With Fareeha hard at work growing up and becoming more inquisitive about her surroundings, her mothers wanted to get her accustomed to a new environment as well – one in which she would spend a lot of time very soon. In just another month, she would be placed in Fatimah's care for most of her days, away from the parents she had seen constantly since birth. Worried that she might feel uncomfortable with the separation, they decided to let Fareeha spend some time alone with their neighbour. At least, they tried to.

They had nodded with a smile when Fatimah bid them a happy goodbye, then exchanged uncertain looks when she closed the door. Ana's arms felt empty as they returned to their house, and there was a constant, niggling feeling that she had forgotten something. Of course, she knew what that 'something' was. But it only left her pacing around the house restlessly, trying her hardest not to barrel through Fatimah's front door and snatch her baby back. She kept glancing at the window facing Fatimah's house, ears pricked for cries and wondering how Fareeha was doing. Was she distressed? Was she lost? Did the neighbour's house feel too foreign for her? How were the other kids treating her? What if she was crying for her mothers? What if she felt abandoned when they didn't show up to hug and sing to her? Did she need her tummy rubs? Or footie rubs?

Ana ended up in the nursery an hour later, spending some tummy time by herself on the soft rug and flicking through baby photos on her phone. Just like Fareeha, who was never satisfied to stay on her stomach and kept trying to push herself up, Ana sprang to her feet quickly, with the intent to work off her unspent energy. Kamilah had barely gotten a laugh at Ana before she was swept off her feet, and carried upstairs for some…vigorous exercise. It had been difficult to get some uninterrupted time together, what with Fareeha's constant need for attention and the shorter hours Kamilah spent at home. But since Kamilah's maternity had started, it was the perfect opportunity to let go, and not be on constant alert for their daughter – for a while.

Even as they lay spent, fingertips gliding over bare skin and combing through mussed hair, Ana's eyes flickered over Kamilah's shoulder to check on the empty crib out of habit. Kamilah laughed under her breath, inching forward to distract her with a kiss.

"Just can't take your mind off her, huh?"

"Mm. It's kind of sad. I can't remember what I did before I had a baby."

"You got drunk."

"God, I can't even remember the last time I touched alcohol."

"You got hurt."

Ana clicked her tongue. "Hey, I improved on that, okay?"

"And sometimes, you get really sweet. Reminds me why I married you."

"What, can't you remember all the other times?"

"Not for the life of me, no." Kamilah snickered when Ana's palm landed on her butt in a loud smack. She wriggled when Ana grabbed her, snaring her in a deep kiss and pushing her onto her back.

"Can we go get her after? You know, earlier?" Ana asked, breath a little heavy when they parted.

The corner of Kamilah's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Of course we can. But for now…"

"Mm-hm." Ana bent down for another kiss. "Read my mind."

"There's not much to read anyway."

"Fuck you."

"Fuck me indeed."

They had reached an unspoken agreement that swears falling from their lips through panted breaths wouldn't be penalised, and so seized the chance to drive each other up the wall; Ana grinned victoriously into sweaty skin with each exclaim she wrung from her wife. It was needy, desperate, intimate as they so desired, but never put into words or proper action. They took the time, as long as they could, until all the tension in her body had melted away, and her partner was equally fulfilled.

It was without reluctance that they left the bed to wash up – meeting a slight delay while doing so – and put themselves together to fetch their daughter.

Fatimah had laughed when she opened the door and found them standing by the doorsteps, a few hours earlier than agreed upon. But she gladly handed Fareeha over, the child letting out an excited burble when Ana cradled her. She had been on her best behaviour, Fatimah reported, and hadn't cried except for the time when she wanted her octopus plush. The other children had offered her some of their toys to play, but left her alone for the most part.

"I just felt so lonely without her. Well, mostly." Ana glanced at her wife, whose eye twitched at the reference that Fatimah thankfully missed.

"Ah, it's normal," Fatimah said, waving a hand. "Honestly, you don't have to worry about getting her comfortable and whatnot. The kids will always settle in one way or another. For now, just spend all the time you can with her. It'll be the most important thing you do, trust me."

