by Honor James
Daisy rolled her eyes and grinned, “Yes Honey your dads are very hot, but you are their daughter and not allowed to think of them like that. They are your dads and you will love them, no matter how they look.”
“I know that mom, but seriously, I mean they are really hot. Ms Albers, the librarian, said she would like to nibble on them. She didn’t know that I could hear her when she was telling Mr. Jacoby that.”
“Well Ms Albers is a beautiful woman; it could be that one of your dads will hit it off with her. Honey just because they are your dads it doesn’t mean that we will be a family. You know that right?”
“Do you not love them anymore?”
Daisy sighed, ‘I wish.” She whispered. “I will always love your dads honey. Always. But they are grown men, and when we met I was just a kid. We all grow up Honey, it’s just a part of life. They were able to go on with their lives and its time for me to go on with mine. Now scoot before they try to figure out why I’m keeping you in the car.”
Honey frowned at that and shook her head. “I dunno mom. I think that on this one you might be wrong. Weird I know, but I think you might.”
“Don’t think so Honey.” Daisy said and got out of the car and walked to her daughter’s side. Opening the door she said, “Come on.”
“Will you get my suitcase mom?” Honey asked when she saw Mik open the door and step onto the porch, racing for him as she did so. “Daddy Mik!” She shouted and tossed herself up the steps into his arms.
Grunting as he caught her he swung her up in his arms and settled her on his hip. "Have you grown since I last saw you?" he asked moving down the steps and to the car. "I think you've grown," he murmured. Looking to Daisy he smiled slightly, "Hi D," he murmured quietly. "Can you stay for a few minutes? Gareth and I need to talk to you about something."
"Mik, where the ever loving he...llo," Marius said as he came around the corner of the house. "Ma'am," he nodded to her before looking to Mik. "Where's the chainsaw at?"
"Viper had it out in the grove over there," Mikhail pointed towards the main gate to the property. "He was working on clearing some of the dead trees out the last time I saw him."
"Right," he muttered and grinned at Honey, "Welcome to the middle of nowhere little lady. Ma'am," Marius said to Daisy again and then jogged off muttering under his breath.
Honey wiggled out of Mikhail’s hold and went racing after Marius. Slipping her hand into his the last thing Daisy and Mikhail heard her saying was, “I’m Honey. Since you live with my daddies that means you are my uncle and you get to show me how to use a chainsaw. What’s your name? And what kind of name is Viper? Is he a snake? Oh no, he’s a car isn’t he?”
Daisy groaned and shook her head, “Did I mention she’s fearless?” Looking to Mik she frowned, “You look like you aren’t sleeping. You okay?"
"No," he said on a sigh. "And no, it has nothing at all to do with you or Honey it’s," he trailed off on a sigh. "Come inside for a minute. Sphinx will keep her out of the way of the chainsaw. He's got nieces that are like Honey, hell they probably could operate a chainsaw," he muttered. Holding out a hand to her he waited, "Will you come inside for a few minutes? Please."
Daisy nodded and lay her hand into his. “All right,” she murmured. “Why aren’t you sleeping Mik?” She asked softly and moved in closer to him. “It’s not good not to sleep and you know it.” She whispered quietly as they stepped onto the porch.
"None of us are sleeping, well, maybe Sphinx but he could sleep through a tornado even as he was thrown around," he muttered leading her into the house. Shutting the door he guided her to the kitchen where Gareth sat at the table. Pulling out a chair he held it for her, "Did you want something to drink? Water, juice, coffee?" he gave her a few selections.
“Water would be nice please; no coffee because I had far too much of it at work last night.” She murmured softly and sighed. “And because I want to have a very clear idea of just what you have to tell me, because I know that whatever you have to tell me its going to be very bad indeed and that has me very, very worried.”
"It's not bad exactly," Gareth told her reaching out to touch her hand. "Our CO was here a couple days ago and something from our former lives has cropped up. We need to head out for a few days up to a week to deal with this. Depending on how bad it is, which he couldn't really say while he was here, it's not exactly a secure location," he let out a sigh. "Depending on how bad it is we could end up having to go back for a longer stretch later when the committees and such get involved. We don't know yet but because of this we won't be able to have Honey out next weekend, and given we'll be in a secure building…" he trailed off.
"We won't be able to take her texts or calls," Mikhail supplied setting the bottle of water in front of her before he sat at the table with them. "We're hoping that it's just this one trip but given how our CO was acting, it could be bigger Daisy. We just wanted to let you know so that when we told Honey that you could help us deal with whatever she's feeling after the fact."
"We're worried how it's going to look to her Daisy," Gareth said quietly. "We don't want her thinking we're ditching her. We're not, not in the least. But we can't sweep this under the rug either."
Sighing Daisy nodded and cracked open the bottle of water. “It’s going to hurt her.” Daisy didn’t even try to hide the feelings that her daughter would have. “I think that we need to explain this to her together. As long as you are able to see her as soon as you get back that would be wonderful. She loves you guys so very much already that it’s totally crazy, but yeah.” She murmured. “Somehow we will have to figure this all out. I don’t want her thinking that you are abandoning her because we know that you aren’t, but that’s what she’s going to think. We need to assure her that you aren’t going to leave her for good.”
