A pretty awesome place to be

Set Post S5

Connor smiled, braiding his daughter's hair as she sat, wrapped in a fluffy towel, on top of another towel placed upon the closed lid of the toilet. Music was playing in the kitchen, and his sons were building a fort-tent with pillows and chairs and blankets in the livingroom. Well, last time he'd checked, at least, and it still sounded like they were bickering over the construction. His daughter was playing with some of her bath toys on the cabinet's top while he braided. Abby had left him in charge while she went out with some old school friends, and he had to get the troublemakers to bed before she got home.

He finished braiding Paige's hair, and gave her a hug. She giggled and wiggled free, running out of the bathroom. He laughed and gave chase, helping the toddler to get into PJ's, before he got out The Hobbit. Abby had been doubtful of it as suitable bedtime story material, but once he'd begun reading it to Paige, she gave a fuss if he tried to switch books. When Mommy read to her, she was happy enoguh to listen to anything, but if Daddy was the one to read, it just had to be The Hobbit. He chuckled, and called for the boys to head to bed soon. They both groaned, whining almost at the same time about being old enough to stay up longer. Paige rolled her bright blue eyes, and Connor grinned, and began reading.

A few minutes later, as Paige's eyes began to droop, Nicki and Steven trooped past to their room, whispering something about spiderman or sommat. Since they'd just gotten new comic books for Christmas, Connor was pretty sure that he was going to walk into their room in a little while to find them reading by flashlight. He'd done the same, though, so he'd give them a bit of leeway. Paige was asleep, and Connor stood, putting the book away quietly before he headed to the kitchen, where the nusic was playing softly: one of the boys had turned it down whiel he'd been distracted. He sent a silent thank you to them both for their foresight, and then puttered around the kitchen for a bit, trying not to worry about Abby. It was hard, though, because he did so naturally, whether there was reason to or not. She did the same, so he was sure it was okay.

He'd poured himself some juice and was contemplating checking on the boys and then playing a game on mute on the computer for a little bit, when there was the sound of a key in the lock. Connor felt the grin spread across his face as Abby opened the door and entered. She quietly closed the door again when he put a finger to his lips and then gestured at the kids' rooms, and Abby smiled broadly at him, rushing forwards to wrap her arms around him. He returned the hug, pressing his nose into her hair. He would ask if she had fun, and she would ask about how his night had gone. But later, not now. Now they kissed, now they cuddled, now they were Connor and Abby, as a whole.

It was a pretty awesome place to be at.