Title: Home sweet home

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

The dash thermometer told Lucy it was ninety three; she didn't believe it. It felt so much hotter. It was the height of a California summer and she was six months pregnant. She and Tim had just closed on a two story stucco home not far from the house he'd owned as a bachelor. It was on a quiet street and a corner lot. Lucy pulled into the driveway hoping to get out of the mid-afternoon heat as quickly as possible. She tucked the SUV into the garage and got out. She went around to the back passenger door and opened it smiling at her daughter Ellie who was in her carseat. The one and a half year old was in pigtails pink shorts and a white t-shirt.

"Time for your nap."Lucy stated as she unbuckled her daughter and placed her in her left arm.

Lucy closed the door and opened the front passenger seat grabbing her purse and the shopping bag from her errand that day. Closing the door and then walking to the door into the house Lucy hit the button to close the garage. Smiling Lucy entered the house stepping into the small hall by the kitchen. As she walked into the living room she took a moment. There were still stacks of moving boxes everywhere. They were however pushed against the walls and into corners. She was grateful to Grey, John and Jackson for moving in the furniture two days before. It was starting to feel like a home.

"Do you like your new home?"Lucy asked Ellie.

The little girl babbled and giggled. Lucy smiled and continued to the stairs and climbed. She reached Ellie's room which was partially finished. Light pink paint on the walls and a couple shelves Tim had put up the night before. Lucy laid her daughter down and brushed back the girl's dark hair tenderly.

"Sweet dreams."Lucy murmured as she straightened and walked to the door.

Lucy closed the door part way and went back downstiars. Tim had worked first shift that day and should be home soon.


Sgt. Tim Bradford put his key in the lock of the front door of their new home. His truck unfortunately did not fit in the garage. Everything else about the place had been near perfect including the back yard. So the garage was a project for a remodel at a later date.

"Babe?"Tim called with a smile as he stepped in and closed the door.

"Sssh."Lucy admonished as she walked out of the kitchen and pointed upstairs. "Ellie's napping."

"Sorry."Tim said quietly as he kissed her.

Lucy glanced towards the baby monitor propped up on a stack of boxes. The small screen showed Ellie was still sound asleep. Tim drew his wife into an embrace and kissed her.

"How's Mama?"Tim asked as he pulled back enough to place a hand on Lucy's baby bump.

"Tired and hot. So glad we have central air."Lucy said as she leaned against Tim.

"I was actually glad to be stuck in meetings all day."Tim commented as they walked farther into the living room. "I kept hearing how miserable patrol was."

"Oh, I picked this up today."Lucy said as she picked up the shopping bag from the floor by the stairs.

"What is it?"Tim asked as he took the medium sized wooden object from her.

Lucy smiled.

"Turn it over."Lucy instructed.

Tim did and felt a lump form in his throat. On one side of the wood frame was a black and white family picture with Ellie sitting on his lap taken at the beach. Across from that written in dark blue ink was the phrase 'Home, sweet home.'

"It's beautiful."Tim commented hoarsely.

"Thought we could hang it here."Lucy said motioning to the left wall of the living room.

"Good idea."Tim replied.

Tim found the hammer and nails and a few minutes later the Home Sweet Home plaque was taking center stage on the wall. He wrapped his left arm around Lucy's shoulders drawing her close.

"Looks really nice."Tim said softly.

"Yes it does."Lucy agreed.

"I love you."Tim said tenderly.

"Love you too."Lucy replied as she rested her head on Tim's left shoulder.

Tim was looking forward to the memories they were going to make in this new home.

end