Drabble 57: Kid Trouble

A/N: Requested by LaughingLadybug. Sorry updates have been so slow lately! I'll try to be faster! Enjoy!

Fitz and Jemma walked into the house, setting down their bags and taking off their jackets.

"Some day." He said.

"You can say that again!"

They walked into the kitchen, where Fitz proceeded to grab two glasses while Jemma looked in the fridge. "Water, juice, or milk?"

"We need the strong stuff." He said.

She nodded and pulled out the juice, pouring it in their glasses. "Cheers."

They were taking their first sips when the phone rang. Jemma quickly put down her glass, swallowing. "I'll get it." She said.

Fitz sipped his apple juice while she answered the phone. They had about half an hour before they needed to pick up the kids; Andrew was in kindergarten, Anna and Benji in daycare. Usually either he or Jemma tried to stay home with the younger ones, but three out of five days the children were watched by others. Fitz still worked with Jemma, something neither of them wanted to give up. And it was only going to be easier once all the kids were in school. Unfortunately, that was still a few years away.

It was ten minutes before Jemma came back into the kitchen, but she was still on the phone. "Alright." She was saying. "Yes, I'll get it all settled. See you in a bit."

She hung up and looked at Fitz. "That was my mother."

"I'm guessing it wasn't a good call?"

"No." she said, her eyes worried. "My dad has the flu, and mum's never been good with the sick. She wants me to go help look after him."

"How long do you think you'll be?"

"I don't know. Maybe a day or two? Apparently he's been sick for some time. She really wants me because it isn't going away."

"You think it might be something more serious." He guessed.

"Possibly. From what she's told me. But I need to see him to know for sure. I need to go home."

He rubbed her arm. "He's going to be fine. Especially with you going to take care of him."

"I can't take the kids. I don't want them to get sick, and anyway I can focus better without them."

"So I'm staying here with them." He said, sighing.

"You know I want you with me, but I don't know how long I'll be. I don't want them to worry with us both being gone."

"I understand." He picked up his glass and drained it, looking at her, his face completely serious. "I'll get it done."

She choked back a laugh, smiling.

"There it is." He said, smiling back. "I'll be fine with the kids. I just wish I could go with you to keep you from worrying too much."

"I'm going to pack a bag." She said.

"I'll look for a flight you can take. Do you want to go tonight?"

"I think so." She said apologetically.

"Then that's what I'll book."

He searched for flights for ten minutes and then closed the laptop, still open on that page. "I'm going to get the kids!" he called to Jemma.

"I'll go." She said, walking out of their room. "I want to."

"Okay." He said. "I'll book your flight."

He bought a ticket for a nine o'clock flight and printed it out, folding it and putting it on the packed bag in their room. Then he realized dinner wasn't ready. It wasn't even close.

"Let's see." He said as he looked through the cupboard. "What can I cook?"

He looked in the fridge and nodded. He knew what he had to do.

Jemma got back with the kids about half an hour later, to find Fitz setting plates on the table. It was a bit early, but Jemma had to leave soon if she was going to make her flight.

"Daddy!" Anna cried, running into his legs and wrapping her arms around them.

Andrew ran over too, joining in on the hug. Jemma held little Benji in her arms. The two year old was content as long as he was being held, so he gave Fitz a bubbly smile.

"I made dinner." Fitz said.

"Oh, thank you, sweetheart." Jemma said.

"Yeah, it's pasta in a light cheese blend, with salad on the side."

"Mac and cheese?" she asked.

"Homemade mac and cheese." He said. She raised an eyebrow. "What? I opened the box and made it at home!"

She chuckled and shook her head. "It works. Alright kids. We're going to eat right away tonight."

Andrew took off his backpack and put it by the door, and then ran to his bathroom to wash his hands. Anna ran after him, and while they were gone Fitz scooped food on their plates. "I got you a nine o'clock flight." He told Jemma.

"I should leave right after dinner." She said. "I didn't tell them I have to go yet."

"Go where?" Andrew asked.

"Let's sit down." Jemma said. "I have to go away for a little bit." She said delicately, once everyone was seated. Benji looked longingly at her from his highchair. "I need to go see Grandma and Grandpa."

"Can we come?" Andrew asked.

"No, baby, I'm sorry."

"But we want to!" Anna said.

"This is just a quick trip mum has to make." Fitz said. "She won't be gone long. And besides," he said with a smile. "We get to have some time to ourselves while she's gone!"

Anna thought that was a good compromise and started eating intently. Andrew took a moment, but then he too started to eat. Fitz looked at Jemma, relieved.

When she got out her bag and made sure the ticket was in her purse, the kids crowded around her by the door.

"We'll miss you mummy." Andrew said.

Jemma crouched down and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you sweetheart. I'll miss you too."

Andrew usually wasn't overly physical, but he wouldn't let Jemma go. Then Anna jumped in, and Fitz walked closer with little Benji, who was staring at Jemma.

"I really have to go now." Jemma said.

She kissed the kids' heads, and then quickly hugged Fitz. "I'll call you in the morning." She whispered to him.

"Love you." He whispered.

"Bye!" she said as she walked out. "See you soon!"

"Bye!" Andrew and Anna chorused. Benji waved.

"Alright." Fitz said once she was gone. "What do you want to do now?"

