Team: Alpha (Knights of Ares) (17 page)

Sighing he held her to him, “I didn’t do much
sladkaya
,” he murmured. Pressing a kiss to her hair he gave her a squeeze, “Back in your seat and finish your dinner. Tomorrow’s a school day so we don’t want to have you too wired to sleep tonight.”

“Yes, it will be good.” She said with a smile and wiggled out of his arms so that she could go back to her seat. “I promise daddy I will do what you said.” She assured him with a solemn nod. “And you and Daddy G will walk me to school in the morning, right? You are both going to stay here so that you can walk me to school?”

“Yes poppet, your mom has graciously invited us to stay the night. In the morning we will all walk you to school and you can point out this boy that is causing trouble. As well, I want the names of the principal and teacher who are letting him slide,” Mikhail told her pointing to her plate, “Eat.”

“Yes sir.” Honey said and began to eat.

Shaking her head Daisy watched and smiled up at Mikhail. She winked at him and felt intense pride. He was such an amazing father, he was amazing. God she loved this man so very, very much and didn’t know how she had lasted so long without him in her life.

Shrugging he shifted uncomfortably in his chair and ducked his chin.

Gareth chuckled and leaned into Daisy, “I think you embarrassed him,” he murmured softly. Not softly enough since Mikhail said something to him in his native tongue that had him gaping. “That is not physically possible and you know it buddy,” he sputtered out.

Daisy shook her head, “And when our daughter begins to repeat those words you will be the one to explain to our daughter why she shouldn’t be saying those words.” She pointed with her fork and said, “I mean it.”

“If she learns what they are as well as the rest of the Russian language then I’ll worry,” Mik looked to Honey. “But she won’t be using those words will she?” he asked softly of the little girl. “Because she knows better than to repeat something that one soldier says to another annoying pest of a soldier.”

“I dunno daddy M, what if I become a soldier too? Will I get to say them then? I think that I should learn Russian since its one of my daddy’s languages. Yep, I think that I should.” the child confirmed. “Will you teach me daddy?”

“You are not becoming a soldier,” Mikhail said quietly. “Not that you couldn’t but because your mother would neuter both me and Gareth if you did. But I will teach you whatever language you wish, the good clean version and not any of the things I tell daddy G when he’s being a pain in my rear end.”

“But isn’t that the fun part of it all?” She asked softly. “Learning the bad words of a language just so that you can be a part of the naughty word slinging.” She crossed her arms and huffed, “And I could to be a soldier, couldn’t I mommy?”

“I would truly rather you weren’t,” Daisy said simply. “I love you Honey and while your fathers led a distinguished and remarkable career they were hurt in the process I’m sure more times than I even know about. I don’t want my baby hurt so no, I don’t think you should become a soldier.”

“But it would be your choice in the end munchkin,” Gareth said quietly. “We all know that and while we hope you’ll consider our thoughts on the matter we can’t make such choices for you. Now, eat up because you’re still young enough to be under your mother’s rule and she wants you fed.”

“Yes, this is good.” She said with a smile and got another spring roll.

Daisy shook her head and sighed. God she was so not looking forward to the teenage years. If her Honey was already inquisitive and independent, she was worried how she would be when she became a teenager.

Reaching over Gareth squeezed her hand gently. Winking, he drew back and started eating again as Honey too dug into her meal.

Chapter Twelve

Holding Honey’s hand as they walked towards her school
, Mikhail watched everything around them. He noticed the looks, the whispers behind hands and the disapproving glances. Not that he cared in the least, but he was sick of Honey getting them. Stopping when she tugged he realized they were at the school. “So poppet, who is the boy we’ll be watching during your yard hours?”

Honey turned to look up at her father and said, “He’s the one with the really red hair, the freckles and the green pants and white shirt daddy.” She explained. “He always wears green pants.” She rolled her eyes at that. “And we shouldn’t even get to wear them because it’s not in the handbook but, well anyway.” Since he was the principal’s son he got away with murder. “That’s him.” She tilted her head slightly toward the boy.

Nodding, he crouched down in front of her and smoothed her top. “Get to class so you’re not late and remember what I told you sweetheart. No beating up the boy. But,” he said when she gave him a look, “if he throws the first punch remember rule one of fighting. Hit harder, hit faster and put his ass on the ground. Only if there are witnesses who will speak up about his actions though, always be conscious of your surroundings.”

“Yes daddy.” Honey wrapped her arms around her father and gave him a big hug. “I love you daddy Mik.” she whispered against his ear and gave him a kiss on his cheek, “Make sure mommy sleeps today? She has to work tonight so please make sure that she rests?”

Hugging her he nodded, “I’ll make sure she gets some sleep. Or Gareth will, one of us will be here off and on all day sweet pea. Now get going, you can’t be late for your first class.” Pressing a kiss to her cheek he gave her one more squeeze before letting her go. “Now get moving poppet.”

