Prompt: kindness
This is the end, thank you for reading! M in the last part.
At the piercing wail, Kougami was the first to roll out of bed, fumbling through the darkness. He ignored the light switch, accustomed to this interruption. Akane mumbled, but he hushed her. "It's fine, I've got it."
"She'll want to be nursed. It's time anyway."
"Then, let me bring her over." Muscle memory guided him to the crib, and his eyes adjusted. Flailing mittened hands, tiny mouth wide open in upset demand. He reached down, brushing the unruly hair, and gently lifted.
He could easily fit his little daughter into the crook of his arm.
He bounced her a bit, trudging the way he came. His wife was already sitting up, head rolling as she unbuttoned her pajama top. She extended her arms, but he didn't hand the baby off. Instead, he moved beside her, so she could lean against him. Her cheek pressed to his neck, a hum of appreciation escaping her. Automatically, she brought Aya to latch at her full breast, and he continued supporting them both. He kept Aya's head in place, as she hungrily suckled, muted in an instant.
"Thank you." Akane murmured, already dozing off again.
"Mm." He'd probably be sore in the morning, but he didn't care. Everything was worth it for his girls, he thought, pressing his lips to the top of his wife's hair.
The water was just the right temperature. He ran his hand through the miniature basin, shaking off the excess. He then turned his attention back to Aya, who was very much occupied with sticking her toes in her mouth. He grabbed her by the armpits, easing her slowly into the bath.
Thankfully, she didn't cry. She endured the shampoo and soap, looking intently at the ripples on the surface. One pudgy fist jerked, and she cooed at the splash. She did it again, squealing at the new discovery. Her open palms flapped up and down, spraying water in all directions.
"You like the water, huh? You get that from me."
Aya stared at him, breaking into a toothless smile. A fierce love swept through him, a lightning bolt of emotion. He had grown up without his father and most days, he felt like he was half-assing whatever he did. But he knew from the beginning, the bright silhouette captured on ultrasound footage, that he'd do anything to protect her.
"When you're older, we can start swimming lessons." He chuckled. Then, she was about to slide further into the basin. He immediately grabbed her torso. "But not now, kid. Time to get out."
This did not make her happy. She began to struggle, kicking and whining. Her tiny slippery body was difficult to hold onto; for the first time in a while, he was nervous. The front of his shirt was soaked, and his face was wet from the earlier spray and his fresh outbreak of sweat.
Laughter resounded from the threshold. Akane was standing there, already prepared with towels draped over her forearms. "Need help?"
"Please. How long have you been there?"
"Since you mentioned swimming lessons. Ready?" She opened the first towel and bundled Aya into it. The golden band on her left ring finger reflected the shine of the light fixture. With a smile, she dried off their daughter. "I would've come in sooner, but you looked so relaxed."
"Until she rebelled." He said. "She's stubborn."
"Oh, Aya. You just wanted to play with Tou-chan, didn't you? You had a nice bath, and now, you're all clean." Her fingers darted along chubby calves, tickling away the baby's fussiness. But if he had seemed relaxed, so was she. In fact, she was radiant, locking eyes with ones exactly like her own.
Kougami smiled, taking the opportunity to change. He shrugged out of the shirt, about to leave, when warm cloth settled over his head.
"There you go." Akane stood on tiptoe, vigorously repeating her action. She splayed her hand over his lower back, and gave him a swift peck on the lips. "Shinya, you can take a shower first. I'll clean up here and give Aya her next feeding."
"Thanks. I won't be long." Really, he was a lucky man.
"Shinya, Akane-chan." His mother announced, propping Aya on her hip and adjusting her sunglasses. A hefty bag was over her shoulder, in addition to her purse. "We'll be back for dinner. We have some errands to run, and we'll enjoy today's sunny weather. Won't we, Aya-chan?"
In response, Aya babbled approvingly, as if she could actually agree.
"Tomoyo-san, we can come along." Akane whirled around from the kitchen sink, but she was already heading out the door.
Kougami set down his coffee cup and went after, watching her buckle Aya into the car seat. "Mama, is there a reason you're kidnapping my daughter?"
