"Hmmm?" Was all that rumbled deep from Flynn's chest.
"Tell me something about yourself." Flynn opened his eyes at her request. They were guarded and she could sense he was about to emotionally pull himself away from her. Hoping to prevent it, Lucy quickly said, "It doesn't have to be some big, dark secret or something you've never told anyone. Just something that you would like for me to know about you I wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to find out." She mentally crossed her fingers, hoping he wouldn't close himself off from her.
It must've worked because Lucy saw Flynn's relief as he sighed again. She hid hers, waiting for what he would say.
...
Carpe diem is Latin for "seize the day."
