When the Sun Came Up You Were Looking At Me
''I'm sleeping for three days when we get home''. Daisy tells Ward the next morning when she wakes and finds him coming out of the shower. He kisses her brow, runs his hand through her hair. She's been with him long enough now to pick up on small little details, and she can tell that he's nervous. He tries to hide it, but there's a certain way he holds himself when the emotion surfaces, and his fingers shake ever so lightly when he pulls away from her hair. Daisy doesn't comment, just jumps in the shower.
Daisy let's Fitz cook them breakfast because, well it's Fitz, and she can't say no to him. ''Fitz you have to come see your god child all the time, it's a rule''. She tells him after she practically inhales her food and half of Ward's. Fitz smiles at her, ''of course. I can't wait to meet the little guy. He's going to be so cute''. Daisy slides her hand across her belly, ''the cutest baby in the whole world''. Grant nods in agreement. They make their way through the Playground, searching for Coulson and the rest of his agents.
They find Mack first and Daisy immdediately bursts into tears the second she lays eyes on him. ''This isn't goodbye D, come on I'll see you soon''. He hugs her, ''you're the best partner anyone could ask for''. He smiles at her. ''Right back at you Tremors''. ''Did you mean it when you said you were thinking about leaving Shield, when I first came back?'' He pulls away from her, thinks deeply for a moment. ''Yeah. Yeah I was''. She hugs him again. ''Well if you do, my door is always open''. ''I'll see you around D''. And Mack approaches Ward, shakes his hand. ''Take care of her''. ''I will''.
Both Simmons and Fitz are leaning against the doorway of the lab, Jemma pulls Daisy into her arms. ''I'm coming over in a few weeks for the sonagram, yes?'' ''Of course''. Simmons wipes her eyes, glances at Ward. Who releases Fitz and braces himself for whatever the other scientist is about to say. She takes a deep breath, Daisy still clinging to her. ''I don't know if I can ever forgive you Ward, but you're not the same person that betrayed us. And you take care of my friend, I can't hate you for that''. Astounding them all, she gives Ward an awkward but gentle hug.
Daisy can tell exactly what her boyfriend is thinking, that he doesn't deserve any of this. Fitz turns to her, gives her a tight and over due hug. ''He's ready to tell you what happened on the other planet, just ask him''. Fitz whispers in her ear. She winks at him, kisses his cheek. ''See you guys later''. Daisy tells them as she takes Ward's hand. ''Bye Daisy''. Grant is wiping her cheeks, tells her that don't have to leave yet if it's too hard. ''Ward I've been ready to go back home since we stepped onto Coulson's damn plane''.
Bobbi and Hunter are in the gym, they stop sparring when Daisy walks in the room. ''So this is it? You're really leaving?'' ''Yeah''. ''And you're actually saying goodbye this time? We don't have to hear from Coulson that you left''. Daisy elbows Hunter in the ribs but hugs him nontheless. ''You have to call and tell me if you're having a boy or a girl, okay?'' Bobbi says. ''I will''. And everyone looks to Ward who is silent, stone next to Daisy. ''Look mate, I still think you're a psychotic son of a bitch who probably needs to be in prison, but you're who Daisy loves so I'm not going to try to kill you''.
Ward nods, ''thanks Hunter''. ''You kind of tortured me so I'm not going to hug you, but everyone was right about you. You're the best since Romanoff so you have my respect. And I can tell how much you love Daisy, so that's good enough for me''. Daisy pulls Ward out of the room before things can get anymore awkward. She hasn't heard from Lincoln since her stay at the hospital, she thinks Coulson might have kicked him out of Shield, but who knows. ''May and Coulson are the only ones left''. ''I can't wait to be home. Buddy and Peanut are going to be so excited''. Ward smiles in response.
Daisy suddenly remembers who's watching her house and she stops. ''What's wrong?'' ''Are you going to be okay, with Thomas there?'' ''I'll be fine. I missed our meeting so it'll be nice to catch up with him''. ''Good. Have you seen Kebo?'' ''Last I heard he was passed out in the one of the bunks''. ''Of course''. ''I'm sure he'll drag his ass right before we leave. Coulson's offce?'' They walk to the Director of Shield's office hand in hand.
Daisy still doesn't knock when she enters, May is sitting in the exact same position she was last night. Coulson is on his computer, looks up at Daisy but doesn't say a word. ''So, we're leaving in a few minutes, wanted to say goodbye''. May gets up, offers her old rookie a rare smile. ''Take care of yourself okay? And we'll be by to see the baby''. ''You're welcome anytime, but if you take me on another mission I'm shooting Coulson in the foot''. May hugs her. ''I'm sorry about your mother. About everything. I'm sorry for the person she turned out to be''. ''Thank you. I am too''. Daisy goes in for a second hug, and to her surprise May accepts it.
