Tealeaves and Thorns

Maddie gasped and looked over at him, her eyes wide. "COULD WE, DADDY!? Do you think they make chefs hats with with Merida and Vanellie!?" She asked, beaming with excitement. She was trying not to bounce on her stool. She'd get in trouble.

"I could look into it. I'm sure there's some small businesses that take requests. I'll make sure I get you the Chef hat that you want." And he meant it. Horatio didn't make promises lightly and he never forgot them. He'd definitely look into it. Maybe while they were out shopping today at the mall, they'd even find something there. There were a lot of small businesses and little shopping stands throughout the mall, some that made custom shirts. Maybe they could even do Chef's hats.

"Momma, are you gonna get one, too!? We could all get Chef hats!" Maddie giggled, her joy and excitement palpable - filling the entire kitchen. No, the entire house. It always did and it never failed to make Horatio smile.

"Wow. So you're against me, too, huh?" He asked Maria teasingly when she also chided him but he laughed. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, reserved only for Maria, that conveyed he'd get her back later. He went quiet and watched the two of them cooking together, something he'd never tire of. Just watching them together. Admiring how incredible of a mother Maria was, how much she loved her daughter, how'd she done such an exceptional job raising her. And Maddie, god, she was wonderful. Bright, creative, so kind hearted and so smart, too. There were so many things he saw in Maria that he saw in Maddie, too. Including her smile. A smile that lit up whatever room she walked into, a smile that could take any and every negative thought and feeling and make them disappear. That's exactly what his two girls did for him. Every single day.

God, how did he get so lucky?

"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, normally I would say YES, but I think that grandpa would let you know it, because he really likes you daddy. Last time me and momma saw him he said he was looking forward to having another son." Maddie beamed and started to reach but Maria put out a hand to stop her.

"Maddie, we talked about not reaching over the stove." Maria chided her softly. "Before I give you this bottle, why don't we reach over the stove?" Maria asked her.

"Because I could get burnt." Maddie said quietly. "And that really hurts and is dangerous."

And he hoped Maria would be able to feel that way, too.

"I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart." He promised with a warm smile. "Even if you do decide you want to sit out back and read the entire time." He added with a chuckle. "As long as you're here with me, that's all that matters." Whether they went to the beach or sat outside with a book, just enjoying each other's company, he'd be happy, but he also knew how excited she was about being at the beach and he had every intention of taking her out there. He also planned on cooking her dinner tomorrow night. Tonight, they could either go out somewhere or order in and have it delivered, but they had a little while to decide on that. He wanted to show her around first.

He watched how she stopped and looked around, seemingly awed by his home. Standing here in this moment with her, with her inside of his house, it felt like a home. And she'd only just walked in. But it was being with her, it was Maria, herself, that made Horatio feel at home and the way he was looking at her, gazing at her, as she looked around, conveyed that. "Thank you, sweetheart." He said after a moment. "I, um, I didn't do much of the decorating. Most of it came like this, but I liked it enough to leave it." He moved to the couch and set her bag on top of it, then made his way back to her and held out his hand. "C'mere, let me show you my favorite part about this house." He beamed, waiting for her to slip her hand into his and when she did, he wrapped his fingers around hers and guided her to the sliding glass door inside of the living room that would lead them outside.

He opened the glass door and stepped out onto the wooden deck, instantly greeted with a warm, salty breeze. Sunlight danced across the water as the waves kissed the shore, gentle and calm, but strong and warm, like his heartbeat any and every time he was with Maria. The deck lead down to a short rock path that lead to the pool (that had always been there), surrounded by grass and even a small garden off to the side. Beyond the short fence, was the beach itself. Close enough to see and hear the ocean waves. Behind them a couple of chairs with a small table and a swinging seat.

He took in a deep breath, breathing in the ocean hair, and gently squeezing Maria's hand as he took it all in. Not the view, a view which he sees every day, but this moment. Standing here with Maria. Getting to experience and enjoy it with her. That's what made this moment special. That's what made him smile. That's what made him feel alive. Made him happy. Her.

And it wasn't that Harvey and Alicia didn't. They did care for her deeply but they had their own family and their own things going on. This was the first person that was hers, and hers alone and cared about her, not because they were related or felt responsible. This was entirely different.

Maria took his hand, and she smiled excitedly when he said he wanted to show her his favourite part. She knew he was saying that he hadn't decorated everything, but that wasn't what made it beautiful. What made it beautiful was the fact it was his home. It was the books that were his, it was the pictures on the walls, it was the way it smelt. All of it was him.

When they got outside Maria's hand slipped from his, only so she could move towards the edge of the deck. Her hands on the top of the fence as she took everything in. She inhaled slowly, closing her eyes and letting the sea air and the sun warm grace her face.

Maria looked back at him and she had to think about that for a minute because whilst going straight for the pool was tempting she did want the rest of the tour. Besides she'd need to get changed before she went in the pool, and she was so glad she'd bought the new bikini and the costume. Even if it had cost her a little more than she could usually afford. The bikini she could wear here with him but she thought she'd like to be more covered up on the beach.

His smile faded a little bit when she mentioned that she'd be waiting up for him only because he didn't want her to have to do that, but if it was the other way around, he'd do the exact same thing. He knew there was going to be nights where he didn't get home until late, until well after midnight, and mornings he'd have to go in well before 5am. And there was also the danger of his job. Something they hadn't really talked much about, but both were aware, even if they hadn't talked about it. He'd always do everything he could to stay safe, to make it home to her, and to their kids, but he'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about just how dangerous the job could get for him. He'd even had dreams, rather nightmares, about it, but he kept those to himself.

