A Cops Dream
Prologue
Tim was sitting on the floor of his room packing his bags. He had just finished his academy training when he was being called into the military. This was not how he had planned tonight ending but he had already spoken about it with Lucy and she agreed with him. This change in plans would not change their plans. He was zipping up his bag when Lucy came surprising him from behind.
Lucy: Guess who?
Tim: I'm sorry miss but I have a girl friend who would not be happy to see me with another girl.
Lucy hits Tim playfully on his shoulder and he smiles at her before kissing her passionately.
Lucy: Tim, stop. We're in your parents' house.
Genny: Lucy!
Lucy: And your sisters here?
Tim: Sorry, Lucy didn't know she was home.
Lucy: Yeah right, of course you did
Tim: Lucy, no you knew she was here cuz you came with her but I didn't know either of you was home.
Genny: Lucy Chen where are you?
Lucy: I'm right here Genny.
Genny: Oh great of course you're with Tim.
Lucy: Sorry, just wanted to say good bye before he ships off for who knows how long.
Genny: Okay, well your dad is here and he looks pissed.
Lucy: He doesn't want me to go to the graduation tonight.
Genny: What? Why not?
Lucy: Says that being a cop is not a career. He wants me to go back to college to be a phycologist or a lawyer.
Genny: And what do you want to do?
Lucy: I don't know anymore.
Genny: Why not?
Lucy: I only signed up for the academy because of Tim, but now that he's leaving, maybe my dad is right and I should go back to college.
Tim: Lucy did I hear you correctly you don't want to be a cop?
Lucy: No Tim, of course I do, I'm just so tired of fighting with my parents and with you gone I don't know how I'll have the strength to stand up to them.
Genny: Well, your dad is waiting for you. Good Luck.
Lucy: Thanks.
Lucy hugs Tim quickly before walking to the front door where her father was waiting for her.
Mr. Chen: There's my little girl
Lucy: I'm not really your little girl anymore dad.
Mr. Chen: Oh Lucy, you'll always be my little girl.
Lucy: Dad.
Mr. Chen: Come, let's go home. There's something I want to discuss with you.
Lucy: Dad, I have my graduation tonight and was really hoping to go with Genny and Tim.
Mr. Chen: If you come home and hear me out, I'll let you go to the party.
Lucy: Really? Thanks dad. Tim, I'll meet you at the party then if that's okay.
Tim: Of course. I'll see you later.
Lucy: Bye Tim, Genny.
Lucy and her father went home. She went to her room and got changed for the party. When she came downstairs both her parents were sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her.
Mrs. Chen: We need to talk about this whole police officer thing.
Lucy: What? Mom.
Mr. Chen: You gave it a try, finished the academy, you proved that you could do it. Yay
Lucy: Dad
Mrs. Chen: It's time for you to do something meaningful with your life.
Lucy: Something meaningful?
Mr. Chen: Yeah
Mrs. Chen: Lucy, it's time for you to go to school, get your degree, have a profession.
Lucy: Being a cop is my profession
Mrs. Chen: As a paid bully for the city?
Lucy: Is that really how you see me?
Mr. Chen: That's how everyone sees you
Lucy: Tim doesn't see me like that.
Mrs. Chen: Tim really? Look I blame this all on him. This is his fault.
Lucy: What are you talking about?
Mr. Chen: If Tim hadn't decided to go to the police academy you wouldn't have dreamt of it either.
Lucy: That's not true
Mrs. Chen: Of course, it is. Look, Tim is leaving, he's moving on. It's time for you to do the same.
Lucy: We're not breaking up Mom
Mrs. Chen: That's insane. How do you think this is going to work? Look he's leaving hes joining the military. You should go to college and if in several years from now you are still both single you can try this again.
Lucy: Mom, I don't want to do that
Mrs. Chen: Why not?
Lucy: Because I love him. Tim and I will be together forever, you'll see.
Mrs. Chen: Lucy please! I just really want to be proud of you.
Lucy: Really? Why can't you just support me and be proud of who I am even if my dreams are different than yours. You know, you seem happy enough for Tim, I just don't get it.
Mrs. Chen: Tim is not my child. You are. Your father and I have been very patient supporting you as you deferred college, followed your boyfriend but now it is time to get serious about your future.
Lucy: Being a police officer is my future. This is my dream.