Ana did – she understood the woman's meaning. She felt a little silly now, trying to let Fareeha stay away when she was still here. The girl didn't seem to begrudge her though, and instead kept smiling and gurgling up at her on the way home, as if to recount her day, with the octopus still clutched in her hands.

Ana kissed the girl's head and sighed, "How do you handle it, Milah? I can't even stand even half a day without her."

"Honestly?" Kamilah looked at her, unlocking the door with a click. "I didn't handle it…at first."

"Do I even want to know?"

"No, I don't think you do."

She hummed, smirking down at Fareeha and leaning close. "What's your guess, little one? How many cadets did she make cry? I say 10." Ana turned her ear towards the girl and nodded. "Fareeha says you made your whole class cry."

"You underestimate me."

Ana stared at her wife, who shut the door with a poker face. "You're right. I really don't want to know."

"Oh Fareeha, my dear little princess, light of my life, joy of my heart, please," Ana begged when Fareeha turned her face away from the baby bottle again, lips pursed in a petulant pout. "You have to drink this, or you'll get hungry again very soon. Please listen to mommy?"

Ana held the bottle just before Fareeha's eyes, shaking it gently to entice the little one. It worked – the girl's hands reached up towards it experimentally, grabbing onto its plastic cap. Ana lowered the bottle again, resting it in Fareeha's mouth and growing hopeful when the girl latched onto it. But a few sucks later, her face scrunched up again and she let go, turning away from the offending bottle.

"Fareeha please," Ana sobbed along with her daughter's whines. "For the love of all that is good and pure and–"

"And unlike her mommy?"

She heaved a sigh and glanced at the woman leaning against the kitchen counter, munching on chips with a smile. "You could help too, mama. Just saying."

"You're doing just fine," Kamilah assured her.

"Our daughter takes a few sips before refusing to drink. How is that 'just fine'?"

"You just started, Ana. She needs time to get used to the bottle."

"Not too much time, I hope." Ana looked down when Fareeha's hand landed on her breast, the child gazing up at her expectantly with her head slightly turned. "No, darling. It's all in here now." She held up the bottle, but Fareeha barely even glanced at it. Ana was a little worried, truth be told. The girl would have to rely on the bottle when Ana went back to her duties, but she kept crying out each time they tried to feed her with it.

Kamilah came forward and took the girl from Ana, swaying Fareeha when she let out a small whine. Taking the bottle from Ana, she tried to coax Fareeha into drinking just a little more, but to the same effect. Fareeha sucked on it a few times before refusing to continue.

"I don't get it. She likes pacifiers. And it's still breast milk. We're just putting the two things into one."

"You said it yourself, she likes breasts too much for her own good." Kamilah set the bottle on the dining table, then hugged the girl to her chest, patting Fareeha's back lightly. "All this trouble, and we haven't even given her formula yet."

"Oh god…"

"Patience, my dear." Kamilah pinched her cheek. "We'll get there soon. In the meantime…" She tapped at Ana's breasts. "Get these ready."

"What, for her or for you?"

"Aren't you always ready for me?" Kamilah deadpanned, making towards the couch with Ana following close behind.

Placing a kiss on top of Fareeha's soft hair, Ana smiled when the girl lifted her head from Kamilah's shoulder and looked up at her. It might have been her imagination, but Fareeha's gaze seemed a little reproachful – especially with that small pout still on her lips.

That pout was a constant in their days after, each time they tried to convince Fareeha that the bottle was just as good as her mother's teat. It was a struggle indeed, but just as Kamilah had insisted – patience was key. They alternated between the bottle and breast regularly, letting Fareeha grow accustomed to both and understand that it was milk either way. The true magic happened when they changed the tip of the bottle – Fareeha seemed to change her tune after that, taking to the bottle naturally and drinking her fill without a single whine. Then they switched to formula milk, and had to go through the entire process again.

Thankfully, where there were headaches for her mothers, Fareeha had no trouble forgetting the fusses she made when the bottle was out of her sight. Her attention was constantly kept busy by the various toys and objects that were put in front of her – be it during her playtime or not. When left to her own devices, Fareeha would try to stretch her arms from where she sat, and pull the nearest object towards her. Often she would fall onto her side and laugh at herself, and sometimes she would succeed in grabbing her item of interest – which would invariably end up in her mouth. Ana had to pull pillows and blankets away from her, and Kamilah once had to leave her book out to dry, its corner damp with saliva.

