K.O.R.

She kissed him, slowly, sleepily, a bare leg draped lazily over his hip, her hand cupping his cheek. His arms came around her again holding her for a moment as their lips moved at a leisurely pace. Hands that knew the hardest work wandering under her shirt rubbing her back. A sigh breathed through her nostrils as she smiled against his lips, nuzzling his nose. The door creeked then, the pitter-patter of feet heard next before a small weight launched itself onto them.

“Wake up!”, Reshma bounced on the two lumps under the covers.

“Vellos, I think we’re under attack”, Khadija said in an urgent whisper.

“I think you’re right, you know what that means...battle stations!”

They sat up from under the covers, Vellos holding little Reshma while Khadija tickled her feet. Squealing a peals of laughter bubbled out of their daughter as Vellos lifted her up blowing blueberries against her tummy. Satisfied that she was laughing to the point of tears they paused.

“Do you surrender?”, asked Khadija.

Laying down across the bed, grinning up at them, panting slightly, “Never.”

“That’s my girl.”, Khadija kissed her nose.

“Why don’t you get stuff ready in the kitchen so we can makes some breakfast kiddo. Get all the ingredients out, do you remember?”

Reshma sat up quickly, nodding her head before jumping off the bed, sprinting out of the room. As soon as he heard the sound of little feet fading into the house he tackled Khadija down.

“Now where were we...”, he whispered huskily. She laughed, he kissed her neck up to her cheek before they’re lips locked. Their fingers laced together, pulling her hands over her head. He pressed down onto her, her legs coming around him. His hands left hers to pull down her underwear.

“We can’t do this right now.”, she said breathlessly.

He paused with a sigh, “Why not?”

“Because you know if you keep her waiting she’s going to start on her own and she’ll burn the house down”, Khadija chuckled as he groaned, his head leaning against her shoulder. “When we drop her off with her grandfather and we’ll have plenty of time while we’re on the job.” She kissed his hair before tapping his shoulder. “Come on, I’ll get dressed, you make breakfast. After breakfast I’ll get Reshma together while you’re getting dressed. Sound good captain?”

Vellos chuckled giving her a quick peck, before getting up, “This isn’t over , Green.”

Khadija entered the kitchen dressed in her gear, different from the light clothing that she wore around the house. Shrugging on her shoulder holster she inhaled deeply, “Smells good...”

Reshma was already halfway through her plate when she turned to smile at her mom, noticing the empty holsters at her hips, awe and admiration clear on her face. Coming around the kitchen island she kissed Vellos’ cheek as he shoveled a mouthfull of eggs into his mouth, leaning against the counter.

“We’re taking you to see grandpa today, you excited?”, she turned to sit across from Reshma at the island where a nice plate of breakfast waited.

“I want to go to work with you daddy”, Reshma pouted.

Khadija smiled sympathetically, “I know, when you’re older, maybe.”

“Who knows, when you’re older you maybe too busy having adventures of your own to even want to go work with your mom and pop.”, Vellos grinned indulgently at his daughter giving her a little wink.

“You’ll be staying with your grandpa for a little longer than usual...about a month,”,Khadija said, changing the subject, “But your cousins will be there too-”

“My cousins??”, with a groan Reshma put her head to the table in defeat.

“Yes, and when we come back to pick you up I don’t want to hear any reports of you using the force to play pranks on them, is that clear?”, Khadija gave her a stern expression. Vellos struggled to keep from chuckling, deciding to clear his throat instead.

Her tiny mouth pursed into a thin line, her piercing eyes meeting her mother’s in an obvious staring contest. Khadija’s eyes narrowed.

“Okay”, she said in a small voice. Khadija’s expression softened.