"It won't be for good," Mikhail said touching her arm lightly. "But if we don't deal with this now it could endanger our relationship with her later and neither of us wants that D. So any help you can give us in explaining this to her in a way that doesn't make us sound like total assholes would be helpful."
“I will do all that I can in order to ensure that she realizes that this isn’t your choice.” She smiled and nodded, “Don't worry. I will make sure that she knows that you aren’t leaving her by choice, and that you will be back.” She looked up between both men, “You will come back, right?”
"Every time." Mikhail said softly as he ran his fingers over her arm. "For both of you," he murmured quietly. Looking up as he heard the door open he sighed, "Looks like we need to do this sooner rather than later," he smiled as Honey came racing into the room.
Honey bounded into the room and smiled, “Did you know that these guys are all like real life G.I. Joe’s?” She moved to Mikhail and climbed up into his lap and then reached out for Gareth’s hand. “My daddies are real life G.I. Joe’s mommy. Did you know that?”
“No honey I didn’t but that’s okay. Your daddies and I need to talk to you Honey. They have a very important meeting that they have to go to. They need to go and make sure that some people are safe Honey, but that means that you won’t see them next weekend and maybe the weekend after. With where they are going they won’t have cell service, and won’t be able to text you or call you.”
“But.” Honey turned her water filled eyes up to her father’s and frowned, “But you won’t forget me, will you?”
Shaking his head Mikhail hugged her to him, "We could never forget you Honey," he said honestly. "We're hoping it only takes a week but we can't be sure. If this wasn't so important, and a personal favor to our former CO, we wouldn't be going. But it is and we have to," he murmured resting his cheek to her hair.
Honey nodded and hugged Mikhail back. “Promise Daddy Mik?” She asked with tears shimmering in her eyes. “Cause I need to know that you won't leave me forever. I just am getting to know you both, and I really don’t want to stop getting to know you or my uncles.”
Nodding he held her close to him, "I promise sladkaya, we
'll both be back," he whispered quietly against her cheek. Rubbing her back he leaned back to look at her, "Just keep track of everything you do while we're gone so you don't forget anything. We'll want to hear everything Honey," he said before letting out a breath. "Go and give Gareth a hug too," he said softly easing his hold on her.
Honey moved easily from one man to another, wrapping her arms tightly around Gareth and burying her face against the crook of his neck. The move made Daisy’s heart clench and she knew that there were going to be some sleepless and tear filled nights ahead of them. Looking to Mikhail she said, “We will keep track of everything. Since Penny is off doing her physical therapy as well as checking in with her bosses at the airline, I will have a few days off with Honey and we will make sure to document everything, promise.” She smiled and added, “But you guys have this weekend, so make it count.”
Nodding Mik watched Gareth speaking softly to Honey for a moment before turning his gaze back to Daisy. "I'm sure we can keep her busy and occupied for the weekend. Not sure if she'll still be conscious when you come to pick her up," he smiled slightly. "She'll likely be worn out quite well and should sleep like the dead before school on Monday."
Daisy nodded and sighed. “All right kiddo, get over here and give me a hug.” When Honey walked her way Daisy wrapped her in her arms. “I love you Honey; to the moon and back again.”
“And I love you too mommy. You sure you are going to be okay all alone? You’ve not been alone since I was born.”
“I will be perfectly fine honey. I’ve picked up an extra shift tonight and tomorrow night so I will be well occupied. Be good for your dads as well as the plethora of adopted uncles that you seem to have gained.”
Honey grinned, “Maybe this time I can get Antonio to tell me what mierda means.”
Daisy closed her eyes, counted to ten and then took a deep breath. “No, you don’t need to be told what that means Honey.” She looked to Gareth and Mikhail and smiled. In Russian she spoke to them and said, “Make sure that they know that she picks up on everything and will pick a curse word out no matter what language.”
“Oh mommy, what did you say?” Honey asked with wide eyes.
Daisy smiled, “I just told your dads to watch over you.” Touching her daughters flaming red curls again she sighed. “I have to go sweetheart. Be good.’
“Always momma, always.”
Standing Mikhail followed Daisy to the door and replied in Russian to her, "We'll warn the others to watch their tongues around her but you are leaving a young and impressionable child with a bunch of soldiers you realize." Grinning at her look he shrugged, "I make only so many promises D, I don't know if that is one I can keep so I'll do what I can. Be grateful they swear in foreign tongues most days," he muttered before looking down at Honey and switching back to English. "Give your mom a kiss and walk her to the car," he murmured.
Honey walked over to her mother and looked up at her, “Are you sure you are going to be okay? You will be all alone.” The child bit her lower lip, uncertainty in her eyes.
“Yes Honey I will be fine. You will be safe here with your fathers. They would never, ever let anything happen to you.”
“I know, but.” Honey stiffened her spine and nodded, “I can do this.”
