Promise kept.

[shimmerandsing]

After a night of ups and downs -- if she were entirely truthful, it was a lot more downs than ups -- Alison made good on her promise to her mother-in-law. She started out early. The babies were fed and kissed, and her husband snuggled thoroughly. It had almost given her time to talk herself out of leaving, but in the end, the jonin had gently nudged her out the door.

The trip required several portal hops through the Nexus. Instead of an Italian spa, Natasha had chosen an American spa in New York for Alison's gift. It was a good choice. Alison would have had a difficult time relaxing in Italy without speaking the language. And it was nice to see the States again. She hadn't realized that she missed the familiar sights and sounds.

The spa people had their work cut out for them, though. Alison was about as tightly wound as she had ever been. Getting her relaxed and happy was a task that usually only Longshot managed. And he did it with techniques that the people at the spa were not allowed to use.

Despite her reluctance and hesitance, she found herself relaxing as she received the full spa treatment. First, she enjoyed a full body massage. Even ger toes got some attention. That had been the part she didn't think she'd like, but once it started she melted right into the table. Longshot's were better, but it was also nice to get a rub down without any sexual expectations at the end. In fact, the only expectation at the end of the massage was a long soak in an herb infused hot tub.

Over the next few hours, Alison was pampered within an inch of her life. Her hair was trimmed and highlighted. She got a manicure and a pedicure; a facial and a make-over. Even an acupuncture treatment. She wasn't afraid of the needles anymore. Once every conceivable treatment had been lavished on her, she finally emerged into the afternoon sun. It was on the edge of her mind to head for home, but the day was only half over and she had been told to take it for herself, so... shopping!

It was nice to wander the mall and spend some time just looking. Window shopping was a lost art. Eventually, she found some new clothes that she had to have. And some toys for the babies. Well, she couldn't completely forget them all day, after all. Not even if she tried. Nor could she stop thinking about her husband. She wondered if he was thinking about her? He said he would miss her today. She'd have to find him something, too. Hmmm.

Ah, wait. She had the perfect idea. And she knew right where to find it.

The walk home took a bit longer than the trip to the spa. Mostly because she was enjoying the early evening air and the slow sunset. She was never without light, so the night didn't worry her. But, she wanted to get home before too late. No need to worry anyone.

She hummed softly to herself as she mounted the steps to the front door and opened it. As she toed off her sandals in the entryway, she called out, "I'm home!"

Comments

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"They're both smart. They probably knew that at birth." As well as how much all their family was wrapped around their tiny fingers.

"If we double team it, yes. I got two arms and two babies I can carry to the nursery." She could handle the feeding. Though he couldn't get anywhere because Alison was still on his lap. He would almost complain, but he liked her butt there.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Mmmm'kay, Daddy. You grab your little fanclub and I'll get my bags. I'll meet you in the nursery." She smiled and then kissed him once. Then she stood up and stepped aside so that she wasn't keeping him from moving.

He could go first, though. She wanted to watch her hubby carrying their babies. It made her smile.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Longshot sprang to his feet. He went to Hana first because there was a lot more work to get her out of the swing than Aiden out of the Excer-saucer. He stopped the swing, unbuckled her, and scooped her and her Glowworm up in one arm. Once she was settled safely, he stepped across the room to Aiden. He wiggled his eyebrows at his son and deftly picked him and his Glowworm up.

Then it was off to the races!

Longshot ran up the stairs. Smoothly because he did not want to jostle the babies too much, but with as much speed as possible.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

Alison laughed freely as she followed him up the stairs. He was going faster than she was. She wasn't in a hurry. She was too relaxed to be impatient. They had all night to play with her husband's new toys.

When she got to the nursery, she stood in the doorway a moment and watched. It was lots of fun to watch Longshot interact with his babies. He was such a good Daddy.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Aiden had been settled on the floor while Hana was taken to the changing table. Longshot decided Hana should eat first. Also, she was the one who fussed the most when Daddy changed her diaper. The faster that was over, the better.

He was a blur of motion, with dirty diapers flying toward pails, baby powder flying toward a bottom, and little feet held in the air with wiggly toes. Once she was clean diapered, he put her into the pajamas.

"First baby up!" he called like somebody had just ordered a plate of Hana.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"My goodness. It was a blur of baby motion." She laughed as she dropped her bags by the door. Then she walked over to pluck her daughter out of her father's arms.

"Did Daddy's diaper changing make you dizzy, little girl?" She hugged and snuggled the baby. Hana was fussing a little. But, she settled quickly enough.

"That was pretty impressive, Daddy."

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"Thanks!" He hopped over to his son. Literally. He wiggled his toes at Aiden before scooping him up. He raspberried his son's belly in midair before stepping over to the changing table.

Aiden got the same treatment as his sister. Though there was an added diaper flap to keep Longshot from being peed on.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Look at the bunny hop Daddy's doing," she turned so that Hana could watch Longshot's antics. The baby giggled when her brother squealed over the tummy raspberry.

