"Thanks for this," uttered Missy holding up her takeout cup of coffee and nodding at Wade.

The three of them were now walking through the park, Emily chewing on half a croissant and walking between them, holding Missy's hand.

Wade flashed Missy an easy grin.

"Oh this is just the start of your charm offensive from me," he said raising his scarred eyebrows towards her. "First it's breakfast, then I ask you out to dinner, and then by the end of next year we'll be jetting off on honeymoon together."

Missy smirked.

"Wow," she uttered in a sarcastic voice, rolling her eyes. "seems like you have it all planned out. Good luck with that."

Wade smirked back.

"Don't pretend you're not hot for me…" said Wade, shooting her a playful look. "I've seen the way you stare longingly at me across the hallway."

Missy shook her head, giving a sigh.

"You must be imagining things…" she said in a high voice, looking away from him, to stop him from seeing her slight smile. "One too many bumps to the head."

She glanced back over towards her neighbour, pushing her long caramel hair back over her shoulder and narrowing her eyes goadingly.

Wade merely locked his chocolate eyes onto hers and for the slightest of seconds Missy felt her stomach lurch with something she hadn't felt in a long, long time…

But the moment quickly passed, as Emily let out a sudden cry.

"Duks!" she said excitedly, pointing over towards the pond, with what was left of her limp, drool-covered croissant.

Missy smiled gently and crouched down beside her tiny daughter, looking into her little face. "And how do we say ducks, baby?"

With that, Missy raised her hand and removed Emily's glove with the other. And together the pair of them signed the word ducks with their hands, pursing together their digits like a duck's beak.

"Good girl!" said Missy happily, giving Emily a squeeze and pressing a kiss to her head.

Missy glanced up at Wade, her face bright, as she replaced Emily's mitten.

"We're leaning sign-language," she explained, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Both of us…it's kinda hard-going…but she's way better at remembering it all than I am."

Wade beamed down at them and looked like he was about to say something, but the words never came…

Missy got to her feet again, teetering slightly on her high heels and pulled the bag of stale bread crusts from her pocket.

"So, shall we go feed the ducks?" Missy asked in a gentle voice as Emily looked up at her shyly.

The toddler lifted her limp croissant, titling her head questioningly.

"Yes, you can feed the ducks your pastry…" said Missy giving a small laugh, as the pair of them walked hand-in-hand down towards the pond.

Missy glanced over her shoulder at Wade.

"You coming?" she asked, gazing up at him.

Wade stood for a second, his face full of something Missy could not quite put her finger on, before he gave a nod and trudged over to them, grinning.


Five minutes later and Missy and Wade were stood on the side of the shallow duck pond watching as Emily tossed a small group of ducks one stale bread crust at a time.

The tall blonde couple were stood side-by-side, hands both stuffed into their pockets.

"So…." said Wade after a minute or two of comfortable silence. "….how has your week been?"

Missy looked up at him, a little taken aback.

No-one ever asked about her, or how she was doing. Apart from an occasional phone call from her aunt…Missy didn't have anyone…no one who cared about her, that was.

"Um…."

Just tell him it was fine…he doesn't want to hear about your crap week, Missy thought to herself.

"It was…okay…" uttered Missy glancing down at her shoes.

"Oh come on..," replied Wade almost instantly, glancing over at her. "Just okay?…I was expecting….spectacular…marvellous….fucking magnificent….…I mean, I could go on…"

"Please don't," said Missy with smirk, rolling her eyes, but she didn't look over at him. After a moment she gave a sigh, her shoulders tense. "I've just started this new job…and the job itself is fine, it's just…."

She paused, her eyes flitting down to her shoes once again.

"I just get the feeling no one really likes me…like they don't think I can work AND be a Mom, y'know?" she said her voice braking slightly. "Sorry I'm just…..venting."

Wade turned to face her.

"No, vent away…" he said, his eyes tracing her worried features. "At least in my line of work I don't have to deal with asshole colleagues…well, not all of the time anyway."

