Beyond the Family Ties

Part 15

Waking up early the next morning, feeling a little nervous, even if she wouldn't admit it, Becky quickly got herself ready, rushing around the apartment in a frenzy. Freen had an early shift too, which meant that Laurel was awake to be taken to Winn's, and the apartment was chaotic as they rushed around, full of noise as Freen shouted from one end, getting dressed while she watched Laurel in the bath, to Becky, who was trying to sort out breakfast and pack a bag for her daughter. She was looking frazzled, in a presentable pantsuit, a pressed white shirt beneath, unsure of how formal the DEO was, quickly buttering some toast as eggs sizzled in the pan. With no time to spare for her own breakfast, she dished up Freen's and jammed a piece of toast in her mouth, before walking towards the bathroom.

Trading off with Freen, who was still blinking back sleep, shirt untucked, mismatching socks on her feet, Becky informed her about her breakfast, and grabbed a towel. Scooping her daughter out of the tub, she quickly dried Laurel off, careful to be gentle even as she rushed, and gave her a loving smile as she helped her dress. And then a tantrum ensued as Laurel wanted to wear one of her princess costumes, while Becky calmly tried to coax her into the clothes already spread out. Five minutes later, after a stern telling off, more tears, and an impatient Becky trying to urge her daughter to put her pants on, Freen appeared in the doorway with the costume, and traded off with an irritated Becky.

Ten minutes before she was scheduled to be picked up, things were finally in order. All three of them were dressed, she had snacks packed for Laurel, and a lunch made up for Freen, and she was too anxious to even care about the state of the apartment. With an overnight bag packed, she slipped on a pair of low heels, checked her makeup in the mirror and squared her shoulders. She had no idea what she was going to be put through today, but she'd push through it, even if only for the sake of her daughter. Turning around, her expression softened at the sight of Laurel in the purple tulle and silk costume, happily eating the toast that Becky had made for her, and she walked over to the table, smoothing down the ever-messy curls and dropping a kiss onto her daughter's head.

"Okay, mommy has to go to work now. Be good for Uncle Winn, okay?"

"No," Laurel protested, dropping her toast back onto the plate as she slid off the chair, wrapping her arms around Becky's legs as she looked up at her, brown eyes pleading as she hugged her, "no, mommy. I go too."

Quietly laughing, Becky sank into a crouch, reaching out to cup her daughter's chin in her hand as she gave her a small smile. "You can't come to work with me, baby, but I won't be gone long, okay? And you get to go to Uncle Winn's and play with his action figures. How fun is that? And mommy's going to get you a present too, if you're a good girl. Okay, Little Duck?"

Pulling away from Becky, she ran off, bare feet slapping against the hardwood floors, and Becky sighed, her shoulders sagging as she ran a hand over her weary face. Freen silently stacked dirty plates in the dishwasher, giving Becky a sympathetic look when their eyes met, before the footsteps were returning and Laurel held out the tiny figure clutched in her hand.

"For you, mommy," her daughter proclaimed, opening her tiny fist to reveal the Lego figure in her palm. It was Princess Leia, from the Star Wars set Winn had bought her for her birthday yesterday, and Becky smiled as she reached out to take it, holding it tightly in her hand as a soft smile curled her lips.

Gathering her daughter up in a hug, Becky gave her a gentle squeeze and stroked her hair, "thanks, sweetheart. I love you, okay? I'll be home later. Now, are you going to give me a kiss goodbye?"

Without further objection, Laurel obliging kissed her, giving her another hug, before Becky had to leave. With Freen's assurances that it would be fine, and her well wishes, Becky slipped on her coat, picked up her bag, and stepped out of the apartment. The door firmly closed behind her and she purposefully strode towards the elevators, making her way down to the foyer and out into the cold. It was a wet day, the sidewalks shining from fresh rain, and she breathed in the damp air as she lingered on the sidewalk, waiting for the car to come and fetch her. It was early, but the sun was already painting the sky a soft lavender, steely clouds trailing over the city and promising more rain, and she hugged her coat to herself, one hand buried in her pocket as she held onto the Lego figurine.