Phil and Melinda are married.

Daisy and Jemma are their children.

Daisy is 13; Jemma is 15.

"Melinda," Phil said on the other line. "I'm not going to be home till late again."

Melinda held the phone tightly against her ear as she laid down on the sofa in front of the television.

"Again?" Melinda repeated. "That's ridiculous! After that promotion, you hardly spend time with the girls."

"I know." He admitted. "It pains me, especially to be away from Daisy for so long."

"Sounds like you have a favorite." She teased.

"It's not favoritism." He defended. "She's always been a Daddy's little girl and to besides, we both know that she favors me."

"Yet, I'm the one who has to comfort her when she is crying and punish her when she is up to mischief." She answered. "Yeah, that's definitely fair."

"Life's not always fair." He chuckled. "If it was, I'd get to spend more time with my wonderful family."

"And we would be vacationing." She brought up. "Tahiti is a magical place."

"You're only saying that because it's my favorite topic when talking about vacation." He stated. "Anyway, I do miss my girls."

"Of course, you miss them." She affirmed. "They miss you more, Jemma spends her evenings in your study and Daisy? Daisy can't keep out of trouble in attempts to get your attention."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yes, what has it been? A month?" Melinda inquired.

"Roughly about that." He responded.

"That's a long time, especially since you come home." She expressed. "But, you're always out before they wake and back after they're asleep."

"Not to mention the days that I don't come home because I fall asleep at my desk." He added. "Soon enough this work load will balance out."

"I do hope it does." She voiced. "I don't know how much longer I can truly manage."

"You're strong Melinda," he started. "That's why I married you."

"I thought it was for my good looks and winning personality." She teased.

"It was an all-inclusive package." He chuckled. "My time is up, I love you honey."

"I love you too Phil." She answered. "Don't overwork your self to death."

"I won't." He declared. "Kiss my girls for me."

"Will do, bye." She said as she ended the call.

Melinda sat up on the sofa she was laying down on and reached for the tv remote.

'Looks like I got me an half hour before the girls get home.' She thought as she flipped through the channels.

Half Hour Later

"Good evening mom." Jemma said as she entered the house.

Rising from the light nap she fell into, Melinda acknowledged her first daughter.

"Good evening, Jem." She answered while stifling a yawn. "How was your day?"

"It was good." Jemma said while rushing for the stairs. "Later."

Melinda could tell that her daughter was hiding something by the way she was rushing and come to think of it, Daisy was not there.

"Freeze!" Melinda commanded.

At the sound of her mother's voice, Jemma became still instantaneously.

"Where is your little sister?" Melinda asked as she walked over to Jemma; arms folded.

"Little Sister? Am, Daisy is, I don't know, well, um she's uh, she was close by; she should be here soon." Jemma uttered. "Yeah, she should be here very soon."

"Nice try" Melinda blankly shot. "However, you're a terrible liar. Another thing, you normally ask me how my day was as well."

"S-sorry." Jemma said softly.

"Out with the truth" Melinda demanded. "Where is Daisy?"

"She's at school." Jemma admitted with her head down. "She managed to land her self into a detention."

"It's admirable that you tried to cover for your sister," Melinda started. "But, I don't like that you tried to lie to me. We will talk about this at dinner."

"Yes, mom." Jemma said. "I'm really sorry."

"Up the stairs, you go." Melinda voiced to which Jemma nodded and then walked up the stairs.

'What has Daisy got her self into this time?' Melinda thought as she walked into the kitchen to begin the preparation for dinner. 'She's not a bad kid but man, she surely loves trouble. Well, trouble surely loves to find her.'

Melinda began gathering the ingredients needed to make meatloaf. She preheated the oven and started to work on her masterpiece.

Meanwhile

S.H.I.E.L.D Location Classified

"Agent Coulson, when is Director Fury supposed to be coming in to inspect us?" An operative asked.

"Sorry Agent Rickson, That's classified." Phil replied from the back of his desk as he does the paperwork in front of him; glancing at a picture of his family, that sat next to a lamp on his desk, every few minutes.

The picture stood in a mahogany frame which complimented the brown desk that Phil was behind. In the picture, Phil and Melinda were side hugging while with their free hands; arms were around Daisy and Jemma. It was a picture taken while they were at a hotel resort, right in front of the pool.

"Everything is classified these days." Rickson mouthed.

"Just be prepared and you will be fine." Coulson voiced.

As Agent Rickson walked away, an older agent entered.

"Coulson." The agent said.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Agent Blake?" Phil questioned.

