Everybody and anything familiar belongs to Janet.
"Okay, fine ... with moments as sweet as that one," Steph told Bobby and I, after using my cell to snap a picture of Cal and Olive to preserve a moment not one of us will forget regardless, "I'll let the shirt thing go. Though I should make you suffer a little for defying a direct Rangewoman order, but how about you just agree to watch Olive for a few hours when Kane and Harper get here."
Brown's eyes were now more white than dark brown. "That's like a Christmas bonus, not a punishment."
She grinned endearingly at him. "I know. But no matter how annoying or non-listening you guys are, you deserve some time with our baby ... if you want to hang out here for a few days longer to do it?"
"Shit, Steph, we've been praying for a chance to watch Angel-Eyes."
"I'm crying "Uncle" on the name thing. She's my Olive, and since I grew her ... my name for her will go the distance."
"What's going on?" Cal asked, returning with our growing-far-too-fast baby girl.
Her little body and bathing suit skirt being supported by his overly muscled and tattooed arm, was a visual study in opposites.
"Clear your schedule," Bobby ordered him, "we get to amuse Olive for a few hours."
"When?" Was Cal's immediate response.
I'd be concerned about their interest in my daughter if I didn't know that her importance to them is for the most innocent of reasons. She's exactly why they do what they do everyday. Our daughter gives them a sense of peace and hope that because of what they're willing sacrificing their lives for, her life will be better and far longer. Over the years, it's becoming easier and easier to say that they not only are dealing with their pasts, they're a welcomed part of our future.
"I'm taking my wife out on a date ..." I started to explain.
"Technically, it's a double date," Steph interrupted, as our daughter reached for her. "How's my favorite girl?"
Olivia answered with a few sounds that landed on the sound-scale somewhere between a sea gull's shriek and one of Steph's exaggerated ... "Yeeeahs."
"You're having fun, aren't you, Olive?" She continued, which got her a lot of activity as she sat our baby down on her lap.
Legs, arms, and syllables, were flying everywhere.
"Now I know why she calms you men down," I noted. "When you hold her, she absorbs all of your energy ... while you're left ready for a nap yourselves."
"That makes sense," my wife agreed. "She does seem even fuller of life after hanging out with you guys." She bent her curly-haired head down to our daughter's covered one. "Isn't that right, Olive? You go from Supergirl to super-active when Uncle Cal and Uncle Bobby are around."
The two men sat down where they started, on each side of their man-made beach chair, not the least bit concerned that Olivia will nail them with shovelfuls of sand again.
"We are her favorites," Bobby bragged.
"Don't let Tank hear you say that," I advised. "He'd see it as an invitation to deliver an ass-kicking."
"And you guys say I take awhile to get to the point. Neither of you said a definite yes or no to babysitting for us," Steph said, helping Olivia stand up so her little body could work off some of her excitement.
Which she did by using her Mama's hands and arms as an impromptu bouncer. She shot herself up and then back down again as she put her 'Olive-spin' on the standard Martial Arts "Kiai!" shout. I couldn't help but grin as I watched her cheeks crease in complete happiness.
"Shit, Steph, there's no "No" when it comes to her."
That's what I'm becoming increasingly afraid of. Having three strong-willed, frighteningly-intelligent, and incredibly-loved, women on my hands, will require more diligence and stamina than any mission I've planned or Soldiered through.
