Hey There, Im Slow To Post On Here, But I Posted The Fifth Chapter Of My Current Chenford Story, Worth

Hey there, I’m slow to post on here, but I posted the fifth chapter of my current Chenford story, Worth the Wait.

The outline of this story has 3 acts. The first and second act have a decent amount of angst (but no major character deaths). The third act is full of happiness and dreams coming true. If you’re not ready for angst right now, please protect your mental health and read some other fluff. But if you’re up for lots of angst with a happy ending, please read and enjoy the ride.

Here’s a segment of the story to pique your interest.

Ashley was staring mindlessly out the window most of the time, lost in thought. But Tim had a plan to make the trip back more interesting than just driving the 5 through the middle of California. He remembered a conversation they had had a while ago about wanting to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. So, he navigated them around Monterey Bay where they stopped to see some sea lions. Then he drove her down to Big Sur to see Bixby Bridge and the gorgeous scenery there.

As they approached San Simeon, he stopped at the elephant seal colony to watch them flopping around awkwardly for a while. He offered to take her up to Hearst Castle, but she declined and gave him a funny look. I must have remembered that wrong, he thought to himself. Next, they stopped in Morro Bay to see Morrow Rock and watch the sea otters living their best life in the kelp just off the shore.

While they were in Morro Bay, Tim picked up some lunch, and they found a spot along the ocean to sit and eat. As he was eating his cheeseburger and fries, he said, “Well, is this trip down the coast as good as you thought it would be?”

Ashley squinted at him. “I mean, I love looking at the ocean,” she said hesitantly. “And seeing the marine animals along the way has been… interesting.”

Tim furrowed his brow at her. “But you told me a while ago that you always wanted to take this trip along the coast. We talked about what we would see and where we would go. I know we talked about going all the way north to see the redwoods, but if we end up living up there it would be easy to go another day. And you really wanted to see the otters and elephant seals and sea lions, right? You said otters were your favorite marine animal.”

She tilted her head and looked at him for a moment. “Actually, I hate seals and sea lions. They’re bossy and invade huge sections of the beach. Plus, they are so stinky and loud. Otters are fine, I guess. We don’t have issues with them in LA. But if I could find a beach where seals and sea lions weren’t an issue in California, that’s where I would prefer to be.”

Tim scrunched his brow in frustration. He knew they had had this conversation. That’s why he had researched all the vista points along the way to make sure that Ashley could see everything that she had wanted to see.

“Maybe you’re thinking about a conversation with Genny? Did she want to take her kids to see all the animals?”

“No. We talked about going to Hearst Castle, too, and Genny’s kids wouldn’t have enjoyed that.”

“Hearst Castle? Huh. That kind of thing doesn’t really appeal to me either.”

It took him several minutes to realize who had had this conversation with months ago. He remembered talking about making the trip together and all the things that they would see along the way. He even remembered searching for the best restaurants in the area. Then a light bulb flicked on in his brain.

Lucy.

It was Lucy that wanted to take this trip. Lucy that wanted to see all the marine animals and Hearst Castle and Bixby Bridge and the rock formations in Big Sur and the famous Pebble Beach tree. The whole conversation rushed back into his mind. They were at a stake out one night, and she just kept going on and on. But it kept both of them awake, so he just let her talk. And, not one to enjoy sitting idly, he had joined in her search for the best things to do and see and eat along the route.

Once he realized the mistake that he had made, he became quiet and focused on eating his food. Ashley noticed the shift as his posture and facial expressions changed.

After a few more minutes, she said softly, “It was Lucy, wasn’t it? You had planned to go on this trip with Lucy. She was the one that wanted to see all of the things you took me to see.”

Tim looked over at her in surprise. He didn’t have to say anything for Ashley to see the truth on his face.

“I think I’m done eating,” she said. Then she stood up and walked briskly away from him.

Tim quickly gathered the rest of their food and threw it in the nearest trash can. Then he jogged to catch up to her. When he found her a minute later, she was vomiting behind a shrub.

“Ashley…” he started, but she held up her hand to silence him.

When she was done throwing up a minute later, she took a wipe out of her purse to clean her face and hands. Tim had his mouth open, eager to explain himself, but Ashley glared at him. “I think I’d like to go home now. No more stops.” Moving quickly, she navigated back to Tim’s truck.

Crap.

He’d really screwed that up royally. How had he managed to think it was Ashley who wanted to take this trip? For a moment his mind imagined how excited Lucy would have been to see the sea otters rolling around and playing with each other or the elephant seals barking and rolling over each other or the extravagant and beautiful rooms at Hearst Castle. But he had to suppress those ideas down as far as they would go. That would never happen now.

Now he needed to focus on mending the tear in his relationship with Ashley. He jogged after her and helped her into the truck. The last two hours of the drive were in complete and heavy silence. The tension between them was palpable. Tim had tried to apologize several times, but Ashley wasn’t interested in hearing it.

