Chapter 17
AN: So I have written so much in the last few days that hopefully I'll update more over the next few days. Hope you like this chapter. Thank you so much to Hailey Myers who has been helping me more than I can say.
October 17th 2001
Four months have passed since Father's day and while Daisy still calls Coulson Cols there is no question about him being a father to the now six year old.
For the last month Melinda has been extremely busy at SHIELD so she isn't surprised when she gets home at Midnight, but what she is surprised about is the fact that Kora is asleep on the couch.
Walking over to her sister Melinda shakes her awake,
"Kori," Melinda says, and her sister wakes up.
"Hey," Kora greats. "Hope it's okay I sent Anna home hours ago," Kora explains to her sister, as she sits up.
"It's beyond okay," Melinda assures her sister as she sits down next to Kora.
"Long day?" Kora asks curious, as she can tell how exhausted her sister is.
"Long month," Melinda corrects.
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Kora admits, as even with how remote Afterlife is they have heard about what happened. "You okay?" Kora asks curious.
"I don't even know," Melinda admits. "Sometimes I can't believe that this is the world Daisy is going to grow up in," Melinda admits.
"Well your choices are either this world or Afterlife, and honestly neither are particularly normal," Kora points out.
"Good point," Melinda admits, as the two sisters drift into silence as they sit side by side. As they sit together Kora rests her head on Melinda's shoulder, feeling glad to see her as she was worried about how Melinda was doing.
March 11th 2002
Five months have passed since Melinda and Kora talked about the world Daisy is going to grown up in and ever since Kora hasn't been able to come to DC, she didn't even get to make it for Christmas; rather she just used her sat phone to call.
It's late at night and because she misses her sister Melinda is sitting on the couch looking at her old photos that make her miss Afterlife but miss her sister a little less.
As Melinda looks at the photos Daisy's bedroom door opens, and she walks out.
"Daisy, it's late, what you are doing up?" Melinda asks her daughter.
"I wanted some water," Daisy explains, as she walks over to her mother. "What are you looking at?" Daisy ask as she climbs on the couch next to her mother.
"Old photos," Melinda explains, showing Daisy, who looks amazed.
"That's Aunt Kora," Daisy says, pointing to her.
"Yeah, it is," Melinda confirms.
"I miss her," Daisy comments.
"Me too," Melinda says as she puts her arm around her daughter.
"Do you think Aunt Kora and Uncle Gordon will come for a visit soon?" Daisy asks curious.
"I hope so," Melinda admits, though she knows it's not always simple.
"Mommy, who's that?" Daisy asks, as she points to Jiaying.
"Daisy, that is someone very special," Melinda reveals. "It's your grandmother," Melinda explains.
"I have a grandmother?" Daisy asks, looking amazed.
"Yep," Melinda confirms. "And I truly hope that one day you get to meet her," Melinda admits, as despite her issues with her mother she would like Daisy to one day know her as she truly believes that Daisy is missing out by not having her grandmother in her life.
"That would be nice," Daisy admits.
"How about we get you that water and then I tell you a story about your grandmother and then you go to bed," Melinda suggests.
"I'd like that," Daisy responds.
Over the next few minutes Daisy has some water and then gets back in bed. Once she is in bed Melinda proceeds to tell her daughter one of her favourite memories of her mother.
July 2nd 2002
Four months have passed since Daisy found out she has a grandmother and ever since Daisy has asked about her grandmother many times and so Melinda has told her some more stories.
It's a typical summer's Tuesday and as it is still really early Melinda is doing Tai-Chi in the living room when suddenly a very family, though admittedly something she hasn't seen in a while, blue/purple light appears with Gordon and Kora inside.
"Hey Mellie," Kora greats, and as she does Melinda gets back into standing position.
"Hey Kori, Gordon," Melinda says, looking between them, feeling glad to see them.
"Daisy still asleep?" Kora asks curious.
"Yep," Melinda confirms.
"Great," Kora says with a grin, and she proceeds to head to Daisy's room, purposely opening the door as quietly as possible.
Once Kora is in her niece's room she proceeds to jump the bed, and on Daisy, waking her up.