Missy, chewed on her lip, narrowing her eyes at him.

"What is it you say you did again?" she asked, her gaze finally meeting his.

But Wade merely shot her an easy smile.

"Ahhhh, well if I told you…you'd only move and I'd have to go through the whole bother of getting a new neighbour, introducing myself, getting their number, hanging out at the park with them. Not worth it…" he said giving her a faux-serious look.

Missy smiled, pursing her lips slightly.

"Come on…it can't be that bad," she said, turning to face him, keeping half an eye on Emily standing just a couple of feet away from them. "What are you? Meter-Maid, telemarketer ….debt collector?"

Wade merely grinned as she mentioned the latter, but kept quiet.

"Nope sorry….you have to get to Level 21 of the Wade Wilson friendship game to find out that little whammy of a detail…" he muttered, before turning back to where Emily was busy trying to stroke one of the little ducks.

Missy grinned back, staring at Wade's long face for a moment.

He was so so hard to read…but she kind of liked that.

She too, turned back to Emily, just as the toddler glanced up at her.

"I cold," she said, holding a mashed up bread crust out towards Missy.

Missy gave a pout.

"Aw, baby," she uttered, lifting the little girl up into her arms. "Shall we go home and watch a movie, and get warm?"

Emily nodded before looking at Wade, holding the bread crust out towards him now. "An hot chwoclat?"

Missy was about to reply, but glancing up she realised Emily wasn't talking to her…

Wade cocked his head, giving an adoring smile.

"Three of my speciality hot chocolates' coming up," he said rubbing his hands together.

Missy flushed slightly, but Wade looked nonplussed and….happy.

Chewing on her lip once again, Missy dropped Emily gently back down, and took her tiny mittened hand in hers.

"Shall we go, sweetie?" she asked in a clear voice.

Emily nodded and the three of them began to walk around the pond, and towards the park exit. Up ahead were two large trees that had been decorated with twinkling Christmas lights, Missy steering them towards them.

"So…" said Wade, once again breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Missy was also so used to keeping quiet while she and Emily walked, she barely noticed how silent she was.

"…you two got any plans for Christmas?" he asked in a carefree voice.

Missy looked over at him, before glancing away, her face becoming anxious.

"No….I um….we don't this year…." she said, feeling her shoulders start to tense and her heart begin to thud fretfully. "It'll be just the two of us."

Her voice wavered slightly at these words.

Wade was a quiet for a second before speaking.

"Emily not gonna see her Dad at all over the holidays?" he said, in a slow, careful voice, obviously not wanting to pry too much, when Missy gave so little away usually.

She stopped for a second, giving a gulp, clutching Emily's hand tighter in her own.

"It'll be just us…" she reiterated.

And that was the end of that.

Wade looked at her and gave a nod, but didn't push the subject any further.

"Ook Mommy, 'ights!" said Emily suddenly, her voice quiet.

Missy gave the toddler's hand a brief squeeze as Emily pointed over at the lit-up tree, just ahead of them.

"Aren't they pretty?" asked Missy crouching down beside her, and brushing the little girls' rosy cheek with her finger.

"Pwetty ike Mommy," said Emily, rubbing his nose quickly against Missy's.

"I can definitely back-up that statement," said Wade suddenly from behind them.

Missy shot him a look, before turning back to Emily.

"Alright, you two charmers," said Missy loudly, grabbing Emily around the middle and tickling at her sides gently, causing her to squeal in delight. "Home, before we freeze to death out here!"

"'Ome," repeated Emily, as Missy got to her feet and took her daughter's gloved hand.

But much to her surprise hers wasn't the only hand she reached for….

The little toddler turned, clutching at Wade's fingers gently with her tiny mittened paw.

Wade beamed down at her, his fingers closing gently around hers.

Missy stared at them both for a long moment…her breathing shallowing…

From the outside, anyone who'd have seen them, would have thought them the most perfect little family.

