Disclaimer: Characters are property of CLAMP/Kodansha and used without permission and not for profit. Ask me before you take this fic anywhere.
Dedication: Circe, for quick beta and encouragement, as well as for her kids who have provided several of the traits and activities seen here. And to anyone else with kids – you deserve all sorts of awards. Kids are tough!
Notes: Future fic that has no plot whatsoever. It's just here to be sweet.
Sweet Future
"I'll get him," Eriol was muttering before he even knew that he was aware of the baby's crying. His wife hummed low in her throat, a sound of gratitude, love, and sleep. He rolled away from her warmth and out of bed with practiced ease, leaving his glasses on the bedside table. The wood floor was cold under his feet when he stepped off the rug and helped to steady him in the waking world.
"Papa's on his way," he cooed as he neared the nursery. "Just a moment, just a moment more, and there you are!" He flipped on the light in the hallway as he entered the room, rather than the overhead light that would make them both squint. His son sat up, crying raggedly, and held out his arms beseechingly when he saw he father. "What's wrong, baby? What's the matter, huh?"
The baby snuggled into him, sobs quieting as Eriol stroked his back and swayed, dancing a little. "You were just lonely? How about we get you a drink of water and tuck you back in? It's late, young man, and Papa's got to work in the morning."
"You don't work, Papa. You home all day." A small voice said from the doorway. His youngest daughter padded towards him. "Baby cry? Baby sad?"
"He's just thirsty and I do so work. What are you doing up, honey? Did the baby wake you?"
The girl shook her head. "I potty."
"Oh? Good job, sweetie! I'm very proud of you!" And he meant it sincerely; he marveled someplace deep inside himself. He was proud of her, truly happy to see her taking such a big step in life. A step away from him and her mother…. He knelt and gave her a one armed hug. "You're proud of your big sister too, aren't you?" He chuckled when the baby cooed and smiled.
"I big girl!"
"You certainly are," he agreed. He stood and stroked a hand over her tangled hair. "But even big girls need to be in bed. It's very late. You go crawl into bed, and I'll tuck you in after I get your brother his bottle, okay?"
"Okay!"
"That's my girl. Off you go." He made his way quickly down the steps, and managed to make a few ounces of formula one handed by only the light over the stove. Humming, Eriol made his way back up.
"I'll take him, Eriol. You go tuck in whoever else I heard get up," Ruby Moon offered when he reached the landing.
"We woke you? I'm sorry." He handed the baby off, noting that his eyes were already closed.
"'S okay. I like holding the baby."
"You're a treasure, Ruby Moon," he bent to kiss her cheek as she nuzzled his son "an absolute treasure. Don't stay up too late."
"Good night, Eriol."
"Oneesama light on," his little girl murmured when he came in.
"She's up, too? I'll take care of it, love. Good night." He kissed her forehead, pulling her blanket up and tucking it under her chin. "I'll see you in the morning."
A very faint light shown under the door of his oldest daughter's room, but it wasn't from her lamp. She was curled up around a book, a flashlight fallen to the floor. She'd started school not long ago and was determined to be the very best reader in the whole wide world. Or so she'd said when she got home from her first day, and she'd been working hard at it ever since. He smiled over her determination and messy red hair as he eased the book away and tucked her in again. He shook his head over the light; they'd gone through her room twice before to get rid of the things so she'd sleep.
A quick stop down the hall proved that their middle girl had slept through everything, as she always did. He slipped in long enough to stroke her plump cheek and whisper his love to her. She didn't stir at all.
"Mmm." He slid back into bed and shivered for the warmth. "That's done," he muttered as he brushed long, dark curls out of his way to kiss Tomoyo's neck.
"Cold?" She turned and wrapped her arms around him.
"Not any m…yeah." He put on his most innocent face as she opened her eyes. She smiled sleepily, cuddling closer with a breath of laughter.
"You're a terrible liar. What took so long tonight?"
"The girls needed tucking in again. One went potty," he paused for her 'Oh, good', "and our reader was up late, apparently. We're going to have to search her room for torches again Tomoyo-san."
"She's going to turn out just like Mother."
"I like Mother," he reminded her. "She's fun."
"You didn't have to raise her. Ask Great-Grandfather about it sometime." Tomoyo kissed him soundly. "Mother loves you, too, so you know."
"Do you love me?" He wheedled, rolling so she lay on top of him. He slid his hands down her back, tickling slightly at her ribs as he went. She'd already lost nearly all the pregnancy weight.
"I might," she conceded. "Why do you ask?"
"Let's have another baby," he murmured, surprising himself as he said it. "Another girl, maybe."
"Already? Li-kun always said that he wished for a brother. We may want to consider how our son might feel, surrounded by girls."
"We could have another boy. I wouldn't mind, I suppose."
"Generous of you." She laughed low in her throat and somehow managed to catch his wandering hands. "What brought this on?"
"I love you." He did, loved her and their children more than he'd ever thought possible. "Make love with me."
"You always love me," she reminded him. "Every day we've been married you've been in love with me."
"You love me."
"I always do." She gazed down at him, eyes shining. "Hmm, you are looking particularly handsome right now…"
"You're so romantic," he laughed, kissing her. He could taste the laughter on her lips.
