full house (Day 7: Parenthood)

A busy morning in the M&M household.

"MAMA! DADA!"

The peace and quiet of the early morning shatters. Millie and Moxxie lurch awake, blinking sleep and stray hairs out of their eyes as a tiny tempest barges into their room.

"Is picnic day, mama! Is picnic day!" Little Nero, bright-eyed and chubby-cheeked and not yet 3 years old, bounces up and down at the end of his parent's bed. "We goin' to th' beach?"

"G'mornin', squirt,'' Millie groans as she props herself up against her pillow. "Yeah…we are goin' to the beach."

Her confirmation is greeted by high pitched squeals and hollers, as their son zooms back and forth, literally bouncing off the walls. "YAAAAAAY!

"Nero, little man," Moxxie winces as Nero makes another flyby, "why don't you pipe down a bit? It's only…" he checks the alarm clock and very nearly swears. "…crumbs, 6:30 in the morning?" He briefly fights the urge to lay his head back down, and loses.

"But wanna goooooo, Dada," Nero whines. "Can't waaaiiiit."

"Don't you wanna have breakfast first?" Millie shunts her tiredness aside as best she can and tries the art of compromise. "We can all have waffles ."

Their son perks up at once, his tail wagging. "With stwawberries?"

"Sure, with strawberries. An' whipped cream, an' syrup, all your favourites…" Nero hangs onto his momma's every word. "But you gotta hang on a little while, so we can all eat em togetha!" Millie finishes.

"Okay, I go wake Nim' an' Ness' up!" Nero hops off the bed and toddles happily back out into the hallway.

There is a moment of quiet as his little stomps recede, before the muffled ruckus of gleeful laughter and the shouting of two vexed siblings sounds through the walls.

In sync, Millie and Moxxie heave a very parental sigh.

"You sure you don't want to get a few more minutes rest, honey?" Moxxie asks. "I can get up and get breakfast started…" there's the thump of a pillow being lobbed at a wall, and another giggle from Nero. "…and nip that battle in the bud."

"Ah appreciate it Moxx," Millie sighs, giving her arms a good stretch, "but Nessarose needs her axe practice, an' someone's gotta make sure she ain't aimin' at Nero. Not until he can wield his own axe too."

Moxxie's brow furrows at that. The concept of giving young kids weapons - though understandable given that this is Hell - still bugs him a bit; but he knows she is an excellent teacher and he trusts her completely with their children's safety. Nessa and Nim haven't lost any fingers so far.

"An ah'm up anyhow, might as well get goin'." Millie sits up a little straighter, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

"You know you need the extra rest more than I do," Moxxie wheedles, cupping a hand over the burgeoning crest of Millie's belly.

She's nearly eight months pregnant with their fourth child - a daughter, it seems from the ultrasounds. They're both intimately familiar with the routine by now - a few months of morning sickness, a few months of mid-pregnancy glow, a few months of feeling exceptionally large and needing to use the bathroom every hour or so. Even with the additional delightful chaos of raising their three eldest, this has been the most chill of her pregnancies.

"Then you'll be on daddy duty when the kids want ta swim," Millie says smugly, pushing herself to her feet. "An' while you're doing that, ah will be havin' myself a beauty snooze."

"Touché," Moxxie chuckles, and settles back down as Millie shucks off her nightie. He has the most excellent vantage point from this angle as she pulls on underwear; all the curves and plush fullness of motherhood resplendent upon her figure. He can't help it, he starts to purr. "Have I told you what a beauty you are this morning, babe?"

"Oh, later, ya Cassanova," she grins over her shoulder, knowing just where he's looking. She tugs leggings up to her waist, an old tank top as far down her baby bump as it will go, and makes an effort to tame her hair; she's grown it out over the past months, and it tumbles down her back like an ebony waterfall.

From the other room comes a louder thump and an insistent cry of "MOMMY!"

Millie huffs and waddles out towards the chaos. "NESSAROSE! NIMROD! Y'all better not be ganging up on your lil' brother in there!"