“Okay, see you later daddy,” she called and raced into the schoolyard.

Daisy sighed and watched her daughter running and catching up with her friends. “She’s getting too old.” She whispered, “My baby is growing up and it’s killing me.” she admitted. “What happens when she no longer needs me?”

“She will always need you even when she claims she doesn’t,” Gareth said wrapping his arm around her waist. “All little girls need their mothers; even if it’s only for moral support from afar. I wouldn’t be placing any bets that she just takes off without her mother close at hand; it’s a fool's bet babe. That little girl adores you Daisy, a feeling I wholeheartedly second.”

Daisy smiled and nodded, “The feeling is totally mutual. I adore that kid. She’s everything that any mother could ever want in a child. How many ten year olds would worry more about their friends than themselves? She’s unique and I love that kid like crazy. Now then.” She took a deep breath, “We should get home. She was right. I have to work tonight so I should get some sleep.”

Nodding, Mikhail shot her a look, “Head off, I’m just going to watch until the bell sounds and will catch up. I won’t be far behind D, promise.”

“See you at the house,” Gareth told him turning Daisy back the way they’d come. “Don’t worry, he won’t do anything. And first bell isn’t too far off; he’ll likely catch up to us long before we make it back given how you’re dragging your heels.”

“I just can’t help it,” Daisy admitted as they walked. “I hate that I have to sleep while she’s in school and then entrust her to either Sarafina or Penny when I go off to work. By the way, I need to call Fi. Are you guys going to stay with her tonight or do you need to go home? Since Penny isn’t home at the moment I figure that I should ask Fi to watch over Honey.”

“We can stay, though we might switch out and each head back for a couple hours before returning,” he said. “if you’re alright with that,” Gareth looked down at her. “I know we’ve been pushing our luck with you D, so if you’d rather have Fi watching over her we’ll understand.”

“I would rather have you two watching over her honestly. Poor Fi has her hands full right now.” Daisy said with a shrug. “So if you two don’t mind, I would love for her father’s to watch over her. And yes, you both have a lot to make up for, but I’m willing to let the past be the past and just look to the future if you are?”

“I’m all for letting the past be in the past darling,” he chuckled softly. “I have no issues letting go, mi amigo though,” Gareth shook his head. “he tends to delve into the past too often; at least the stuff he likes torturing himself with. Some of the past even he doesn’t touch,” he murmured that.

Shaking his head again he smiled, “But enough about that. We are looking to the future and having you and Honey being a part of it. Which I think just makes it all rosy and amazing personally. I can’t wait to see what comes of having you in our lives again D. Only good things I’m thinking,” he said squeezing her to him.

“I think that you are right. I think that we are all deserving of an amazing future, especially since we are going to give that future to Honey.” Daisy agreed and then pulled back and said with a crooked smile, “For now though I’m eating because I’m starving. I haven’t eaten much today.” Her eyes danced in merriment in reminder to him of why she hadn’t eaten much.

“Not my fault,” Gareth teased with a grin. “Well, not entirely. Don’t worry babe, we’ll feed you and then tuck you into bed for a good sleep. And we will be good the entire time too, not even harass you all that much either.”

“Well you can harass me a little,” Daisy said with a smile. Her bed was only a Queen size so they would have to do some careful sleeping, but she looked forward to it, so very, very much. Just not tonight. “Don't forget that I have to work tonight, so no bed for me. Sorry Gareth.” She murmured. “I will have a small nap just after supper, but then I really do have to leave you.” Regret shimmered in her words.

“Don’t worry about it love,” he smiled at her. “I’ll wait on Mik to get here and we’ll figure out what to do from there. We’ll find things to occupy ourselves,” he chuckled, “And we’ll even attempt to keep it down to a dull roar so we don’t wake you.” Cupping her face he kissed her gently, “Go and get into bed babe.”

“Food first, even if it’s a bowl of cereal. I’m starving.” She reminded him. “And then my happy ass is going to bed so fast that you will think that I’m the freaking roadrunner as I race to bed.” Leaning in she added, “But you could kiss me again. I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

Smiling, he took her mouth and kissed her gently, sucking on her tongue as he pressed her back to the wall next to the door. Dropping his hands he cupped her ass and pulled her in closer to him as he assaulted her mouth.

“You know there are about six people watching out of their windows, right?”

“Fuck,” Gareth nearly dropped her as he turned to look at Mikhail. “Fucking make some noise for once in your life.”

Snorting, he shook his head as he unlocked and opened the door, “Wouldn’t be any good at my profession if you heard me coming now would I?” he asked and gave them an eerie little grin before slipping into the house.

