Disclaimer: Not mine, as always. I wish I could pretend I had something to do with this show, but unfortunately not.
A/N: Set sometimes season 4, before Priority of Life & Slow Burn. AKA, they're still a secret
There's something about watching Jules cooking, particularly breakfast, that makes him smile. It always happens on the mornings where Jules wakes up before him and snags the shower first, hating having idle hands as she waits for him. They had long since learned their lesson about sharing a shower in the morning when one time had led to them nearly being late and blowing their cover. That had led to her promptly enforcing a rule that they really needed to shower separately in the morning (it joined the ranks of her rules of dropping him off a certain distance from HQ when there was good enough weather to use his bike, or where he can park his car around her place in the winter time).
So when he wakes up to an empty bed and the shower running, he can generally be assured of a glimpse of a more domesticated Jules. The first time watching her had been an accident. He had gone through his morning routine faster than usual. Between his quicker than usual preparation and her inability to find clothes that were clean, he had managed to catch the tail end of her cooking.
She had seemed so content and at ease, making quick scrambled eggs as the bread toasted and bacon sizzled. Straining his ears, he had caught her quiet voice singing along to the radio as she fluidly moves around the kitchen, checking on things in a casual manner. It was so unlike her persona when she was at work, where she was always on the go, doing everything concisely and efficiently, always ready for her next task. Observing her in this new element, time seemed to go by just a little slower and it was a good slow. Much like his trade from a car to a bike, it was a perfect contrast to their high-stakes, all-action job. As a result, it had gradually become a habit to hurry along his routine so he could watch her for just a little longer.
Besides that, it was nice to think that they could have this for the rest of their lives; taking turns making meals or cooking together. Watching her so relaxed and normal, it's easy to get immersed in visions that he hopes for their future.
In his head, her kitchen becomes the center of chaos, two children running around the island as she laughs and he's chasing them around, trying to get them out of her way and seated at the table so they can all eat and shuttle everyone off to where they need to be; school, daycare, work.
Generally he pictures mornings filled with screaming, teasing, tongues being stuck out (by the kids usually although there are times when he and Jules do it as well). There's definitely chatter all around. The kids will talk excitedly about what they expect from the day and there are discussions about how to efficiently get everyone to their next destinations and sometimes talk about how to get back together to head to the SRU picnic so the kids can see the other SRU members, their family in every manner except for blood.
Other days, he imagines it's the weekend and they have the day off, so he's in the kitchen with her and their children come stumbling down the stairs in their pyjamas, rubbing sleep from their eyes and still yawning. Mornings are then more subdued but get gradually louder as everyone slowly wakes up with the food, chocolate milk (in the kids' cases), and coffee (for Jules and him).
Either way, he wants that to be his reality: having a family a little less-screwed up than the one he had growing up. He'll be a doting father and husband, not one who rules with an iron-fist, no questions asked. They'll have kids who can just be kids, with no forced expectation, who won't feel the need to be as perfect as he had to be with his father. And with Jules, he can envision it.
Her voice summons him back to reality. "Sam?" she calls out, clearly not for the first time if her amused smile is any indication. When his eyes snap to meet hers, she laughs as she slides a plate in front of him and sits down as well. "I thought I lost you there for a second."
"Sorry, still here," he replies easily with a charming smile, digging in and nearly groaning. He's not sure how he, a guy who basically lives on takeout, managed to be with an amazing woman who is also a fantastic cook, but he's grateful for whatever higher power decided it was okay for someone like him to end up with Jules.
She cuts into her pancake, eyeing him thoughtfully. "What were you thinking about?" she asks before taking a bite.
"Everything." It's an honest answer, although he makes it sound more casual by pairing it with a shrug. These dreams of the future have become everything he's ever wanted and then some. Now he's just waiting for them to happen.
A/N: Yeah, a little overly fluffy, sorry, haha, I couldn't really help myself. First of (hopefully) a series of short one-shots all posted in here. If you like this, you have SYuuri and Infame to thank for nudging me along. Reviews are love & encouragement :) - Kimmy