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Tim does the simple things for Lucy and his girls. He pulls out their chairs, he opens doors and lets them go in first. He gives words of encouragement and support and he tries to be patient.
He doesn’t do it because he has to. He doesn’t do it because he thinks that’s what a man should do.
He does because he loves Lucy. He loves his daughters. And he wants his girls to see what they deserve. When they start dating (hopefully when he’s dead) he wants them to know their worth.
He tries to be worthy of Lucy’s love every single day, he tries to show her how much he loves her and wants to be with her.
They already have a beautiful family.
They already have a good life but Tim always makes sure he still tries. He always pushes to do better.
Always.
That’s why he wants to teach Levi to be a good man. To be one that will always push to do better. He was already protective of his mom and his sisters especially June. But he was also 10, and raising a ten year old boy was a whole different experience than raising a 10 year old girl.
He was a little crazy and chaotic at times. A little feral and free spirited and like Ava he wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind.
But—
He was also tender hearted and wore his heart on his sleeve. Tim never wanted that to go away. He always wants his son to be kind and loving and polite. He wants him to be a gentleman.
“Levi, when you are older you will understand this more.” Tim says. “But I’m going to teach you to be a gentleman.”
“What’s that?” Levi asks looking up at Tim with a curious look.
“Well you know when I open doors and let your mom and sisters go in first?” Tim asks.
Levi nods.
“Well that’s part of being a gentleman. You let the ladies go first.”
“Oh.” Levi says. “What else?”
“You are polite and say please and thank you.” Tim says.
“You tell Ava, Daisy and June to do that too.” Levi says.
“It’s a universal thing buddy. And everyone should do it.“ Tim explains. Levi nods his head some more and he looks thoughtful.
“So I’m just my normal self?” Levi asks. “Except with more class?”
“Yes.” Tim says letting out a small laugh. “But it’s also more than that Levi. It’s being on time, you don’t gossip with other people. You do acts of service.”
“You do all that with mom.” Levi says and he looks like he understands. “You want me to be like you.”
“Not exactly like me buddy.” Tim says ruffling his hair. “I love the person you are. You are your own person.”
“Yeah.”
“But I do want you to treat everyone with respect.” Tim says. “Being a gentleman is being a good human being and I know you are that.”
“I’m already like you dad.” Levi says proudly. “Mom says I look like you.”
“Yes you do.” Tim says. Levi has always looked like him. But the older he got, the more Tim saw himself in his son. It made him proud and terrified him at the same time. He was more like Lucy in personality but still—
“Mom says I’m her handsome guy . I’m sure she thought that about you back in the day.” Levi says. Tim gapes at him.
“That is not being a gentleman Levi.” Tim scolds but it’s lighthearted.
“I’m sorry dad. I’m sure you were very handsome back in the day.” He says folding his hands in front of him. “That’s how you got us right?” Levi skips off before Tim can even reply.
***
“Do you think I’m handsome?” Tim asks Lucy. Lucy raises her eyebrows and turns to look at him.
“Yes.” She says. “I do.”
“Even now?” He asks. “Did you think I was more handsome back in the day?”
“What?”
“I mean when I was younger.” Tim says.
“I thought you were handsome back then and now.” Lucy says. “The salt and pepper beard is sexy.”
“So you don’t think I was more handsome back then?” He asks.
“No.” Lucy says. “What brought this on?”
“I was teaching Levi to be a gentleman and it was going fine but then Levi said he was your handsome guy.” Tim says.
“He is my handsome guy.” Lucy says. “Are you jealous of our ten year old?”
“No.” Tim says. “He said I’m sure you thought I was handsome back in the day indicating you don’t think I’m handsome anymore.”
Lucy gapes at him and then starts laughing. “Oh my god.” She says and he frowns at her. “Tim, Levi is 10 and his big sister is Ava. He’s going to rage bait you.”
“He’s 10.”
“Precisely.” Lucy says. “Don’t take him seriously. I thought you would know this after years with Ava.”
“I wasn’t expecting it with Levi.”
“He’s a good boy. And I think it’s sweet you are teaching him to be a gentleman.” Lucy says.
“He needs to treat everyone with respect.” Tim says. “I know he’s only a kid.”
“It’s sweet Tim.” Lucy reassures him. “I’m sure he will be a gentleman. He is our son after all.”
Tim nods and he can only hope his son took something from his lessons.
Anything.
“Oh and Tim?”
“Hmm?”
