First attempt at CA fic! I'm hoping I do this justice…. Tall order though.
Reviews are most welcome!
Slightly AU, assuming an Annie/Auggie relationship (of course!)
Danielle wrapped an arm around her little sister's waist. "High school, Annie. Who'd have thought it would happen so damn quickly?"
Annie shot a whimsical grin toward her niece. Chloe ambled slowly among the racks of clothing, her attention focused entirely on the cell phone clenched firmly in her palm. Strands of fire engine hair continually fell in front of her face, despite Chloe's lazy attempts at keeping it organised behind her ear.
Annie patted her sister's hand reassuringly. "She'll be fine. She's strong."
Danielle sighed, removing her hand from Annie's waist to quickly check that Katia remained behind them. "Michael's not happy about the hair."
"You mean you're not happy about the hair." Annie caught Danielle's slight wince. "It's just hair, Danielle. Think of the positives; you'd not lose her in a crowd. Besides…" Annie gently fingered a cobalt sweater, almost certain it would work exceedingly well with her slate pantsuit. "… need I remind you about your red hair dye disaster when you found out Shawn Mitchell had a thing for redheads?" Annie winked at Danielle.
"God, d'y'know, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that!" She giggled, again making a quick sweep to ensure her daughters were still within speaking range. "That colour's nice on you."
Annie sighed, dropping her hand from the plush fabric. "We're not here for me, we're here for the girls, remember?"
"Well, Chloe's not interested unless it's black or features some obscure band and Katia's not interested unless she can get it dirty. Nothing feminine at all! I always thought we'd have enjoyable mother and daughter shopping trips, but instead I'm lumbered with two girls who just don't like shopping." Exasperation began to raise her tone. "Surely that's not normal. I've often wondered if they've been replaced by demons or something."
Harsh. Annie smirked, laying a heavy hand on Danielle's shoulder. "Look. They're normal. They're good girls. Auggie's always saying so. In fact, I think he'd quite happily trade in his own niece. My god, Danielle, now she's a complete and utter nightmare." Annie glanced over at Chloe, noting the tiny smile gently tugging her lips as her fingers flew at breakneck speed texting – what Annie assumed was – a guy.
Annie sighed. She'd mentioned Auggie. She could almost hear the questions forming in Danielle's mind, knowing it would only be a matter of seconds before the real conversation started.
She swallowed, allowing herself to quickly reminisce on the elaborate will they/won't they dance that she and Auggie performed for years. And now, seven whole years after he'd shown her around CIA headquarters at Langley, they were practically married.
They shared a house, a bed, a bathroom, a wardrobe; even a bank account. Annie still drove his car. Auggie still looped arms with her.
They were still in love.
Annie licked her lips, putting herself firmly in the here and now. She mustn't get too caught up in overanalysing it. What they had, she knew, was perfect.
Wasn't it?
Annie quickly turned away from Danielle; the evasion wasn't lost on her.
"Annie," she began. "Tell me to shut up or whatever, but are you two okay? I just thought, well, sensed, you two were a bit… frayed this morning? Edgy?"
"Danielle."
"Is it the girls? Katia can be a bit forgetful about where she leaves things, I hope – "
"Dani. Seriously? It's not you." Annie smiled, warmly. She knew Danielle would have picked up on it. "We love having you visit. Auggie loves the girls. He's just stressed out, work, you know. Lots going on. I can't tell you about it either – hell, I don't think even I know all of it. Desk work is certainly a lot less involved that field work." Annie looped her arm into Danielle's, patting her hand – more for own reassurance. "And then all the drama buying the house, and he's still not totally confident in it yet. Plus, it's ten years since Iraq and I think he's just… trying to stay positive. I'm still not feeling great and I know he's worried about me. It's really just stress."
Danielle's furrowed brow lifted; a glint sparkled. "Have you taken a test?"
Annie froze. Blood pooled to her feet, an icy chill settling over her. Surely, she can't be. "But I'm so irregular anyway, I didn't even think…" She trailed off, turning away from Danielle. The past month's events clicked. The sickness, the lethargy, even the slight tightening of her waistband. It fit.
"Shit." She whispered, facing her sister. "I think I'm pregnant."
The whirlwind that was Annie Walker's head became a force five hurricane as Chloe slipped her hands around her aunt's shoulders and whispered: "He'd better propose now!"
