A Miracle Starts With a Beat of a Heart

Chapter 18

Everyone was gathered bright in early in the control center as they waited anxiously for May's arrival with the alien with Coulson's face, who they all found out was named Sarge.

Daisy bounced Nadia in her arms, trying to relax her mind the best way she could. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be working as she could feel her nerves growing with every passing moment. The only relaxation she would feel was during the few seconds of Nadia's occasional giggle as she was bounced in her mother's arms.

Daisy feared the day that Nadia would be old enough to understand what was going on with the job. Right now, the four-month-old continued to be her happy self, not knowing the implications and horrors that come with missions like this. Daisy knew since she was pregnant that she wasn't going to hide the SHIELD part of herself from her daughter unless it was deemed absolutely necessary, but another part of her just wished she could hide it all from Nadia. She just wanted to keep her little girl safe from harm.

Nadia was able to calm her down a bit until Mack got the call that May had made it back to the Lighthouse. They were riding the elevator down to the level of the control center with Sarge while the rest of his team were being put into cells.

Daisy's entire body tensed up when the blast door to the control center was opened and May walked in with Sarge and a couple of guards. Pretty much everyone who was in the close-knit team was gathered together and turned to face them.

Daisy's eyes widened. This was the closest she had ever gotten to him, and she was finally getting a really good look at him. It was surreal. He literally had Coulson's face. Every angle and crevice was the same as Coulson. Aside from the clothes he was wearing, Daisy could believe it was actually the man she saw as a father if she hadn't known he was an alien already.

May eyed Daisy, and Daisy could tell that she was worrying for her. Not only was Daisy scared for May's safety, but she did not want this confrontation. Daisy tightened her grip on Nadia and only nodded to May, mentally telling her she was fine for now, but what was somewhat on the edge.

"I'm glad you're back," Daisy finally said. "I guess now would be an awkward time for a hug."

"Yeah," May said, looking back at Sarge with a disgusted look.

"So," Sarge began. He turned to face May. "This lady was in love with this dead Coulson guy. Anyone else have a thing for him?"

Her heart clenched. Daisy thought she could handle this, but she was starting to fall apart. His voice. It sounded just like Coulson's voice even more so now that her ears weren't ringing like before. She could feel her heart rate pick up. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest, and her lungs were tightening as if to stop oxygen from getting through her airways.

Daisy shook her head. "Yeah, I'm out. This is too much." She adjusted her hold on Nadia before leaving the room. Leaving the room was the only way she knew to stop herself from having a full-blown panic attack. 

As she left, she could hear Sarge say, "Her too, huh? Daddy issues?"

At that, Daisy couldn't help but pick up her pace. Other agents stared at her as she hastily made her way back to her quarters. Some of them asked quick questions, like how was it going up there, but she was in no need to stop and answer them. She just wanted to be back in her room, safe from everyone. Safe from him.

Once back in her bunk, Daisy placed Nadia in the middle of the bed, making sure there was no way for her to roll off, and paced her room, trying to calm down. Thankfully, it hadn't broken out to a full attack just yet, so it didn't take long for Daisy to come down from it.

She sat down on the side of the bed and brought Nadia back into her arms. Daisy gave her daughter a sad smile as she looked upon her daughter's toothless one.