Through Me (The Flood)

little blurb because I miss them

"Orion!" You have your hands on your hips, shaking your head at him as he pushes himself to his feet, making a sour face at the dirt on his hands. You tell Simon all the time, how similar he is, how his facial expressions are the same, his nose, his eyes, his shoulders, and in moments like these, you see it more clearly than ever. "If she doesn't want to play, she doesn't have to." Nix openly glares at him and then lifts her nose, scurrying away to where you stand, Pyx shoved between your knees.

"I don't wanna play chase!" She laments, and you smooth some of her baby hair, brushing the dust from yard away.

"If you don't want to play that's okay. Why don't you go in and finish your coloring pages from earlier?" She nods agreeably, running past Simon as he steps out, molding himself to your back, mindful of the toddler still clinging to your leg.

"Hey mama." The bowstring between your shoulders loosens at just his voice, and you tip your head back.

"Your kids are going to be the death of him." He smiles into your neck.

"Yeah, but they're cute." Goosebumps ricochet across your skin where his lips slowly drag up to your jaw. "Got that from you."

"Uh huh."

"Shoulda had one more, balance it out, y'know?" You half heartedly nudge him with your elbow, still grateful for his vasectomy. You have no doubt that if he wanted another one, you'd give him one. He nips beneath your ear and then kisses it, catching the eye of the chubby little girl at your feet.

"Stop." Pyx demands, little frown tugging at her lips, and you sigh. She's in a mood. She's been in a mood for months now. Sassy. Demanding. And daddy's girl everyday.

"She's due for a nap." He bends to scoop her up, her little frown splitting into a smile and then widening as he half flings her into the air.

"Hey little miss. You sleepy?"

"No daddy. Story?"

"Hmm, mama says it's time for a nap. What do you think?" She shakes her head again, and you reach up to rub her back as she fights a yawn.

"Daddy's going to read you a story before your nap, how about that?" She wriggles, but nods, and he presses a kiss to her chubby cheek.

"Okay." It's been years of watching Simon be a father, but it never gets old. You never get tired of watching him take care of your babies, holding them, loving them. Giving them his whole heart, his everything.

The same way he gives it to you.