Sorry for any mistakes I may have missed.
The Warmth of His Heart
Unable to hold back the soft smile that lifted her lips, she grabbed the pillow beside her that undoubtedly still had his faint scent lingering and snuggled against it tightly- trying to contain her heart from bursting as it flutters excitedly in her chest. Last night she couldn't sleep well. Throughout the night she tossed and turned in the cold, large empty bed- too eager to sleep knowing that she'll be seeing him in person after two long years apart.
A familiar wave of butterflies raided her gut, making her giggle to herself like a small child as she continues to think about their long-awaited reunion. Although, he mind was then pulled away from her thoughts of him when she heard her name being called from outside her bedroom door- followed by a series of gentle knocks. Sitting up in bed and pulling back her long green hair messily, she then gave her visitor permission to enter and smiled when the bedroom door swung opened and watched as the little girl ran to the bed before climbing up with ease and sat beside her.
"Good morning, Mommy!" The young 4-year old girl exclaimed with a beaming smile, bouncing in her spot on the bed excitedly.
"Good morning, Princess." C.C. said smiling fondly at her daughter- their daughter- then brushed back the girl's ebony hair aside before kissing her on the forehead. Sharing most of her likeness to that of her father, the one thing that truly makes her special in her own little way is her uniquely colored eyes. On her left, it's amethyst like his and the right is in the shade of a golden hue like hers. So beautiful indeed. "How did you sleep? Did you sleep good?"
"No." she answered cheerily then ceased her bouncing. "I couldn't sleep because I was happy."
"About what?" C.C. pressed then turned her daughter around to run her fingers through her hair.
"Seeing Daddy! Daddy's coming home today, right?"
"Mhmm… and he's going to be so happy to see you, Lexi."
"Do you think he missed me a bunch?"
"More than a bunch. He misses you like this much!" C.C. wrapped her arms around her daughter and pressed her lips to her cheek- blowing on it and making her laugh before succumbing her to a tickling fest. C.C. laughed alongside her daughter as she squirmed on the bed, and after she pleaded mercy, she stopped with a smile crossing her lips and heart filling with joy from listening to her bells of laughter.
Their daughter, Alexis, is without doubt the greatest love of their life.
"Mommy, do you miss Daddy?"
Glancing over to their wedding photo perched up on the wall, a sad smile crossed her lips and she met her daughter's curious gaze. "Everyday, Sweetie. I miss him a lot. Do you miss him a lot?" The girl nodded, and C.C. smiled, slicking back Lexis' messy hair. "Are you tired of being around boring Mommy?"
"You're not boring, Mommy." Alexis smiled and placed her small hands on her mother's cheeks. "I think you're fun like Daddy."
"But Daddy's better?" The girl stayed quiet, a smile plastered onto her face and C.C. giggled, rolling her eyes. It shouldn't be a surprise- given how she's 'Daddy's little Princess'- that her father would be the favorite parent. Not like she can blame her for preferring him. There's a lot to love about him. After all, she'd probably pick him too if she were her. "Alright, Lexi. Daddy will be here in a few hours, so I need you to get dressed then come back so I can do your hair. We need to leave a little early to run errands and then buy Daddy a gift for his Welcome Home Party… Sound good?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, then. Off you go."
"Kay!"
The little girl sprang from her spot on the bed then clumsily climbed off before storming out the room in excitement. C.C. stayed in bed a little, losing herself in thought, before looking towards the window where the early morning hue was beginning to gently seep through the blinds. She took a pillow from his side of the bed and held it close to her chest, burying her face in it and closing her eyes- mentally preparing for their long-awaited reunion.
She can hardly wait to see him.
. . . .
"Mommy, when is Daddy coming?"
"I don't know, Sweetie. His plane should be landing in about another hour or so."
"But why?! I'm tired of waiting."
"Alexis, be patient, okay?" C.C. lightly scolded, and the little girl frowned with a pout on her lips. "Come sit down. You'll see him soon, I promise." She said softly then patted the seat beside her. The young girl reluctantly sat next to her mother, slouched, and C.C. started rubbing her back for comfort. "I know you're eager to see him… I am too. But you must be patient, or the wait will be longer the more you ask when he's coming."
"Really?" her eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to keep Daddy away longer. I want him here with us, Mommy." She whimpered then wrapped her tiny arms around her mother, burying herself in her chest trying to stay strong and not cry like Daddy asked her too. He wants her to be strong, like him and Uncle Suzaku. He wants her to be a good girl and stay strong for Mommy. But sometimes, she wants to cry- she can't help it. She just misses him a lot.
"Don't cry, Sweetie. Daddy will be here before you know it." C.C. said and wiped away fallen tears off her cheeks when Lexi looked up at her. "In the meantime, how about you tell me a story to pass the time? What did you learn in Preschool yesterday? Didn't you say Mrs. Sato read a story to the class?"