By the time Millie has halted the scuffle and herded the twins out for their morning drills, Moxxie is up, still yawning and nursing an instant cappuccino. He scratches at his chin as he rummages in their kitchen for the waffle maker and some bowls.

Nero is hot on his heels, hopping from one little foot to the other and trying to get a glimpse of the kitchen counter, "Waffles, waffles, waffles, waffles!"

"Patience, buddy," Moxxie soothes, setting everything down on the benchtop. "Now! What do we need to make waffles, huh?"

"Waffles!"

Okay, he'll try again. "Yes, Nero, but what ingredients do we need to make waffles?"

"WAFFLES!"

Moxxie sighs fondly. "We need waffle mix to make waffles, don't we?"

"Yea, waffles!" Nero proceeds to lap the kitchen counter, any pretense of helping out utterly abandoned. Moxxie sighs fondly and turns back to the pantry, grabbing flour, salt, eggs, and sugar.

Nessarose and Nimrod trail in a few minutes later, a bit sweaty from their exercises and pouty in the way that growing 5 year-olds denied a sleep-in can be. Moxxie has just finished mixing the dry ingredients and is cracking open a few eggs into a bowl of milk, while the waffle maker hums merrily away on preheat.

"Good morning, kiddos!" he chirps. Caffeine truly does wonders for a sleep-deprived dad. "I hope you've worked up an appetite!"

"I'm more tired than hungry," Nimrod gripes, blowing his messy fringe of white hair out of his face. He's been emulating his Aunt Sallie's devil-may-care hairstyle for the last few weeks, but he does need a trim soon or else his eyes will be completely obscured.

Nessarose nods and yawns simultaneously. "Nero woke us up too early!" she adds, levelling a Wrath-worthy scowl at her little brother as he patters past, blissfully unaware of the accusation.

"Uh-huh," Millie smirks as she makes her arrival. "He woke us up too. Don't worry, sweetie, Mama an' Papa know your pain."

"PICNIC! Momma, picnic!" Nero yells, making a beeline to wrap himself around his mother's legs. She pats his head, grateful that he's not headbutting her in the belly (and that his horns are still but dull little nubs hidden beneath his moptop).

" You're adults. Aren't you supposed to be up early?" Nessa says, slightly too sassy to be entirely earnest.

Millie & Moxxie share a significant glance. That's a misconception (and attitude) they're going to have to correct… but it's something that can be fought another day. Today is a weekend, a relaxing family day out, and they're willing to set aside the stricter side of parenting for the time being.

"You couldn't take over on the mixing, could you sweetie?" Moxxie asks, pouring the dry and wet ingredients together. "I think Nero here wants to pick the waffle toppings!"

"WAFFLES!"

"Ah think he does!" Millie nudges their son over to her hubby, who hoists the toddler up onto his shoulders as soon as he gets in range. Nero makes grabby hands at all the tasteful items on the pantry shelves, while Millie begins stirring the bowl of waffle mix.

"Mable syrup!" Nero squeals and points. "Honey! 'Nanas!"

Moxxie summarily grabs a bottle of syrup, a jar of Africanized bee honey, and a bunch of bananas.

"I don't want waffles," Nimrod humpfs. "Can I have Greed Seed instead? Please?" he adds quickly.

Millie raises an eyebrow. "Okay, Nim'. If that's what you want." She subtly motions for Moxxie to not get the box of cereal down just yet , as a scheming little smile crosses her lips. "Just means Nessa gets 2 extra waffles on her plate."

Nessa grins triumphantly right in her twin's face. Nim baulks at the prospect.. "I've changed my mind, I want waffles!" he squawks.

"You copycat!" Nessarose's pigtails quiver with indignation.

"I'm not a copycat!"

"Are so! You only changed your mind cause you didn't want me to have so many, 's'not fair!"

"Nessa, Nim, you're both getting the same number of waffles," Moxxie placates. "Everything's fair and equal."

"If Nim's having waffles then I get to have all the blueberries!" Nessa declares.

"Nooo, blueberries are my favourite!"

"You have blueberries all the time!"

Millie rolls her eyes at the bickering, ladling waffle mix into the waffle maker. "Think ah shoulda let them burn off a lil' more energy, huh?" she whispers.

