Dumpster Fire

EPILOGUE

"Hey baby girl!" Billy knelt down, arms opened wide as the five year old struggled out of her mother's arms.

"She's had dinner, but she'll need a bedtime story and I brought extra clothes in case she wets through the nighttime underwear." Max shuffled through the duffle bag, pushing her short, curly bangs out of her face, adjusting her apron over her growing stomach. "I brought snacks and her cuddly. And here in this pocket, she has-"

"Max!" Billy shifted Pearl to one arm, hand on his sister's shoulder. "Relax." He smiled, cooing at his niece. "We got this. Don't we, big girl?"

She giggled, pushing her red coils out of her face. "Yeah Mom." Arms wrapped around Billy's neck. "We got this."

Max leaned back. "Uh huh." She pat the bag, stepping to the door. "Noah'll be off at 3. He can grab her then-"

"Just let her stay." Billy offered. "We can swing by in the morning before work." Eyes dropped to his permanently oil stained fingers.

"I-if you're sure." Max nodded. "You got my emergency numbers."

"On the fridge!" Billy shouted after her.

"Okay." She waved and smiled, blowing a kiss. "I'll see you soon, my little clam."

"See you soon, Mommy." Pearl yawned big. "Love you."

"Love you." The door closed behind Max.

"Now that Mommy's gone," Billy grunted, plopping her down on the couch, "and daddy's at work till late, what are we gunna do, little mermaid?"

Big brown eyes looked out the living room window. "Can we go swimming?"

Billy followed her gaze to the beach. Still bright, sunny. Waves crashed, calling to her just as they did him.

"Yeah, love bug." He ruffled her puffs, earning little hands swatting at him. "Did mommy pack your wet suit?"

"No." 

"Hmm." Billy put his hands on his hips, lips pursed. "Guess we'll just have to go like this."

•~•~•~•

Steve stumbled over the doorstep, dumping his keys on the kitchen counter. He didn't bother to turn on the lights, letting the setting sun light his way through the house as he peeled off his scrubs, kicked off his shoes. Leaving a trail through the house leading to the bedroom.

Opening the bedroom door he was met by a hissing 'shhh'.

"Oh shit!" Steve stumbled back, hand over his heart. "You scared me."

"Language." Billy admonished, sliding his arm out from under Pearl's little sleeping body.

"She's asleep." Steve rolled his eyes. "I didn't know you guys would be here."

Billy snorted, planting a kiss on Steve before leading him to the living room by his fingers. "Where else would we be, dumbass?"

Steve rolled his eyes. "I meant I thought you guys'd be out there." He motioned vaguely to outside, the ocean.

"Oh we were." Billy pulled Steve closer, resting his head on his shoulder, swaying. "But our little mermaid got sleepy and fussy."

Steve hummed in his throat, running a hand through Billy's cropped hair.

"How were your clinicals?" A kiss on his throat, hands wandering to the hem of his undershirt.

"Exhausting." Steve admitted, tilting his head so Billy had better access. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for ER work."

"You're brilliant." Billy murmured against his skin.

"Is Pearl here all night?" Steve shivered under a nibble.

"Mmhmm." Billy's hands moved up Steve's torso, pinched a nipple. "Noah isn't off till 3."

"Bummer." Steve pulled away from Billy. "But I think it's nice we can give them some time to themselves before the baby gets here."

"I regret offering now." Billy grabbed at his erection.

Steve chuckled, "me too."