Chapter 2: Right in the Kisser

December 2009

"Tara, are you ready to go, Auntie Hailey will be here soon to get you." Atem said knocking on his daughters door.

"Daddy, I can't get my shoe!" Tara protested, lifting her bare foot to show him, giving him a pleading look. Her dark red hair was already in pigtails, identical to her twin sister.

"Ok Daddy will help you. Come here and sit down." Atem chuckled as he knelt down to help her.

Tara climbed onto the bed and held out her foot, waiting. "Okay, Daddy."

As Atem began to slip Tara's shoe on, he tickled her calf. "I got you now, Tara." he laughed.

Tara giggled and kicked her foot, connecting with Atem's chin. "Stop it, Daddy! That tickles!"

"Ouch! Hey watch it with your foot there Tara." Atem said rubbing his sore chin.

Tears welled up in Tara's eyes. "I'm sorry, Daddy." she whimpered, her lip wobbling.

"It's ok sweetheart. Daddy knows you didn't mean to." Atem smiled. hugging his daughter. He slyly started to tickle her ribs.

"Daddy no!" Tara squealed, laughing and wriggling under her father's torturous fingers.

"What's going on in here? Sounds like a cat being bathed." Hali said from the door.

"Its fine honey, Tara & I are just having a bit of fun" Atem called. To Tara, he growled, "I'm gonna get your knees."

"Save me Mommy!" Tara cried, gasping for breath.

"Okay, okay, Referee Mommy is calling it. Let her breathe." Hali ordered.

"Ok sorry Tara, sorry Hali. I was only having a bit of fun." Atem said sheepishly.

Tara gave him a smile as she caught her breath. "It's okay, Daddy."

"Hailey's here, finish getting her ready. Is her overnight bag packed."

"Thank you Tara. Come on lets get your bags packed shall we? Have you got your pjs?"

"Yes, Daddy." She bobbed her head, pigtails swinging.

"Ok, I think you might be ready to go." Atem said, zipping her bag closed with a smile.

Tara bit her lip, having a change of heart. "I don't wanna go, Daddy."

"What's wrong Tara? Your brothers and sister are going." Atem explained.

"B-but I'll miss you." Tara whimpered, tears in her eyes.

"Aww, it's only going to be for one night and you will get to see your cousin Lisey." Atem said as he knelt down, gently wiping the tears from her eyes.

"But you won't be able to read me a story." Tea whispered.

"I'm sure Auntie Hailey will. Would you like to take your favorite book with you?"

"But she won't know to do the funny voices."

"Uncle Yugi might do them for you, his voice is similar to mine." Atem chuckled.

"I guess that's okay." Tara touched one of his bangs, something that comforted her since she was a baby. "Just tell them. Promise?"

"Ok I will, I promise. Go and get your book. You better not keep auntie waiting." Atem said, caressing his daughter's cheek.

Tara hurried past her parents out of the room and Hali smiled at him as he stood. "That was sweet how you talked to her. You're a great dad, you know?"

"That's because I have a great wife." he smiled kissing her cheek.

"Get the bags, I'll go get the other kids. Joey will be here to pick up the boys. Luke's been wanting a playmate that's not his sister for a sleepover." Hali giggled.

Nodding at his wife's request, Atem picked up his daughters bags and took them out to Hailey's car. "The girls will be here soon." he smiled.

"No problem, Alisa's really excited. She picked out a pony movie for them to watch." Hailey smiled. "Yugi is tactfully going to avoid it so he won't be roped into being used as a guinea pig for her new makeup kit she got for her birthday."

Atem laughed. "Take pictures if she does."

Hali headed downstairs with the girls. "Now be good for your aunt and uncle and we'll pick you up in the morning, sweeties." she hugged the two of them.

"Love you girls." Atem called as he watch them get in the car.

"Ryan! Kyle! Joey's going to be here soon!" Hali called. "Make sure their bags are here."

"Ok, are you boys ready to go?"

Ryan and Kyle hurried down the stairs, carrying their teddy bears. "Ready!" they chimed, grinning identical grins.

There was a knock on the door and Joey entered. "Hey, guys. You ready boys?"

"Hi Joey. I believe they are." Atem smiled.

"We'll pick you up in the morning, boys." Hali kissed their heads. "Go have fun with your cousins."

Ryan hugged Atem and went with Joey out to the car. Joey carried their bags.

"Behave please, boys." Atem waved.

As Atem headed inside, Hali gave him a small smile. "You remember the last time we had the house to ourselves with no kids for a night?"

"I sure do, and I know exactly what I'm going to do. Come here Mrs. Motou." Atem smirked.

Hali went over and placed her hands on his narrow waist. "What are you going to do with me now that you have me alone?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"What do u think?" he said raising his eyebrows.

"I want you to show me." she murmured, leaning in to kiss him.

As he picked her up bridal style kissed her passionately, he smiled. "I think we should take this somewhere a bit more private for what I want to do."

"Good idea." Hali smiled, looping her arms behind his neck.

Taking Hali to their bedroom and laying her down done gently on the bed, Atem smirked. "You really want to do this?"

"Of course, do you see me running?"

"Don't say I didn't warn you." he chuckled as he leaned down to kiss her again more tenderly.

The next morning Atem awoke and smiled down at Hali. "Good morning Sweetheart " he said kissing her forehead.

"Mornng." Hali stretched, resting her head on his chest to listen to his heart. "What time is it?" The doorbell rang. "If we ignore it, do you think they'll go away?"

"Oh no, the kids. We better get up." Atem said slipping out from under Hali and ran to get dressed.

Hali hesitated to get out of bed, watching Atem's naked body as he dressed. "I'm going to stay here a bit longer, the view is great." she purred.

"You could shut your eyes if you don't mind." Atem said with a blush.

"Why, you shy?" Hali raised an eyebrow before closing her eyes.

"I'm not, but I need my privacy." Atem smiled as he pulled his pants up.

Hali smirked. "Modest, never thought I'd see the day." The doorbell rang again. She sighed and got up wrapping herself in a robe. "I'll go answer the door." SHe headed to the front door and answered it. "Hi guys!"

"Mommy!" the kids cried, hugging her.

"A man needs his privacy Hali." Atem chuckled.

"Yeah, a man needs pricy!" Ryan grinned.

Hali and Joey snorted as he entered. "You would not believe what your parrot just repeated." she informed Atem as he came downstairs.

"Good boy." Atem smiled. "How were they Joey."

"Two of the Three Musketeers? How do you think?" Joey smirked.

Atem just chuckled shaking his head.