"Hate to do this to you. I know you got loads of work and still have a family but, more paperwork." Blake said, dropping a stack of papers on the desk.

"What sort of mess is this? Am I being punished? You know, I'm supposed to be a field agent, not stuck behind a stupid desk signing paperwork all day!" Phil exclaimed.

"Hey, calm down." Blake tried.

"Calm? I am calm. I just want one thing. I want you to give Fury a message. Tell him that I want a meeting with him ASAP!" Phil voiced.

"Come on Phi-" Blake started.

"Is that what you really want, Coulson?" A voice pierced through the room interrupting Blake.

"Director Fury, I didn't know you were coming." Blake said.

"I figured you'd show up sooner or later, just didn't think it'd be now." Phil stated.

"That's kinda the point." Fury said as he walked to the center of the room and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Coulson's desk. "Give us the room."

"Yes, sir." Blake said, leaving Fury and Coulson in the office.

"Talk to me, Coulson." Fury initiated. "What is it that I can help you with?"

Back at The Coulsons' House

Daisy quietly entered the house, only to come face to face with her mother.

"You're late." Melinda spat.

"Good evening to you too, Mā." Daisy greeted with her signature smirk.

"Don't think that I didn't know where you were." Melinda warned. "Detention is not a good thing."

"Jemma!" Daisy groaned.

"You honestly thought that Jemma could trick me?" Melinda queried.

"Not really," Daisy admitted. "But, it was worth a shot."

"Go upstairs and get started on your homework," Melinda demanded. "We will talk about your punishment at dinner."

"But M-" Daisy started, quickly stopping after earning herself Melinda's signature glare. "Yes, māmā."

Halfway up the stairs, daisy spun around to face her mother.

"Is dad going to be coming home today?" She asked sadly.

"No, but, I'm sure he wants to be here with us honey," Melinda replied. "Now, get up those stairs and start the homework. I'll call you and Jemma when dinner is ready."

"Okay." Daisy said, continuing to her room.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

"With all due respect, I'm supposed to be out in the field and not behind a stupid desk all the time!" Phil exclaimed. "I didn't sign up to be couped up behind that desk for months. What's the point in this promotion? Is this punishment of some sort?"

"I didn't have anything to do with you being placed behind the desk."

"Then who, Agent Hill?" Phil pressed.

"No, she didn't have anything to do with that either." Fury replied.

"Well, I want to know where I'm supposed to be because here is not the place for me." Phil struck.

"Then why are you here?" Fury asked.

"I'm here because I thought you placed me here to be in command of a team of some sort. I'm also here because I was awaiting the chance to ask you why do you have me here doing paperwork when my efforts are best served out on the field." Phil expressed.

"I understand that Phil and trust me, we want you on the field." Fury said. "And by the way, you do know that there are more efficient ways to get my attention than sending letters to my office?"

"What, Maria Hill doesn't sort all of you mail?" Coulson joked. "Of course I know there are more efficient ways."

"Then use one of them, and you know where I am, does it hurt to drop by the helicarrier?" Fury asked. "Cause I certainly don't need hundreds of Phil Mail a week."

"Well, I probably would visit if I wasn't stuck here." Phil explained.

"Fair enough." Fury said. "How's Melinda?"

"She's great sir, thanks for asking." Phil answered.

"That's good, what about your two little girls?" Fury continued.

"They're Good also." Phil responded.

"When last have you all been together and interacted, you know, like families do?" Fury pressed.

"About a month ago, before I got this promotion." Phil admitted.

"That's not right. Here's what I can do for you, take tomorrow off and I'll figure something out for you to get back into the field." Fury offered.

"Thank you, sir." Phil thanked.

"Finish up your time and go home." Fury said. "Since I'm already here, I guess I can do that inspection that I have to do anyway."

"I guess so." Phil smirked.

The Coulsons' House

"Daisy! Jemma! Dinner!" Melinda called while putting her meatloaf on the dining table with plates, forks, and knives.

"Alright, coming." Jemma voiced, making her way to the table first. "Meatloaf?"

"Is it not Monday?" Melinda asked. "You know we eat Meatload on every other Monday."

"I supposed you're right." Jemma replied.

"Daisy?! Don't make me come up there for y-" Melinda started.

"Alright, alright! I'm here." Daisy interrupted, taking a seat at the table.

"Dais, you're usually the first at the dinner table." Melinda stated.

"I know but I was finishing up all of the homework and I didn't wanna leave the question incomplete." Daisy explained.

"Well, I guess that's reasonable." Melinda said.

