Stepping Up | Part 1
Summary: You get stuck at work and have to call in your boyfriend of over a year to pick up your daughter from school. Bradley is more than happy to help out, but when he arrives to pick up your daughter, he's met with a sad version of his favorite Little Bee. Time for an Ice Cream date and Roo to the rescue.
Word Count: 3350 ( part 1 of a 2 part story!)
Warnings: FLUFF, slight angst (Sad Little Bee), Mentions of dead beat dad (not Bradley or any TGM characters). Illusions to SMUT- MINORS DNI
Pairings: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Female! Single Mom! Reader, OC Briella (Reader's daughter)
A/N: I don’t own Top Gun Maverick characters or plot but all OC readers and plots are mine DO NOT STEAL. I Don’t give permission to repost to other sites, copy, translate, or use in AI. JUST DON’T BE A JERK and MINORS DNI…my blog is 18+.
Masterlist
“Hey, Little Bee.” Bradley smiled, when he got to the pick up line at the elementary school. You’d called in a panic an hour ago, having gotten pulled into a meeting with your boss. You’d asked him if he could go grab your daughter, Briella, from school and keep her until you could get off of work, although the last place you wanted to be on a Friday afternoon was at work. He’d been happy to agree.
“Hi, Roo.” She said, climbing into the backseat of the Bronco and buckling up. Bradley glanced in the rearview mirror at the normally bubbly 7 year old who was decidedly not bubbly today.
“Everything ok, Little Bee?” He asked, pulling away from the pick up line, focused on traffic ahead of him, but stealing glances at the little girl in his backseat.
“Yeah.” She said quietly. “I’m fine.”
He glanced in the rearview mirror again. She was looking out the window, clearly fighting tears. Bradley turned off the main road and headed to the pier and an ice cream shop he’d found. It had clearly been a rough day for his favorite little person and his new mission was to put a smile back on her face and try to find out what had made her so sad.
When he got to the pier he pulled the Bronco into the parking lot and parked. He pulled his phone out and sent a quick text to you.
Bradley: Hey, Beautiful. I’ve got Little Bee… something’s upsetting her. Taking my favorite 🐝 to the pier for an Ice cream 🍦 date. I’ll bring her home and pick up pizza on the way. Love you ♥️
“Why are we here, Roo?” Briella asked softly, looking at him curiously.
“When I was a kid and had a tough day, my mom always took me out for ice cream.” Bradley replied, turning to smile at her, “She believed that ice cream could make even the gloomiest of days a little brighter. Wanna give it a try?”
“Sure.” She replied with a ghost of a smile.
Bradley got out and moved around to the back passenger door, opening it for her and helping her down. Brielle immediately slipped her small hand into his as they started to walk to the pier. They walked in silence along the pier towards the ice cream shop. Bradley held her hand firmly in his, letting her know he was there if she needed him, but not pushing her to talk until she was ready.
They got to the ice cream shop and ordered. Brielle opted for the Cotton Candy flavor while Bradley went with Chocolate Moose Tracks. With ice cream in hand, Bradley led them to a bench overlooking the water and they sat down to eat their cold treats.
Hearing the notification on his phone, Bradley quickly checked, knowing it was most likely you.
Beautiful: You are an amazing man, Bradley. 😍 I love you too…so very much. I should be home by 5:30. Stay tonight? 💋
Bradley: I will happily stay tonight, Beautiful. 💋 Drive Safe.
He tucked his phone back into his pocket, returning his full attention to Briella.
“Just had to let your mom know I’d Bee-napped you for an ice cream date.” He chuckled, nudging her softly.
Briella giggled quietly, as she ate her ice cream cone. Glancing over, Bradley laughed, lifting a napkin and wiping the ice cream from her nose.
“Thanks, Roo.” She said quietly with a soft smile, scooting closer to him and leaning into him as she continued to eat her ice cream.
“Anytime, Little Bee.” He replied gently, wrapping his arm around her, still giving her the time and space until she was ready to talk.
Once their ice cream cones were gone, Briella finally spoke up.
“They announced that there’s a Daddy-Daughter dance at school next weekend.” She said in a soft voice. “All the girls in my class talked about it the rest of the day.”
“I’m sorry, Bee.” He replied pulling her closer. “It always sucked when the dad stuff came up at school for me growing up too… I get it, Sweetheart.”