Missy flushed.

But they weren't and she knew that.

….she couldn't…

Missy gave an inward sigh before smiling gently and beginning to walk.


The three of them arrived home fifteen minutes later, cold and thoroughly in need of the warmth of one of their apartments.

But as they reached the hallway they shared, they paused a little awkwardly, before Emily broke the silence.

"How chwolcat?" she asked in a quiet voice, looking up at the tall Wade.

Missy faltered before pulling the hat from Emily's head and smoothing down her tuft of brown hair.

"Maybe Wade is busy sweetie…" she said in a gentle voice.

But their neighbour spoke instantly.

"Nope, free as a bird…" he said cocking an eye at her goadingly, before soon changing tac. "But if you didn't want me coming inside and ruining your movie day I can give you the recipe…for a small fee of course…"

He grinned fiendishly as Missy rolled her eyes.

She didn't want to know what that fee would be…. but she could take a guess…

"No, Waydee wach Jugglbuk," said Emily suddenly tugging at Wade's fingers, with her paw.

He gave the slightest of frowns as Missy explained.

"She means The Jungle Book," she said smiling. "It's her favourite. She likes the Tiger."

Wade grinned, before crouching down to Emily's level.

"You like a bad guy huh?" he asked, her face full of mock-surprise, as the little girl nodded, not really sure what she was agreeing to, her mouth hanging open, watching his every move carefully. "Well that is obviously why we get along like a house on fire, isn't that right Em-Bear?"

To Missy's utter surprise, Emily let out a little burst of laughter as she watched him speak.

"Jugglbuk," she repeated, stamping her little feet happily.

Missy let out a small snort of laughter too.

"Alright then, come on baby," she said pulling out her keys and pushing open her front door. "Let get inside and get your coat off."


Five minutes later Emily was snuggled up on the couch, legs tucked up underneath her, The Jungle Book playing on TV.

Missy grinned as the little girl watched, her eyes fixed to the screen. The sounds was turned down pretty low, but Missy knew that Emily just enjoyed the images on screen.

Turning on her heel, Missy headed into the kitchen where Wade was stood leaning up against the counter, arms folded, watching her as she entered the room. A pan of milk was boiling behind him.

"So," asked Missy folding her own arms across herself, smirking slightly , as she took a step towards him. "What makes your hot cholate so special? You got a secret ingredient?"

Wade merely grinned.

"Oh, baby," he uttered, shaking his head, and dipping his finger into the milk. "The secret ingredient is love...Ow hot!"

Missy rolled her eyes before strutting over.

"Here," she said nudging him aside and taking a peek at the milk and turning down the dial slightly.

But Wade stepped closer to her. "Ah, ah, ah….my recipe….my rules…." he uttered, turning the dial back up.

Missy narrowed her eyes at him smirking, but Wade kept his cholate eyes locked onto hers tauntingly.

"My kitchen, my rules," she jabbed back.

"Oh, you wanna go, Hot-Mamma?" he retorted, cocking his head to the side and raising his scarred eyebrows.

Missy laughed, wrinkling her nose slightly as she did so.

Wade gazed at her, tugging on his lip with his teeth.

"You know, I've got a feeling a Emily is gonna grow up and be just as stunning as her Mom…you've both got that cute little nose wrinkle when you laugh…" he said charmingly.

Missy smirked, turning back to the pan…before the look slowly slipped from her face.

Wade gave a slight frown, catching her distant gaze.

"You alright?" he asked quietly, his tone a little more serious. "Sorry….if I've said something….you can just tell me to shut the fuck up."

"No…. its fine," said Missy gently, stirring the milk with a spoon. "I just….."

She sighed…..feeling all her emotions….all her worries, about to come flooding out….to this guy she barely even knew.