The alarm clock woke Fitz the next morning, and he groaned. Why couldn't he sleep more? Last night had been tough. Benji started to cry whenever Fitz set him down, so he had to hold him until he fell asleep. Anna had been extremely hyper, drawing him pictures and begging him to chase her around. Andrew had just been quiet, the wallflower in him coming out. He wasn't his usual self though. Fitz could tell he was missing Jemma. So he'd had to try to distract Andrew, keep Anna entertained, and constantly care for Benji. And every time Benji had fallen asleep he had been woken up by Anna's loud exclamations.

It had been a late night for the Fitz family.

So it was with great reluctance that he got up that morning, knowing that the kids needed lunches made. He would have to get them ready quickly, because the kids would be up soon enough. He made two full peanut butter and jellies and one half of one, for Benji to munch on. He also placed spoons, apple sauce, and a juice box in each pack. After he made the sandwiches he realized he hadn't heard from Jemma. He had slept with the phone right next to his head, just in case she called, but he hadn't heard anything.

So he kept a phone nearby. He needed to know she was safely at her parents. He set the bagged lunches on the edge of the counter and then walked back to his room, putting on jeans and a clean flannel shirt.

It was that kind of day.

Then he woke up Andrew and Anna. He decided to let Benji sleep a little later.

"What's for breakfast?" Andrew asked.

"Um… eggs okay?"

"Yeah!" Anna said.

So he cooked them and gave his oldest children breakfast. "I'm going to pick out outfits for you." He said.

He was gone maybe five minutes, choosing clothes that matched and would be the right temperature for that day. When he got back into the kitchen he found Anna looking up at him, one hand holding her shirt away from her body. "I spilled ketchup." She said.

There was a small blob in the center of the shirt. Fitz sighed. "Did you finish eating?"

He looked to her plate and saw only a few bites of egg left, and the crust from a piece of toast. "I'm full." She said.

"Then let's get you dressed. I'll clean your nightshirt later." He looked at Andrew. "Are you okay?"

Andrew chewed and nodded. Fitz figured he could leave Andrew alone for a few minutes. So he walked with Anna to her room and helped her change into her clothes, brushing her hair and teeth. "There." He said. "You're all ready."

"Andrew, you have to get dressed!" Fitz called. It didn't take ten minutes to eat scrambled eggs.

Andrew came out of his room. "I'm doing that." He said. He was dressed in jeans, his little shirt half buttoned up. Fitz felt a rush of affection for the boy; he was so efficient sometimes. He reminded Fitz of himself, except Andrew had Jemma's best qualities.

"Good." He looked at his watch. They had to leave in like fifteen minutes. Why hadn't Jemma called yet?

With a start Fitz realized he hadn't woken Benji yet. "Go and sit in the living room, yeah?" Fitz told Anna. She nodded and walked away, and Fitz moved to Benji's room. The little boy was passed out still on his low mattress. Fitz gently woke him. "Benji, it's time to get up." He said. "We have to get going."

"No." he said.

Fitz smiled. "Yes. We're gonna get you some water and then it's almost time to leave."

"Fine." Benji said, sitting up. His reddish-brown hair was messy from sleep, half of it sticking up.

He looked at Fitz, not moving. "Fine." Fitz said. He picked him up and carried him. Once he'd gotten Benji a cup of water and dressed him, he made sure all of the kids had used the bathroom and had what they needed.

"Mummy called." Andrew said.

Fitz straightened up from picking up his bag. "When?"

"When you were waking up Benji."

Of course, Fitz thought. They didn't have a phone in there, because Benji could be such a light sleeper. "Did you answer it?"

"No."

Fitz walked to the living room and dialed Jemma's number. He needed to talk to her before he left for work.

"Hello?"

"Jemma." Fitz said.

"I'm glad you called back." She said. "I got in just fine. Mum's just been telling me how dad's been."

"Okay." Fitz wanted to ask if he was okay, but he was very aware of three eyes and ears focused intently on him. "Everybody's fine here. We're just leaving for the day."

"I don't want to keep you waiting. I just wanted to tell you that I'm fine. We can talk later. Love you!"

"You too." He said. "Talk to you tonight."

He hung the phone back up and then looked at his watch again. "We really need to go!"

The rest of that day and the next one were trying for Fitz. The kids weren't bad, but he realized how much easier they were when he had Jemma with him.

Jemma was gone for two days. Her father was fine; he just needed to take better care of himself. She got back from an evening flight, a little tired but happy to be seeing her family again.

She had no idea how happy they would be to see her.

When she opened the door, Fitz was just serving the kids and himself dinner. The living room was a mess of blankets and pillows, and she saw pajamas lying clearly on the table. It looked like people had been sleeping there. But why would that happen?

"I'm home!" she called, a bit nervous as to what she would see.

The conversation stopped, and for a moment silence reigned. Then she heard chairs scooting back and feet pounding on the floor, and the kids came rushing towards her. Benji ran over too.

"You're walking!" she said.

They hugged her, and she squeezed them close, closing her eyes. "Oh, I missed this!"

She looked up and saw Fitz leaning against the wall, looking at her. Once the kids let her go she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Never go away again." He murmured against her.

"Why?" she asked, laughing.

"We work better as a team. Especially with our kids."

She smiled. "Don't worry." Benji came over and held up his arms, asking for her to pick him up. She did. She looked at him and bopped his nose lightly, making him laugh. "I don't plan on going away for a long time."

Then she looked at the living room again. "Now do you want to tell my why our living room looks like a camp site?"

He grinned. "It's been a wild time, Jem."