Moxxie nods bemusedly, while Nero happily raps the can of whipped cream against his horns.

Soon enough, the twins have settled down and tucked into their breakfasts. Golden-brown waffles coated in syrup and loaded with fruits and cream are stacked on everyone's plates, and rapidly disappearing into hungry toothy mouths.

Millie dumps a whole tin of tuna on her plate and tucks in, earning her a grimace and the stink-eye from Nessa. Nimrod takes this opportunity to steal a handful of berries off his sister's plate. She doesn't notice. Millie gives her son a quick thumbs-up for his improving stealth skills.

Moxxie is trying to convince Nero to use a fork instead of his fingers. "C'mon, buddy," he coaxes, slipping a fork into his youngest's very sticky hands. "Use Mr Forky to eat your food!"

"Nah!"

Nero proceeds to stab his waffle multiple times with 'Mr Forky', and then catapult it into the air. Crumbs and splatters of syrup go all over his father's face.

The whole family bursts into laughter, Moxxie included.

Face cleaned off, and carrying an armful of towels and picnic rugs out to the car, Moxxie passes their bedroom and spots his love scowling at the closet.

"Everything alright in there, honey?" He sidles up alongside her.

Millie screws up her face in frustration. "Ah can't find my swimsuit. Ah mean, ah can find these ones," she points to two bikinis laid out on the bed - one orange and one zebra-striped bikini that each match a respective pair of Moxxie's own swimming trunks, "but they ain't gonna fit right anymore." She gestures to her bulging midsection, as if it needs any emphasizing. "Aargh, ah know ah have that comfy maternity two-piece somewhere!"

Moxxie plops the stack of towels down on the bed and rummages around in their drawers for a few moments. "Aha! Here!" He produces said black bikini with a flourish. "It was with your underwear!"

Millie closes her eyes and lets out an exasperated laugh, throwing her head back. "Oh, this pregnancy brain. Now ah'm the one with the fuzzy lil head!"

Moxxie can't help but giggle. He hands the swimsuit to her, and cups her cheek. "I can see why you say my fuzzy brain is cute."

"Yours is still cuter," she pouts, leaning into his touch. A moment passes, then she sighs. "Ah'll see ya down at the car in a few."

With a kiss, Moxxie picks up the beach towels and heads down to the car.

Not long after, he's making another run down the corridor with beach balls and floatees. As he passes the bedroom again, out of the corner of his eye he notices Millie has managed to put on a billowy swing dress with a cropped denim jacket over it. It's not exactly beach wear.

Before he can pop in to query or offer help, Millie seems to realise what she's wearing, and throws her hands up in consternation. "Augh! Why the shit am ah dollin myself up for a damn tea party?" she grizzles, and starts removing the unnecessary items of clothing.

Moxxie stifles a silent chuckle, and tiptoes on.

Outside on the driveway, their station wagon is already stuffed full of bags and beach things. Nessa, Nimrod, and Nero trail their dad like a trio of ducklings. Nero and Nimrod are already in just their swimming wear - Nero even has put his goggles on - while Nessa has wisely kept her sundress over her swimsuit for the time being.

"Dada!" Nero exclaims. "Where Mama?"

"Yeah, what's taking Mommy so long?" Nimrod adds, for once agreeing with his little brother.

"Well–"

"Is it because of her tummy with the baby inside?" Nessa asks astutely.

"...Yes, you could say that," Moxxie hums. "She'll be down soon. And, while we're waiting - could a couple of strong little imps help finish loading the car?"

"Uuuugh!" Nimrod groans melodramatically, throwing his head all the way back. His sister grabs a tote bag without complaint and tosses it into the boot. Moxxie hopes there was nothing fragile in there.

Nimrod reluctantly grabs the picnic basket, and Moxxie spies his hand darting under the lid.

"Hey, no rummaging in there, young man! Save it for lunch."

Nimrod pouts, and retracts his hand.

Millie emerges from the front door just as the last bag gets squeezed into the car boot. She's tied an elegant silken beach robe over her swimsuit, with a wide-brimmed sunhat completing the ensemble. Locking the front door, she tosses the keys to Moxxie. "We all set?"