"What…" Daisy says, sounding confused, but then she realises who woke her up. "AUNT KORA!" Daisy yells excitedly as she basically jumps on her aunt to hug her. "I've missed you so much,"
"I've missed you too, Daisy-Daze," Kora says, smiling at her, as she happily returns the hug.
"Aunt Kora, were you with Grandma?" Daisy asks, to Kora's shock.
"Yeah, I was," Kora says hesitantly, not sure how to handle this, as last she knew Daisy didn't know about Jiaying.
"Mommy says I am going to meet her one day," Daisy admits.
"I'm sure you will," Kora says, as she knows she hopes so. "Come on, I think there are a few presents with your name on them," Kora tells her niece, feeling eager to change the subject as she doesn't want to talk about Jiaying with Daisy until she has had a chance to talk to Melinda.
"It's my birthday," Daisy says, sounding excited.
"Yep, it is," Kora says, and she picks up Daisy and the both of them head out into the living room so that Daisy can enjoy her birthday.
December 24th 2002
Five months have passed since Daisy's seven birthday and ever single day Melinda is amazed by how much her daughter is growing and she treasures every single second she gets to spend with her.
It's Christmas eve and Melinda, Coulson, and Daisy are sitting on the couch watching Christmas movies together.
"Cols can you make hot chocolate?" Daisy asks curious.
"I think I can do that," Phil says, standing up and as he stands up there is a knock on the door. As she suspects she knows exactly who it is Melinda smiles.
"Do you want to get that Daisy?" Melinda asks her niece.
"Okay," Daisy says, hurrying to the door as Phil looks at Melinda and a look of understanding passes between them.
Opening the door Daisy finds Kora and Gordon standing on the other side, both of them holding presents.
"AUNT KORA! UNCLE GORDON!" Daisy exclaims, sounding thrilled to see them.
"Merry Christmas Daisy," Gordon says as Daisy hugs both him and Kora.
"Mom, Cols and I are watching movies, do you want to watch movies with us?" Daisy asks curious.
"That's exactly why we're here," Kora reveals, which causes Daisy to grin from ear to ear.
"I'm glad you're here," Melinda says, before hugging her sister and then Gordon.
"Kora, Gordon, hot chocolate?" Phil asks curious.
"Sure," Kora answers.
"I'd like that," Gordon says, and the five of them proceed to have a great Christmas Eve, then incredible Christmas together.
May 2nd 2003
Five months have passed since Christmas an in that time Kora has been able to visit a few times, to the joy of both Melinda and Daisy. It's a Friday night and just like he does a whole lot Phil has made dinner for Melinda and Daisy which they are eating together.
"Now Mom?" Daisy asks curious and Phil is just confused.
"Sure Daisy," Melinda tells her daughter, with an amused look.
"What's going on?" Phil asks, as he seems to be out of the loop.
"I want to play little league Baseball, Mom said you used to play little league, can you teach me?" Daisy asks curious.
"I'd love to," Phil says, with a grin, as teaching Daisy, just like his father taught him, is something he would love to do.
"Great! Can we go to the park tomorrow?" Daisy asks, looking between her mother and Phil, both of whom nod; to Daisy's joy.
The next morning Daisy gets up early and she, Melinda, and Phil spend hours at the park where Phil teaches Daisy how to play baseball. For Phil it is one of the most incredible moments of his life, and Melinda loves how happy it makes both her daughter and Phil.
November 1st 2003
Almost six months have passed since Daisy asked Phil to teach her to play baseball and in that time Daisy, who is now eight, has not only learnt to play but joined her team.
It is a Saturday, and even though Melinda was originally planning on doing something very different this weekend, she has found her way to Russia, and knocks out a guy who is about to hurt Phil.
"If that guy doesn't have a cat, he'd be really confused," Melinda comments, as Phil just attempted talk in very bad Russian.
"May? What the hell are you doing here?" Phil asks shocked. "I didn't request a specialist," Phil admits, though he is glad to see her.
"I go where I'm assigned," Melinda responds, even though she asked to be on this mission.
"Yeah, well, I got this handled. I don't need you throwing off my game," Phil comments.
