Chapter 11
Skye wasn’t sure how long she sat with Ward. Even when at the orphanage she had never really thought about having children. She wasn’t sure it was something she wanted. Looking after the team had opened her eyes and shown how difficult it was. She wasn’t sure how single mums did it. She was so glad she had Ward; she knew he was as scared as she was but they supported each other and could help each other.
She knew she should let him go and unpack the shopping but she didn’t want to let him go. He was opening up more and more. It was fantastic but terrifying. When he was her bossy SO she knew how to cope and how to push his buttons. But when he was interacting with the kids and loosening up she wasn’t sure how to react. She loved it but was making her face her feelings about him. She wasn’t quite prepared to face them yet. Too much had happened recently. Besides now wasn’t the best time to look at them, maybe once everything had returned to normal then she could make a decision.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime Rookie.”
A noise from upstairs made her look up.
“Kids are awake.”
“I’ll go. You stay here.”
She watched as he rose and headed towards the stairs, giving her a fantastic view of him. For a guy that was normally oblivious to how women looked at him he knew how to dress. His jeans clung to his body, giving an exceptional view of his butt. Working out gave him an admirable figure, though Skye normally only got to view his abs. His butt was just as good as them.
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Ward headed upstairs to find out what his little monkeys were up to. He never thought he would think of the team as family, never mind have take care of them. He was concerned about Skye. It wasn’t like her to loose it like that. Maybe they needed a break. He would ask the others to take care of the kids for a couple of hours later so he could take her somewhere she nice where she could relax. He knew she wouldn’t want to leave the kids for a long period of time, and to be honest neither did he but both needed a break.
Putting that thought to one side for now he headed into the girls’ room where the noise was coming from. Making sure he was treading lightly he snuck up to the room. He wanted to see what they were up to without them knowing he was there. May normally couldn’t be snuck up upon, but as she was currently a child he might have a better chance. Reaching the door he peaked into the room, freezing at what he saw there.
Somebody had rescued Phil from his cot in their room as he was sat in the middle of the elder three. All the kids were holding pillows and were hitting each other with them while feathers flew around them. They were hitting each other, but he noticed they were being especially careful with Phil. It was a joy to watch them have so much fun. As adults they were always under so much pressure, it was lovely to see them so carefree.
“Daddy!”
Phil had noticed him standing at the door, grinning and waving him in delight. The look of shock and horror on the others’ faces had Ward struggling to keep a straight face. There wasn’t really much he could say at the moment. If he tried to say anything he would begin laughing. Feathers had settled in their hair and were covering the floor of the room. They must have gone through a few a pillows by the amount of feathers covering the surface.
They were all looking at Ward with anticipation waiting for his comments on what had happened. Before he could say anything he was hit from behind. As the kids giggled behind him he turned to find Skye running towards their bedroom. Oh so that was what she wanted to play. Chasing after her, his long legs giving him the advantage as he could cover more ground. He entered their room almost behind her but she was nowhere in sight. One of the pillows on the bed was conspicuously missing. Moving forward carefully his eyes scanning the room he grabbed a pillow. Now they were both armed. He was knocked off balance when he was once again hit from behind. She had hidden behind the door, the minx. Turning he quickly returned fire, but evidently she had been listening during training as she dodged the shot. He was quickly hampered in his movements as the children burst into the room giggling and latched themselves onto his legs. Skye just kept laughing as she hit him with the pillow. After a quick head shot followed by a blow to his body he knew that this was the end. Loosing his balance he fell backwards, landing on the bed.
“Pile on!” Order Skye with a smirk towards him.
The kids quickly obeyed her, with Mel sitting on his lap to stop him moving while the others clambered up onto the bed. Leo and Jemma both pinned his legs and, once Skye had lifted him onto the bed, Phil sat on his chest.
“You are so going to pay for this!” Ward threatened with a grin.
“Sure, whatever you say dear.” Skye laughed.
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“Strange. They normally answer fairly quickly.” Commented Maria as she stood outside the house with Clint and Nat. “I have a key so we can get in.”
Entering the house they found the downstairs completely empty and more worryingly the house silent. She watched as Clint and Nat react to this becoming more careful and alert. Moving upstairs she found the hallway covered in feathers. Following the trail into the main bedroom she paused at what she saw there before beckoning the two assassins to come and look.
On the bed asleep was the entire team. On one half of the bed all the kids were lying together using each other as pillows. On the other half lay Skye and Ward, Skye lying completely on top of him with his arms holding her close to him.
Slipping out and closing the door so they didn’t wake them Clint spoke.
“Cute. I now know why you wanted us to visit Maria. But I thought you said there wasn’t anything going on between those two?”
“There wasn’t until recently. If you ask them they’ll deny it but I keep finding them cuddled up like that.”
“It’s cute.” He grinned suddenly.
“Clint” warned Nat, knowing that look.
“What? You know undercover is one of the best times to play matchmaker. They are playing husband and wife. I’m not going to do anything serious. But I do wonder if they will admit to their feelings?”
“Oh God.” Commented Nat.
Maria just looked at him shaking her head. He did have a point. She was going to have to make sure she was around for this. Those two had been ignoring reality for a while and knowing Clint he would get the kids involved. This could end one of two ways.