Quality Time

"I swear I could stay in here all night...," Nanoha said letting out a heavy sigh and sinking down into the water.

"You're not trying to kill yourself are you?" Fate said waltzing into the bathroom.

Resurfacing, Nanoha ran her hands through her hair. "I was relaxing actually. It's not a crime to enjoy my day off you know."

"I was joking babe. Anyway what did you spend your day doing?" Fate began messing with her hair in front of the mirror while simultaneously removing her work uniform.

"Well as soon as I got Vivio off to school I immediately got comfortable. And by comfortable I mean I sat on the couch in my pajamas and ate an entire tub of ice cream."

"That sounds so eventful," Fate joked finally coming out of her undergarments.

Nanoha leaned against the rim of the tub resting her chin on her arms. "So how was work?"

"Work was work. I'd rather hear about your day."

Nanoha shrugged. "Pretty much this. This is what I did all day. And I'm still not done."

"I could use a hot bath myself."

"Well then get in here blondie."

"I think I'll take you up on that." Fate climbed in the tub moving Nanoha to make room for them both. Fate then leaned back against her throwing a little water on her face.

Nanoha began to rub her shoulders. "You're so tense honey."

"That's helping quite a bit though." Fate sighed deeply.

"Where's Vivio?"

"In her room. I think she's video chatting with a friend or something. She was going on about it on the way home but I was too tired to listen."

"She's growing up so fast. Sometimes I worry about how quickly she's maturing. Pretty soon she'll be dating and wanting to stay out late and wanting a tattoo."

"You worry too much."

"I'm a mother," said Nanoha. "There's no such thing as worrying too much."

Fate turned back to look at her. "Am I not counted in this mother thing?"

"When our daughter got her heart broken for the first time you wanted to hurt the boy."

"I never said HURT him. I was just going to scare him a little."

"And you assaulted one of her teachers."

"Ok I'll own up to that one but in my defense it was only one punch. What adult can't take one punch?!"

Nanoha laughed. "Well I can't completely blame you for that one. Part of me wanted to hit her too."

"You see? We just have two different parenting styles. You're the kind, good natured one and I drop the hammer."

"Drop the hammer?" Nanoha burst into laughter.

"Yeah like good cop bad cop."

"Really?"

"Yeah. For example, if Vivio does something wrong and we are talking to her about it, you reassure her and make her feel better to get her talking. Then I slam the belt on the table and say something like WHO SOLD YOU THE DRUGS?!"

"That's interrogation Fate."

"What's your point?"

Nanoha paused for a few moments.

"Babe you ok?" Fate asked.

"Yeah. I've just got a lot on my mind. I actually got a call today. A work call."

"Really? What was it about?"

"Well it was from someone in top brass. They uh...offered me a new job."

The look of surprise on Fate's face almost made Nanoha laugh. "What kind of job?"

"Well they are supposed to get back to me with details but from what I understand, I'll be ranked even higher than you." She almost had to fight the urge to smile while saying that.

"That's a huge promotion honey. Are you going to take it?"

Nanoha shrugged. "Do you think I should? It'll probably be an office job. Supervising and all that. They probably assume I'd be a good fit because of my reputation."

Fate splashed water over herself a few times. "You've made a name for yourself Nanoha. That's going to come with perks but people are also going to want to use that."

"You mean for the influence right?"

"Yeah. But I know you. You know you can't take that job."

"And why is that?"

"Because you'd miss the kids too much. They love you. I've seen you with them."

"But the new job would be triple my current pay. TRIPLE. And you wouldn't have to work so hard anymore. We might even finally be able to buy an actual house instead of this apartment."

"True," said Fate. "But you wouldn't be happy doing that. Like I said, I know you and the political game is not for you baby."

"But-"

"No buts. Listen, fighting techniques, magic spells, all of that is stuff we are both good at but they are things that can be learned and taught. Now I've seen the way you are with those kids; the way they look up to you and the way you inspire them." She gently ran her fingers through Nanoha's hair. "That Nanoha...isn't something that can be taught. THAT my dear, is a rare gift."

"But you-"

"What did I say about buts? Besides I don't mind working hard for you and Vivio. This is what I do Nanoha and I'm good at it. So it wears me out sometimes but I'm fine. I mean it's not like I'm working 24/7. I still get my time with you two. I'm fine really."

I know, I know," said Nanoha putting up her hands in defeat. "I just don't like seeing you wear yourself out that's all. I can't help it."

"If I remember correctly I was telling you that same thing when you were having sleeping troubles and working hard yourself."

"We both have our problems huh?"

"Yeah but this isn't really a problem. We just have to do what we can."

Nanoha placed a kiss on Fate's forehead. "Just promise that you'll let me share the load sometimes."

"Ugh...Nanoha you ju-"

She silenced Fate by putting a finger to her lips. "We're married now so I'd say that means I get to half of the hard work."

"Ok Nanoha we have GOT to work on your argumentative skills at some point."

Nanoha responded by splashing water in Fate's face.

"Ah! Nanoha there's soap in the water!" Fate covered her face with her hands.

"Fate I'm sorry! Are you ok? Hold on a second!"

Nanoha turned to grab a cloth for Fate but as soon as she did she was grabbed from behind as Fate pulled her into a tight embrace. The sudden attack caused Nanoha to yelp in surprise.

"I believe you know what happens now," Fate whispered into Nanoha's ear while slowly tracing her fingers around her belly button.

"Fate hold on a minute now I-"

"Nope."

"FATE NOOOOO!"

Got another one. I know it's been a while since I posted a new one of these. Life demands immediate attention and all that. But a thank you to all who are still reading these and I hope you guys like this one. I did as I was writing it even though I went through like 6 different versions of it before I thought it was good enough to post. Also, if anyone has any good ideas for new ones feel free to mention them in your review or simply PM me either one. And if I use your idea I'll be sure to give you credit for it.