"You have game?" Melinda asks, clearly teasing.
"I have what some people refer to in certain parts of the world as game," Phil says, in his defence.
"It's cute that you think that," Melinda teases, and as she does Phil scoffs, and goes to walk into the facility. "Car," Melinda reminds him, and Phil starts to correct his mistake as Melinda watches on with an amused look on her face.
A few minutes later Melinda and Phil are making their way through the dark building together, both of them holding torches which is the only light they have.
"So, your plan was to ask the guard to let you in?" Melinda asks amused.
"You know how persuasive I can be," Phil says, and Melinda scoffs.
"Can you even say, please open the door from me in Russian?" Melinda asks curious, as she very much doubts it.
"Almost. But I do know a few choice words I have for you right now," Phil tells Melinda, acting more annoyed than he actually is.
"You can't bluff, Phil. You've got nine different tells… eyes darting all over the place," Melinda informs him.
"That's not true, I maintain eye contact at all times," Phil says, as he attempts to deeply stare at Melinda, but as he does his eyes dart which causes both of them to laugh.
"You should try sunglasses," Melinda informs Phil as they head into a room. "Clear," Melinda says as they both see a giant safe.
"You did this. you jinxed us," Phil comments, then sighs. "You literally willed this into existence," Phil informs Melinda.
"What? They don't cover safe cracking at the Communications Academy?" Melinda asks, as she absolutely loves giving Phil a hard time about the academy he went to.
"Don't worry. I have go this 100% under…" Phil starts to say, as he drops the tool he should be holding, which causes Melinda to laugh. "Shut up. Don't worry. I'm good with my hands," Phil says, and because of the opportunity he just presented there is something Melinda can't resist.
"Now how I remember it," Melinda comments.
"Okay, here it comes it's never long before you bring that up," Phil says, as he turns to look at Melinda.
"Well, I remember you fumbling quiet a bit," Melinda teases.
"I didn't know you that well back then…." Phil starts to say.
"We had been living together for four years," Melinda points out.
"Still, I didn't want to be presumptuous," Phil explains.
"You were undercover as my husband," Melinda reminds him, sounding beyond amused.
"Right, and I knew we were on camera, so I had to sell that we were, you know…" Phil starts to say.
"Oh yeah, you sold it. Took over two minutes to unhook my bra," Melinda reminds him.
"That was an act for the camera. You know, I was….I was being a gentleman," Phil explains. "What they don't cover foreplay at the Operations Academy?" Phil asks.
"They teach us to committee to the mission…. All the way," Melinda explains, purposely putting a double meaning to her words.
"Well, I'm sorry you took it so personality. Spy life can be confusing sometimes, I know," Phil says. "Can I have some light here," Phil requests and Melinda puts her torch to the safe.
"That's why when I was dating I would only date civilians," Melinda comments, as she hasn't dated anyone since Daisy was born. "You know, makes things simpler," Melinda comments.
"Agreed, till they start asking questions," Phil comments.
"Agreed," Melinda confirms, and as they do they hear a vehicle approaching. "We've got company," Melinda comments.
"Security?" Phil asks, as Melinda goes to have a look.
"Looks like SVR agents. Four of them," Melinda realises. "Four guys at once, should be fun," Melinda says, with a grin, as she truly loves this part of her job.
"What? No guns-blazing tactics Rambo. We're spies not soldiers," Phil reminds Melinda.
"We're agents, we do what has to be done," Melinda says as that is something she has learnt through being both an inhuman and agent of shield. "The mission comes before the man," Melinda says.
"What are your orders anyway? You here to back me up or to retrieve an 084?" Phil asks curious.
"My orders don't include telling you," Melinda responds
"Really May?" Phil asks, and from the look on Melinda's face Phil realises she isn't going to explain. "Tell you what. I'll stall Stalin and the gang you stay here, get the 084," Phil explains.
"You sure? What are you gonna say to them anyway?" Melinda asks.
"There's a… biohazard contamination. Bio always works," Phil says, before leaving.
"Not inspiring confidence," Melinda says, with a sigh, as she gets to work.
