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[2 Broke Girls] Ch: 191 [First Laws and Last Laughs]
🕑 Added 2025-09-21 11:43:42 +0000 UTCChloe cleared her throat, her face flushing. "Trixie, why don't you go put your bag in your room? School starts soon."
"Okay!" Trixie said cheerfully, already skipping off down the hall.
The moment she disappeared, Chloe turned slightly toward the two men. "Dan, this is Alex Wilson. Alex, my ex-husband, Dan Espinoza."
Dan gave a small, stiff nod. "Wilson. I've seen your face on a few magazine covers. Didn't expect to see you here, though."
Alex's smile was calm, unbothered. "Life is full of surprises. I also didn't expect to be cooking breakfast in a detective's kitchen this morning, but here we are."
Dan's eyes flicked toward the stove, then back to Alex. "Cooking, huh? That's… new. Chloe usually hates when people mess with her pans."
Chloe folded her arms, giving Dan a flat look. "He's helping, Dan. You could try not to sound so shocked."
Alex slid his hands into his pockets, watching Dan with mild amusement. "I do a bit more than magazines and movies. Cooking's just another skill set. Keeps the mind sharp, the hands precise." He paused for a beat, then added with a faint smile, "I suppose not everyone's job teaches them that kind of discipline."
Dan's jaw tightened. "My job keeps me busy enough."
"I'm sure it does," Alex said smoothly. He gestured toward the plates on the counter. "Breakfast turned out fine. No fires, no ruined pans. Chloe even smiled while we cooked, so I'll take that as success."
Dan raised a brow. "You two cooked together?"
"Yes," Alex replied, his tone polite but carrying a hint of challenge. "Teamwork. You'd be surprised how natural it felt."
Chloe shifted, trying to steer the tension down. "Alright, that's enough testosterone in my kitchen. Dan, do you want some coffee before you head out?"
Dan glanced at her, then at Alex, then shook his head. "No, I'm good. I'll be on my way."
Alex gave him a courteous nod. "Then I won't keep you. Thanks for bringing her by. She's a great kid."
The words were kind, but the steady look Alex held on Dan made it clear he wasn't asking permission to be part of Chloe's morning.
Dan left...
Chloe closed the door behind Dan and leaned against it for a second. When she turned, Alex was already back at the counter, rolling up his sleeves like nothing had happened.
She crossed her arms, giving him that look. The one that said she was amused but definitely not letting him off easy.
Alex lifted a brow, innocent as ever. "What? Can't blame me. He started it."
Chloe narrowed her eyes. "You poked him."
"I didn't poke," Alex said, sliding a plate toward her. "I made conversation. He just… bristled."
"You made conversation the way a cat makes conversation with a bird," she muttered, but the corner of her mouth was twitching.
Before Alex could fire back, Trixie bounced back into the kitchen, her backpack already ready. She climbed onto a stool, bright-eyed. "So what are we eating?"
"Eggs, veggies, toast," Alex said, handing her a plate like he'd been doing this for years. "Extra crispy bacon. That's the good stuff."
Trixie perked up immediately. "Yes! Bacon makes everything better." She grabbed a strip and crunched into it, grinning. "You're good at this, Alex. Mom usually just makes scrambled eggs or cereal and coffee."
Chloe gave her daughter a look. "Thanks for the betrayal, Monkey."
Trixie giggled. "I mean, eggs are fine, Mom. But Alex put cheese in them. Cheese!" She pointed her fork like it was proof in a trial.
Alex smirked, glancing at Chloe. "See? That's just good teamwork. She handles the coffee, I bring the flavor."
'I'm glad they are getting along,' Chloe tried not to laugh and failed, shaking her head as she sat down with her plate. "You two are impossible."
"You love it," Alex said easily, taking his seat across from Trixie.
Breakfast quickly turned lighthearted. Trixie told a story about her teacher losing her glasses and accusing the wrong kid of stealing them, complete with overdramatic impressions. Chloe tried to keep a straight face, but Alex laughed so hard he nearly dropped his fork.
When he finally recovered, he leaned toward Trixie. "You know, you'd make a solid actress with those impressions."
Trixie's eyes lit up at Alex's words. "Actress? No way. That's boring."
Alex raised his brows. "Boring? You just made me laugh so hard I almost dropped my fork. That's talent."
She shook her head fiercely, her ponytail bouncing. "Nope. I'm going to be the President."
Chloe smiled, sipping her coffee. "Of the United States?"