They learnt to relax though, and allowed her to explore as much as she wanted under supervision. So they watched as Fareeha grabbed her toys – which her mothers meticulously cleaned – and stuck them into her mouth with her eyes shining in glee. Fareeha still hadn't a good grasp on the concept of speed and force though, and often brought her toys up to her mouth too fast, missing her target and smacking herself on the nose or cheek. Once she had fallen onto her back after hitting herself with Ana's dragon plush, then stared up at Kamilah hovering over her, eyes wide with betrayal and confusion.

As the toys they gave her were mostly soft, she didn't break into self-inflicted crying episodes and recovered from her fumbles quickly. Ana enjoyed lying beside the girl, chuckling as she handed toy after toy to Fareeha, each one passing the chomp test before being discarded for a new one. Perhaps she enjoyed it a little too much – Kamilah had walked into the room before, to find both her daughter and wife lying on the play mat, each with their own fist stuck in their mouths. 'It's research', Ana had insisted, to find out why babies liked sucking on their fists. 'Or practice', Kamilah snipped back, tossing a handkerchief at her face.

Nevertheless, Ana didn't stop her 'practice', copying Fareeha's actions to encourage her harmless explorations. Her daughter seemed to appreciate the company, even more so when Kamilah joined in as well, tapping the rattles and baby keys at her own mouth.

There were times when Ana paused to take in the sight, smiling to herself as she watched Kamilah place kisses on Fareeha's tummy, the child's legs kicking up excitably as she squealed at the ticklish sensation. She would miss this, she knew. She would miss being together as a family, day after day, with nothing much to worry about except their child; it would become a luxury soon enough.

Then she stopped herself, blinking when she realised Kamilah's eyes were on her. She would flash a smile, return a kiss, carry her child and hold her tight – choosing to live in the moment, instead of fearing when it would pass her by.

As it always was with retrospect, time flew at a speed that was almost criminal. Soon, Ana was taking her fatigues out of the wardrobe again, to give it a good wash and ironing as their last week of leave drew to a close. She held the uniform up to her body and looked herself over in the mirror, anticipation and reluctance blending together in her stomach. Kamilah had found Ana staring at the mirror in the bedroom, and wrapped her arms around Ana's waist after setting Fareeha into her crib.

"You'll get used to it," was the best comfort Kamilah could offer, along with a kiss on her cheek.

"I guess so," Ana replied quietly, though she dearly wished she didn't have to. The best that could happen, was for Ana to join the frontlines and help their forces end this war as soon as possible. Then she would be reassigned back to base, where she could have more regular hours instead of having to spend weeks or months away from home, away from her family.

As it so happened, her wish did come true – partly, but in a manner that only left her indignant and utterly frustrated.

The first morning had started well enough; Ana donned her uniform, dropped a sleepy Fareeha off at their neighbour's, and kissed her wife goodbye before marching smartly into the Guard's headquarters. She stood at attention before the lieutenant colonel's desk, and received her orders: Captain Amari was assigned to guard duty at the base's perimeter, with a company of 200 soldiers under her command.

"Is there a problem, Captain," the colonel asked disinterestedly when Ana made no move after his dismissal.

"Sir, will this post be permanent?"

"For the time being."

Ana steeled herself and continued, "I believe I would be of better use in a combat zone. Sir."

"Are you questioning my orders, Amari?"

"No, sir. But I would like to point out that with my record and cybernetic enhancement, I'd be more effective in–"

"My judgment then. Do you think I am making a mistake?"

Yes. She kept her face placid, eyes forward. "No, sir."

"I know full well what is in your record and what you have to offer." He stood slowly, squaring his shoulders to emphasise his height over her. "And this is where I have decided you will stay, until further instruction. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"I have a feeling you think that this is an unimportant post, Amari. Compared to the frontlines, it seems trivial, doesn't it?"

"Every post serves its purpose," Ana said shortly. "Sir."