“But didn’t you have your Uncle Mav?” She asked, curiously. His relationship with his godfather had pretty much been repaired by the time you and Brielle had come into his life.
“I did.” Bradley acknowledged, smiling, “But there were lots of things that came up that he couldn't be around for because he was deployed.”
“Mostly I’m fine with it just being Mommy and me.” Brielle said then looked up at him smiling, “And now we have you… Mommy’s a lot happier. She doesn’t cry anymore when she thinks I’m sleeping. It’s just… sometimes….”
“Sometime’s things come up that make it a little tough…” Bradley continued for her, understanding, “Make it more obvious that you’re just a little different from the other kids.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I know I’m not the only one… today it just felt that way.”
“I understand, Bee.” He replied with a gentle smile, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Knowing you’re not the only one doesn’t make it easier in the moment. And for the record.. I’m glad your mom is happier. Wanna know a secret?”
“Sure.” Briella answered, looking up at him with curious eyes.
“You and your mom coming into my life was the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Little Bee.” He said, “I’m happier than I’ve been in a very long time because I have the two of you.”
“Even better than flying?” She asked, shocked.
“Even better than flying.” He confirmed with a smile.
“I love you, Roo.” She said, turning and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I love you too, LIttle Bee,” He replied, hugging the little girl back. “Should we go pick up some pizza and meet your mom at home? I’m staying tonight so we can even build a pillow fort and watch a movie since it’s Friday.”
“Two movies… with popcorn and candy?” She bargained, smiling up at him. He was helpless to resist.
“Two movies… popcorn or candy.” He negotiated, knowing you’d put your foot down to both snacks.
“Deal.” She giggled, knowing it was still a victory.
They headed back to the Bronco, Briella slipping her hand easily into Bradley’s again. She was in much better spirits now than she was when they’d arrived. His mom’s bad day cure had worked. Ironically the reason for many of his bad days had stemmed from the same root cause.
The two of you had been dating for over a year. He’d fallen for you… hard…almost instantly. You’d been dating for two months before you introduced him to Briella. Bradley had been wrapped around her little finger from the moment they met. Briella thought that Bradley hung the moon. He’d been on one deployment that was 6 weeks long but mostly he’d been home this past year. The last month, Bradley had been spending more and more time staying over at your place than at his own apartment. The two of you had also started talking about the future. Bradley had decided within the first few months he wanted to marry you… to be family. He was just being patient and letting you set the pace.
By the time they got the pizza and movie snacks, they made it back to the house just before you were due to arrive home. They took everything inside and Bradley set the pizza in the kitchen then sent Briella up to change out of her school clothes and to grab as many blankets and pillows as she could find so they would be ready for fort building.
Briella had started on assembling the fort, having made it before with Bradley, when you walked into the house.
“Hi, Mommy!” She said, peeking her head out to greet her mom.
“Hi, Bumblebee.” You smiled, setting your work bag down and tossing your keys onto the table next to Bradley’s. “I see it’s gonna be a pillow and blanket fort night? Must mean… movie night too?”
“Yes!” She exclaimed, “AND, we picked out candy!”
“Oh you did, huh?” You asked, laughing, “Seems like a perfect Friday night.”
“Bradley’s the BEST!” Briella said beaming.
“He is.” You agreed, “Where is Bradley?”
“I’m here.” He said, coming into the living room and walking straight over to you. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close. “Hey, Beautiful.”
“Hi, Handsome.” You smile, melting into his embrace, your own arms wrapping around his neck. “Thank you so much for picking up Briella. Looks like the ice cream helped?”
“Anytime. I’m always happy to help…especially if it means I get an ice cream date with my Little Bee.” He replied, then leaned in close, whispering in your ear, “I’ll fill you in later, Beautiful. Go get comfy, pizza is ready then we can watch movies.”
You lean in and kiss him, your lips lingering on his. After a long day, the only place you wanted to be now was here in his arms.
“Roo, can you help me with the fort?” Briella asked Bradley, “It keeps falling.”
“Sure can, Little Bee.” He replied, smiling, his forehead resting against yours.
“I’ll need more of that later, Handsome.” You whispered, into his ear as you brushed by to head to your room to go change. You heard him chuckle as he moved to go help your daughter with the pillow and blanket fort.
Twenty minutes later you were all sitting at the table eating pizza and trying to decide what movies to watch that night. Brielle was pushing for The Parent Trap or Beauty and the Beast.
