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andrew-6781 · 1 year ago

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the weight of the world (atlas has abandoned his post) chapter two

✰ 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Tim Bradford x Lucy Chen x Tamara Colins

✰ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: the aftermath of Tamara’s breakdown.

✰ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: custody arguments, Tamara is younger in this fic, chenford are still together but arent okay, parental death (not chenford), mention of parental alienation, mention of guns and violence. tagging @natashasera

don’t forget to read and reblog, and i do not give permission for my works to be posted anywhere other than tumblr. thank you.

When Tim opened his eyes the next morning, the first thing he saw was Tamara, curled up beside him. After she had broke down and yelled at him for the first time last night, he had scooped her up, and carried her into his bedroom, where he laid down with her, telling her how much he loves her, and that he was never going to leave as she drifted off to sleep.

He hadn’t even stopped to think about how everything that was happening between him and Lucy was affecting Tamara. He knew the 16 year old saw him as a father figure, but he never knew how deeply those feelings ran until last night. Seeing Tamara, someone who he viewed as his daughter, break down, scream, and yell at him the way she had last night, broke his heart. Seeing her confess the reason her parents had passed away broke him even more. All he wanted was for her life now to be happy and calm, and him not opening up to Lucy and her was clearly bringing up reminders of the pain she felt when she was barely 4 years old. He knew it wasn’t fair to either of them, he just didn’t know how to go about fixing it.

But before he could even ponder it, his phone began to ring. He glanced at the caller ID, and took a deep breath when he read Lucy’s name. He answered the phone, and sat up in bed as soon as he heard Lucy panicking on the other end of the phone.

“Luce, what’s wrong?” He asked, and Lucy took a deep breath before answering between her sobs.

“Tamara’s not here,” She said, her voice growing more and more high-pitched as she began to speak. “Sh-she was here last night but I just went to get her up for school and she wasn’t here. I-I-I tried calling her and I don’t know where she went!”

“Luce, it's okay, she’s with me,” He answered, hoping it would calm Lucy down. To his surprise, however, it had the opposite effect.

“What do you mean, she’s with you?” Lucy demanded. “Why is she with you?!”

Tim sighed. “She had a nightmare after our argument last night but didn’t want to disturb you so she came to me.”

“And you just didn’t think to tell me?” Lucy yelled. “I am her legal guardian, for god's sake! I am her parent, and it never crossed your mind to tell me that the child I have custody of was there with you, someone who does not have custody of her, and you just didn’t let me know? Are you insane?”

Tim sighed angrily, before throwing the blankets off of him, and getting out of bed. He stepped out of the room before he responded, not wanting to wake Tamara.

“Look, I get it, you’re under a ton of stress right now, and I know that I haven’t been the easiest partner, but we both know that I am just as much Tamara’s parent as you are. I know I don’t have custody of her, and no legal right to her, but it's not fair for you to throw that in my face. The only reason I didn’t text you to let you know she was with me was simply because I was focused on making sure she was okay, because she scared the shit out of me, Lucy.” He said, his voice cracking. “She came over, screamed and yelled at me, and then was crying on the ground because she was fucking terrified I was going to leave her.” He yelled, before opening the patio door and letting Kojo out, and stepping out behind him. He took a deep breath and continued, trying his hardest not to yell.

“Lucy, she confessed to me how her parents died. The only thing on my mind was comforting her because she called me her dad and she just,” he sniffled. “She needed me. She was the only thing I could focus on. I'm sorry I didn’t text you to tell you, because legally, yes I should have, but she’s my kid too, Luce. Has been since she stole your car.”

It was silent on the other end of the line for a moment before Lucy spoke again. “I’m coming over.”

“Luce,” Tim tried to cut in, but Lucy didn’t give him a chance.

“Tim, I'm coming over, and we are going to discuss this as adults, and as her parents, okay?”

Tim sighed. He had known for the past 6 years that when she makes a decision, there's no changing Lucy Chen’s mind. “Okay.” He said. “I’ll see you when you get here.”

—-

20 minutes later, the front door to his house was opening, and Lucy came in. “Where is she?” she asked Tim, and Tim pointed down the hallway to his bedroom door.

“She's in there, still sound asleep.”

Lucy nodded in response, and looked around the living room before making eye contact with Tim. “So, uh,” She stuttered. “What did she tell you?”

Tim was unsure if he should tell her. It was Tamara’s story, would she be mad that he told her first? “Luce, I dont think it’s my place to tell you.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw the anger reignite in Lucy’s eyes. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to keep that from me too? I am responsible for her emotional and mental wellbeing as well as physical, I need to know so I know how to help her through this.”