After saying grace, they began eating.

"Tell me about your days." Melinda told her girls.

"Well, mine was as normal as ever. Fitz and I got paired together for the science project." Jemma said. "Nothing else important happened really."

"You and Fitz, inseparable even in class." Melinda chuckled, while Jemma fought to hide a blush. "And what about you Dais?"

"Great. I saw Mr. Robot Grant Ward trip and near fall. Didn't know the robot knew what words are." Daisy smirked.

"And then you landed a detention." Melinda shot. "Mind telling me about that?"

"I got a detention for fighting," Daisy explained. "It's just not fair."

"Well, I have two questions," Melinda announced. "Who started it and did you win?"

"In a sense, it was his fault. He kept pushing my buttons and I ignored him until I struck out accidentally pushing him into a wall." Daisy spoke.

"Who is he?" Melinda questioned.

"I can answer that for you." Jemma chipped in. "Do you remember Miles Lydon, that Daisy had a crush on? Well, it was him."

"Well, he turned out to be a stupid jerk." Daisy spat. "He kept pressing me on how Dad works for S.H.I.E.L.D and how they're nothing but bad people and he yelled it out in a public space while pointing at me and then, I just lost it. I wanted to cry but I didn't want to give him that over me and the next thing I knew was that I pushed him into the wall."

"Jemma, were you near your sister?" Melinda asked.

"No Māmā, Fitz and I were getting started on our project in the library the same time this instance occurred," Jemma answered. "I saw them while they were being escorted by the teacher who obviously gave them detention, that's how I know so much."

"Oh I see. Continue Dais." Melinda said.

"He lunged at me and tackled me and he actually slapped me; yeah, he actually did, right in my face which set off something in me." Daisy expressed. "I was so angry, I didn't know what came over me but I was throwing punches until we were broke apart and given detention. I am sorry Māmā, but I didn't want to disappoint you and I also was afraid to face you so I begged Jemma to cover for me. She obviously warned me about it not working and how much more trouble I'd be in but I continued to beg."

"I accepted eventually and that's what happened." Jemma admitted.

"Well listen up girls, I'm proud that you have each other's back and that you're not afraid to stand up for what you believe in." Melinda started. "And please, don't be afraid to tell me anything. That's what I'm here for as your mother."

"There's something else," Daisy voiced. "Since we're being honest and all, your meatloaf sucks and you can't really cook. Sorry Mā but that's the truth."

Melinda gave Daisy a pointed look and then looked at Jemma for her say.

"She isn't lying there, but, we were going to endure it so that you remained happy." Jemma explained.

"Well I suppose, I am happy you're being honest." Melinda replied.

Long After Dinner

"Dais, Jem, time for bed," Melinda spoke. "You have school tomorrow."

"Okay Mā," Daisy said as she got up from the couch in front of the tv. "Good n-"

There was a sound that stopped Daisy mid-sentence. Her whole expression changed to one of excitement and happiness.

"Only one car that makes that sound; Lola!" Daisy beamed. "Which meant Dad is home!"

As Melinda looked through the window behind her, she saw a red 1962 corvette rounding the corner and heading towards their driveway.

"Phil's home." She muttered under her breath.

As soon as the vehicle was parked and the door was opened, Melinda turned her full attention towards the door.

"I'm home Melin-" Phil started before being tackled into a hug by Daisy.

"Daddy!" Daisy squealed; tears streaming down her face. "I thought you weren't coming back, well not anytime soon."

"Good to see you too Dais, things worked out and I got to come home." He explained after kissing her on the forehead. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Well, she was on her way there before she heard Lola all down the street." Melinda said, walking towards Phil and Daisy. "Glad you're back. I missed you."

Melinda wrapped her arms around Daisy and Phil and gave Phil a peck on his lips before Daisy started squirming.

"Cut it out!" Daisy expressed, getting from in between her parents and wiping her tears away. "You're traumatizing me!"

"Well, you should be in bed anyway." Phil teased. "Where's my little Jem?"

"Probably your study still," Melinda answered. "Once she gets working, it's kinda hard to get her to stop."

"That's Jem for you." Phil smirked. "I got good news; I get to take tomorrow off."

"That means you'll be home all day?" Daisy eagerly asked.

"Yes." He answered.

"You're still going to school Daisy so don't even think about it." Melinda shot.

"I don't care about that." Daisy quickly brushed off. "This means Dad will be here for breakfast and when I get home as well."

"Well, that's one way to look at it." Phil chuckled. "Anyway, off to bed."