He'd been about to reply to her when grease splattered out of the skillet and onto his skin, making him hiss and pull back. He was going to grab a shirt when Maria was suddenly sitting him down at the table, tending to the minor, but angry, burns on his skin. He tensed when she touched them with the wet washcloth, but then relaxed. He couldn't help but watch her with a look of love in his eyes, very much looking lovestruck at the way she was tending to him, taking care of him. No hesitation. It was immediate and he appreciated it, appreciated her. "I'm definitely in good hands if I ever get hurt on the job." He chuckled, his words meant to be lighthearted, meant to be teasing, and the second she looked up at him, he kissed her. Softly.

Maria would never stop him though. It was his dream, it was what he really wanted to do and Maria would be there every step of the way. Even if that meant nursing him better. That didn't mean it didn't make her think though, that it didn't upset her a little.

When he agreed with her she nodded, pushing his hair out of the way and leaning in to give him a kiss. He was going to have to get used to this, used to her taking care of him.

Maria took over the breakfast making, waffles moved onto the plates, as did the bacon and then she started on the eggs, which were spitting again but it was fine as she avoided most of the splatter. She glanced back when he kissed her shoulder and asked her if he was allowed to finish making her breakfast.

What Maria told him, surprised him. Frowning, Gareth turned to look at her. “She was?” Telling from the way Moneypenny had been looking at him since, though, he would have never thought so. Was Maria certain about that? “Moneypenny?” he asked, just to be sure. “My secretary?”

"She did." Maria smiled at him. "At first she was mad at you and then as we talked she started to look at things from a different angle and she was just, she talked about you so fondly and defended you so deeply." Maria explained to him, she didn't know how else to show him. He wasn't there when they sat around the table talking for after work drinks or at dinner time. He didn't see the fondness they all had for him, even with his stubborn and stoic ways.

They cared about him. Even with everything that had happened they still cared about him.

"Do you think the.... vibe...." God she hated that word but she couldn't quite find the right one now. "...you're feeling from her could actually be her concern for you? She has asked me if you're doing okay after everything. I'm not the only one who worries about you, and it's not because you're head of MI6."

It was a night she'd thought on over and over again throughout the years, a night that had played in her head and a night, a time, a feeling she'd grieved for over the years.

She knew the answer, even though she'd asked the question, she already knew the answer. Had she been worth the potentially getting in trouble to him? She thought he'd say yes, no she knew he would. Unless he was teasing.

"It might give us more insight, because, if it's revenge that needs to be handled different to infatuation. The damage control for one is different." Maria took a breath. "I think-" Maria looked away from him for a minute before looking back. "I'm not saying it wasn't hard for you or you didn't get punished but it might have been harder for her, being a woman, that sort of thing. The whispers, the damage it can do to your reputation, the things people say about you...."

"As a woman it follows you around." She tried to explain.

evelyn's toolkit

+bonus

He helped her to her feet and slid his arm around her waist, helping her into the bedroom and letting go only so she could grab her pajamas. She seemed to be alright on her feet so he stepped back to give her room to change. He pulled out his sleep shorts from the top drawer and set them on the bed before undoing the buttons of his shirt, realizing he left his jacket downstairs but he'd grab them later. He pulled off his shirt, now completely shirtless and started on his pants next, his eyes lifting and finding hers when she asked him for the shortbread cookies. "I can do that. Are you sure you feel like trying?" He asked, setting his shoes and belt aside before pulling off his socks and then his pants, leaving him in just his underwear. "If you really want some toast, sweetheart, I can do that, too. It wouldn't take me long." He offered. Getting all of it together would take him maybe ten minutes at the most.

He gathered her clothes, and his, and dropped them into the dirty laundry basket in their bathroom, then came back out. He pulled on his sleep shorts and chuckled when she mentioned the fruit. He almost made a comment about leaving out the cottage cheese, but he decided against it. Best not to even mention something that made her sick. "Shortbread biscuits, fruit and maybe some toast." He listed off everything and made his way over to her, hands on each side of her belly and leaning in for another kiss. "Coming right up. Get comfortable." Then he left the room and headed for the kitchen.

Maria watched him for a minute with a soft smile on her face as he stood there shirtless and telling her that he'd bring her shortbread. "I do feel like trying, I don't need the toast though. I'll save that for breakfast in the bed in the morning. Which I'm sure someone will make me..." Maria teased because she knew that if she asked him he would absolutely make her breakfast in bed. He would prepare her a feast if she wanted and she loved him so much for that big heart of him.

"I love you," She murmured when he kissed her hands on her belly. She loved him so much and he took such good care of her. Whilst he went downstairs, Maria pulled the covers back and got under them, moving the pillows behind her and getting comfy. When he came back up she smiled at him, laden down with books and snacks and water for them.

"Look at you, you're going to be amazing with a baby." Maria complimented him. "If you can juggle that much you'll be fine with a baby." When he settled in next to her she leaned over and kissed his shoulder.

You're an important part of my life

He knew that. He knew he was and yet hearing her say those words made him melt. Made his chest fill with warmth and he kissed her, soft and quick, so he didn't interrupt her for too long. Because he really was interested in hearing what all she wrote about. He blushed a little when she said she even wrote about their first time and he almost wanted to ask what she wrote, but... that would probably be too much. It was her diary after all. He knew diaries were private, a lot of girls had them, and when she told him he wasn't reading it, his face fell. Not because he wasn't allowed to read it, but because he realized he probably overstepped in even asking about it. About something so private.

"I don't know. Portland always seemed like somewhere that was really pretty, with the cabins and bears and trees. I mean because if we're talking about getting the scrapbook started it has to be somewhere in the US right?" She thought for another minute. "Maybe somewhere with a beach, Florida?"

"Where would you go? To start the scrapbook, but oh, also just in general, what does your dream holiday look like?" Maria asked him.