Tim groaned. “I am not trying to keep anything from you, okay? I realized that mistake last night, and I’m sorry that I pushed you two away. I shouldn't have. But this?” He said. “This is something that has to come from her.”

Lucy laughed angrily and threw up her hands, trying to turn away from Tim, but he grabbed her elbow and turned her back.

“I’m saying that because it was awful, Lucy. It was horrible. No child should have gone through what she did, and it breaks my heart to think that our argument caused those memories to come back. I’ve already hurt her enough in the last 24 hours, I can’t hurt her anymore by telling her story.” He explained, and Lucy calmed down, seemingly for the first time since she woke up, if the way her whole body sagged was any indication.

“You’re right,” Lucy said. “I know you’re right, I-” she began, tears returning to her eyes. “I was just terrified when I woke up and she wasn't there. I thought Ray came back and did something to her.” Tim immediately shook his head and pulled her into his arms. She remained stiff, and although it hurt that she didn’t melt into him like she normally did, he accepted it. He had hurt her, she needed time to process it.

“It's okay, she’s safe.” He whispered. “I’m sorry I didn't let you know she was with me, I should have.”

Lucy pulled out of his arms, and stepped away from him. “I’m going to go lay in bed with her.” She said, “And later you and I are going to discuss a custody agreement for her because despite me being angry and frustrated with you right now, she deserves to see you, and I’m not going to alienate her.”

Tim nodded at her. “Thank you. I know I don’t deserve it, but still, thank you.”

Lucy shook her head. “No, you do deserve it. I meant what I said about how you'd be a good dad one of these days. You already are.”

—-

For the next few hours, Tim tried to keep himself busy, and keep himself away from the bedroom where his daughter and Lucy were sleeping, although it was hard. He took Kojo on a long walk, cleaned the garage, and even rearranged the food in the fridge. Eventually though, he had to go into the bedroom after Kojo ate too much grass and threw up on his pants.

He tried to be as quiet as possible as he entered, seeing Lucy passed out asleep with Tamara in her arms. He assumed Tamara was asleep too, until he stepped on a creaky floor board and it caught her attention.

“Dad?” she whispered, and Tim smiled to himself before answering.

“I’m here, bub.” he said, grabbing a pair of pyjama pants from the dresser. “I’m just grabbing a pair of pants, Kojo got sick on my jeans.”

There was rustling behind Tim as he quickly pulled on his pants, and threw his dirty ones in the hamper. When he turned around, Tamara was sitting up in bed, rubbing her puffy eyes.

“I-Is mom mad at me?” she asked quietly, and Tim immediately crossed the room and sat in front of her on the bed.

“Why do you think she’s mad at you?” He asked, reaching out to hold her hand.

She sniffled, blinking away the tears in her eyes. “I heard you guys talking.”

Tim sighed, and moved closer to her. “She’s mad at me, not you. I didn’t text her and tell her that you were with me, and when she went to wake you up for school and saw that you weren't there, she got scared, and then got angry at me for not telling her that you were safe with me. And then she kind of forgave me when I told you why she came, but then got angrier when I told her that you had opened up to me about your birth parents, but then wouldn’t tell her. So basically she’s just really angry at me.” he said, a slight smile on his face.

“But I heard her say something about a custody agreement,” Tamara said, her lower lip wobbling. “D-Does she not want me anymore?”

Tim immediately shook his head and wrapped his arms around her. “Oh bubba, no.” he assured her. “She had brought up the fact that she is the only one with custody of you and how I should have told her that you were with me, and I argued that just because I don't legally have custody of you doesn’t mean that I'm not your parent. The custody arrangement is just so you can still see the both of us even though we’re going through a rough patch, okay?”

Tamara nodded, shakily inhaling. “Okay.” she said quietly, before glancing next to her at Lucy, and then back at him. “Do you think I should tell her?”

Tim shrugged. “It's up to you. I think that it’s important that you tell her, so that she knows how to properly support you through this, but if it's too hard for you to talk about, then, don't put yourself through that.”

Tamara nodded again. “I think I should. She deserves to know.” Tim pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Okay. I’m going to run out and get groceries, do you want to come?” He asked, but Tamara shook her head.

“Nah, I’m going to wait for Mom to wake up and then I’m going to tell her,” She said, “Just, rip the bandaid off, i guess.”

Tim nodded, a small smile on his face. “Okay.” he said. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”

Tamara nodded as she laid back in Lucy’s arms, her head finding her mom’s heartbeat. “Okay.”