“I know you can baby.” Daisy gave Honey a big hug and then looked up to the men to explain, “She’s never stayed away from me like this before. She’s used to me working nights, but I’ve always been there to put her in bed and wake her for breakfast, so this is new to her. So just, well, if you need me, call?”
"If you want to stay Daisy you are more than welcome to," Gareth said as he walked up next to Mikhail. "It might make it easier on her to adjust to this in little increments. I know you don't have anything here for yourself, but I'm sure you can make do scavenging our wardrobes. As I recall you had a thing for Mik's shirts," he grinned at her.
Daisy smiled and shook her head, “If I recall I had a thing for both of your shirts.” Shaking her head she said, “I would, but I really can’t. I did pick up additional shifts and if I’m going to get any rest before I have to go in, I should leave.” She looked down at Honey and smiled. “You can call me anytime. You have your cell with you and, well I’m sure that the dads will let you call anytime as well. If you need to come home, you know that you can baby.” Leaning in she kissed her daughter's forehead and pulled back. Looking to Gareth and then Mik she said, “Please take care of her? She’s utterly priceless and completely irreplaceable. Enjoy your time with her and get to know her.”
"We will," Gareth said softly moving to put a hand on Honey's hair. "Come out early on Sunday if you can, we're going to have a big ol’ fire going and roast some meat and marshmallows around it, just like in the olden days. Well before marshmallows were around but then they didn't understand the goodness of the s'more."
“I think that I can manage that.” Daisy said to Gareth and smiled at him. God she loved that man, she loved both of them. Dear God those feelings hadn’t gone away, they had only gotten stronger if that was at all possible. Sighing she pasted a smile on her face and nodded, “I will see you guys Sunday.” Turning before she couldn’t; Daisy walked out and left her daughter, her entire world, with the two men that she loved more than life itself.
Lifting a hand Mikhail waved as she headed off down the drive. Looking to Honey he touched her cheek with light fingers. "You alright sladkaya?" he asked softly. "How about we go and get you changed into something you don't mind getting dirty in, and then either Gareth or I will give you the tour around the place on an ATV?"
“Can you both come with me?” Honey asked as she held onto Gareth and Mikhail’s hands tightly. “I would really like to be able to spend time with you both. Maybe I can ride with daddy Gareth to a certain point, and then with daddy Mikhail? I really would like that a lot, please?”
"Of course we can do that Honey," Gareth said with a grin. "Come on, let's go and get you into something that your mother won't have a conniption fit over it being dirty. Then we'll head out and see if we can corral some of the lads into doing real work for a few hours."
Honey grinned up at him and slid her hand into his and with an adoring look, “Okay, come on Daddy Gareth, let’s go and find me something to wear, but really my mommy wouldn’t be upset. She’s actually the coolest and best mom that anyone could ever have.”
"Well, she may be the coolest mom ever but let's not try her patience with us," Gareth told her leading her towards the house. "We will get you into some clothes that if they get ruined she won't use a bunch of nasty words with Mik and I."
“Okay. I don’t want mom upset with you two.” Honey said with a nod. “So I will let you pick my clothes, and then we will go and look over the place that’s going to be my home; at least on the weekends, right?”
"Absolutely," Gareth grinned picking her up and swinging her up the stairs. "Let's see what you packed for clothes and then we can decide what might be suitable. Did you bring a hat or sunscreen?" he asked her as they moved to where her bag was.
Shutting the door Mikhail followed after them and sat on the stairs to watch as they began to go through Honey's bag of clothing.
“Yep, the hat is in the bottom and the sunscreen is in the side pocket. Mom doesn’t let me go anywhere without it. Says that if I forget it even once I will get all sizzled and fried, and that’s actually painful. Betty Humbolt had to miss two whole days of school because of her sunburn. It was terrible because she’s a good friend of mine and I missed her a whole lot.”
Mikhail snorted, "It's the pale skin of the Welshman in you Honey," he said. "We have to slather up Gareth too but he can tan a little bit. He's actually not too pale," he commented pointing over at the large redhead.
Honey grinned and nodded, “No he’s not. He’s not that pale but I am. My mommy has taken such good care of me that I’ve never once burnt, never once done anything other than get just a little pink and then mom wigged out totally and completely.”
Honey laughed and looked up at Mikhail, “Mommy and Aunt Penny are both protective of me; and me of them. They are my family you know.” She said with a shrug. “And Aunt Penny is the one that found you for me, so you should thank her. Now we just have to figure out how to make mom see that she still loves you and wants to be with you; and then we can be a family.” The girl blurted after putting sunscreen in her hands and closing her eyes to rub it all over her face.
Sharing a look with Mikhail, Gareth frowned slightly, "Your aunt Penny helped you to find us?" he asked quietly. At her little nod he looked to Mik again, "Now how in the world did she do that?"
"Considering how deep our identities are hidden, which was deep while we served and even deeper after we got out," Mikhail shook his head. "She shouldn't have been able to if she was a civilian; which means she works for either the military or an agency. Cops wouldn't have the resources to get around that sort of security."