Trixie grinned, shaking her head. "Of Mars."
Alex leaned back in his chair, pretending to think it over very seriously. "Mars, huh. Ambitious. I like it. What's your first law going to be, Madame President?"
Trixie jabbed her fork in the air like a gavel. "Rule number one. No bedtime."
Chloe groaned. "Of course."
"Rule number two," Trixie went on, ignoring her. "Unlimited candy. Every day. For everyone."
Alex tapped the table approvingly. "Strong leadership. You're going to have my vote for sure."
The rest of breakfast went quickly between laughter and Trixie's ever-expanding plans for her Martian government, which at one point included outlawing broccoli and making sure every citizen got free ice cream on Sundays.
Finally, Chloe glanced at the clock and sighed. "Alright, Madame President. Time for school."
Trixie groaned. "School is boring. I already know how to be President."
Alex leaned over the counter with a grin. "Even Presidents have to do their homework. How else are you going to write all those laws?"
That made her giggle again. She hopped off the stool, "Fine. But only because I need to practice my handwriting for my speeches."
After cleaning up, they left. Chloe locked the door and looked at Alex.
"So, see you tonight?" She asked with a smile.
"Yeah, tonight," He replied with a nod.
Chloe then helped Trixie into the back seat, and then she took the driver's seat.
"Bye, Alex," Trixie waved her hand from the window.
"Bye, Trixie," Alex waved his hand with a smile and gave a slight nod to Chloe before she drove away.
..
[2 days later] [Hospital]
Alex pushed open the glass doors of the hospital and stepped inside, a modest bouquet of lilies in one hand and a bag of fresh fruit in the other. He asked the receptionist for Lucy's room. She gave him a number and pointed him toward the private wing.
When he reached Lucy’s room, he stopped just outside the door and knocked lightly.
“Come in,” came a voice from inside.
He entered, and Lucy turned her head from the window. Her hair was a little mussed, her arm hooked up to an IV, and she looked bored.
“Alex?” she said, sounding genuinely surprised. “What are you doing here?”
He held up the flowers and the bag of fruit with an easy smile. “Bringing a little color to the room. Hospitals aren’t exactly known for their charm.”
She blinked, then let out a small laugh. “You brought me flowers?”
“Would you rather I brought crossword puzzles?” he asked, stepping closer and setting the bouquet on the side table near the window. “Actually, I thought about it. But fruit seemed safer.”
Lucy sat up a little more against her pillows, amusement flickering across her face. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know,” Alex admitted, pulling up the chair beside her bed. “But I figured since I was in the neighborhood, I should check in on the woman I dragged out of danger. Seemed rude not to.”
She tilted her head, studying him like he was a puzzle. “People don’t usually follow up after things like that. I mean, yeah, you saved me and waited till morning for me to wake up. But after that... Most just… disappear. Especially someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” he asked lightly.
“You’re Alex Wilson,” she said, as if it explained everything. “I see your face on billboards on my way to work and your movies on TV. You don’t just… show up in hospitals.”
He leaned back in the chair. “Well, maybe billboards don’t tell the whole story. Besides, I think saving someone’s life earns at least one visit.”
Lucy gave a small smile, though her eyes still carried that flicker of disbelief. “I’m not used to this kind of attention. My days here are basically staring at the ceiling, waiting for the clock to move. You’ve officially made today less boring.”
“Then I’ll call that a win,” Alex replied. He opened the paper bag and pulled out an apple, placing it on the table. “Consider this the start of a very exclusive hospital fruit service.”
She laughed again, softer this time, and shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“True,” he said. “But if ridiculous helps, I don’t mind playing the part.”
For the first time since he’d entered, Lucy relaxed fully into her pillows. She looked at the flowers, then back at him. “Thanks, Alex. I mean it. It’s… nice to have company.”
Alex leaned back slightly, resting one ankle on his knee. “What about Tim? How’s he holding up?”
Lucy’s mouth curved faintly, though she winced at the memory. “He got discharged yesterday. Knowing him, he’s probably already back at the station trying to act like nothing happened. But with the captain? Yeah… he’ll be chained to a desk for a while.”
He chuckled. “Figures. Guy doesn’t strike me as the type to sit still for long.”
“He’s not,” She agreed. “He’ll hate every second of it. I wish I were there to tape his expression. Well, it’s better than tearing his stitches open two days in.”
Alex tilted his head, his expression softening as his focus returned to her. “And you? How are you really doing?”
