A/N: Based on this photo: iwantobemorethanwhoiam tumblr com /post/ 94296038337
He had hoped he'd get home before naptime but as he gets in the town car, he knows he won't make it. A week away from them and another two hours might kill him. At least he'll get to see his wife.
When he starts unlocking the door to the loft, he expects to see Kate in the kitchen figuring out what to make for dinner or talking to Martha or reading on the couch but it's oddly quiet when he walks in. He ditches his suitcase by the door and goes upstairs to see if she was in Ava's room but nothing, not even a sleeping baby. He scans the upper floor but still no sign of his wife and child, not even his mother. He makes his way back down the stairs and this time, he heads toward his office to see if she put her down in the port-a-crib they keep in there but still nothing, he's starting to wonder if they're not even home. He proceeds to their bedroom and there they are, cuddled together on the bed, the little bunny Alexis gave them when Kate was pregnant nestled in Ava's hand, the pacifier in her mouth.
He smiles, making his way toward them but after a step, Kate turns toward him, shock written all over her face, and he smiles even wider. He wasn't supposed to come home for another day. He opens his mouth to say something but she puts her hand out and whispers a barely audible "Shh. She just got to sleep. Was up with a fever all night."
He goes to her side of the bed and kisses her before going around to his side, slowly climbing in next to her. He softly runs a hand down his little girl's back. He whispers, just as soft as Kate, "Sorry I wasn't here."
"You were working. And you're home a day early. Nothing to be sorry about."