"And yours will serve as well." He rounded around the table, coming to stand in front of her. "You know full well about our base's strategic importance as the centre of our operations. I don't have to remind you of that, do I?"

"No, sir."

"But perhaps you have forgotten something equally important. We have thousands of civilians – including refugees we have taken in – living within our walls. You are the last line of defense that will stand between them and the omnics. If you fall, then thousands will fall with you. Do you understand, Amari?"

"Yes, sir."

He took a step forward, forcing Ana to meet his eyes. "Then do as you are ordered," he intoned. "And do not question your superior's orders. Understood?"

Her hands clenched tight behind her back. "Yes, sir."

The colonel stared at her for a moment longer, before nodding and moving away. "Dismissed." As he walked back to his seat, he added, "If I were you, Amari, I'd take this as a blessing. You have a wife and child. I know many soldiers who would give anything to be close to their families instead of taking omnic fire in the field."

Ana gritted her teeth, and didn't dignify his comment with a reply as she marched out of the office.

It was difficult to take this 'blessing' in stride. It became even harder after Ana had reported to her station and assigned her company to patrol routes around the eastern perimeter. She stood between the two dormant turrets at the top of their watchtower, and stared in the direction where the barricades had been set up along Cairo's border. Not that she could spot them from such a distance – even with her cybernetic eye – but knowing there was a battlefield just beyond this peaceful corner of the city set her on edge. It also reminded Ana that she was stuck there against her wishes, and she quickly descended the ladder before she built up an urge to break the colonel's nose.

She spent the day surrounded by surveillance equipment and read reports sent back from the frontlines, heart unsettled throughout their long duty shift. Upon returning home, she had vented to Kamilah, clenching her fists repeatedly as she paced around their living room. Kamilah listened to her quietly before clutching Ana's hands, forcing her to stop in her tracks and breathe deeply. It took a while for Ana's iron grip to loosen around Kamilah's gentler hold, and she made sure to set her anger aside before picking Fareeha up into her arms. She smiled when Fareeha's hand smacked into her nose in a happy greeting, the child laughing when Ana nuzzled into her stomach.

"Do you think she missed us?" Kamilah asked, catching Fareeha's foot before it kicked up at Ana's head.

"Yeah." Ana chuckled at the girl cooing and clutching at her hair. "I think she does."

A few more days passed, but Ana's dissatisfaction did not. She could not bear staying at the same post day after day, doing nothing when she should be out there, fighting alongside the rest of the Guard. Without much clout herself, Ana could do little about the orders she had received. So she went to the one other person she knew who had some degree of influence.

"I'm afraid I can't help you, Ana. You're with the Guard now." Jaida's eyes glinted with amusement when Ana rested her head in one hand. "What, did you think I could pull a miracle out of my ass?"

Ana exhaled forcefully. "I don't know. I just can't stand guard duty anymore. It's just endless waiting and expecting and not being able to do a single fucking thing." She caught herself – first for the slip, then the ramble. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I know it's late and I'm wasting your time, but…"

"I understand," Jaida said, softer than Ana had ever heard her. "But don't you think what the colonel said is right? You have a family to think about–"

"With all due respect, ma'am," Ana broke in exasperatedly. "That bullshit didn't sound smart coming out of the colonel's mouth, and it won't sound better coming from you." She paused, wondering if she had crossed the line, but Jaida's lips merely curved into a smile. "I have a family I want to keep safe, and I can do that best out there. And let's be honest, ma'am. If the omnics manage to fight their way right to our doorsteps, the war's already been lost. I won't have a family to think about anymore."

"How very astute," Jaida said drily. She lowered her gaze to the desk, falling deep in thought. Then she tapped once on her keyboard, and the holo-projection displaying Ana's file flickered off. Leaning back in her chair, Jaida scrutinised Ana silently before speaking, "Let's set our ranks aside for now. Have an…honest conversation. But I don't want you babbling about this to everyone, understood?"

Ana tilted her head curiously. "Yes, ma'am."

"Ranks aside, Ana," Jaida reminded her lightly. "Have you studied our situation so far? And not just in Cairo – countrywide."

She nodded.

"Thoughts?"