Then Alison took a seat in the rocking chair. Time for food. She shifted the baby to her shoulder and adjusted her clothes. Fortunately, with the shirt she was wearing, she didn't have much difficulty exposing her breast. Soon, Hana was happily nursing away.

"Hmm. Guess she did miss me." She chuckled.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"Toldja." He wiggled his way over, making Aiden fly through the air in his pajamas. UP IN THE AIR! JUNIOR BIRDMAN!

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane!" Alison grinned up at her giggling son. Aiden loved it when Daddy helped him fly. His legs and arms flailed happily in the air.

Hana was having none of the nonsense. She was busy!

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Longshot kept Aiden flying while Hana fed. The more he pooped his son out, the sooner he would fall asleep when he was put in his crib. The sooner the babies were asleep, the less likely the monitor would pick up something to distract Longshot from his wife. Or his presents!

Non-baby presents. Presents. Presents. Presents.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

Hana started to doze off as she nursed. Daddy must have been playing with them all day. Alison smiled and gently pulled Hana away. Then she stretched out her other arm toward Longshot and Aiden.

"Switch with me. Your little girl needs a burping before she falls asleep."

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Daddy wasn't home all day. He was sure Grandma did some playing with her grandbabies, however. Longshot handed Aiden over and took Hana. He grabbed a burp cloth and put her and the cloth against his shoulder. He patted her back to get her to burp.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

Alison hummed as she settled Aiden in to nurse. He didn't take long, since he was the faster eater of the two. He was also more awake than his sister. But, Alison suspected that he would settle down once they were in their crib. If not, he had a new Glowworm to play with.

Once he was finished, Alison burped him and laid him down gently in his crib. But, not before he got a bunch of goodnight kisses.

"Sleep tight, cutie pie." Then she gave Hana her goodnight kisses as the baby nodded off in Longshot's arms. "You, too."

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Longshot carefully set Hana in her crib and then put her little Glowworm with her. He tucked her in and kissed her head. Then he turned to his wife.

He tossed the burp cloth off somewhere. Then he swept Alison up into his arms. There would be some crouching to let her pick up her bags, but she was not leaving his arms. Nope.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Eep!" Alison gasped and then giggled when she found herself in Longshot's arms. Being carried by her hubby would top off a pretty good day very well. It always made her smile.

"Hey," she observed. "My feet aren't touching the ground..."

She kissed his nose. Ha! He had no hands to defend himself.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"Are they supposed to?" he asked before he went cross-eyed watching her kiss his nose. He tried to wiggle it a bit. Nothing moved. Well, it wasn't like he needed to defend himself from his wife anyway.

He made his way over to the doorway and crouched so she could pick up the bags. His presents were in there!

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Nope. Just making an observation." She smiled at him. Then she leaned down to grab her bags when he crouched. Nothing was better than being carried around by Longshot. At least, not as far as Alison was concerned.

Once she had her bags in hand, she settled back into his arms. "So, whatcha got in mind, gorgeous?"

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"Go to our bedroom. Close the door. Get my presents." Whatever they were. It was all so exciting! Presents. Presents. Presents!

Niiiiice presents that little ones could not see. Yes!

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Oh. Hmmm. Good plan, then. Carry on." She grinned and wrapped her free arm around his neck. He always got excited about presents. Even though he never asked for anything. It made him a little difficult to shop for, but she usually managed to find something he'd like.

She tried to decide what to give him first. Hmmm.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

It was a very short trip to their bedroom. He ran with his children in his arms; Longshot saw no reason not to do the same while holding Alison. So, he zipped right up to the fifth floor and nudged the door shut with his heel.

Then he sort of bounced in place. He had no idea if he should set her down or not. He wanted preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesents!

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Sooooomebody's excited," Alison commented as she giggled at the bouncing. She hoped he'd like what she brought him. Although, he usually liked anything she gave him. Still, she wanted her gifts to be special.

"Put me down, sweetheart. I need to rummage through my bags."

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

"Awww." He didn't want to. But she asked. So he would do it. He set Alison on her feet.

Then he had second thoughts and dipped her. He smooched her hard before setting her back upright.

There! Now, it was done properly.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

"Wooo..." Wow. Now, she was a little dizzy. Then again, Longshot's kisses had that effect on her. Her hubby had very nice lips.

She got her feet back under her and walked over to their bed. The bags were set carefully down. "Hmmm... let's see. What first?"

"Oh!" She laughed. Then she handed him a Glowworm of his own. It was bigger and took a little harder squeeze to get it to light up. "That was the one I could have given you in front of the babies. But, then you'd have had more to carry."

Yes, she was drawing out his wait. Yes, she was enjoying it.

[sonofarize.livejournal.com]

Longshot raised an eyebrow and took the Glowworm. He squeezed it. Yep. It worked. Then he padded over to where this large, stuffed chicken sat. He set the Glowworm beside it. Then he draped the chicken's wing over it. There.

He looked over his shoulder at Alison. "Works, too. Birds eat worms."

Ha! He knew slang!