For Fiona

23. Forever

Lucy hustled from one room to the next with a cleaning rag in one hand and a basket of toys in the other. Tim leaned casually against the kitchen counter as he watched her whirl around the house like a tiny hurricane. He knew better than to suggest she relax, since she could never do so, but he did think she was overdoing it. "You know, the house is fine," he pointed out as she fluffed a throw pillow on the couch for a second time.

"Fine isn't good enough," she replied. "Everything needs to be perfect for Rachel's visit."

He walked up behind her and wound his arms around her hips before murmuring, "You and our daughter are already perfect, so there's nothing to worry about."

"Flirting isn't gonna work right now."

"I'm not flirting. I'm stating a fact." His hands glided up to the hem of her top to gently push it up enough for his hands to slide over her warm stomach as he pecked her cheek. "This house is perfect because you two are in it. A toy on the ground won't make a difference."

She stepped out of his embrace to bend over and pick up one of Fiona's blocks that had escaped her notice before. As she tossed it in the basket of other toys out of place, she glanced back at him and caught sight of how he was checking her out. "Tim," she warned. "That look isn't going to work right now."

"That look always works," he countered smugly and went to her in one large step. Delicately, he swept her hair off her shoulder and grinned down at her. "Have I mentioned you look so beautiful today?"

"We don't have time for this," she whined, since every instinct was screaming to allow her to fall under his spell.

"Daddy!" Fiona called as she jumped down the stairs with Kojo by her side. "Mommy says we have to look nice today, so can you tie a bow on my baby bear to look nice, too?"

"I sure can, kiddo, but first," he replied, then he began to ogle Lucy. "Don't you think your mommy looks so pretty today?"

"She always looks pretty," Fiona said.

"That's right. She always does, but I think she looks extra pretty today."

Lucy tried to twist her face into an annoyed expression, but her lips could not stop curling. "Don't you dare."

Tim carried on, ignoring her. "Don't you think I should give your mommy a princess kiss for looking extra pretty?"

"Princess kiss! Princess kiss!" Fiona cheered.

He lightly cupped the sides of Lucy's face as he smirked, feeling victorious. "You heard her," he rumbled before capturing her lips and feeling the precise moment her mouth yielded to his.

"We have so much to do," she said when she eventually broke away.

"I can tell you what's at the top of my list," he replied slyly as his eyes dropped to her frame.

She shook her head. "Cut it out. I'm putting Fiona's toys away." She left his embrace and went over to her daughter. "Hey, honey, can you help me put your toys away?"

"Can Kojo help, too?" Fiona wondered.

"He sure can. Everyone is going to help make sure this place is super clean including your daddy." She gave him a pointed look, snatched the toy basket off of the floor, and went up the stairs with her daughter to ensure her room was fully organized. Then, she made her way into the laundry room. As she bent over to load the washing machine, she heard the distinct click of the laundry room door locking. She turned to see Tim's mischievous smirk. "Babe, we can't," she said more for her own need than his, and yet her feet carried her closer to him and her arms reached out to hold onto his.