The Past Haunts us- BOOK TWO

Chapter 9: Reality

FitzSimmons had a smile on their face, already knowing what's happening. Mack seemed confused, not being there when we told them we had a daughter. And Mace stood there gaping, "I'm sorry. What?"

"This is Layla May- Coulson." I softly said, "Our daughter."

"I heard that, thanks." Mace sarcastically replied, "She wasn't in any of your files."

"We asked Fury to keep her out of them. She didn't need to grow up in the environment we had  nightmares about." Phil replied.

It was true. We didn't want Layla to become a SHIELD agent. We weren't going to force her to be one, but we'd support her decision if she did. We didn't want her to go through the stuff we did.

Daisy looked at us in surprise, guess she didn't know that.

"So, she's your daughter. What else?"

"I'm pregnant."

Again, Mack was confused but congratulating.

"Congratulations, guys!"

"Hold on, if you don't mind me asking, Where has your daughter been all this time?"

"She stayed with my mother."

"And why not SHIELD?"

I raised an eyebrow, he continued, "We could've used the daughter of The Cavalry and Fury's golden boy."

My eyes flickered with fury. He did not just say that.

"Don't ever call me that." I gritted.

"Don't call her that." Phil and Daisy stated with me.

I felt all the agents eyes on Mace, the ones in the room knew the deal but those who didn't, even knew that calling me that name is a big mistake.

"Uhm, sorry. Will your daughter be staying with us?"
I knew he didn't mean it but I ignored it.

"Yes." I turned around and left for my dorm, putting my dirty dishes in the sink on my way.

I shut the door and slumped down against the wall beside it. I struggled to control my breathing but failed. I felt the door open but could only hear my breath. I felt  a hand on my thigh, willing myself back to reality, i panted.

Looking around, I saw Phil sitting beside me and Daisy awkwardly standing beside the bed. I shook my head and whispered a quick apology.

I reached out for the glass of water and gulped it down once. Returning the glass to the dresser, I looked at Daisy and Phil, who were patiently waiting for me.

"Sorry." I stood up.

"Not your fault. Mace was being an asshole."

"Language" Phil commented.

"Why'd you give up the role anyway?" Daisy asked Phil.

Phil looked at me and smiled, "I wasn't always there when Melinda was pregnant with you. I wanted to be there for my wife this time."

I smiled and looked down, he continued, "Also because we were thinking to leave SHIELD. Or just work as consultants instead of agents."

"Oh."

I looked back up and pushed myself away from the wall, "We should go to bed." I looked at Daisy, "Wanna see your room?"

She nodded. I led her to her room, it wasn't that big but it was enough for a bed and a dresser. Me and Phil got the only private apartment at the base, mainly as the second and third in command and being the reason why we are where we are. A new SHIELD.

"Here it is. Not that big space. But it's enough. Your clothes are in the dresser over there. Had them moved from your room. Uhm, the toiletries are a box in the closet. Let me know if you need anything else. Your bathroom isn't that big. Just a sink, toilet and a shower. If you ever want a bath, just ask. You can use our bathroom."

"Okay. Thank you, mom." She hugged me. I smiled.

"No problem." I yawned, "I'm gonna go to bed."

Truth was, I hadn't slept in days. Not because I wasn't tired but because of the nightmares that haunted me at the darkest hour. I walked over to my room, stopping to collect water and pills from the kitchen. I slipped off my clothes and wore a old sweatshirt with black leggings. I cuddled into Phil's side as he placed his half read novel on the side table. "All good?"

I hummed, "Not exactly."

He rubbed my arm, "Come on, let's go to bed." He turned off the lamp.

I was walking through the unknown streets, possibly somewhere from my past. Our past. I recognized the dim lights and the light tapping sound. But what was the source of it? I stopped short and heard a low rumbling, as if it's of a maintained car engine. Wait... Lola. I looked around and noticed the vehicle coming closer to me. But I didn't see Phil in the drivers seat, I saw my worst demon driving it. Grant Ward.

"Need a ride?"

My eyebrows creased at his question, "Yes." I wanted to refuse but couldn't.

"So, how does it feel now that I'm dead?"

"Worse." No, that's not what I wanted to say.

"Darling."

"Don't call me that."

He stopped the car short.

"You're not him."

"I'm not who, May?"

"Who? Who? Who, May? Who am I not." These words were the only thing I could hear. Who was I looking for? I couldn't remember. Could hear his voice but not see his face or remember his name. To me, he was a mirage. Someone whom I want to be there when he's not.

"May! May! May, wake up. Listen to my voice. Follow my voice." I heard him say as I pulled myself back to reality. I panted and saw Daisy standing there with a glass of water. I took the offered glass and gulped it.

"Was I screaming?"

"Yeah."

I closed my eyes and held my head, I could feel a migraine seconds before it starts. I groaned and Phil handed me a Tylenol. I gulped it down with the previously offered water.

Suddenly, the speakers roared, "Attention, all Agents. We have a mission. If you have a higher than orange clearance level, report to the lounge immediately."