Rain falls from the overcast sky, splattering against the car windows. The gentle rhythm of their pitter, patter soothing to her soul. If it weren't for fear of waking the sleeping monkeys in the back, she would wind the passenger side window down so as to feel the water drip onto her skin. As it is she merely watches the droplets dance out of view, graceful in their exit.
''You're sure this is a good idea?'' Siren says, his tone laced with mild concern even as his own gaze flickers to the back seat, ever the watchful, protective parent. Isla notes his volume is only loud enough for her to hear, and her lips twitch into a smile. She chose the right man.
''I know it's a risk,'' her own voice copies his, lowered enough to be barely above a whisper. ''And I'm not about to hurry the process, but I think this is our best bet. The perfect way to help even the odds.''
He sighs, moves a hand from the bag of half eaten popcorn that rests on his lap and entwines it with her own. She gives it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
''I'll be careful,'' she reassures him. Her gaze turning away from the graceful saunter of raindrops to his ocean blue eyes. They're so full of love and devotion, she wonders how she ever got distracted by the rain.
He lifts her hand to his mouth and presses his lips against it, a brief, light gesture, but it steals her breath even as it melts her heart. His expression is almost serene, except for the slight crease of worry that marrs his otherwise smooth brow. She leans towards him to place a chaste kiss on his cheek, eyes boring into his. She watches the tension in his shoulders ease a fraction.
''I know you're not just afraid for me,'' she tells him softly, her mouth a mere inch from his. ''But I promise you, there is no price that would ever be high enough for me to endanger them, or us.''
A burst of hot breath tickles her own cheeks as his lips curl into a smile, he rests his forehead against hers. Those damn irresistible eyes full of amusement. ''You endanger yourself all the time, always rushing in to save people.''
''I don't rush,'' she corrects him. ''I take my time.''
''You do,'' his other hand comes up to cup her face, her stomach fluttering with the contact. ''But you know that's not what I meant, stop being so pedantic.'' His thumb traces her high cheekbones, the curve of her lower lip, the gentle slope of her nose and arch of her own brows. She isn't sure if it's the heat from his skin and the tantalizing touch that's making her body temperature rise with anticipation, or the way those unfathomable depths almost shine with a certain hunger.
Before she can respond her body moves of its own accord; mouth colliding with his even as his lips part to give her a taste and quench her thirst. Her heart hammers in her chest, picks up its pace as he runs his hand through her hair, the one previously holding onto hers, the other snakes around her back, pulling her closer. He tastes of salty popcorn and tangy, lemon Ramune. Her fingers curl into his dark hair, her other hand fumbling for her seat belt to unbuckle. She's successful, and as her tongue skirts his teeth she slides in a fluid, graceful motion onto his lap, legs straddling him. He groans and the sound reverberates in her mouth, the muffled noise is music to her ears, his reaction to her actions delicious to behold. She can feel how much he wants her through the fabric of his black jeans, and for one wild, passionate moment wants nothing more than to feel him inside of her right then and there. He shares her sentiment, his tongue demanding to fill every crevice of her mouth, whilst her own battles to overpower it. He's so close yet not close enough and she hates it.
The rain fades into the background or maybe it adds to the atmosphere, she couldn't say, all she can see, touch, hear and smell is her husband. The intoxicating aftershave he insists on wearing, even to the cinema, sending her further into a frenzy. He girates his hips beneath her, and she moans. Egear to surrender to whatever comes next. Except-
As if on cue he pulls back and she relinquishes control, breaking free of the kiss. His body stills, though his heartbeat thuds as erratic as hers; if the pulse at the base of his neck is anything to go by. His breath falls ragged and hot into her ear, faces further apart yet still close enough to resume contact at any second. He runs skillful fingers down her back in a nimble, gentle motion, causing her own breath to hitch.
''Are you trying to torture me?'' She asks, aware of the rush of blood staining the outside of her cheeks a deep red. Her body trembles slightly at the proximity of this gorgeous man in front of her.
He grins, big, wide and toothy. ''I could say the same about you.''
They've gone back to whispers, acutely aware of the three bundles of cuteness holding them back from screwing in a parked car, down a deserted back-end street.
''Remind me again why we had kids?'' She teases, not quite ready to remove herself from him just yet.
He laughs, soft and light, and she loves him even more than she did a second ago.
''They make for good contraception.'' He points out, and she feels her own, slightly bruised lips split into a grin. For a moment, there's nothing but the sound of rain, harsh breaths quieting down and gentle snores filling the car. It's heaven. Far better than anything she's ever deserved.
''I love you.'' Her throat clogs with emotion, and his gaze softens as he leans forwards a fraction of an inch to plant a firm kiss upon her head.
''I love you too.'' He says, the sound tickling her skin. They stay like that for a minute or two, maybe longer. Time seems to speed up and slow down all at once these days, wasn't it only yesterday Daniella came into their lives? How long has it been now? Three years?
With a sigh of resignation, Isla breaks the beautiful spell of the moment. Tenderly moving Si's arm from around her waist where it had snaked to brush against her hip, before detangling their limbs and moving with the same grace and swiftness as before back to her seat, albeit begrudgingly.
Siren sighs, half content, half regretful, she can tell because of the way his fingers twitch as they tap against his cheek, elbow resting against the windowsill.
''Home?'' She offers, desperate to rest a palm against his lap but all too aware of the bulge that remains there. Any contact between them now would be torture. But she'd welcome the sparks of pleasure humming through her veins.
He grips the steering wheel, biting a thumb absentmindedly. ''Sure. Reckon we can get them into bed without waking them?''
His gaze flickers back to the back seat, and warmth floods her system once more, his love for their children is the most beautiful thing about him.
''Should be able to,'' she places a palm on the steamed up glass, enjoying the feel of condensation. The steadiness of the moment, the calmness of her life. Tomorrow, everything could change…
''We can always ask Helena for help.'' She reminds him.
He nods, the movement barely perceptible out of the corner of her eye, and starts the car, both hands now firmly on the wheel. As they set off for home, Isla reaches for her phone and types out a text to her sister. She'll probably be awake, either working a case or enjoying the freedom of a quiet house.
Despite Siren's reservations, Isla knew he was on board or else he would have stopped her by now, even if there was still time to do so. But a flicker of fear snakes up her chest, squeezing her heart, because what if he's right? What if her near perfect plan has more flaws than she's anticipated, and all she's doing is putting her entire family in danger?