Alexis nodded. Sniffling, collecting her composure.
"Do you want to tell me? Tell me what the story was about?"
"Yeah, it was a good story."
"I'm sure it is." C.C. smiled, pinching her daughter's cheeks lightly, making her giggle a little as it brought out one of her bright smiles.
As she began telling her the story about a young girl dressed in red encountering a wolf in the woods on the way to her grandmother's house, C.C. attentively listened to the story and reacted in such a way as if she never heard the story before on the shocking parts. Though, when she moved from one story to another, unconsciously C.C.'s mind trailed back to the man she desperately wishes to see right now.
Two years couldn't have passed by any slower. Two years' worth of waiting for his letters to come in, waiting for the opportunity for brief conversations over the phone or be given the rare opportunity to speak to him via video chat while he's away on Military Duty. As his wife, she's very proud of him. She's always been proud of him… but, the distance often plays a difficult part in their relationship. She may have 'gotten used' to being away from him months at a time, however when their daughter was born, the distance became a real problem.
She hates how he misses a lot of special events in their daughter's life. Birthdays and sometimes holidays. It has always taken an emotional toll on her, but putting her personal feelings aside, she can see his long departure takes a deep emotional toll on their 4-year old. She truly is Daddy's little girl and she can see how badly she misses him, hears it in her voice when she talks about him.
In truth, she feels the same way. She misses him so, so much. This is the longest they've been apart and raising a child on her own can be difficult at times without his help. Apart from her deepest wish of him making it back home safely, as always, she wishes for them to be a family again. Even if it's just a week, two weeks, however long he'll be staying with them before leaving prematurely again.
That man… her husband... Alexis' father... he's worth the trouble of waiting and worrying.
. . . .
Before she knew where the time had gone- An hour had passed and while Alexis went from story-telling to talking about her friends from preschool, C.C. checked the time on her phone and saw that her husband's plane had landed about 20 minutes ago and a text message from him confirming that he's on his way to meet them. C.C. heart raced dramatically, and her breath hitched. How could she have missed his message? She quickly stood from her seat, starling her daughter for a moment who then asked what's wrong, but before she had time to answer—Alexis' eyes widened after catching on and her smile beamed in happiness she when spotted her father approaching them from a distance behind her mother, dressed in his Military attire.
"Daddy! Daddy!" She cried then hopped out of her seat and ran to her father with tears streaming down her face while he knelt with open arms, waiting for her.
C.C. turned around, tears stinging her eyes and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the raven-haired man hold his daughter tightly in his arms, swooping her off her feet and carrying her whilst kissing her on the cheek while she cries hysterically.
He's here... he's finally home.
"Lexi, I missed you so much, baby girl." Lelouch choked out, his eyes shut tight- fighting back the tears. "Have you been a good while I was gone?" he felt her nod as she continued to cry and he rubbed her back. "Did you take care of Mommy for me?"
"Yes… I've been a good girl, Daddy." Alexis whimpered, holding her father tighter.
Kissing his daughter on the head, Lelouch made eye contact with his beautiful wife who stood by in silence. Her eyes were red as she too had fallen victim to her tears. Putting his daughter down, he walked over to C.C., with Alexis trailing closely behind him, then set his bag down when he stood in front of his wife.
"I think you've gotten quite sensitive over these past two years. Witch's don't cry." Lelouch said smiling as he gently touched his wife's cheeks and felt his eyes sting with tears. "C.C…"
"Lelouch…"
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you too." C.C. cried harder, going in for a tight embrace. Her heart swelled from having him so close again and as she threaded her fingers through his raven hair, she peppered his face with kisses before finally meeting his lips. Lelouch held her close as they kiss passionately, pouring all feelings into this moment. The love and yearning he had to be by his wife's side- to be with his family again.
Breaking apart for a breather, they smiled at each other and kissed again before embracing once more. Lelouch kissed the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent that he missed so much. Caught up in their personal bubble, they were pulled back into reality when Lexi wedge herself between them saying that she wants some love, and they both laughed. Lelouch picked her up and kissed her on the cheek before pulling his wife in for a hug with a free arm.
"With my two-favorite people in the world, I couldn't be anymore home than I am now."
"Welcome home, Daddy."
"Thanks, Sweetie." He smiled when she kissed him on the cheek.
"Welcome home, Lelouch."
C.C. whispered and met him halfway for a tender kiss.
"Yes… I'm finally home."
. . . .
Later that night after everybody went home from celebrating Lelouch's homecoming, C.C. went to clean up while Lelouch spent time with Alexis, catching up with her for a bit before reading her a bedtime story. When she finished tidying up their home, she went to shower and waited for Lelouch in bed when he was finally able to do the same once their daughter fell asleep.