“Bumblebee, how about we find something new to watch?” You suggested, laughing.
“Casper?” She asked, hopefully. Bradley chuckled, his eyes sparking with amusement.
“I think Casper is a good idea.” Bradley said, winking at Briella, “I love that movie.”
“Okay, I know when I can’t win.” You laughed, giving in “Casper it is.”
Once they finish eating, Bradley sends you and Briella to go get the movie queued up and situated in the fort while he cleans up from dinner. He grabs the snacks and some drinks and then moves into the living room.
He “knocks” on the outside of the fort. “Can I come join the fun?” He asked, “Or is this fort only for beautiful princesses?”
“Roo!” Briella laughed, pushing aside the blanket, “Of course you can come inside, Silly Goose!”
Bradley feels a slight pang, her words catching him off guard for a moment. He smiles softly looking down into her innocent little smiling face staring back up at him.
“Roo?” She asked, “You coming in?”
“Yeah… yeah, I’m coming, Little Bee.” He said, his voice a little raspy. He handed her the bags of snacks then crouched down and crawled into the fort, settling down next to you.
“You ok?” You asked him, seeing his flushed cheeks.
“I’m good.” He smiled reassuringly. “Ready to start the movie?”
You look at him for a moment, then smile and nod, “Yeah. I’m ready, Bumblebee, hit the play button, Sweet Girl.”
Bradley and you sat with your backs against the couch, his arm around you and Brielle tucked between the two of you while watching the movie. She made it through all of Casper and half-way through Beauty and the Beast before she started to fall asleep.
“I think it’s time to go to bed, Bumblebee.” You told your daughter, gently. “Let’s get you into your jammies and tucked in. Give Bradley hugs goodnight.”
She sleepily turned, crawling into Bradley’s lap and hugging him.
“Goodnight, Roo.” She said, softly, “I love you.”
“Sweet Dreams, Little Bee.” He replied, hugging her back, kissing the top of her head, “I love you, too.”
“I’ll be right back.” You tell him, following Briella out of the fort.
You take Briella back to her room. She gets into her pajamas and brushes her teeth and then you tuck her in, leaning down to kiss her forehead as you sit on the side of the bed
“Mommy.” She whispers softly.
“Yeah, Bumblebee?” You ask softly, smiling.
“I wish Roo was my Daddy.” She answered, looking down at the stuffed Hei Hei Rooster he’d gotten her a few months ago when Moana 2 had come out.
Your heart melted at her words but it also caused you to worry. She’d never brought up anything like that before. Had never even questioned much about her own father…or lack of.
“What brought that on, Sweet Girl?” You asked, “Does it have anything to do with why you were so sad today when he picked you up?”
“A little…” She replied, “But also because I love him so much… and you love him.. And he makes you smile.”
“He does make me smile.” You laughed softly, “And I do love him very much. I know he loves us too. Wanna tell me what happened at school.”
“There’s a Daddy-Daughter dance at school next weekend.” She whispered, squeezing the stuffed rooster.
“Oh, Bumblebee.” You scooped her up into your arms, holding her, “I can see how that would make you sad. I’m sorry my sweet girl.”
“It’s ok, Mommy.” She whispered, “I didn’t really want to go anyway. It doesn’t sound much fun. I’d rather have another movie night in a fort with you and Roo.”
“If you’re sure…” You replied, “I can see if Grampy can come down and take you…”
“No thank you.” She said, “It’s ok.”
“Ok, Bumblebee.” You said, tucking her back into her blankets and kissing her forehead. “I love you...Sweet Dreams.”
“Love you, Mommy.” She said, snuggling down into the covers and her pillow, hugging her rooster tightly.
You turned her small night light on and walked out into the hall, finding Bradley leaning against the wall next to the door.
“Hey.” You whispered, smiling softly. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Pretty much everything.” He replied, returning your smile, pulling you into his arms. “I do love you both. More than anything.”
“I love you too, Bradley.” You sighed, melting into his embrace, “I hate seeing my baby girl hurting.”
“I know, Beautiful.” He soothed, “It killed me seeing her so sad when I picked her up today. Broke my heart even more when she told me why.”
“What do I do, Bradley?” You asked, looking up at him.
He brushes the hair from your face and leans down to press a soft kiss to your forehead.
“Let’s go get a drink, and talk on the couch, Beautiful.” He said softly, taking your hand and pulling you back down the hall to the living room. After guiding you to the couch, he goes to the kitchen to grab a couple of beers and brings them back, to sit down next to you, pulling you into his side.
