It had been four months of craziness, made worse by the fact that Myka was gone on maternity leave. She didn't actually leave, she had kept Martin in a crib in Artie's office, and a baby monitor clipped to her waist so that she could still help out with inventory, but be close by if Martin cried. But she hadn't done any fieldwork, and Pete had been partnered with Steve in the meantime. Occasionally, he was partnered with Levi Galison, the new agent who got into everyone's heads and followed the rules to the book. He had also read the manual cover to cover (to cover to cover), he just lacked Myka's ability to state the sections, subsections, and lines. He was not fun to do assignments with.
So, when Myka came back, Pete was disappointed that Myka wouldn't be partnered with him, but with Levi for that particular mission. They were going to an auction to get a prop gun used by Christopher Meloni on Law and Order SVU. It made the owner extremely angry, much like the character played by Meloni. And Pete really wanted to go artifact hunting with Myka again.
As they left for their mission, Pete stayed behind, sitting in Artie's office with Claudia. She didn't kiss him goodbye, she was really strict about showing affection at work, and instead just flashed him an uncertain smile and small wave as she left through the umbilicus doors. Pete held his hand out towards the door, pouting like a child. "Myka is my partner! Why does she get to go on a mission with the new guy?" he whined quietly, trying not to awaken the sleeping baby that was fifteen feet away from him.
Claudia turned away from the computer to face Pete. "Listen, kid." She started with a sigh, "Who does Levi remind you of?"
Pete sighed. "Myka, when we first started. But not like Myka now."
Claudia pointed at Pete, placing her other finger on her nose. "Exactly." She grinned. "Who better to show him the ropes than the person who used to be just like him?" She turned back to her computer, tapping away at the keys, typing faster than Pete ever could. "There is a method to my madness, Pete. Or at least, I like to think there is." He shook his head, and picked up the baby monitor, deciding to work on some inventory until he was needed for a ping.
Except it was a slow day, so Pete wasn't needed. He left early, Martin in tow, to meet Ginny at the bus stop, and to work on her reading with her. He played tickle monster, hide and seek, and changed many diapers. He fed Ginny and tucked her in to bed, leaving Martin with Abigail while he read her a bedtime story. He then laid a sleeping Martin in his bassinet, taking the baby monitor with him while he caught up on paperwork and waited for his wife to return.
He was wrapped up in work when she pounced on him, hugging him tightly and whispering apologies in his ears. He wasn't expecting it, but enjoyed the embrace, squeezing her tightly, and reassuring her that she wasn't that bad anymore. She pulled away and flashed a small smile in his direction. Pete could tell that she wasn't entirely convinced, so he squeezed her hand one more time reassuringly. She grabbed her laptop on the coffee table, sitting next to him on the couch and working on her own paperwork. But the cries from the baby monitor interrupted them both.
Pete picked up the monitor. "I'll get him. You stay here." He said, putting his computer down and bolting upstairs. The youngest child was screaming, his eyes squeezed shut and mouth opened wide. Pete picked up his son and rocked him, shushing and patting his bottom. "Hey buddy! What can I do to help you out, huh?" Martin quieted at the sound of his father's voice. Pete lifted the baby close and pulled his diaper away from his body, and crinkled his nose at the stench. "Ugh! Martin Duncan Lattimer, could you smell any worse?" He stopped. If he had learned anything from Ginny, it was to not ask questions like those. He laid the baby down on the change table, changing him expertly and quickly. He picked Martin up, cradling him gently, and watched as his eyelids closed again.
Pete was tucking Martin in to the bassinet when Myka came in to the room, closing the door behind her quietly. She silently changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. Pete climbed in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She was asleep in minutes. He listened to her breathe, calm and slow, and brushed the curls out of her face so he could watch her facial expressions. She made the best facial expressions when she was asleep, expressions that conveyed pure joy. Pete waited to see one before he closed his own eyes, relaxing until sleep overcame him.
He awoke when he felt her move in his arms, rolling herself towards the bassinet, where Martin was whimpering. He tightened his grip on his wife, whispering in her ear. "Stay in bed, it's my turn." He placed a kiss on the top of her head and rolling out of bed himself. He heard the low rumble of a storm in the distance, along with the steady sound of rainfall on the roof above him, and wondered how long it had been raining.
He got to the bassinet, and gazed down at their son. Martin's eyes were still closed, like he didn't want to be awake. Pete shared that sentiment. He rubbed his own eyes before lifting the four month old. "Hey, buddy!" he crooned, watching a small smile appear on the infant's face. Martin was trickier in his looks, as he didn't really look exactly like either of his parents. In fact, he was a really good mix between the two. The smile he had just flashed reminded Pete of himself in so many ways, but sometimes he made expressions that just looked like Myka. It was interesting to watch.