The Calvary looks to Ward, squares her shoulders. ''May you don't have to''- ''Just make sure she doesn't get shot''. ''You got it''. Daisy turns to Coulson who has been watching the exchange with his fists clenched. ''I don't want you to go''. He confesses, rising from his chair. Daisy gives him a sad smile, ''I need to''. ''I know. Come here''. He holds her to him, hand on the back of her head. ''I'm so proud of you Daisy. You've come so far since we found you in LA. And I just need you to know that everything I've done, I've done for you''. ''I know. Just admit it DC, I'm your favorite''.
''Directors don't have favorites''. He winks at her when he says this. Coulson turns to Ward and sighs. ''It's taken me a long time to realize that not everything you've done was your fault. I shouldn't of hated you, but the man who made you who you are. Daisy has made me see that you thought you were doing the right thing, that you were just trying to please the man you saw as a father and I can't fault you for that. When you thought Daisy was going to die I think I understood you for the first time, I will never forgive you. But I understand Ward. I do''.
And when Coulson goes to shake Grant Ward's hand, Daiy can't take it. She sobs, throws herself at Coulson and hugs him tightly. ''Thank you''. She whispers in his ear, kisses his cheek. She's never seen Coulson blush, but he is and Ward takes his hand. ''Thank you sir''. ''You have a place here at Shield, if you ever want it''. Daisy curls herself into Ward's chest, buries her face in his ribs. ''Maybe one day''. Daisy can tell Ward is trying to keep his emotions in check, but she can feel his heart beat quicken.
''I always knew the Team wasn't gonna forgive me. Some people just don't deserve forgiveness''.
''There's not enough good left inside me''.
After more tears on Daisy's part, they leave the Director's office in lighter spirits. She can tell that a heavy block has been lifted off of Ward's shoulders and she couldn't be happier. Right when they are about to get on the plane, she tugs on his hand, kisses him hard, like it's the very last time she will. ''I love you''. He smiles, his face lights up. ''I love you too''. Daisy looks back at what was once her home, pauses.
This is her old life. A different person lived on those walls, slept in those beds. Daisy would hardly recognize her anymore, carrying around so much anger, dying to become the best agent Coulson had ever seen. She lost herself in the process, Ward found her, helped dust her off, built her back up. They grew together, found a new life they will never leave again. Daisy meets Coulson's eyes, unaware he followed them out. They share a nod of understanding.
I'll miss you.
You were the daughter I always wanted.
And then Daisy turns and walks into the plane, Ward in tow. Kebo has made his way in at the last possible second like they knew he would. He's hungover and vomits the minute they get in the air. ''Popeye get your life together''. ''I can't''. He comes to lay on the floor by their feet, and is asleep in seconds. ''So are we going to talk about what Coulson said?'' ''Nope''. ''Okay''. She lays her head on Ward's shoulder, closes her eyes. The ride home is quiet, both Daisy and Kebo stay asleep the entire time.
Grant doesn't. Instincts, bad habits, keeps him awake. Not too long ago he would have said he didn't deserve the Team treating him the way they did today, he would have brooded until he was blue in the face. But Ward is starting to believe Daisy, he isn't the same man he once was, Daisy saved him in every way he could be saved. Offering love and support, and he loves her more than words can say. He's going to be a father, and although the idea terrifies him because all he can think of is how horrible his childhood was, he's happy in the end.
He wants this. His life started with Skye, and it will end with her too. This is where he wants to be, with her and nowhere else.
''Babe we're home''. Daisy blinks up at her boyfriend, ''finally''. She kicks Kebo awake, yanks off her seatbelt and doesn't even wait until the ramp is fully down before she's running out of the plane. There's a car waiting for them and Daisy is practically bouncing from excitement. Half of her admiring the fact that she actually has a home to come back to. Ward drives the familiar twists and turns, and finally finally finally thier small house comes into view. It's freezing cold and Ward gives her his jacket, when suddenly the front door opens.
Thomas Ward steps out and smiles at them. ''Welcome home''. Buddy practically knocks the other man over to run across the lawn, he heads straight for Ward, who bends down to the ground, arms open. ''Hey Buddy!'' Peanut is next, she runs for Daisy who picks her up and crushes her to her chest. ''I missed you guys. Group hug!'' And she pulls Kebo and the other Ward brother to her, her family back together and in one piece. When the hype dies down, after Thomas and Grant make pleasant small talk, he tells his brother about the baby.
''You're going to be an Uncle''. Thomas scratches at the scruff on his face, his brown eyes widen. ''Really? Congratulations Ward, Daisy. Really, I'm so happy for the two of you''. The hug he gives them is genuine and real and Daisy can see a small piece of Ward restored. That past he's carried around for so long, start to fade into the background. Daisy is about to join everyone inside, when Ward tugs on her arm. ''What?'' That nervous expression is back on his face, she cups his cheek. ''What's wrong?''
She's seen Ward happy, afraid, excited, angry, annoyed, broody. But she doesn't remember him ever being nervous before. It's odd. ''Skye''. He starts, running his hands down her arms. ''I love you''. ''Love you too robot''. ''I um, I've been wanting to, to do this for a while now''. Grant rubs the back of his neck, shuffles his feet. He dips his hand into his pocket, clears his throat. So quickly, like all of his movements, he gets down on one knee faster than she can process what he's doing.
