For Fiona

16. Bedtime Hugs

Because Tim and Lucy were assigned the night shift, they slept in late, well later by five minutes before Fiona woke up and jumped around the bed singing some song only she knew the lyrics to.

"Honey, can we please lay down and snuggle for a few minutes? I'm still tired," Lucy pouted and patted the space her daughter had previously occupied between her and Tim.

"I want to sing!" Fiona replied happily as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

"You have such a pretty voice, munchkin," Tim complimented her, and she blushed the same way Lucy did when she received praise.

"Thanks, Daddy," she giggled and twirled around on the mattress.

"Okay, snuggling for two it is," Lucy surrendered and shimmied over until she was curled into his side and kissed his shoulder.

"I had no idea you were like this," he said as he snaked his arms around her midsection.

"Like what?"

"This," he looked down at the lack of space between them.

"I like cuddling with you and Fi."

"Fi is making up a song about Kojo and jumping over there."

"Well, I also like cuddling with just you," she murmured sweetly before tilting her head back to silently request he press his lips to hers, and thankfully, he did. "Since we're not going into the station until later, I was wondering if we could do some laundry today."

"I don't think we have anymore dirty clothes," he responded with a chuckle.

"Are you saying you don't want to do laundry?"

"I'm saying we might not have anything to else to wash, but I would like to find something, because I definitely want to do laundry with you."

"Good." She grinned.

"Mommy? Do you like hugs because you like Love Day?" Fiona asked.

"No, sweetie, I like hugs from your daddy and you, because both of you give the best hugs."

"Wow! The best hugs!" Fiona replied with awe.

"Yes, the best hugs. Your daddy is the best at so many things, but he's gotta improve on other things."

"Like what?" Tim asked playfully.

"Don't worry, we'll practice in the laundry room later," she whispered her assurance.

He could not want anymore more than Lucy with her dazzling eyes, mischievous smirk, and warm body against his. In truth, it was impossible for him to imagine desiring someone the way he always felt around her; there was a time when he was able to tuck away his feelings for her, but that had certainly changed.

She could tell his mind was working, so she asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"You."

"Why me?"

"Fi," Tim called to his daughter, "Did you know your mommy is a princess?"

"You told me. I remember," Fiona said seriously.

"And what do princesses get?" He asked his daughter while ogling Lucy.

"Princess kiss! Princess kiss!" She cheered.

"She said it," he husked and brushed his nose against Lucy's before meeting her eyes. "You know what we have to do," he said smugly.

"Unbeliev-" she tried to say, but then his lips cut her off in the best way. She hummed into his mouth and swept her hands over him to reach his face while trying not to get too carried away. His tongue scraped the inside of her cheek, and Lucy had to pull back, or she knew she would lose control, but the second her mouth detached from his, Tim tried chasing her lips. "Okay, okay," she rasped. "We have an audience."