He lifted the boy, sniffing his diaper. Nothing. Just to be sure, he held Martin against his chest, pulling the diaper away from his body and looking, checking for any hidden nuggets. Still nothing. This is a change from earlier. He looked towards Myka, shaking his head. "He doesn't have to be changed.
Just then, he heard a very loud thunderclap at the exact time that he saw a bright flash of light. The lightning strike must have been close, and he wondered if that was what woke up the infant.
Myka smiled in Pete's direction. "I'm sure he is hungry, and our bed is about to get very crowded." She pointed to the door, and held up three fingers, silently counting down. Three, two, one. She pointed.
As she pointed, Pete heard a knock at the door. "You're good." He told her, impressed, and she grinned widely at the compliment. He opened the door, revealing their five year old daughter, who was rubbing her eyes. Pete made a shushing sound to her, making sure she knew that Martin was still asleep, or trying to sleep.
"The thunder woke me up." Her voice hitched, and Pete felt like his heart was breaking in two.
Myka nodded. "Yeah, I think it woke Martin up too." She acknowledged softly. She beckoned Ginny forward. Another thunderclap sounded, and Ginny bum rushed the bed, racing towards Myka's outstretched arms. Myka lifted the girl and held her close, Ginny's head buried in Myka's neck, her arms wrapped around her mother like a vice. Pete knew how much she hated loud noises, and wasn't really surprised to see her seek out comfort in their bed. Myka stroked the girl's hair softly, slowly rocking her back and forth. "Can I give you to Daddy?" At the suggestion that she let go, Ginny held on tighter to her mother. "Daddy can snuggle you too, and that way, I can feed Martin. Does that sound like a good plan?" Myka explained.
Pete knew he would have to move quickly. Ginny released herself from Myka's neck, and Pete handed her the whimpering infant. He climbed into his side of the bed quickly, immediately wrapping his daughter in a bear hug, snuggling her close. He turned so that they could see Myka and Martin, nestling their children in a protective bubble between them. He heard another Clap of thunder, and felt Ginny stiffen in his arms. He wrapped her harder in his embrace, holding her close, protecting her.
"When I grow up, will I be as brave as you, and not be afraid of thunderstorms?" Ginny asked after she had relaxed a bit.
"Maybe. Or maybe you just don't like loud noises, and that is okay. It doesn't mean you are not brave." Myka answered, reaching over and stroking the little girl's wild curls. "Can I tell you a secret?" Myka whispered, positioning herself closer to her daughter. Pete felt Ginny wiggle forward in his arms and loosened his grip on her. "I am afraid of anything with tentacles." Pete watched the look on her face and held back a laugh. He could see her exerting every effort not to shudder. He was tempted to say "tentacles" over and over a few times to watch her response. It drove her crazy, and made him laugh, but he figured now was not the time to freak out his wife.
Instead, he decided to reinforce the lesson she was trying to teach. "And I hate rats. Those things are nasty!" He chimed in, catching the look of appreciation Myka had shot him from her side of the bed.
"See, everyone is afraid of something." Myka smiled warmly at the girl. "I just happen to love thunderstorms." She stated bluntly.
Pete felt Ginny reel back towards him with that declaration. "How can you love thunderstorms, Mom? They are so scary!"
Myka laughed. "Well, I always liked them, I thought they were pretty." She shot a look at Pete. "And then, when Daddy and I first started dating, he took me outside to look at the stars, like he does with you. Except, a thunderstorm started instead." Pete shook his head, thinking of that first date that had gone terribly wrong.
They had kissed, and each had told the other that they loved them. But work was crazy, despite the warehouse getting ready to move, and Pete hadn't had the chance to take Myka on a proper date. She was curled up on the couch, a worn copy of To Kill a Mockingbird open in her hands. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and a few curls made their way out of the band. He stood by the doorway for a moment just watching her, a quilt draped over his arm, committing the sight before him to memory.
She must have sensed him watching. "Take a picture, it will last longer." Her mouth smirked, but her eyes never left the page.
He moved towards her, grinning. "Look at the stars with me, Myka?" He asked, extending a hand, not caring how corny it sounded.
She looked up, her green eyes meeting his brown, a mischievous smile on her face. "Could you sound any more like the girl in this relationship?"
Pete rolled his eyes. "Come on, Myka! It looks awesome! Plus, I can show you constellations, and with your photographic memory, soon you'll be correcting me on their names!"