Drying his hair with a smaller towel, he tossed it in their laundry hamper and switched off all the lights in their room except for their bedside lamps. Lelouch crawled into bed beside his wife and kissed her sweetly.
"Hmm, you have no idea how much I missed you." Lelouch quickly said before capturing her lips again and lying her down on the bed, settling in between her legs. "You know, after next month when I go back, I'll be home for good for a while. I'll be able to spend more time with you and Lexi."
"Is that so?" Lelouch nodded and they kissed again. "Heh, it'll be a dream come true for Lexi. I'm quite positive she'll prefer to spend more time with her favorite parent."
"I'm not her favorite—"
"Oh, yes you are, and you know it." C.C. giggled then lightly smacked his butt. "She pretty much confirmed it for me this morning."
"Well, if it makes you feel better…" he trailed- planting wet kisses along her smooth neck. "You're my favorite wife."
"I'm your only wife."
"Hmm…"
C.C. pulled away from him and frowned. "Ah, I see how it is. So, this whole time while you were away- you've been seeing your second wife?"
"My love, I didn't mean it like tha—"
"It's no wonder why I haven't seen any muscle improvement from you." She teased while rubbing his arms. Although he has gained a little muscle from his time in the military, he's still not as athletic as his friend Suzaku. Though to be fair, Lelouch is more of a tactical leader. "You disappoint me, Lelouch. And here I thought I was good enough to be your only wife. The only woman you need in your life."
Lelouch rolled his eyes and snickered at the playful hurt tone in her voice.
"You are the only woman in my life. The only one I love most in this world."
"Is this you trying to kiss ass? Trying to cover up for your second wife?"
"Damn... how did you know?" He joked, playing along with her scheme.
They both have complete faith in each other, in their love and marriage, and know that neither would ever engage in an affair.
"Call it- Wife intuition." she answered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
Smiling at each other, simultaneously the met halfway for a tender kiss which quickly became an intensive, heated make out session. C.C. tugged at the strands of his hair, deepening their kiss, and his hands greedily ghosted along her things before stopping when she suddenly flipped their positions so that she was on top. His hands then fondled her chest briefly before traveling down low to her hips. After a couple more minutes of making out, he sat up in his spot slowly, bringing her with him then removed her oversized t-shirt, leaving her in just her undergarments.
As their tongues slicked past each other, C.C. broke their connection for a short moment when she too removed his shirt and carelessly tossed it randomly on the bed. Lelouch's lips found her collarbone to kiss along before nipping at the skin, making her moan softly as he continued to ravish her neck with wet kisses. Planting a hand on his chest, C.C. pushed him onto his back and watched as his eyes glimmer in a loving desire to have her in the most intimate was possible.
Dipping down to kiss up his chest, traveling up to his neck, she asked in a whisper- her warm breath sending chills down his spine. "Is Alexis fast asleep?" Lelouch mumbled a reply 'yes' before his eyes shut in bliss when she sucked on his pulse- stifling a groan out of him. "Are you sure? I'd hate to scar her for life and traumatize us both if she walks in on us having sex."
Rolling his eyes, Lelouch frowned. "She's asleep. I made sure she was." C.C. lifted a single brow in uncertainty and he sighed. "If it'll make you feel better, I can give her nighttime cough medicine to make sure she stays asleep."
"No way! We're not going to drug our daughter."
"I was only kidding, sheesh."
"No you weren't. I bet if I gave you the go ahead, you would actually do it." C.C. frowned and crossed her arms over her chest, looking away from him and Lelouch just looked up at her with a smile- thinking just how perfect and amazing she is. Even if she can't see it sometimes. He's so lucky, grateful to have a loving wife like her in his life and a daughter whom he loves to death and will do anything for to make her happy.
Sitting up in bed and gently placing his hands on her hips, he kissed her cheek, drawing her attention back to him and felt his heart skip a beat and body flush.
God, she's so beautiful.
"Thank you for being strong for me, for you, for our family." He whispered then kissed her lips. "I know its been hard on you, but I'm here now. And I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you."
Sadly smiling, C.C. caressed his cheeks. "No need to… you've done a lot for me and Alexis already. I-I just want you to remember where your home will always be because no matter what happens or how long we're apart... Lelouch, you'll always be worth waiting for."
"And you and our daughter will always be worth coming home to." He finished and they both smiled before sharing a sweet kiss. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Gently running his hands along her back to land on her waist, their lips met for a passionate kiss and Lelouch carefully flipped their positions, lying his wife on the bed- continuing with the intimacy they've both longed for.
Home will always be where his life is, where his smile is the brightest, where his love is the fullest and where he'll always feel warm and complete when he sleeps at night. Wherever his waiting family is at, no matter how far apart he may be from them, that's where his home will always be—
By the side of his wife and daughter.
A/N: I hope you liked it! Feel free to let me know what you think, comment, ask questions, review, etc. Until next time! XD
Thatsoneperson