Mr. Chen: No, Lucy. This is Tim's dream.
Lucy: I love this job. I get to help people.
Mr. Chen: If you want to help people become a doctor or a lawyer
Lucy: Wow!
Mr. Chen: I'm sorry but this needed to be said.
Lucy: I need to go.
Mrs. Chen: Lucy
Lucy: What?
Mrs. Chen: Your father and I will always love you. But to be a police officer? You are risking your life for a thankless job and we cannot be supportive of that.
Lucy: Okay, okay. I got it. I heard you the first time. If you're done expressing your disappointment I really need to get going to the party. I promised Tim, I would meet him there.
Mrs. Chen: Tim! Really?
Lucy: Look, he's leaving tomorrow I just want to spend one last night with him.
Mr. Chen: Lucy!
Lucy ran out of her house crying. She knew her parents didn't approve of her life choices and that was painful enough but to hear them say it over and over was torture. She so badly wanted to make them happy, but being with Tim, being a cop, that is what made her happy. Lucy walked into the party and searched the crowd until she saw Tim, her boyfriend, the most handsome guy in the room. Lucy walked over to him and Tim held her in his arms for a while until the music turned slow and romantic where Tim stepped away from her and started dancing.
Lucy: I love this song.
Tim: I know. You sure about this?
Lucy: 100%
Tim: You won't change your mind?
Lucy: No. I just hate hurting my parents.
Tim: Lucy, if we are going to do this, we have to leave now. Okay, I'll meet you outside.
Lucy: Okay
Tim walks outside and Lucy searches the crowd for a minute until she spots Genny.
Lucy: Genny, I need you to do me a favor.
Genny: Yeah, of course. Anything.
Lucy pulls out an envelope from her bag and hands it to Genny.
Lucy: Please give this to my parents in around 30 minutes.
Genny: Okay.
Lucy leaves and walks outside straight towards Tim's truck. He opens the door for her and she gets in. Lucy is smiling, she is genuinely happy.
Lucy: I can't believe this is finally happening. I have been dreaming about this moment for so long.
Tim: Me too.
Tim drives off and they stop in front of the courthouse. Tim gets out, opens the door for Lucy and they walk inside hand in hand. Tim is so happy when they are finally standing in front of the judge.
Tim: Lucy you are the most amazing woman I have ever known and being your husband will make me the happiest man alive. So, Lucy with this ring I thee wed.
Lucy: Tim, with this ring I thee wed.
Preacher: I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Tim bends down and kisses Lucy deeply and passionately
Preacher: You may now kiss the bride.
Tim and Lucy run out of the courthouse holding hands smiling and happy, their wedding bands on their fingers. Neither one knows what tomorrow will bring but right now they are happy knowing that they are finally married to each other. They go running down the steps when they are stopped by Lucy's father.
Mr. Chen: I'm sorry. I truly am, but you two are just too young to get married.
Lucy: Dad you don't understand.
Mr. Chen: You're only 18 Lucy, your mother is so disappointed. What about your plans? Your future?
Lucy: Dad my future is with Tim.
Mr. Chen: Look, it's not too late, we can get the marriage annulled.
Tim: Sir, this is what Lucy and I want,
Lucy: Dad, I love him
Tim: I love your daughter very much Mr. Chen.
Mr. Chen: Then do what is best for her. Let her go Tim, Lucy is not supposed to be an army wife or a cop and deep down you know that I am right. Come on Lucy, get your stuff. Let's go home.
Lucy: No, dad. I want to go with Tim.
Tim: You should listen to your father Lucy.
Lucy: Tim! No, I don't want to go with him. I want to go with you.
Tim: Lucy, your dad is right. You should go to college, get a job.
Lucy: What are you talking about?
Tim: I think we need some time to think this through, think more clearly.
Lucy: I don't want more time Tim, and I am thinking clearly. We spoke about this. I want this Tim. I want to be married to you.
Tim: I will send you the annulment papers as soon as I can.
Lucy: Tim. I love you.
Tim: I love you too Lucy. And one day I hope I get to prove it to you.
Tim turns around, gets in his car and drives off. Lucy watches him in disbelief. She gets into her father's car, looks out the window and doesn't say a word. How did a night that was going so well, her wedding night end up with Tim telling her that maybe they made a mistake that he wanted to annul their marriage.