''Grant''- He opens the small velvet box. There's a ring. A beautiful diamond ring. Oh my god. She's going to throw up all over him. ''Skye''. He takes both her hands in one of his, rubs his thumb across her knuckles. ''I love you. I love you so much, more than I've ever loved anything. I never thought I was worthy of redemptiom or love, but you showed me that i am. You made me a better man and I thank you for that. You're my life, you're where I want to be no matter what. I promise to love you, to protect you every single day I wake up beside you. I know our lives will never be normal but I want to live it with you. Will you marry me?''
It's the simplest choice in the universe. ''Yes. Of course I will''. She's crying and so is he, his fingers are shaking when he slides the ring onto her. The smile he gives her makes her cry even harder, like he's a man who just won the entire world, like nothing could ever touch him. Ward kisses hers, picks her up and spins her around. The sun warming them, he doesn't stop kissing her until they hear a muffled sob come from the doorway.
Kebo is standing there, his hand over his mouth. Ward doesn't put Daisy down, stares into her eyes. ''I've waited so long for this moment''. He announces as he goes back inside, Daisy can hear him sobbing. She laughs, kisses Ward's nose. ''I love you''. He kisses her again, hands roving over her back. ''Kick Kebo and Thomas out for the rest of the night''. She tells him. ''You got it''.
And they enter their home, leaving their pasts behind them, thier demons, their ghosts. It's the start of something beautiful and Daisy and Ward will never take one single moment for granted.
*
Two Years Later
''He looks just like Ward''. Coulson lifts his face up from the newest member of the Ward family, to glance at Daisy. ''Yeah he does''. Daisy takes a seat at the sofa as Coulson hands her her son, three months old and already has father's looks. The Director of Shield sits down beside her, helps her fold baby blankets and clothes. ''Speaking of Ward, where is he?'' Coulson looks around the living room, May and Kebo are in the kitchen but otherwise the house is empty. ''He'll be back, he had to run to the store. We ran out of baby formula because someone spilled it all over the floor''.
She directs the last part at Kebo, who glances up at her. ''That was not my fault Quake! If your daughter hadn't of run into me like a man woman''- He's cut off by high pitched laughter sounding through the yard. Ward has arrived back, Diasy looks out the window to find him carrying thier daughter on his shoulders. ''Faster Daddy!'' Grant starts running around the yard, making the little girl laugh even harder. ''Let's go in and see mommy''. Ward enters the room and shuts the front door. Eyes seeking out his wife.
''Mommy!'' ''Ellie Rose!'' Daisy passes her son off to Coulson in order to hug her daughter tightly. Ellie Rose has Ward's hair and Daisy's eyes. She's so beautiful and Daisy loves her more than her own life. ''Little brother?'' The toddler nods at the baby snoozing in her grandpa's arms. ''Cal is sleeping baby, you can hold him later''. She's about to start pouting, Ellie Rose, just like her mother, sticks out her lip, taps her foot. To which Ward is quick to respond to. ''When he wakes up you can hold him for as long as you want''. There's a softness to his voice that came with fatherhood, and it makes Daisy fall deeper for him every time he uses it.
Kebo and May come into the living room, May takes little Cal from Coulson and cradles him in her arms. ''He's perfect''. May tells Daisy, who of course agrees. Grant approaches his wife slowly, plants a kiss on her brow. ''Hey''. ''Hey''. He sits down on the couch, pulling her to his lap. Life is amazing. Ward and Daisy couldn't be happier. They have two beautiful children who have Daisy's temper and Ward's gentleness, a family who will be there for them no matter what. They couldn't ask for a better life, they are finally together, they are home.
Shield plays a big role in Daisy and Ward's lives, although they aren't apart of the organization, they still help out when they can. Coulson is still the Director, May is a loyal agent, Fitz and Simmons are still working in the lab, though they are a couple now last Daisy heard. Bobbi and Hunter left Shield a year ago, Daisy isn't exactly sure what they're doing, but they keep in touch. Mack also left Shield and is living in Tennessee also, he's usually at the Ward house every night for dinner.
Ward is an amazing father like Daisy told him he would be. Kind, patient, over protective. Daisy thought she knew what love was, and she does, she loves her husband so much it still gives her chills. But her children, god. That's something different entirely. There has to be a stronger word than love, Ellie Rose and Cal have filled her life with so much joy. It's like there was something missing inside of her, and they came along and filled it up. Nothing on earth comapres to how she feels when she goes to sleep at night, Grant curled around her, to know that she made it. That all the hell she went through was for these moments. Right here.
When May and Ward are laughing at something her daughter said, and Kebo and Coulson are cooing over her son, they love her children too. Daisy looks down at her husband, kisses his nose. ''I love you''. He brushes his lips across the back of her neck. ''I love you too Skye''. And if they were to die tomorrow they'd die the happiest people on the planet.