He runs through his mental checklist in his head. "I think so!"

Nero begins to vibrate rapidly with enthusiasm. "Beach, beach, beach, beach, BEACH!"

"Easy now, squirt!" Millie laughs "Moxx, could ya get Nero in his carseat?"

"Aye aye, madame! All aboard!" Moxxie calls, ignoring Nessa and Nim's embarrassed whines. He scoops up his wiggling youngest son, opens the back door, and straps him in securely, pulling funny faces with each click to Nero's great amusement.

That done, and as the twins clamber into the backseat, he turns his attention to Millie, who's just starting to manoeuvre herself through the passenger side door.

"Need a hand, Millie?"

"Ah've got it, Moxx'," Millie grunts, waving him away. Sure enough, she slowly settles herself into the seat with no issues.

Moxxie checks the doors are all shut and jumps in the driver's seat. "Are we definitely all set!

There is a chorus of assent.

"Alright, everyone! Away we go!"

The engine growls, the gearstick clunks into reverse, and they're off.

"Are we there yet?"

"Not yet, Nessa. We're just going through the Arrogantia interchange."

"Oh…When are we gonna be there?"

"If the traffic's kind, about an hour."

"Aww, but that's foreverrrr!"

"You could listen to music on your headphones, that'd make the time pass quicker?"

"That's not how time works, Daddy! You said so to Uncle Blitz!"

…

"I see red truck! Mama I see red truck!"

"Uh-huh, ah saw it too, baby."

"I saw it first!"

"Sure you did, Nimrod!"

"Yeah I did, Nessa! I'm supposed to be the great hunter!"

"You've never hunted anything, silly!"

"I have so !"

"Alright, alright, settle down back there and let Daddy drive!"

…

"OW! Quit it!"

"Didn't mean to!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Nessarose! Nimrod! If ya wanna settle this properly, we can pull over an' break out the wooden axes for a holmgang !"

"Uh-uh!"

"No thanks, Mommy!"

"That's what ah though."

…

"Are we there yet?

"Still not yet. Do any of you see water anywhere!"

"There's a river there!"

"Ya don't want to swim in the Styx, Nessa. Trust me."

"Why not?"

"Cause it's full of blood !

"Blood isn't scary, Nimrod!"

"Yeah it is!"

"Nimrod's scared of blo-od, Nimrod's scared of blo-od!"

"No I'm nooot!"

…

"Are we theeeere yet?"

"Still a quarter of an hour to go. Look, there's the road sign!"

"Someone's graffitied it!"

…

"...Moxx'?"

"Yes, Millie?"

"Could we make a toilet stop somewhere up ahead?"

Mercy of mercies, the beach on the far end of the Greater Stygian Lake is relatively empty and uncrowded. Most demons head to the resort city of Los Maltido further south, or (if they're Hellborn) disperse to the other rings for their summer day trips. This little patch of shoreline is one of the few well-kept secrets in Hell.

The heat of the pentagram sun is already dry and oppressive as Millie eases herself out of the car; she's all-too-eager to shuck off her beach robe nearly as soon as she shuts the passenger side door. Shit, her skin has been itching something awful, and the breeze from the lake is like a balm on her latest batch of stretch marks.

She takes up the rear as they troop down from the carpark to the sandy shoreline; Moxxie in the lead and the kids sandwiched in the middle of the pack. How Moxx can see with the literal mountain of beach things stacked in his arms, she's not sure. At least he didn't protest when she slung a couple of the lighter tote bags over her shoulder - he's getting better at not hovering over her this pregnancy. Sure, she's big and a bit cumbersome at the moment, but she can still do shit!

Moxxie leads them to a clear patch of sand, drops what he was carrying, and immediately begins to empty out the bags. The kids giggle at their father's frenzy of activity. Occasionally he hands off a smaller item to either Nessarose or Nimrod, who each place it down in a pile on the sand. Nero, meanwhile, toddles in circles round and round their chosen beach spot.