"Do I need a specific reason to spend time with my only grandchild?" She briskly retorted. He resisted rolling his eyes. Ever since Aya was born, Mama had readily embraced the role of doting grandmother, visiting every weekend and saving each picture in an organized album. "And you two can have the day to yourselves. You and Akane-chan deserve a break, so please take it when you have the chance."
"…If something happens, call us immediately."
"Of course." She patted his cheek. A quick goodbye followed, Akane kissing their daughter's forehead and Kougami squeezing her soft little hands, before the car drove off.
Suddenly, the world was much quieter. At Akane's exhale, he raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"It feels a little strange. It's been six whole months since it's just been the two of us. What are we going to do?"
"For one, it's not too late to go back to bed." He reminded.
And he had meant sleep, given the deprivation they'd experienced because of their girl. Of course, he loved Aya, but he wasn't exactly a young dad. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he thought he could pass out. Well, unless…
"Tired, hm?" Akane's hand smoothed over his face, resting upon his chest.
He opened his eyes, cutting a sideways glance. His wife was lying on her side, the temptation of her swelled cleavage peeking from the low collar of her shirt. Sure, he was pushing forty but he wasn't decrepit. He turned, clasping her waist. "What're you implying?"
"Nothing at all." She said, too innocently. "It's been a while since we've napped together."
"Last I recall, we exhausted ourselves first." He mustered a grin, and captured her lips. She still tasted like their breakfast coffee, and the lingering flavor was stimulating enough. One of her legs was thrown over his, her warmth promising.
They made rapid work of tossing aside their clothes, the heat between them becoming an inferno. Akane rolled on top of him, straddling his lap. There was a telltale spark in the look she gave. "I think this position will work for right now."
If he had the energy or the blood flow to his brain, he might have fired back a smarter reply. However, he wasn't willing to delay any further. "Yeah, it will. C'mere." And he pulled her down, joining in a pulse of bliss that could only be described as near divine.
It wasn't the first time they'd been intimate since she delivered, but a hasty quickie under the covers was incomparable to this. Her lovely curves were prominent and filling his hands. She moved steadily at the beginning, in control and thoroughly relishing it. A visible undulation, a clutch that dragged him dangerously to the edge.
He lifted his arm, pushing his thumb into her mouth, and she instinctively closed her lips around it. He groaned, rising into her. She was smiling around his digit, riding him harder. Beautiful and triumphant, love in her gaze.
He held fast, thumbs pressing into her lower belly when he came. She startled, tightening further, and he decided to be bold. Moving his touch up, he lightly stroked her nipples, immediately drawing round droplets of liquid. Her eyes widened, her cry of surprise ending in a shudder of release. For a moment, they were in perfect synchronization.
She shifted first, oversensitive. Breathless, she tried to pry away, but her knees obviously failed her. "Ah, no…"
"Who's the tired one now?" He couldn't resist teasing, as he helped her off. She barely stirred during the aftercare, and he took a sloppy kiss from her, feeling very sated as he grabbed the covers.
And then, they really did catch up on sleep. It was closer to noon when his appetite couldn't be ignored, and Akane must have felt the same, already on her feet and sliding into her clothes. Furtively, he pressed a kiss onto the nape of her neck before redressing.
They spent a leisurely lunch on the stone terrace, listening to the wind and soaring birds. It really was a pleasant day, and they brought their books, reading together in shared peace. They fell into the old habit of lengthy discussions, debating philosophy until tea became a necessary refreshment. And there were absolutely no calls from work.
It was late afternoon when the sound of the car returned. From the front windows, the shopping bags were a noticeable pile inside the vehicle. But Mama retrieved Aya first, who was comfortably sleeping and sucking her pacifier even in her dreams. "She was a good girl."
"Oh, wonderful." Akane beamed, taking Aya into her arms. She stroked her downy hair, swaying in place. "I'm glad she was well-behaved, Tomoyo-san."
"You don't have to bluff, Mama."
"I certainly wasn't." Nevertheless, her gaze softened. "It'll be interesting to see who she takes after. Already, she's quite the blend of you both."
"She'll be her own person." And he could hardly wait to find out.