“When I picked her up today, it broke my heart to see her so sad.” Bradley said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so sad in the entire time I’ve known her. She’s the happiest little girl I’ve ever met.”
“She never seems bothered by not having a dad.” You sighed, “But this kind of stuff has never come up before either.”
“I think it’s a testament to you, Beautiful with how wonderful you’re doing as her mom.” He replied, leaning over to kiss your forehead, “She doesn’t feel like she’s missing anything. Situations like these though… they’re tough. It’s when you notice more that there’s a hole, or that something is a little different.”
“Is that how you felt growing up?” You asked, looking up at him, your heart breaking for him.
“Yeah…” He admitted, “But I was lucky that I had people in my life willing to step in and fill the role…even if it wasn't quite the same.”
“Mav?” You asked. Their relationship was seemingly back on track but you knew it had been a relatively new development when the two of you started dating so you were always careful with how many questions you asked, waiting rather, for him to volunteer information.
“Yeah,” He smiled, “And Ice when he was available, Slider… there were plenty. And my mom was a saint I swear… she’d have to be putting up with all of us.”
“She sounds amazing.” You replied, smiling, “And you are definitely lucky you had lots of people around to love you.”
“She was amazing.” He smiled softly, “And I was lucky, you’re right. Little Bee is too. She has lots of people who love her.”
“She does.” You agree, “But we still can’t protect her from these moments.”
“No… but, if it’s ok with you… and if she’d like to go, I’d love to take her to this dance.” Bradley said.
You lift your head, looking at him, your heart feeling like it will explode with the amount of love you have for this man.
“Are you sure?” You asked him, a soft smile on your face.
“I’m sure, Beautiful.” He replied, smiling back. “I’d be honored to be the one that gets to take her to this dance…” He shifts, turning towards you, his hand moving up to cup your cheek gently. “Full disclosure… You and Briella make me happier than I have ever been. I’m in this for the long haul… I want forever. I absolutely plan on asking you to be my wife at some point in the very near future, Beautiful… and I very much would love to be Little Bee’s Daddy.”
You shift, climbing into Bradley’s lap so that you’re straddling him, your arms wrapping around his neck. Bradley instinctively wraps his arms around your waist holding you in place.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky to have found you, but I love you so much, Bradley Bradshaw.” You answered, smiling, your heart feeling like it’ll burst. You look into his eyes, as you continue, “I would very much love for you to be Bumblebee’s Daddy. You have already been there for her and shown her more love than the man who provided half her DNA did.”
“I’m the lucky one, Beautiful.” He replied, returning your smile, his own heart feeling full. “How could anyone not love that sweet Little Bee and want to be there for her every waking moment? I’d move heaven and earth to be with her… to be with you.”
“How would you feel about sleepovers….every night?” You asked, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips, smiling as you pull away to look at him again.
“I would love sleepovers every night, Beautiful.” He replied, pulling you closer.
“How would the Bronco feel about sharing a driveway with my Hyundai?” You teased, knowing he hated the Elantra.
“It’s a sacrifice the Bronco would happily make.” He laughed, his eyes full of mischief, “But I’m not giving up my quest to get you into a new vehicle, Beautiful.”
“What is your beef with my car?” You asked, laughing
“It’s tiny.” He pouted, “I don’t fit.”
“That’s fair.” You smirked, leaning in to kiss him, “We’ll negotiate at a later date on that one.”
“Deal.” He replied, kissing you back. “To be clear… are you asking me to move in, Beautiful?”
“I am 100% asking you to move in, Handsome.” You replied, pulling back to smile warmly at him.
“Tomorrow work for you?” He asked, only half joking.
“Tonight would be better.” You said, leaning forward to press soft kisses to his face.
He laughed, standing up from the couch, lifting you with him. He carried you towards your bedroom…what would soon be your shared bedroom. Once inside he dropped you down onto the bed, following you down.
“Beautiful, I’ve got other plans tonight.” He said, his voice raspy, his eyes becoming dark and lust blown. “But first thing in the morning, I’m happy to go back up my stuff and start moving in.”
“Deal.” You parroted his earlier words, before tugging him down and sealing the deal with a deep, passion and love filled kiss.
***
A/N: Thoughts? Part two coming shortly. Have had writers block... trying to shake things loose!
***
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