Lucy sighed, letting her shoulders sink against the pillows. “I’ll be okay. The doctors say bed rest for at least a month. No field work, no late nights, nothing. Just me, the walls, and whatever’s on TV.”
“At least you’ll get some time off,” Alex said.
Her lips quirked. “Yeah, and thankfully the department covers this kind of thing. My salary won’t take a hit. That’s one positive.”
“Good,” Alex said firmly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her pause. “You shouldn’t be worrying about paychecks while you’re healing. Just focus on getting back on your feet. The city can wait for you.”
Lucy studied him again, as if still trying to piece out why he was here, why he cared enough to bring flowers and fruit when he had no obligation at all. Finally she smiled, small but genuine.
“You’re making it sound almost easy.”
“Maybe it is,” Alex said casually.
She watched Alex, her lips curving into a slight smile. After a long pause, she asked casually, “So, are you and Chloe... dating?”
“I mean, I’m assuming you’re not talking about us being in some sort of ‘complicated’ situation,” he joked. “But yes, Chloe and I are together.”
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Well, that answers that.”
“You don’t sound all that surprised.”
“Should I be?”
Lucy leaned forward a little, her expression playful. “I’ve seen the way you two interact. It’s kind of hard to miss.”
Alex’s grin widened. “Ah, so you were paying attention, huh?”
Lucy shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? I watch all the interactions. A little habit, I guess.”
Alex’s smile softened as he regarded her for a moment, then his expression lightened with a teasing glint. “Don’t tell me you had a crush on me or something like that. Is that why you were looking so closely?”
'God yes, I do. I should have gone to speak to him that night instead of Chloe. Haaa. I missed my chance.' Lucy’s eyes flashed with mischief as she let out a small laugh. “Who knows?”
Alex chuckled, clearly amused. “Well, that’s a hell of a way to keep me on my toes.”
“You’re welcome,” Lucy said, her tone playful but genuine. She leaned back into her pillows, looking more at ease than she had earlier. “I was just curious. Chloe deserves someone good, you know? And from what I can tell, you fit the bill. So, no harm in asking.”
He said. “I’m not perfect, but I care about her. I’ll do my best.”
She nodded, her gaze thoughtful. “I can tell. And she’s lucky to have someone like you around.”
The weight of her words lingered in the air for a moment, a sincerity that made Alex pause. He gave a small nod in return, a quiet appreciation in his expression. “Thanks.”
"You’re welcome.” Then, a lighthearted glint returned to her eyes as she added, “But if you ever do anything to hurt her, I’ll find you. And trust me, I know all the best ways to make someone talk.”
Alex’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Noted. I’ll make sure to stay on your good side.”
“Good idea,” Lucy said, grinning. “You wouldn’t want to end up in my bad books.”
He laughed. “I’m not worried about that.”
The conversation fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, and Alex checked the time. He didn’t have much longer to stay. He has to go to his studio to check on the box-office numbers of his movies and he also has a couple of meetings with new models around 11 AM. Then lunch with Halle and Angelina together.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” he asked. “More hospital TV, or are you planning to become an expert in fruit varieties?”
Lucy grinned. “I’m definitely going to study every fruit in that bag. You’d be surprised how fascinating a peach can be when you're stuck here with nothing else to do.”
“Ah, so this is your new career plan? Fruit expert?”
Lucy laughed, the sound light and free. “Hey, don’t knock it. Someone’s gotta keep the peach industry alive. And you’re right, TV can only do so much.”
“Fair enough,” Alex said, stretching his legs out. “I’ll leave you to your expert fruit study, then.”
“Good call,” Lucy teased, her smile broadening. “But, before you go... Thanks again for the flowers and the fruit. It actually means more than I think you realize.”
Alex nodded, his expression softening. “Anytime, Lucy. Seriously. Get well soon, alright? You’ve got too much to do out there to be stuck in a hospital bed.”
She gave him a grateful smile, her eyes warm. “I will. And if I’m ever in the mood for more ridiculous company, I’ll give you a call.”
Alex chuckled, standing up from his chair. “I’m always around. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Take care of yourself, Lucy.”
As he walked to the door, he looked back one last time. “And don’t let those peaches get too boring, okay?”
“Only if you bring more next time,” she shot back with a wink.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. “Deal.”
With that, Alex stepped out of the room, the door closing softly behind him.
---
Comments
Daniel
Alex just T posed on Dan.
