When she was a teenager, aspiring to be the most famous, most successful, smilingiest Idol in the universe, dressing up in disguises and sunglasses to flee from adoring but cute fans seemed like so much fun. But now that Yazawa Nico had actually been living that life for 10 years, the last two separating her too frequently from beloved wife and angelic daughter, there was no glamour left. Just too little time with the people who meant everything to her.
Borrowing a private jet from a Nishikino family friend to fly into a private airfield seemed more like the plot of a spy novel than Nico's life, but Maki and Dia would be waiting for her and that was all that mattered. The attendant opened the door, stairs ready, and Nico took a moment to pose at the top, wind whipping her hair, imagining a sports car ready to take her into a city, shadowed and full of intrigue, with a sexy redheaded scientist lurking in the corner of a bar, fleeing from danger and catching Nico's eye.
The prototype for the sexy scientist, 1 year old in her right arm, waved the other at Nico, who hopped down the three stairs with more energy than she'd had for days.
"I'm back!"
"Welcome home." Maki and Dia hugged Nico so tight breathing was difficult, "We missed you!"
Nico took their daughter, who wouldn't quite let go of her neck while Maki grabbed her overnight bag, "I missed you both so much."
The Mazda sedan was no svelte two seater sports car — Maki still had that, it just stayed garaged most to the time, but Dia fit nicely in the back seat and Nico could still hold Maki's hand occasionally.
Dia was babbling 'Mama' as Nico strapped her in the seat. Nico laughed.
"Let's get home."
Nico thought about fans and paparazzi and fence climbers and sighed.
Maki didn't turn the engine on yet, "Tired?"
Nico redhead hummed for a bit, then broke the silence tentatively, "Want to run away?"
"Yes." Maki blinked at the conviction in Nico's tone. She hadn't expected that. Nico turned to look at her and Maki peered into red eyes that were as weary as she'd ever seen them.
"Me too." Maki nodded, glancing over her shoulder at their daughter. "Mama had a suggestion." Nico perked up. Maki's mom was always helpful and rarely intrusive. She would have been the perfect mother-in-law if Nico's own mom hadn't claimed the title automatically. Maki's mom was a very close second.
"My great grandmother's family had a house in Uchiura. Mama thinks with some renovations, it could make a nice getaway."
"Nico could be a traditional house wife." Maki coughed, picturing Nico in the kitchen demanding applause for making the breakfast tea once she really started to miss her audience, "Traditional…housewife?"
Nico shrugged, "That and write romance novels under a pseudonym about someone not named Nico Ni, international idol and spy.""Spy?" Nico would always surprise Maki. Spy made more sense than housewife. Maki wondered if Dia would develop Nico's ability to daydream herself into any situation.
Nico winked, "I had an idea, getting off the plane." Then, Nico leaned in, ready to remind her wife of a few things. "Plus, Dia needs a sibling. And we need to drop her off at my mother's so I can have you to myself for a day."
Maki jumped back, nearly hitting the back of her head on the car window, "W..wait. what?"
Nico grinned, watching Maki's blush match her hair, "Now there's the girl I fell in love with."