Disclaimer: I do not own the Unit characters
Chapter 2
Mack started yelling at the two girls to get into bed, trying to be heard over their own yelling and hair pulling. He sighed pushing them into their own bedrooms and closing the door. He ran his hand over his hair and then walked into his bedroom and started dismantling the bed. It had been her bed, their bed and tomorrow he'd go out and buy a new one. He cleared out the closet for Liz and left his few things in the bureau. He was barely home and the couch would be good enough for him. Hopefully Liz wouldn't mind the lack of storage space, if she did he'd go buy another bureau or some other storage unit. Molly and Kim had packed Tiffy's clothes in boxes a few days ago and put them in the attic. The room seemed empty now, but he realized Tiffy had only one picture in the room it was a family portrait of the four of them. He took it and moved it to above the fireplace. Silently he opened Jenny's door. He kissed her forehead.
"Did you brush your teeth?" She nodded. "Good night, sweetheart." He did the same thing to Lissy and then realized he had taken the bed down that he was going to sleep in that night. Reassembling it seemed too laborious so he just pulled out the sleeper from the sofa and crashed.
Morning came far too soon and Mack groaned, opening his eyes. He'd let the girls sleep in and give himself a few extra hours of peace. He looked at the clock 8 am. God when was the last time I slept that late? He sighed and picked up his phone and saw Molly had called him. He hit send and held the cellphone to his ear.
"Hey," he said his voice still croaky.
"Good morning. I'm free this morning if you need help with the girls."
"Actually they're sleeping, but if you wouldn't mind coming over just for a couple hours. I need to go pick out a bed."
Molly nodded, understanding. "Sure."
Mack stood in the furniture store and sighed. A saleswoman walked by and smiled at him.
"Would you like help?"
"No, but I need it. Which bed would you choose?"
"That one. It's gorgeous, and it's on sale," she said with a wink.
"I'll take it and a mattress. Do you guys have sheets?"
She laughed. "All in one shopping?"
"I'm hoping." He smiled at her his arms folded over his chest.
She smiled. "For that smile, I'll see what I can do. What color?"
"Ummm… white, blue? I don't know whatever you like."
She smiled. "All right."
He picked up Williams at his house and drove towards the car dealership.
"So what type of car is it?"
"It's a 2009 AWD Ford Fusion with full side curtain air bags."
"Wow," said Williams.
"I lost Tiffy because her damn car wasn't safe. I'm not going to lose my girls too. Besides the insurance's paying for it."
"I knew you'd be too frugal to put down that much cash," he said laughing.
"Yea, yea."
"Did you go for it all, alloy wheels moon roof?"
"The whole nine yards," he said, parking his truck.
Williams let out a low whistle. "Damn," he said, watching as a salesman stood next to a black Fusion. "And you're still going to drive this beat up thing?"
"It's for the kids and Liz," he said, getting out. "I'm never home. You know that."
"You're home enough to take advantage of that," said Williams. "So I'm driving that back right?"
"You'll drive my truck," he said, handing him the keys to his truck.
"I'll see you at the house."
Mack got in and ran his hand down the black and gray leather seats and then hit the gas whipping out of the parking lot.
"Yea!" he whooped.
He pulled into his driveway and saw Williams talking to Liz. He got out and watched as she waved to him.
"I thought you said Saturday," he said, walking towards them.
"Molly's making lunch," said Jonas, handing him a beer.
"Ahhh. Kim will be over in a minute with the girls. They were watching a movie."
"The whole team?"
"Yep except the Colonel's taking Brown's place," said Grey.
"Where's she going to put them?" asked Mack.
"We're talking about my wife right?" asked Jonas, taking another swig of his beer. "She'll make room."
"Did you bring some of your stuff over?"
"The Colonel's going to help me bring some stuff over tonight. There's not much."
He nodded. "How long till chow?" asked Mack.
Jonas shrugged. "I'd say another half hour."
"Want to help me get this inside?" asked Mack.
Liz looked across the street and saw Kim trying to get all the kids rounded up. She ran over.
"Need some help?"
"Yea, thanks."
"I'm Liz," she said, extending her hand to Lissy.
"I'm Lissy and this is Jenny and Serena."
"Nice to meet you," she said shaking the girls' hands. "What movie did you watch?"
"Black Stallion," said Serena, smiling.
"I love that movie. I have a horse just like that at home."
"Really?" asked Jenny with wide eyes.
"Yea, I couldn't bring him though, but I brought my other horse Liam."
"Is he near here?" asked Lissy.
"About twenty minutes from here by car. Maybe on Monday, Kim and I could take you guys to see him."
Kim smiled. "If you don't mind."
"No, not at all."
"What color is he?" asked Jenny.
"White."
"Mom we can go right?" asked Serena.
"Of course. It sounds like fun. I used to have horses when I was younger."
"Do you want me to take him?" asked Liz.
"Sure, this is Teddy."
"Well hello handsome. You're going to be heartbreaker."
"Just like his daddy."
***
Mack watched as the two walked across the street with the brood of kids. His girls we're talking Liz's ear off all ready. Liz stopped and smiled at him as he closed up the tailgate of the truck.
"You're a hit," he said.
"Let's hope."
"Liz, come on," said Jenny from the porch.
Mack smiled as Liz hurried over to the porch with Teddy content in her arms. He hoped she was the prayer they had been waiting for. Lunch went smoothly; the team accepted Liz without as much as a second thought. She was helpful, polite, and smart. Williams and Grey had eyes on her and were putting out their best moves. With expert ease she kept them captive while politely turning them down. She read Jenny and Lissy a chapter from Little Women and then tucked them in.
"Do you have to go?" asked Jenny who was nestled in Liz's arms.
"Tonight, but I'm going to be taking care of you guys while your dad's away."
"Really?" asked Lissy, putting her Ipod down.
"Yea, if that's all right? I'd understand if you girls wanted-."
"No!" exclaimed Lissy. "It'll be nice having someone around besides Aunt Molly and Kim."
"Good. We're going to have lots of fun, but I am serious about schoolwork. It'll be done by seven o'clock every night, and I'll be here to help you. Then it's getting ready for bed and you can watch TV if you want till nine."
"Nine?" asked Lissy.
"On school nights. All other nights you can stay up as late as you want. Deal?"
Lissy sighed. "Fine."
"Jenny?"
"OK."
Mack stood in the doorway taking in the scene.
"Good night, girls," she said, turning off the lights.
He cleared his throat. "The Colonel went back to grab your stuff and then he'll drive you home for tonight. Unless you want to stay?"
"I think one more night by yourself will do you good," she said with a smile.
"Which room?" asked the Colonel carrying in two boxes with the rest of the team behind him.
"Same as the bed."
"All right."
"Where are you going to sleep?" asked Liz.
"Couch, since I took so much time off I really won't be home much for the next couple of months. I'll have to pay penance."
"Are you sure because I can take the couch."
"No, then I couldn't call myself a gentleman could I?" he joked.
"I suppose not."
"I gave you the closet, but I left my stuff in the bureau. I hope that's all right. There are drawers on the bottom of the closet too. I-."
"I'm sure everything's perfect."
"Ready?" asked the Colonel putting his arm around her shoulder.
"For you, never."
He squeezed her tighter. "Come on, smart ass."
"I'll be back around nine tomorrow," she called over her shoulder.
****
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