Team: Alpha (Knights of Ares)

by Honor James

  “Because I want you beside me Mikhal, I need you beside me. When I sleep; when we sleep it should be together and not apart. Will you come to bed with me, please?” She asked quietly. “I love you Mik and I want to be with you, please?”

  Standing, he shrugged, “If that is your current wish,” he said. Moving around her he climbed the stairs to her room and threw himself onto one side of the bed. Tucking an arm under his head he shut his eyes and rested the other hand on his chest.

  Shaking his head Gareth caught her arm as she stormed into the room. “D,” he murmured putting his lips to her ear. “We learned some things that have him on edge, I know he’s being an ass but go easy please. He’s taking this hard right now, and unfortunately acting out of character.” Lifting his head he looked into her eyes, “Trust me, go easy,” he whispered.

  Daisy nodded and climbed up into bed. Moving she wrapped her arm around Mikhail’s chest and lay her head on his shoulder. “I love you Mik.” She looked over to Gareth and grinned, “I love you too G. Now come on. Climb up into bed with me so that we can have a small nap, please?”

  “Always so demanding,” Gareth said with a whine but he was grinning at her. Dropping the towel he climbed in behind her he wrapped an arm around her waist. “How long we got before we need to be up and moving D?”

  “Two hours and some change.” Another yawn before she continued, “So shut up handsome so that we can get a nice lovely nap in.” These boys wore her out and that was pretty amazing in her books.

  “Yes ma’am,” Gareth chuckled softly. “Bossy as ever,” he murmured before drifting off.

  Chapter Ten

  Mikhail still hadn’t cooled down entirely by the time they walked to Honey’s school, but Gareth was keeping up a running chat with D so he was hoping she wouldn’t notice. Stopping, he moved to the picnic bench to sit and wait for final bell. It hadn’t exactly been the trip home he’d pictured but hell, nothing was as he ever envisioned it to be. Not true, his missions usually went how he pictured them, but that was death and this was life. Maybe D had been right in the beginning, maybe he should have just stepped out of the picture entirely, it would have made her life easier and really everyone’s. Yeah, cause he lived to please every-fucking-body around him.

  “Hey, pull out of your damn head and be in the moment with me Mik.” Daisy stopped him before they got to the school, made him look at her as he did so. “Come on honey, talk to me. I need to be in this with you, I want you to be in this with me. Do you want to be here with me, in this with me? If not please tell me.”

  “You asked me that once before and didn’t listen then, there’s nothing more to be said,” he told her quietly, honestly. “I’m trying D and if that isn’t enough then just say the word and I’ll leave. You keep pushing at me and giving me conflicting signals. I’m simple, yes, no, left and right. There is no grey in my world just straight black and white. At least I am trying but then you go and change the rules without warning so what do you expect? I pull back, regroup and try to figure out what is going on; it’s who I am. You knew that from day one Daisy so no, on this, you decide because I no longer have a clue what answer you expect from me.”

  “Then here it is. I want you Mikhail. I need you. I love you and that’s that. I will tease with you, I will do what I can to make you smile, but I do it because that’s who and what I am. All I want and need from you is your love.”

  “You’ve damn well had that all along Daisy,” he snapped at her. Shaking his hands he stalked away and then back, “For the record, I was teasing you when I said we’d be asleep if you didn’t hurry up with your shower. Like we’d fall asleep knowing you were coming to our bed,” he hissed out. “But then, I’ve never been good at any of that have I?” Mik muttered. Turning, he stalked off a distance and just stood there hands fisted at his side.

  “Only person on the planet that can get him madder than a bull having his nuts removed,” Gareth commented from behind her. “I have no clue how you do that D, but you really have to teach me.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes and sighed, “Mikhail. I freaking love you darn it.” Since they were close to the school she was trying to curb her cussing. “I love you and I didn’t know you were teasing. All that I knew was that you guys had just come from a very long trip and I was very worried about you.”

  “Don’t think that’s going to work Daisy my sweet,” Gareth commented wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “He worries about everyone else, not the other way around. Hey,” he shrugged at her look, “I didn’t make him this way but I accept it and let it go at that. It pisses him off when people worry about him,” he added and snapped his fingers, “can’t believe I forgot that.”

  “Well it’s too damn bad. He’s going to have to freaking get used to it because I will worry about him.” Leaning into Gareth Daisy sighed. “And he needs to know that Honey will worry about him as well. She loves him like crazy already.”

  “He hates being worried about,” he said quietly again. Pressing a kiss to her hair, he lifted his head when the bell sounded. Grinning, he let her go to rub his hands together like a kid going into the candy store.

  Wandering back in their direction Mikhail stayed back a couple of steps and just watched and waited.

  When Honey walked out of the school she screamed, “Daddies!” and came racing for both men. Since Gareth was closer she threw herself into his arms first and gave him a massive hug. “Daddy Gareth, you came home.” She peppered him with kisses and then wiggled out of his arms and raced to Mikhail, “Daddy M” She said happily and wrapped her arms around his leg since he didn’t lean down like Gareth had to catch her.

