Modern AU – A Sweet Taste
"Edie?" Anthony called out softly as he closed the front door. His train had been in late that evening. It was bad enough he had been out of town for the last two weeks, away from his wife and daughters, but his train being late on top of it had left him feeling exhausted when he finally returned home.
"Anthony!" he heard her whisper before she threw her arms around him. Pulling him into a quick kiss before adding, "Oh, I've missed you!"
"I missed you too, love." He murmured, pulling her into another kiss as they stumbled slightly, landing against the wall of the front hallway. "Where are the girls?"
"Bed. Sound asleep." She giggled, pulling him down into a hug, just content to rest her head against him. "Two weeks is too long, Anthony."
"I know." He held her tightly, enjoying the feel of her warm skin on display thanks to her black tank top. Edith was distracted by her happiness of having her husband back home that she didn't realize right away:
"Did you just lick me?" She asked with a grin, pulling back to look up at him.
"You've got a bit of…" he leaned forward and licked at the sticky substance on her neck again, "chocolate?"
"Oh! I was just finishing the brownies for their class party tomorrow." Quickly she pulled away and hurried back to the kitchen just in time to pull the tray from the oven.
"Wait, you've still got a bit of batter on you." He called, pulling off his jacket before following her.
"Do I?"
"Yes. And you wouldn't want to stain a towel. Chocolate is so difficult to get out…" He whispered, moving to stand behind her before dropping his mouth back to the lingering blemish on her pale skin.
"I suppose you'll need to resort to vigorous ef… effort…" Edith's train of thought was quickly derailed by her husband's attentions just below her collarbone, leaning over her right shoulder.
"Are you all done in here?" He questioned, pushing the strap of her tank top aside.
"Mmm hmm." She managed, reaching over to turn off the oven. "Although, didn't get to the dishes yet."
Anthony glanced up, spotting the bowl and spoon still coated with chocolate brownie batter.
"Should probably take care of this." His tone was low, one arm curled around her middle while his free hand reached out for the bowl, running along the edge. Before he could spread the chocolate on her bare skin she made a grab for his hand, bringing the finger to her mouth.
"Share." She admonished in her mother tone.
"I fully intend to, dear."
Before they could finish with the bowl two voices rang out.
"Daddy!"
"Daddy! You're home!"
At the door to the kitchen stood the eight-year-old Strallan twins Lizzy and Jane, both with their father's eyes and their mother's hair. Edith gave Anthony's finger a gently bite before letting go so he could turn to hug their daughters. Edith meanwhile went to work wrapping up the brownies so that she could put them out of reach of the eight-year-olds. They were their father's daughters, if she left the plate out it would be cleared by morning.
"We missed you, daddy!" Jane exclaimed, throwing her arms around Anthony as he knelt down to their height.
"Yes, we missed you!" Lizzy added, pushing her sister aside to receive her own hug.
"Mummy, can we have a brownie?" Jane asked, suddenly loosing interest in their father's return.
"Yes, can we?" Lizzy chimed in.
"No you may not. If you have sugar now you'll never get back to sleep. Daddy will put you to bed though." Edith offered in lieu of a treat.
"Yes, come along girls. You've got school tomorrow." Anthony stood up, ushering the girls out of the room. Once the girls were out of earshot he leaned back into the kitchen. "Then I'm putting you to bed, Edie. Bring that bowl."