"….She's so perfect Wade…..and I'm just worried about her all the time…is she happy, is she safe…I just….I mean looking after any two year old is stressful…. but Emily…..I just always hope that she's happy with me ….I try and do my best…but people just take one look at us and they…." Missy paused taking a breath. "It's like they think 'oh single mom, and her daughter is deaf too' like it was my fault and….I just stress about everything….like I know she hates going to day-care but I don't have any other choice…I have to work…I mean rent alone in this city is crazy…but I was just sick of relying on my aunt, y'know, and-"

Missy stopped, catching herself, her eyes full to the brim with tears.

She gave a steadying breath, letting go of the spoon suddenly and letting it clang back into the saucepan.

"…I-I'm sorry….you didn't need to hear that…I should go check on Emily…I…"

Missy made to turn, her head bowed low, embarrassed by her outburst.

But a sudden hand grasped her forearm firmly.

"Hey," came Wade's voice.

And for the first time in a few moments, Missy looked up into Wade's dark-brown eyes.

His face was soft and all that cockiness, that swagger, seemed to have fallen away from him. The way he was looking at her now…Missy felt the tears begin to spill over her eyes.

"…I know it might not count for much…" came Wade's voice, firm and grounded. "…But I'm here…and I'm always gonna be here…and I'm just across the hallway, you understand?"

Missy stared at him, long and hard for what felt like an eternity, before nodding and wiping at her eyes wide the sleeve of her white blouse.

"…I'm sorry…" she repeated, but Wade frowned immediately.

"Don't apologise ….alright?" he said giving a nod, his thumb tracing gentle circles across her forearm. "And for the record, I think you are a fucking amazing Mom….and if that little girl grows up to be anything like you….jeez, then this whole fucking universe need to watch out. 'Coz that would be perfection right there."

Missy gave a small laugh, as Wade let go of her arm.

"So…" he said eventually, his own face breaking into a wide contagious grin. "Are you ready to try another of Wade Wilson's speciality hot cholate's. So good even Wee Princess Emily wanted another one."

Missy chuckled, wiping away the remains of the mascara from underneath her eyes.

"Oh, so ready…." she said smiling up at him, her gaze never leaving his.


"Check out Mowgli getting some…" said Wade an hour later, one eyebrow cocked at the TV as the credits rolled across the screen.

Missy laughed.

Emily was sat on the couch, curled up into Missy, snoozing, taking her regular afternoon nap. After her hot chocolate, she had barely made it through two-thirds of the movie.

Missy's arms was wrapped lovingly around the little girl, feeling the rise and fall of her tiny chest as she slept.

Wade who was sat in the small armchair to their right shot them a smile.

"Well then…" he said gently, afraid that he would wade up the sleeping toddler. "….I should leave you both to it…"

He got silently to his feet, pulling on his sheepskin jacket as Missy looked at him.

"You off out tonight?" she asked, conversationally, her green eyes looking him up and down.

He stared back.

"Work actually," he said with a nod, before suddenly pointing a finger towards her. "….and hey, no stalking me to find out what I do either."

Missy smirked, as Wade reciprocated.

She bit her lip as he made his way to the door.

"Thanks Wade…" she uttered suddenly, surprising even herself. She didn't elaborate on what she was thanking him for, but he could guess.

He flashed her a smile, tugging open the door.

"No problem…" he said confidently, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "Oh and I'll text you in the morning…about breakfast. Next time its on you."

And with that Wade shot Missy a wink, before closing the door with a snap behind him, leaving Missy laughing.

The caramel-haired woman merely pulled Emily into her more, and sat there in a warm, comfortable silence, a small smile still lingering on her face.


Sorry if that was a rubbish chapter.

Thanks to jeffhardyluvsme, TJWadeTJ,dancindonna, Smaug the Golden, kaayrakoi, Legolas Girl 31, starrat, RandomFandoming, jonstar1034, AwesomeFanOtaku01, Raging Raven, Welisarne, AngiMK and Guest for reviewing the last chapter.

Let me know your thoughts on this one, sorry if it was a bit crap.

Please review!