  “Hi poppet,” he said leaning over to lift her up. He let her do whatever she wanted and then put her down when she demanded it. Staying back he listened to her excited chatter about all that she’d done since they’d been gone, walking slowly with her and the others back towards the house.

  Honey moved from Gareth to Mikhail and back again. “Oh, we should go for pizza tonight!” Honey said with a grin. “I really think that would be fun, don’t you? I like the idea that we could all go out for dinner like a real family.”

  “You’ll have to ask your mom about that one pipsqueak,” Gareth told her with a grin. “Don’t want to get on her bad side by agreeing to fill you full of things that she might not approve of.” He leaned over and said in a loud whisper, “At least when she can see us doing it.”

  Daisy laughed, “Yes pizza is fine as long as you remember to do a salad as well. Not just the pizza, but salad as well.” At her daughter’s happy acceptance of the terms she looked at Gareth and Mikhail and smiled, “All right. We can all go to dinner. Let’s get us some pizza, after homework is done though okay?”

  “Oops, forgot all about the homework,” Gareth said with a chuckle when Honey’s face fell and she groaned. “What’s for homework tonight Honey? If it’s easy stuff like, well,” he made a face, “reading I’m there. But if its math you’d better talk to Mik, he’s much better at all that stuff. Trust me when you get to high school you’ll want his help.”

  She rolled her eyes, “Tonight is History. I have to read two chapters in my history book, and then I have to sum the chapters up in my own words. It’s about the Civil War. It’s something that never should have happened. It’s crazy. Why do people look at someone’s skin and decide if they like them or not?”

  “Because it’s a first impression and what they learn as children, from their parents and friends. Pressure also has a lot to do with it,” Mikhail said quietly. “When people start bad mouthing other people; the bad sticks more than the good. It’s biased. It’s a lot like being bullied. First it’s name calling and then there is the physical. But when the victim fights back it annoys and gets at the bully; so he goes and gets his friends and comes back at the victim. Plus people are power and money hungry, especially for those that have it where they don’t. More wars are fought over money or a commodity than anything else.”

&n
bsp; “Like the way that mommy’s daddy does her, right?” Honey asked. “He’s a very bad man and he is a very ugly man too. He’s just dark, and mean. I don’t like him, and I’m glad that mommy got away from him when she did so that we could be free.”

  “Your grandfather is stuck in the past Honey,” Mikhail said with a sigh. “He believes in his upbringing and thinks things should remain the same in a country that’s not his own. But that doesn’t mean you should disrespect him. You should always be and act better even to those mean to you. Show them how to better themselves,” he advised.

  “I’m not mean to him, but I don’t like him.” Honey shrugged. “He doesn’t talk to us. Just spits at us,” she admitted. “So it really doesn’t matter at all. He stays away from us and us from him, right mommy?”

  It broke Daisy’s heart, but she nodded, “Right baby girl. It’s you and me, and now your dads too. I think we are a pretty amazing team.”

  “And all the uncles,” Gareth said with a grin to Honey. “Don’t forget all the uncles you got out of this deal. The ones that you like to order around, and do so very well at by the way. They all miss you and can’t wait to smother you with love.”

  “Oh that’s right. I get a lot of them.” She said happily and clapped her hands. “I miss them bunches too. Can we see them tomorrow? Please? After school maybe they can all come over for dinner or something? Please?”

  Daisy smiled, “All right. We can do that but that means that you will have to ensure that you do your homework before they come over.” At Honey’s agreement she looked at her men, “Think they will want to do that?”

  “Course they’ll come over,” Gareth said with a grin. “They all have something for Honey though I doubt it will top what Mik got her. Not sure if she should have all those presents though,” he shot a look to Daisy and winked, “I think we may have to wait to see how she does on her homework and how well behaved she is tomorrow.”

  “Oh lordy.” Daisy watched Honey as she talked Mik’s ear off, “You know that she thinks that he hung the moon, right?” She asked with a smile. “She adores you too but I think that Mikhail and his silence has her fascinated.”

  Wrapping his arm around her waist Gareth chuckled, “I’m fine with that. He needs someone to push at him and get him out of that icy shell. She can do it I think, maybe,” he threw a look behind them, “Big maybe,” he grinned.

  “If anyone can, it’s her. Believe me. Other than my father, everyone loves her. She’s such an outgoing and carefree child you can’t help but smile. She’s a true joy to be around.” She was a pure soul, innocent and sweet.

  “We shall have to watch and see, though he does relax around her so that’s good,” he said pressing a kiss to her cheek. “So, how was your two weeks without us?” he asked softly. “We’ve heard Honey’s version with, I’m hoping, a bit of exaggeration to it, but not yours.”

  “I think that it’s good. And the two weeks.” She shook her head. “She wasn’t exaggerating. He really does do that when he sees us. I’ve gotten used to it and so has she. We now just simply cross the road when we see him coming.” She shrugged and then added, “I had time to think, realize what I want in life and that’s you guys. I know it will take us some time to all get used to each other but that’s really what I want.”

