A/N: I always think Jean would be somewhat of a relaxed mother where her children exploring and wanting to spend time outdoors is concerned, so I ran with the idea and this came from it! I really hope you like this one.

Once her daughter was stripped of her clothes and she was sure that the water in the kitchen sink was cool enough, Jean eased her into it before taking her clothes from the counter and dropping them onto the pile on the floor to be washed later on. Putting her hands on her hips, she shook her head and smiled as she watched her kick her chubby little legs while she splashed for a time. She looked a right state, her sweet face streaked with mud and her curls all sticking out around her head, but it was to be expected seeing as though they spent the whole morning playing out in the garden in the rain. It was something she did with both her boys when they were babies and now with her too.

She would never be the sort of mother to constantly hover over her daughter, to fret and hold her breath every time she tried to explore her surroundings or act as though it was the end of the world if she ended up filthy every once in a while. Ruby, while she loved her, was the worst for that and it irritated her to no end. She would make Amelia wash her hands instantly if she picked up something while exploring in the garden and scold her if she attempted to play in her nice clothes. Rather than getting her clothes she could play in without having to worry about stains or holes, she was forever buying her clothes that were made from the finest materials or had the most extortionate price tag.

It angered her, she had no qualms about admitting that, and seeing her snap at her and make her sit in her lap for an entire afternoon the last time they came to see them prompted her to do something about it. She went into town when they left and bought enough material to make her a pair of overalls and a few little blouses she could play in without worrying when she came to spend weekends with her and Lucien. She could run around all she liked, sit in the long, wet grass with Lynette and just be the child she was without fearing what her mother would say when she came to pick her up. Her small act of kindness would bring her such happiness the next time she stayed, she knew.

"Mum-um-um…"

Lynette's gentle babbling as she grasped the front of her blouse in a wet hand caught her attention and she smiled, passing a hand over her gorgeous curls before leaning down to brush her lips against her forehead. "You know, my little love, I think your daddy is going to be home for his lunch in a little while. How about we hurry up and get you all nice and clean so mummy can make him something, hmm? You and I both know how he gets when he's hungry."

She knew her daughter barely had any idea what she was talking about, but she had come to learn what the words 'daddy' and 'home' meant over the past couple of months and so it surprised her little when her face lit up and she started kicking her legs again. Her love for her father was beautiful and unparalleled, it really was, and there was no doubt in her mind that it was reciprocated ten-fold by him. When he came home from work these days, whether it was for the night or merely ten minutes if he needed her input on something, his attention went to Lynette before it went to her and the sheer happiness simply setting eyes on her managed to bring him never failed to make her day.

It was an unbreakable bond they shared.

Once she actually started bathing her, it took her little time to get her clean and before too long she was wrapping her in a towel and bringing her into her arms. She held her close while she shivered, running a hand along her back through the towel and burying her nose in her hair to breathe in the smell of the soap, and she failed to keep from smiling when she heard the front door open. Lucien calling out her name from the hall prompted her to carry their little girl out of the kitchen and through the sitting room, her hold of her tightening when she stepped out into the hall and saw her husband standing by the door as he removed his soaked hat and coat. "Good timing." She beamed.

"Dreadful weather, eh?" He raised an eyebrow at her, carding a hand through his hair.

"Oh, I'm not sure I agree," She shook her head and gave Lynette a light bounce. "We had a lovely morning together."

"Well, I am glad to hear that." He took a couple of steps towards them, grinning, and reached for their beautiful girl who was already kicking her legs again from pure excitement. Pulling the towel a little further around her when his wife handed her over to him, he touched his forehead to hers for a moment and kissed her nose as she grabbed his face with her tiny hands. His morning, rather than being as pleasant as theirs, had been a nightmare to say the very least and he doubted he was going to see the end of this case any time soon, but the time for thinking about all the work still to be done was when he got back to the station. For the next hour, his full attention would go to his girls.

Looking at his wife when Lynette laid her head on his shoulder and took hold of the front of his cardigan, he gently ran the back of a hand down her cheek before bringing it to the side of her neck and stooping a little to capture her lips with his. He heard the sound she made in the back of her throat as the kiss lingered and he smiled against her, his lips clinging to her own for a moment before he pulled away and they opened their eyes to look at one another again. "I was about to make you something to eat when you came in," She told him while reaching up to stroke their sweet girl's face. "Why not go and sit in the sitting room with Lynnie and I'll make you a sandwich and a cup of tea?"

"You are a wonder, woman."

"Mmm, tell me something I don't know."

They chuckled together and made their way through to the sitting room before he headed for the sofa, making sure to grab Socky – Lynette's beloved stuffed rabbit she got from Rose and Charlie – from the table before sitting down and bringing his little girl to sit in his lap. She was tired, he could tell, an entire morning of playing and exploring in the garden with her mother having well and truly worn her out, and he had a feeling she would be asleep before too long. He handed Socky to her when she snuggled into him and dropped his lips to her crown when she nuzzled her head beneath his chin, a contented sigh leaving him as he got comfortable against the cushions and relaxed a little.

From where he sat, he had a clear view of his wife bustling around the kitchen as she made him some lunch and he smiled. She did so much for him. For him and their daughter. Nothing was ever too much for her where the two of them were concerned and he made sure to remind her daily how thankful he was for her and all the little things she did. He would be lost without her, he needed little reminding, and he knew she appreciated him telling her as such.

"Here we are," It was a short while later when she made her way into the sitting room with a plate in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Setting them down in front of him on the table, she smoothed her hands down the front of her skirt before joining him on the sofa and smiling as she glanced at Lynette. She was completely out, sucking her thumb and holding Socky tight to her while she dreamt, and she was certain she had never seen her more at peace. "I can take her if you like. You might find it easier to get your food eaten if you're not attempting to juggle her too."

"I can manage," He shook his head. "Come here."

She moved closer to him at his words and let him put an arm around her, her head falling onto his shoulder as she sighed. Neither of them said a word as they sat there together and watched over their little girl, her slow breathing and the rain pattering against the windowpanes the only sound while she ran her fingers warmly through her curls.

Yes, the weather today was frightful, but the same couldn't be said for this little moment of theirs.

No, this was nothing short of perfect.

A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read. I truly hope you enjoyed and would love to know what you thought with a review!