They had to stop a few times along the way for Ashley to throw up. But when Tim offered to help or asked if she had her nausea medicine, he only got a stony glare in return.

When they made it to her apartment, he had to run to keep up with her. He tried to follow her into her apartment, but she turned around and blocked the entry. “I just need some space right now. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ash… Please. I’m sorry. It was an honest mistake. Really. Both of you really like the beach and the ocean, and I must have just mixed it up in my head.”

Ashley scowled at him. “How many of your coworkers have you ever gone on a trip with?”

He was surprised at the question. “Uhhh. None.”

“But you planned to go on this trip with Lucy?”

“She was just talking in the shop on a stake out. We didn’t… We weren’t going to go as a couple. And it’s not like we were actually going to do it together. We were just talking to stay awake and fill up time. At least, that’s what I think I remember,” he said as he thought about it harder again, his brow furrowed.

“See,” she said, pushing her index finger into his chest. “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to get you to see. Lucy was way more than your gopher or your partner to you. She probably still is.”

“She was my friend,” he said defensively. “You know that. But I did what you asked me to do. I haven’t talked with her since she visited me at the hospital. You already blocked and deleted her number on my phone. I don’t know what more you want me to do. I…”

“Save it,” she said abruptly with a fire in her eyes. “I…” she started, searching for words to match how she felt. “This is why I asked you to end your friendship with her. You two together…” She was at a loss for what to say and just stood there for a moment with her mouth open. Then she shook her head and said, “I… I just need some time alone. Don’t call me. I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

Read more here:

If Virginia wrote last 3 episodes of Season 6 of The Rookie... What would happen?

Oooooo. I’ve had to think about this for a while. I’m going to try to go character by character.

Aaron - Id love to see him have a really strong, good cop moment. Not making a move on someone he shouldn’t (ahem… Celina and Dr London). Not getting yelled at by Tim. I understand the reasons for these, but I’d like him to have a good moment where he’s recognized for being a good cop.

Celina - I’d like her to either show more competency OR get put through the wringer for not being competent yet. I feel like she’s just floundering and not improving.

Bailan - I REALLY want the doc they see to tell them that they can’t be considered infertile since they haven’t even been trying for a whole menstrual cycle. And then I’d like that storyline to disappear for a little because it’s just too blown out of proportion for me. I’d like to see John be reprimanded for not teaching Celina well or be mentored/coached on improving his skills as a TO.

Nyla - I’d love for her to have a more dominant storyline again one of these days. I feel like she’s more of a support character. And can James show up? I love his friendship with Wesley.

Wopez - They are WAY overdue for a romantic moment. Plus, they have yet to name their baby; she’s something like 3-6 months old without a name. Ridiculous. If Elijah is part of the Big Bad, then I’m hopeful for some good Wooez moments. I’d also love to see Angela solidly reprimand Tim for breaking up with Lucy/how he’s treating Lucy.

Tamara - I REALLY hope that she’s not gone for good.

Genny - Can she please come back to support Tim? He could use some unconditional love. And she’s someone else that could slap up upside the head and/or talk some sense into him.

Grey - I’d love to see the captain of the ship steer them back together and help them get together again.

Chenford - I saved the best and the biggest for last. I would LOVE to see Tim heal (through therapy or through friends/Genny) and for him to realize how deeply he unnecessarily hurt Lucy. I want him to start being honest to someone. Then I sort need him to super apologize/grovel to Lucy. I don’t think they’re getting back together until early-mid season 7. But I’d like to see some baby steps.

For Lucy, I’d like to see her change her stars. Season 6 has laid a new slap on the face with each episode. I want to see her explore her career options and find something she LOVES (which I hope isn’t UC as I don’t feel like it fits her long term life goals and personality. Just because you’re good at it doesn’t mean you have to do it.). The tap on the head from Grey is a good start. But she seriously deserves some redemption and acknowledgement.

Phew. More than you asked for, I’m sure. I can’t wait to see what tonight’s episode has in store for us. Thanks! 🫶🏻🫶🏻😊😊

What does this shake of his head mean to you?

Is he regretting all of his choices and reeling with the aftermath of them?

Is is disappointed that Lucy didn’t follow Kojo around the corner as he secretly hoped she would?

Is he coming to grips with the fact that he can’t come any closer and still respect her boundaries? That he’s actually understanding how much he’s lost?

I’ve watched this scene many times now, and I’ve flipped my opinion just as many times. Perhaps it’s a combination of all of them. But he’s clearly dealing with his emotions here. You can almost watch the walls he’s building around them go up.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I wonder if they’re going to use any hospital video footage to figure things out.

I work in the hospital and have had the sad experience of reviewing footage with the police in the past when a patient’s mom threatened my life.

That could be part of the solid evidence they need to convict Monica. I know they don’t have cameras everywhere, but they often do in hallways…

This was so sweet. But also broke my heart a little bit more.

Happy Birthday

Love,

Kojo