Millie watches the setup unfold, but finds her attention steadily drawn to the salmon-tinted waters of the lake. The swell is gentle today, and hellgulls circle in the cloudless sky - there must be a fisherman out there fending his catch from the scavenging seabirds.

Her legs are starting to ache a bit. She goes to sit down.

"Millie, hold up!"

"Huh?" She looks down, and realizes she was about to park her butt on bare sand, "Oh." Nessarose, Nimrod, and Nero giggle, and Millie can't help but laugh along. "Silly Mommy," she chuckles.

Moxxie rolls out the picnic rug, stuffs a comfy pillow on top of it, and then proffers his hand with a flourish. Smirking, Millie plays along with his chivalry, and takes his hand as she lowers herself to the ground.

The final touch on their little beach campsite is the umbrella. Moxxie stakes it sturdily in the sand and unfurls it; Millie relishes the extra coolness of the shade. Wiping his brow, Moxxie unbuttons & removes his shirt, putting his hands on his hips as he admires his handiwork.

Millie admires Moxxie; she can't help but bite her lip. Mmmm, yes, the dad bod look suits her hubby swell, she thinks. She loves seeing a bit more meat on his bones, be it the slightly more muscular definition of his arms or the paunch that sits atop the waistband of his swimming trunks…

Oh yeah, she's so getting her hands on that squish tonight.

Actually, y'know what, she can't resist. Moxxie sits down beside her, so (quickly checking that the kids are preoccupied) she reaches over and gives that little belly of his a gentle squeeze. He starts, looks around, and then matches her sultry gaze. Shuffling a little closer, he pulls her in for a kiss, his hand caressing her lower back just a little too close to her rear to be truly chaste.

"Ewwww! Daddy!"

Well, there's their reminder that they can't go any further, much as they'd like to. Moxxie's lips pull upwards in a guilty grin, and reluctantly he pulls away. "Aww, but Nessarose, you know Daddy and Mommy love each other a lot!"

The twins giggle and grimace; Nimrod even mimes retching.

"Alright! Everyone!" Moxxie stands up, reaches into a bag and produces the bottle of sunscreen. "Who's ready for sunscreen!"

"Noooo!" Nessa and Nimrod whine in unison. "Sunscreen is icky!"

"An' sunburn is worse." Millie says pointedly, letting Moxxie pour a dollop of lotion onto the palm of her hand. She begins to rub the sunscreen into her shoulders. "You should know that, Mistah Nimrod."

Nimrod pouts. Last summer he'd stayed out in the sun too long while visiting his grandparent's ranch down in Wrath, and his skin had resembled an overripe tomato for a week afterwards. Begrudgingly he holds his hand out for a splurt of sunscreen, but instead of applying it properly he dabs little stripes of war paint on his face & chest.

"Nimrod." Moxxie sighs, and hands the sunscreen bottle to Nessarose as he bends down to spread Nimrod's warpaint evenly across his whole face.

"I'll do mine myself!" Nessa declares, shrugging off her dress and pouring an excessive amount of sunscreen over her hands. Well, at least she's going to be very well guarded against sunburn.

Finishing rubbing the sunscreen across her belly (and as much of her legs as she can comfortably reach), Millie beckons her youngest closer. "C'mon, Nero, baby. Let's get sunscreen on ya."

Nero stomps over from where he was digging a trench in the sand, but stops just out of reach. Millie grumbles.

"Stand a little closer, Nero, sweetie. Momma's tummy is in the way."

Nero tiptoes a little closer, but still not enough. She pats the rug on her right side, and the tyke finally gets within range for Millie to rub sunscreen into his arms and shoulders.

It doesn't take long for Moxxie to finish slathering himself with sunscreen either, and he tosses the bottle back in the bag it came from. He claps his hands together. "Now! I think I know three little imps who'd love to go swimming!"

"YEAAAH!"

Moxxie puts on an air of faux confusion. "Is it you three? Really?"

"YEAAAAAAHHH!"

"Well alright then!" He turns to Millie. "You coming with, honey?"

"Nah, ah might just get that snooze in after all," Millie smiles wearily, the fatigue of the morning catching up with her all of a sudden. "S'nice and cool here. Maybe later, when the heat gets up a bit more."