"Yes, Daddy." She said while moving away from her parents. "Good night."

"Good night, Angel eyes." Phil smiled.

After Daisy went up the stairs, Phil kissed Melinda passionately for a while.

"I missed you just as much as you missed me." He said as he placed a kiss on her lips.

"That's debatable." Melinda smiled.

"Well, I guess I better go check on Jem." He answered as he hugged Melinda just for a little while.

"Make sure to get her to bed." Melinda voiced.

"That I will." Phil assured.

As Phil walked up the steps, he was filled with joy since he was finally home and able to spend some time with his girls.

He knocked on the door to his study and slowly entered, only to find his first daughter asleep on a science book with some gizmo next to her.

"No matter how much you grow, you still manage to keep that adorable side." Phil said as he walked over to her and kissed her temple lightly.

As he moved away, Jemma stirred, slowly opening her eyes.

"Dad?" She called sleepily, stifling a yawn. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Jem, I live here and I get the night off and tomorrow off as well." He explained.

"I'm not dreaming this am I?" Jemma skeptically asked.

"No, you're awake." He voiced, helping her to her feet; pulling her into a sweet embrace. "I missed you."

"I missed you too Dad." She answered.

"Yeah, I can tell by the location." He joked as they released each other.

"Your study is quiet and the perfect place to study and do homework and stuff." She laughed.

"Well, that much is true." He agreed. "So, what are you working on?"

"This is for my science project." She said. "Fitz and I are paired up and so in order for us to be fully in sync, I have to research the technology he plans to integrate and experiment with. That's what I was reading before I fell asleep."

"What are you guys doing for this project?" He questioned. "A super volcano?"

"Dad, everyone does volcanoes." She chuckled. "We are going to be different. You will see and know what it is when the time is right."

"Alright sweetheart." He said as he looked over at the gizmo still lying on the desk; trying to get an idea of what it was.

"I guess I'm off to bed now then," She stated. "Good night Dad."

"Night Jem." He replied.

Phil watched as Jemma slowly made her way to her room.

'I love my girls.' He thought while still looking towards Jemma's room.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Melinda spoke, breaking him out of his daze.

"Just thinking about how much I love my girls." He said, taking Melinda into his arms.

"Such a sap." She teased.

"You love this sap." He teased back. "And to besides, I'm entitled to love you three."

Phil lightly kissed her cheek as they began to sway slowly.

"Fun fact, Daisy scored herself a detention today for fighting with Miles Lydon." Melinda pointed out.

"Miles Lydon as in the one she liked?" Phil asked to which Melinda hummed in agreement. "Did she win?"

"She's my daughter!" She exclaimed. "Who do you think won?"

"Funny you see it that way." He smiled. "Well, if Miles had tried to fight with her last year, she definitely wouldn't have won."

"That's why I made sure that my babies can throw a punch." She proudly said. "Y'know, the reasons that Dais fought are the only reasons that I didn't punish her."

"And what reasons are those?" He questioned.

"First of all, the boy was verbally attacking her about S.H.I.E.L.D and how you work for them and how they are bad people and he was very public with these attacks and our baby even wanted to cry but her arms found him as he pushed her off the edge." She explained.

"Woah, she fought to defend me?" He asked.

"That's not the best part." She stated. "The poor boy made the mistake and slapped Daisy in her face and she released all of her anger on him."

"I can see that not being pretty." Phil expressed.

"Well, his mother called me after dinner wanting to know what my daughter did to her child." Melinda smiled. "Turns out Daisy broke his nose and fractured his ribs."

"Doesn't that remind you of her cousin Barbara a little?" He questioned.

"Yeah, well Bobbi is a little more composed than Dais but I guess that's only really because of age." She answered. "But the similarities are there cause trouble happens to find them both."

"We can also take into account Bobbi's boyfriend, Lance Hunter." He stated. "Bad influence but if Bobbi won't do anything about that, we can't stop her."

"You know, maybe we should have her across sometime." She suggested. "I personally want to see how good her Mandarin is."

"We will see what happens." He answered. "Let's head to bed. Tomorrow's a big day."

"Your first day home since promotion." She joked.

"You got it." He chuckled as they made their way to their bedroom.

"You know although I taught Jem how to throw a punch, she will try her best to avoid fighting." She said as she opened the door.

"That's our Jem for you." He smiled. "We made two wonderful girls. Thank you."

"Yes we did." She agreed. "It was a team effort so don't give me all the credit."

They both smiled as they climbed into bed next to each other, cuddling.