Together or apart

The seventh month

7 month pregnant Melinda May groaned when she found the side of the bed empty at 6 in the morning.

"Phil?"

"Coming!"

He entered the room with an apron wrapped around his waist, "Were you cooking?"

"Yeah, breakfast. I really hope you're in the mood for pancakes." He gently kissed her forehead.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"The baby's keeping you up all night. Figured you didn't need me waking you up when you have an internal clock set."

"Hmm. 2 more months."

"2 more months." He repeated.

"Wanna get dressed first or just breakfast? I can get you breakfast in bed if you want."

"Breakfast first. But in the kitchen."

She sat up and winced at the instant kick. She rubbed the spot and Phil rubbed her shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"Really not your fault."

"Hey, baby." He leaned in so his lips were almost touching her round belly, "We know you're exited to come out to the world. But please, can you calm the kicks down? Your mom's not sleeping well. And she needs sleep. We love you."

"I don't think that will work." Melinda deadpanned and scoffed.

"Hey, a man can try."

"Sure. Here, help me up." He wrapped his arm around her back and helped her up.

"I hate feeling like this." She mumbled.

"Needing help? You helped me many times after many missions."

"That was different."

"No, it wasn't."

"It was. Because you're not the one who had to be independent at 12 because your parents were too busy with work and stuff. You didn't cry every night when things got too tough after your parents' divorce. I was trained to be independent since I was little. I didn't need help." She sighed.

"Melinda-,"

"Forget what I said."

"Ok." He knew she didn't need him hovering over her.

"Let's have breakfast." He led her to the kitchen and they settled on the couch with their plates.

They ate in silence. May managed to eat 3/4 of her pancakes, which was better than the day before.

"Godmother in the house!" Maria hollered as she entered the apartment.

"Maria." Phil warned.

"What?" She shrugged as she put two large bags on the kitchen island.

Melinda groaned, "What did you get now?"

"Nothing much. Some clothes." Melinda glared, "I may have gotten  a customized SHIELD onesie that says 'Mini May-Coulson'."

"There's still two months left!"

"2 months before my godchild comes into this crazy world."

"Why are you more excited than us?" Phil waved at Melinda and him.

"Because I'm not the one who has to deal with the mood changes and the kicking."

"When you have kids, I'm gonna tease you so much."

"If." Maria corrected.

"If."

"So, how's the nursery?"

"Getting there." 

"You don't even have the crib built, do you?" Maria raised an eyebrow.

"It's a very complicated crib." He reasoned.

The women rolled their eyes, "Anyways, how are you, Melinda?"

"Sore. Tired. I'm great actually. Thanks for asking."  She deadpanned.

"Baby still keeping you up?"

"Very."

"It'll all be worth it."

"Yeah." She hopes so.

"Hey, I'm going to put these in the nursery." Phil grabbed the bags, giving them time to talk.

"Thanks." Maria nodded.

"So, how are things?"

"I can barely sleep."

"Well, being pregnant comes with stuff."

"Yeah, a baby."

"You should be glad it was with Phil and not some one night stand you chose."

"It was a one night stand."

"You know what I mean. You guys love each other."

"Maria-"

"I know he has said it. I know you haven't. Now, I'm not one to gloat but I will say 'I told you so' one day."

"Maybe."

"Mhm."

"It's just hard, Maria. He's one of my best friends. And we're only 25. We have our whole careers ahead of us."

"Fury has an offer for both of you. If you want."

Melinda raised an eyebrow, "Phil should listen too."

Melinda rolled her eyes, "Phil!" She called.

"Yeah?" He jogged back to the living room.

"Fury has an offer for you both."

"Oh?" He settled beside Melinda.

"Level 6. You'll be working almost beside the commander."

"Greene?"

"No." She smiled, "Hill."

"Wait-" Melinda raised an eyebrow.

"You-" Phil smiled.

"I got the letter this morning. Commander."

She exhaled, "How crazy does that sound?"