"Sleepy Mama!" Nero chuckles away.

"Alright, then." Moxxie leans down for a peck on the cheek. "Sleep well, honey. We'll be back for lunch."

And then he's off, jogging to catch up with Nessarose and Nimrod who are already racing each other to the water's edge. Nero follows along in hot pursuit.

Watching them until the first splashes of white spray leap up around her family's feet (and the first shrieks of "It's cold !" reach her ears), Millie reclines back, stuffing the pillow under her back to prop herself up a bit (doctor's orders). She places her hat over her face, closes her eyes, and lets the distant hiss of the waves lull her to sleep.

It's hard work keeping his three energetic children occupied, but Moxxie can't say that it isn't fun or fulfilling. Especially when Nessarose, Nimrod, and Nero are all very clearly (and loudly) enjoying themselves, hopping over waves, playing 'shark and swimmer', and generally splashing around and creating a jolly ruckus.

If they take another dip after lunch, he might just bring the water pistols along.

Speaking of lunch, the sun has climbed higher in the sky, and Moxxie can feel the prickle of its heat on his skin again. He checks his watch and sure enough, it's just past noon.

"Hey, who's–" he starts, and then gets a faceful of lake water. Spluttering, he levels a mock glare at all three of his progeny. "Nimrod, was that you?"

"Sorry, Daddy," the culprit simpers, and gets splashed by his sister for his mischief.

"What I was going to ask," Moxxie continues, pausing for the twins to settle down, "was who's ready to go have some lunch?"

Sure enough, hunger beats the urge to keep on playing. With only minimal groaning and fussing from Nimrod, they all troop back to dry land.

Millie is still fast asleep. Moxxie takes a moment to cherish the sight of his darling at repose, as he towels himself off. He's definitely disinclined to let one of the kids startle her awake (besides, they're preoccupied trying to shake themselves dry, like their hellhound cousin-of-sorts Loona) so he dries off his hand and gives her shoulder a gentle shake. "Good afternoon, my sunshine."

"Mmmphf…hey Moxx'," Millie stirs, shifts, and slurs. "Izzit lunchtime already?"

"Uh-huh." Moxxie offers a hand to help her sit back up again. "Time flies when you're having fun."

She shakes herself awake, "Didja have a good swim, y'all?"

"Yes!" Nessa, Nim, and Nero all chorus, still dripping wet and only now choosing to use their towels to dry off.

Moxxie kneels down to help dry Nero with one hand, while pulling the picnic basket closer with the other. "Made you a tomato & pickle sandwich, hope that's what you're craving today!"

"Ya know me too well, babe," Millie sighs, stretching her arms lazily. All of a sudden, she lets out a little gasp. "Ooh! Moxxie! Kids!"

Moxxie's head darts up. "What's the matter?"

"Naw, nothin's wrong!" Millie's beaming. She gestures to her stomach. "She's kickin'!"

There is practically a stampede to and the family crowds around Millie's baby bump. Moxxie gently places his hand on her belly, and his heart sings as he feels the little thumps of their newest daughter's feet.

"I wanna feel, I wanna feel!" Nimrod grouses, then perks up immediately when he feels a kick. "Hello, baby sister!"

"Hello, baby sister!" Nessarose echoes.

"Hey! Copycat!"

"I was just saying hello!"

"You copied me!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Baby!" Nero interjects cheerfully, giggling as he feels a little kick under his little hand as well.

Millie and Moxxie take a look at their family - loud, rambunctious, loving, and growing - and smile.

"She's gonna be such a spoiled little girl," Moxxie grins, knowing very well well that he'll be doting on his youngest daughter as much as if not more than her siblings combined.

"Big gal," Millie corrects, stroking her rounded stomach absent-mindedly. "She's a big gal already." She watches as Nessarose and Nimrod keep on bickering about who their newest sister likes more, while Nero barges into the gap between his parents for a double hug. "Ah can't wait to meet her."

"Me neither," Moxxie murmurs contentedly, fluffing up Nero's hair and resting his head on his love's shoulder. "Me neither."