“You are still very handsome and I’m not just saying that.” Lucy says. “I promise you.” Tim takes a deep breath and lets it out.
Thank god.
***
Over the next few days, Tim notices Levi doing the little things. He lets his sisters and his mom into rooms first. He opens the car door for his sisters. Ava gives him weird looks every time he does it but it doesn’t seem to bother him.
“Dad why is Levi being weird?” Ava asks him one day when Levi opens the car door. Daisy and June get in but Ava remains outside.
“He’s not being weird Ava. He’s being a gentleman.” Tim explains. “He’s being polite and respectful.”
“But it’s Levi.” Ava says. “It’s weird.” Tim rolls his eyes and points to the front seat.
“Get in Ava.” He says. She does but she looks back at her brother when she gets in.
“Why are you teaching him to be a gentleman? That’s not who he is.” Ava says. “He’s crazy.”
“He can still be himself and be polite and respectful Aves.” Tim points out. “Just like you can be polite and respectful which I know you are.”
Ava sighs and looks at her brother again. Tim looks in the rear view mirror, Levi is just staring at a piece of paper.
“What’s that bud?” Tim asks although he has a feeling he knows what it is.
“My homework. I forgot to do it.” Levi says. “Ava, will you please help me?” Ava rolls her eyes but reaches back for the paper.
“Levi, what did we—” Tim starts.
“I know. I know dad! I’m sorry!” Levi says. “It will be the last time.” Tim rolls his eyes this time. He highly doubts that but—
Ava is now explaining something to him and Tim relaxes a little. Levi still had a lot to learn. And that was okay because Tim would be there every step of the way. He never got this with his father, and he became the man he is without any help from his dad. He became the man he needed to be for Lucy and his kids.
And he was proud of that but he always wished he had a guiding light. A push forward. He was going to be that with Levi. No matter what.
Always.
***
Levi asks Tim if he could buy Lucy some flowers. It’s one day after school, and Tim is on pickup duty for the twins. Although it’s just Levi now because they dropped June off at ballet.
“Dad can I buy mom some flowers?” He asks.
“Sure bud. What for?” He asks. Levi sighs a little.
“Because I want to.” He says. “Mom works hard with everything and I want to appreciate her.” Tim nods and he knows Lucy’s going to breakdown a little when Levi gives her the flowers. He’s a mama’s boy through and through.
“Sure bud.” Tim says and he makes a turn towards the store. “We can do that.”
When they get to the store, Levi picks out some flowers for Lucy and then sees some that June would like.
“Ava and Daisy love those succulents.” Tim says. He points to some in front of Levi. It’s true. Ava got a succulent from a friend and it was easy to take care of. Daisy decided she wanted to try and now their windowsills had a few more plants.
“Okay!” Levi says enthusiastically. Tim smiles as he picks two out and then puts them in the cart.
“Do you think they will like them?” He asks. Tim nods.
“They are from you Levi.” He says. “They will love them.” The sweet smile on Levi’s face is everything. And he can’t wait for Levi to give them to Lucy and the girls.
It would be priceless.
***
“Mom I bought you flowers.” Levi says and he hands Lucy the flowers he picked out. “I picked them out. Dad bought them.” Lucy takes them and looks at Tim before turning back to their son.
“They are beautiful buddy.” She says. “Why did you want to buy me flowers?”
“Because you do so much and I want to show how much we appreciate you.” Levi says. And just as Tim expected, Lucy’s eyes fill with tears but she wipes them away.
“Oh?”
“He picked some out for the girls too.” Tim says and Levi nods. He’s pulls out the flowers and succulents he got.
“You were busy this afternoon.” Lucy says softly and she puts the flowers aside and gathers Levi in her arms.
“Thank you Levi.” Lucy says looking at Levi with nothing but love and awe in her eyes. “I love them.”
“Am I gentleman?” Levi asks putting his hands in front of him and blinking at her. “Am I mom?”
“Yes buddy.” Lucy says and she sends Tim an amused look. She ruffles his hair. “You are a very nice gentleman.”
Levi looks at her with a pleased look and then skips off. Lucy turns to Tim and he steps closer so he can gather her in his arms.
“Thank you.” She whispers. He looks down at her with a soft smile.
“For what?”
“For being you and raising these kids together and just this living life with me.” Lucy says. “Its better than I could have imagined.”
“Of course Luce.” Tim says and he couldn’t imagine this life any other way. It was perfect. Imperfectly imperfect but he couldn’t imagine it any other way.