"From what I can tell, we've been holding out. But just barely, and it's not quite enough. Some days we win a little, then we'll lose a little more in turn. We're losing ground – slowly, but surely – and it looks like they're trying to force us towards Cairo. It's only a matter of time before we're boxed in, with nowhere left to go." She took a deep breath, and exhaled shakily. "I'm scared, Jaida. I'm scared that if we don't fight back, if I don't do anything, it'll be the end of us."

Jaida nodded slowly. "Good. Fear can turn a cornered cat into the deadliest tiger."

Ana snorted. "Did you just think of that, ma'am?"

"Shut up." Jaida rolled her eyes, though she wore a smile. "I can tell you, Ana, that you're already thinking clearer than half the brass. Many of them believe that attrition will see them through this war. Useless bastards." She shook her head. "Tell me, what would you do if you had command of the entire army?"

"Me? I still don't know enough to…"

"I don't need an educated guess. Just tell me what your gut says."

"I'd…push forward. Concentrate our forces and push from the north and south. I'd force the omnics back to the omnium, give them no room to maneuver… That is, if we have the manpower to do so."

"Yes. Manpower is one of our greatest concerns now, isn't it?"

"Ma'am? Jaida," she corrected when Jaida raised a brow. "Do you have something in mind?"

"For now, just the barest of plans. But it might be a while before…" Jaida steepled her fingers, frowning in thought.

"Before…?" Ana prompted when she stayed quiet.

Jaida blinked, and looked up at her. "Before I can set it in motion. Thank you, Ana. You've given me something to think about. Now, isn't it late? Don't you have a family to get back to?"

"Yes," she said slowly.

"Then you're dismissed, Captain. Go home and grab some rest."

Ana nodded, rising from her chair. She stopped just before the door and turned around. "Ma'am. If you ever need my help…"

"Of course," Jaida said, brow raised as if surprised she would even ask the question. "It'd be a waste to leave you back in base, Amari."

Ana's lips parted in a grin. "Have I ever told you that you're the best damn major I know?"

"I'm not bringing you along just to kiss my ass, Ana. Just a heads-up."

Fareeha giggled playfully as Ana pulled on her arms, helping her rise into a sitting position. Her bright eyes looked up at Ana from under the hood of her bear onesie, lips parted in laughter as she was lowered back onto the bed once more. Each time Ana pulled her up, her legs kicked out excitedly as she cooed her approval at the motion. After going through a handful of repetitions, Ana rewarded the girl's efforts with a kiss on her forehead and rubbed their noses together, inspiring another bout of bubbly giggles from Fareeha.

"You're having fun," Kamilah said, flopping onto the bed next to Fareeha, who squealed from the bounce in the mattress.

Ana hummed and bent down to kiss her, then nuzzled into the curve of her neck, inhaling deeply. "Mm. And you smell nice."

"Not in front of our daughter." Kamilah pushed her away with a finger, but not before allowing Ana to steal another kiss. She reached a hand out to Fareeha when the girl turned onto her front, pulling her hoodie back so she could look around. "I've been meaning to ask. Did Jaida ever say when she'd…?"

"No." Ana shrugged. "I get the feeling it'll be some time before anything happens."

"Hm."

"Why?" She lay down on top of her wife, twirling a lock of Kamilah's hair around her finger. "Miss me already?"

"It'd be nice to know, that's all."

"Aw. I miss you too." Ana snickered when she received a poke in her side. "I know, Milah. But it won't be for a while, so you'll still have me, hm?"

"Is that your plan, Captain Amari? I'll have you for as long as I'll have you?"

"Pretty much."

"It sucks."

"You suck too," Ana cooed, puckering her lips as she gave Kamilah another smooch. "But I still love you." She grinned at Kamilah's failed attempt to hide a smile, before she was distracted by Fareeha's excited burble to the side. Ana looked over to find Fareeha lying on her back again, apparently having succeeded in turning herself over.

"Well, well. Look who doesn't suck," Kamilah drawled.

"You're doing great, little one!" Ana crooned as she scooted towards Fareeha. "I'm so proud of you–ow!" She flinched back when Fareeha's flailing foot kicked right at her bottom lip.

Kamilah didn't even try to hide her cackle. "Now I'm really proud of you, Fareeha."