—-

Just after the door closed behind Tim, Lucy stirred, her eyes opening and finding Tamara immediately. “Hey, you.” She said quietly. Tamara looked up from where she was scrolling on ClipTok, and locked her phone.

“M- Lucy!” Tamara said, and smiled when Lucy wrapped her arms around her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming here.”

Lucy sat up. “I don’t want you to apologize, okay?” She said, reaching dow and stroking Tamara’s cheek. “I’m just glad you came somewhere safe.”

“So you’re not mad at me?”

Lucy smiled. “No, of course I’m not mad at you. You needed your dad, and you came to him.” Lucy blinked back a tear. “I’m glad that, despite how hard things are between Tim and I right now, that you have him to come to. I could never be mad at you for something like that.”

Tamara nodded, and sat up too. “What did he tell you about last night?” Tamara asked.

“Not much. He just said that you yelled at him, cried, and then told him what happened with your birth parents.” She said, “He didn’t tell me much, even though I pretty much demanded he tell me, but he was insistent that it's up to you whether you tell me or not.”

Tamara nodded, looking down at her hands. “I want to tell you.”

Lucy shook her head and moved closer. “You don't have to. It’s all up to you whether you tell me or not. I don’t want to push you, okay?”

“No, I definitely want to tell you.” Tamara said. “The only people who know are my social worker, and the cops who worked the case. And, Dad, now I guess.” She looked up at Lucy. “I think it’s important that you know, since you’re my mom now.”

A smile broke out on Lucy’s face, and she reached her hands out towards Tamara’s where they were resting in her lap. “Did…did you just call me ‘mom?’” She asked, shakily.

Tamara bit her lip, her chin quivering slightly. “Yeah, is that okay?” She asked, uncertainty in her voice.

Lucy nodded, sniffling. “Okay? It’s more than okay. It’s…the greatest give you could give me. I’m honoured that you chose me to be your mom.” She whispered as she wrapped her arms around Tamara. She pulled Tamara down onto the bed, and the two of them wiggled around as they got comfortable. “Okay, now,” Lucy said, pressing a kiss into Tamara’s hair. “Take your time, and let me know if you need a break.”

Tamara nodded before speaking.

“When I was four, my parents got into a huge fight. I mean they got into fights all the time, but this time was different. My mother had been cheating on my father with their dealer, who was also my fathers best friend. He had come home and found them in bed together, and my father lost his mind. I ended up hiding in the closet because I didn’t want his wrath turned onto me, and as I was trying to block out the noise when I heard my mother scream.”

She paused to take a deep breath in before continuing. “She kept asking him to stop, to calm down, telling him that she was sorry, but he just kept screaming at her, calling her names, and telling her that she was a dirty cheater. She kept screaming, and then he started screaming louder, and then there was a gunshot. It was quickly followed by a second gun shot and then everything went dead silent. I didn't leave that closet until the cops carried me out of it.”

Lucy sniffled and choked back a sob, hugging Tamara tight to her chest. “Oh baby,” she whispered into Tamara’s hair. “I'm so sorry you had to experience something so terrifying. You're safe now. You're with us, and nothing will ever hurt you again."

Tamara sniffled, trying to stop her tears from falling, but when she heard Lucy start to sob, she couldn’t stop them.

“You were just a baby,” She said, her hand running through Tamara's hair. “You deserved to be loved and protected, not hurt like that.” she whispered. “Thank you for telling me that, even though it was probably hard to open up like that.”

Tamara nodded. “The reason I came here last night was because I dreamt that instead of my mother and father, it was you and dad. I knew Dad would never do something like that, and I was scared, even though I knew it was just my mind playing tricks on me. When you went undercover on the Teska operation, I confessed to him that I had had a nightmare and he bought me Godzilla. He said ‘Just imagine Godzilla squashing all the bad guys in your dreams, and if that doesn’t work, you can always call me.’ That’s why I came to him instead of you.” She said, 'And you were exhausted, I didn’t want to wake you up.’

Lucy wiped her eyes. “Thank you for opening up to me, and for trusting me with this. For the record, you can always wake me up, okay? But I am glad that you went to Dad when you needed someone. I’m glad you’re not bottling this up. I know this isn't easy for you, but I promise you, me and Dad are going to do everything in our power to protect you, love you, and support you. We’re going to get through this, okay?”

Tamara just nodded, a small smile on her face. She finally had a family.

#wifey ava #Look at my wifey go

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