  “Well you know we want you in our lives and we adore Honey. Even cranky pants adores you and loves you both. Yes he’s hard to deal with some days, but he’ll always be there and that’s what matters,” Gareth murmured quietly. “We want a full life with you Daisy but at whatever pace you want us to go at. We do need to talk about a few things so that you have all the facts and can make the decision as to what’s best for you and Honey. We’ll wait until she’s asleep before we go there though, some things that kid doesn’t need to know any time soon.”

  “Agreed.” Daisy murmured. “I want a full life as well. I know he will always be there. Mikhail is our rock, all of us.” She admitted quietly and wrapped her arms around her own body. “Whatever we do I want us to go slow, for Honey’s sake as much as mine. I don’t want to disrupt her school life too much yet, and with you boys living as far away as you do if we came home with you it would. Maybe when she’s out of school but right now, we will just take things nice and slow.”

  “Whatever you need babe,” he hugged her to him and looked back at Honey’s shriek. “What on Earth are you doing to that child?” he asked with a laugh.

  “She apparently saw this in a movie and wondered how anyone could like it,” Mikhail said of the child draped over his shoulder. “She wanted to check it out and determine for herself the viability of such actions in film.”

  Daisy snickered and moved to Honey, pulling her hair out of her face she asked, “Well, what do you think about it kiddo? Personally, I prefer to be carried and cradled against the leading man’s chest instead of tossed over his shoulder.”

  “Oh! Do that one Daddy Gareth, pick mommy up and carry her home like Daddy Mik is carrying me home.”

  “You heard the girl Daisy,” Gareth grinned at her and moved to grab her. “No fair hiding behind Mikhail you gorgeous wench.” Moving around the large man fast he caught her around her waist as she gave a little screech. “Up you go,” he teased and settled her in against his chest. “I’d never throw you over my shoulder unless you were naked,” he whispered in her ear with a grin.

  Daisy bit the side of his neck lightly and whispered in his ear, “Tease, getting me all kinds of worked up here.” Then again, all that had to happen for that was one of these men to look at her. She went weak-kneed when they looked at her, when they touched her. Everything about them.

  Snorting at her words he shook his head, “It doesn’t take all that much to get you on the edge darling, we all know that,” he grinned. Pressing a kiss to her lips he headed up the front walk of her house and, on the porch, set her on her feet. “You have the keys babe. It’s a little hard to juggle you around while groping you for the keys to get inside.”

  “Should have put her over your shoulder. Then the groping would have been much easier,” Mikhail said ducking to put Honey on her feet. Hand on her head he kept her upright until she had her balance back.

  Honey put her hand over her mouth and giggled like mad. She snickered and shook her head. “You dad’s are too funny.” She leaned against Mikhail and looked up at him adoringly. “Can you stay tonight? I want you to walk me to school tomorrow, please?”

  “Ask your mother poppet, it’s her house, her house rules,” Mikhail said and then grinned slightly when Honey whipped around to work on her mother. Climbing the steps he followed the pleading, begging and promising into the house.

  Daisy knew she was going to say yes. Hell, she was happy that Honey asked so that she didn’t have to beg them to remain with her. “All right. They can stay, but you still have to go to bed at your normal time. They are your dads and will understand the need to keep you on a strict schedule.”

  Shutting the door, Mik shrugged at Honey, “Your mom’s house, your mom’s rules. Which means whatever bedtime she’s given you poppet, and none of that one more stuff you pulled on us that first night. We are wise to you and your wily ways little one.”

  “Well poop.” Honey grumbled. “Okay, mom’s rules and I will go to bed on time but you will walk me to school, right? Everyone wanted to know who you guys were when you walked me to school. Then they have been laughing and saying that you weren’t coming back while you were gone; but today you showed them. It would be even better if you could walk me tomorrow morning too so they know that you guys are staying in my life, please?”

  Crouching down before her, Mik touched her cheek, “It doesn’t matter what anyone says Honey. All that matters is what you know and what you believe,” he told her quietly. “They don’t know you or your life, all they see is a slice and therefore their opinion means nothing. But yes we will walk you to school in the morning. Now, go and get set up with your homework. Daddy G will be helping you with History t
oday as his punishment.”

  Honey grinned, “Daddy G doesn’t like History? Well then lets make him regret whatever it is that we are punishing him for.” Putting her small hand on Mikhail’s cheek she smiled, “You are very smart daddy M. Thank you for being my daddy; for choosing to be my daddy.” She said and skipped away to drag Gareth to her bedroom for homework help.

  Smirking at Gareth as Honey dragged him away he chuckled softly, “Serves him right,” he muttered. Looking at D he cleared his throat and let out a breath, “I’m sorry for earlier Daisy,” he murmured quietly shoving his hands into his pockets dropping his gaze to the floor.

  “So am I.” She replied with a soft sigh. “I really am Mik. It’s just that I feel you pulling away and it makes me upset. I lost you once and I wouldn’t survive a second time. Christ if not for me being pregnant, I’m not so sure that I would have survived the first time.”

  “You know why we left, it wasn’t like we had a choice in it,” he said softly looking at her. “I don’t do emotion well.” he frowned and sighed. “It’s easier to not deal with all that baggage, at least it is for me. I feel so much for you D that it’s hard to keep my head on straight and function most of the time without putting it into a box for a while.”