Daisy shrugged, “I don’t care who sees. I’m kissing one of the men that I love and if they have issues with that then they need to take a flying leap. Personally, I’m happy as a clam kissing and loving on the two of you. Well the loving naked part should be in private, but the kissing part can be anywhere; so they will just have to deal.”

“Yes they will,” Gareth smiled down at her. Kissing her again lightly he loosened his grip on her, “But you do need to get in, eat something and then crash. You have to be functional tonight babe and you won’t be if you don’t get at least a few hours of solid sleep before we jump your bones.”

“Yeah?” She asked hopefully. “Promise?” She added. “Because I really think that would be the best way to go to work, just having been sexed up like crazy by the men that I love.” Daisy headed straight for the kitchen, “I’m just having cereal. If you guys want real food feel free to make you whatever you want, but me. I want something fast and simple so I can hit the hay.”

“Sit your butt down,” Mikhail said cracking eggs into a bowl. “Or if you want, go and shower, wrap yourself in a robe and be back down here in ten. You are getting fed real food and then you can go and sleep. Cereal is definitely not going to keep you nice and satisfied while you’re sleeping.”

Daisy’s eyes went wide, “You are cooking for me?” She asked in a small shocked voice. “Really?” She smiled then, “I.” Hell she didn’t know what to say. “No one has ever cooked for me before. Well other than my mother when she was alive and when she died I had to cook. Really?” She couldn’t explain to them just how much it meant to her that they were willing to take care of her.

“It’s just an omelette D, not brain surgery,” Mikhail said shaking his head. “I can cook you know. I don’t tend to like doing it since I have to listen to the others bitching about it, but I can cook. One thing mom ensured I knew how to do was cook. I can even do laundry, clean and play the violin under extreme moments of duress that involve a gun pointed at my head.”

“No one has cooked for me since I was a child Mikhail. You have no idea what this means to me.” She whispered honestly. “I love you, and I’m so damn glad that you boys came back into my life. No matter how it was that you got back in it; I’m happy you are.”

“Yeah, well, it’s still not that much given the seriously lacking nature of your fridge. Gareth and I will be doing some grocery shopping in between runs by the school. I’ll throw something into the oven too at some point and we’ll have a good hot dinner as well.”

Daisy just hugged him. She couldn’t believe what he was saying and she could only hug him. Finally she pulled back slightly and cupped his cheek. “I’m happy you are mine. Now, get me fed and then take the first round of cuddling with me while I fall asleep?”

“Yes ma’am,” he murmured. “But I was serious, if you want to grab a shower so you’re all relaxed do it now. I still need to chop up a few things before I get this cooking. So go quick and then come back down, it’ll be maybe ten minutes. Just don’t take Gareth or you’ll never get out of the shower and I’ll be eating your omelet.”

“I will be back in like five minutes. It really won’t take me long.” She looked at Gareth and grinned, “And you stay, please.” She smirked. “I mean it. Mikhail is right, if you come with me we will never get out of the shower, and I really do want a meal cooked for me by one of the two men I love, so you stay here.”

“Oh babe, I don’t cook unless it’s on the grill and even then it’s a little spotty,” Gareth grinned at her. “This is all Mik,” he said with a chuckle. Leaning in he kissed her softly, “Go, I’ll set the table and we’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”

“That’s why I said one of the two men that I love.” Daisy said and backed away, “No.” She held her hand out with a grin, “No touching or I’m not going to make the shower mister, and you know it. Go and do what Mik tells you. I will be right back.” She turned and fled the kitchen then, knowing if she remained she would end up as their dessert.

“Set the table and stay away from the stove,” Mik said straight off. It didn’t take long for him to chop up what he wanted, get it sautéing in a couple pans and then dumped in the eggs when the water went off. “Gareth, see if she’s got any grated cheese, will ya?”

Moving to the fridge he pulled it open, looked in and came out with a lump, “Nothing pre-grated just this block.”

“Crap,” he muttered and pulled a knife from the block, “Thin slices so they melt this century,” he said flipping the blade and handing it over handle first.

“There is a cheese grater in the cabinet.” Daisy said when she came down three minutes later wearing a robe and a towel around her head. “Just saying. Honey doesn’t like the pre-packaged shredded cheeses so we buy or make our own and shred it ourselves.”

“This works just as well and he was fairly consistent,” Mik told her with a grin. Lifting the edges of the omelet, he slid it around the pan and then flipped it with a sharp jerk of his wrist before repeating it on the larger one. Laying down the thin slices he popped one in his mouth to chew as he covered the omelets partially with lids. “Two minutes and we’ll be ready so grab a drink babe.”

She moved to the fridge and pulled out the milk. Grabbing a glass, she then asked them, “Do you boys want milk to drink as well?” She leaned her hip against the counter and watched, waited. When they said yes she poured three glasses before returning the milk. Taking two glasses to the table she went back for the third and took a seat, waiting to be fed the food that was making her mouth water.