She closed the book, moving her feet from the couch to the floor, and looking up at him. "Pete, it's cloudy. It's probably going to rain." She complained.
He shook his head, a grin stretching on his face. "When it's cloudy it's more beautiful!" He raised his hands dramatically to the ceiling, pretending he was gazing at the night sky. "You really have to look to see anything, which makes it so mysterious. And also somewhat eerie, but in a beautiful way!" He reached his hand out to her. "Ophelia pray tell, willest thou joineth me?" He knew that sounded cornier than the original question.
Her grin was infectious. She put the book down on the coffee table, and joined her hand with his. He practically ran to the back door, pulling her behind him recklessly. He heard her bump in to the dining room table while they stumbled around in the dark. He turned. "Sorry!" He said to her shadowy figure. He felt heat rise to his cheeks. First dates were supposed to be awkward, not dangerous! He proceeded slower as he led her outside, laying out the quilt, and laying on his back.
Myka joined him hesitantly, but eventually settled with her head on his shoulder. Pete looked up at the sky. He hated to admit when Myka was right, but Myka had been right, it was too cloudy to see the sky. But she humored him, looking up at it anyway. She snuggled closer. "This is beautiful." He heard her say.
He smiled. "Even without the stars?"
She turned, so that her arm wrapped around his torso, squeezing him tightly. She placed a soft kiss on his chin. "Yes." She answered. They stayed like that for a while, just silent. Sometimes they looked at the dark sky, and sometimes, they just closed their eyes. Pete thought they would fall asleep out there, and was okay with the thought, the sky up above them, snuggled close to the woman that he loves.
He was perfectly okay with it until he felt a raindrop fall in the middle of his forehead. His eyes snapped open. He waited, maybe it was a fluke.
"Peeete?" Myka's voice trailed off as she sat up. "Did you feel rain?"
He shrugged. "Maybe? I was afraid to say. Didn't want to jinx it." As soon as he finished his sentence, the sky opened up, pouring water down on the two of them.
"Pete! I'm going to kill you!" Myka screamed as she ran toward the Bed and Breakfast. He picked up the quilt, dragging it behind him as he followed her. He heard the sky crash above him, and saw Myka's back illuminated by a flash of lightning. He practically ran into her when going through the back door.
"Shit." He tossed the soaked quilt down on the ground, and pulled the front of his soaked shirt away from his chest. "I'm so sorry, Mykes."
That's when he realized she was laughing. Her arms outstretched, looking down at her newly soaked body. "This is the strangest first date I have ever had!" She laughed, grabbing his face and pulling him in for a kiss. Pete relaxed. She pulled away, grabbing chairs and pulling them toward the window. "I mean, I guess it's to be expected, right? I mean, nothing has ever been simple for us." She sat in the one on the left, turning to look at him, and patting the seat next to her. "Are you joining me Mr. Lattimer?"
He was soaked, his shirt clung to him, and his pants would chafe, but the idea of sitting, watching the storm was way more appealing than the idea of dry clothes. He sat in the chair on the right, and she hooked her arms around his left bicep and rested her head on his shoulder. They watched a few lightning strikes. "It reminds me of fireworks." She mused softly.
Pete nodded, kissing the top of her head. "Yeah. Fireworks."
"So now, when there are thunderstorms, I think of Daddy, and that makes me really happy." Myka's voice jolted Pete back to the present. He flashed her a grin over Ginny's head, delighting in the smile that stretched across her face in return. "So that is why I love thunderstorms." She finished.
Ginny yawned, and nestled into Pete's chest. "Thunderstorms make you think of Daddy, so you like them. Maybe I need to think of thunderstorms and you and Daddy, and maybe they won't be scary anymore."
Myka smiled. "I think that is a brilliant idea, Ginny." She praised the young girl. Soon, Pete heard the sound of tiny snores coming from his arms. Martin was fast asleep against Myka. Myka kissed the top of his head gingerly, and looked over at Pete.
He nodded his head toward their two sleeping children. "We need a bigger bed." He whispered.
"Shut up and try to get some sleep, Pete." She answered, a smile on her lips. It was sound advice, soon the five year old would take up almost all of the bed.
He smiled at her. "Sleep well my Ophelia. I love you."
She always seemed to turn to mush when he called her that. Her smile was exactly what he liked to see before he fell asleep. "I love you too, Pete." She answered, closing her eyes and nestling her head near Martin's.
A/N Seriously though, I want to have that bad first date, because it is just so cute! I hope you are enjoying this!