After heading out of the building Phil walks right up to the men who are standing outside.
"Hey. Hi! Oh, boy. Please tell me one of you speaks English," Phil requests.
"Da," one of the men say.
"Well, that's not really… whatever. I'm with the UN taskforce here. Some biohazardous material was unearthed on this sight. Really dangerous stuff," Phil explains.
"You have paper?" the man asks.
"I do, indeed, yes," Phil says, as he hands the paper over, and the men have a look at the paper that Phil has handed over. "We all good here, fellas?" Phil asks, a few minutes later. "What else do you need? Birth certificate? I think I got a membership card to Gold's Gym," Phil explains.
"You have backup?" the man asks.
"I think that's the only copy I have on me, but there might be another one in the van.
"Do you have partner?" the man asks..
"Oh! Eh. She's not really a partner. More of a friend.. best friend really. Though, to be honest, I'm starting to feel some tension, sexual and otherwise, so I was actually thinking about taking a shot, but I'm afraid it could go south," Phil says, sounding worried as he knows that if it goes south he could risk losing not just Melinda but Daisy as well, and he can't imagine not having them in his life.
"You Americans, you talk to much," the man says.
"It's our greatest flaw," Phil comments.
"Our unit has been made aware that an item was found on this premises. We have been sent to retrieve it," the man explains as he clocks a gun.
"Okay," Phil says.
"At any cost," The man says and as he does there is an sound of an explosion, an engine revving and tires screeching. "Looks like your partner was asked to retrieve the item at any cost, as well. And the cost… was you," the man says.
A little while later, while Phil is tied up in the back of a van, Melinda has ambushed the convoy deals with the people driving Phil, opens the back door, and removes the bag that is over Phil's head.
"I though the mission came before the man," Phil comments, though he is very glad to see Melinda.
"Did you really think I was gonna leave your defenceless ass behind?" Melinda asks curious.
"Yes. Yes, I 100% did," Phil admits.
"I let you sweat a little, but I didn't want to make you wait around forever," Melinda comments. "Let's get the hell out of here," Melinda says, and the two of them head back to the car.
A little while later Melinda and Phil are in the car together, the two of them heading for their extract.
"Say it," Melinda requests.
"No,"
"Say it," Melinda instructs.
"I already did," Phil admits.
"Yeah, but I'm not tired of hearing it yet," Melinda admits.
"Thank you for saving my ass back there," Phil informs Melinda.
"You're welcome," Melinda responds. "All in all, I guess I could've asked for a worse assignment," Melinda admits.
"Wait. Asked? So, you asked for this mission, huh? Busted," Phil says, sounding amused. "With Daisy at as sleepover I thought you were going to go out for a change," Phil comments.
"Yeah, I changed my mind," Melinda admits, and she can feel the interested look Phil is giving her. "I love this job, what we do, but it keeps me busy; I was thinking about it and I realised that I want to spend every free moment I have with Daisy, not dating someone who could never understand that she is my world; my first priority," Melinda admits. "She's growing up, and the day might come soon where Daisy doesn't want to spend all her time with her mom, but I'm always going to want to spend all the time I have with her," Melinda admits.
"I get that," Phil admits.
"I know you do," Melinda says, as she is pretty sure that Phil is the only one who understands.
"You know, last week Tracy from Human Resources asked me out to drinks and I said no because I would miss movie night," Phil explains.
"Phil, you could have said yes, Daisy would have understood," Melinda assures him.
"I know, but that's the thing, I didn't want to miss it," Phil admits. "Me, you, Daisy, we have a life together, and I love it," Phil admits.
"I love it too," Melinda admits. "When Daisy gets home do you want to have a boardgame night?" Melinda asks curious.
"Sure, but not monopoly. I'm sick of you cheating," Phil comments.
"I don't cheat, you're just bad," Melinda says, and the two of them drift into an amused silence.
As they drift into silence Phil realises that while he would like to be more than what they are with Melinda he loves what they are at the moment, and for now he isn't sure he wants that to change. Someday the day might come when he is ready to admit what he feels, but that day isn't today. Today, he is just going to enjoy the life he and Melinda already have with their daughter.