Chapter Text
A shrill cry pulls Bobbi out of that moment of finally falling asleep, and she pinches at the bridge of her nose as she rolls out of bed.
“Whuzzat?”
“I’m already up, I’ve got her,” she sighs, giving Lance a tired smile. He smiles back before pulling the covers up over his chin.
They're both exhausted. If Lance isn't moving, he's napping. Meanwhile, Bobbi can basically only sleep if Lance or Lucy is next to her. When either of them do get the chance to sleep, it's not for long. Lucy's either hungry or needs her diaper changed or needs to be held, the list goes on and on.
It’s right around the time Lucy gets hungry anyway. Lance could get her, but Bobbi’s been up, it’s not worth it for him to be up when he needs the rest too.
“I’m right here, baby,” Bobbi hums, reaching into the crib and cradling Lucy close. She wails and squirms in Bobbi’s arms, her face red and angry, cheeks shining with tears in the moonlight. Bobbi bounces her gently as she walks over to the rocking chair, letting out a quiet groan as she gets settled.
“I know, honey,” she says, voice soft and melodic. “I know.” Lucy’s already nuzzling at her breast, and Bobbi can’t help but snort. “yeah, I got that. Just like your daddy.”
Bobbi undoes the snap on her tank top, wincing a little when Lucy first latches on. They’ve been doing okay, the doctor actually says they’re doing great for first-time parents, but it’s still something they have to work on.
She looks down at their daughter and her heart melts. Sure, she’s exhausted and sore everywhere, but this. This is what makes it all worth it. She feels so full of love in that moment, holding this child that’s half her, half Lance, knowing that they’ve moved on to a place where they thought starting a family was a good idea.
Lance isn’t quiet as he stumbles through the hallway, grumbling all the way to the nursery. “You could’ve stayed in bed,” she says over her shoulder, smiling up at him. He forces a bleary smile, which makes her laugh quietly.
Lucy gurgles and Bobbi turns her gaze back to their daughter, pressing a finger to her open palm and grinning when she grips tightly.
“Couldn’t sleep without you,” he mumbles, dropping a kiss to the top of her head before pressing his cheek to the same spot. “Plus, it's always worth it if I get to spend time with my girls." Her heart flutters against her ribcage and she can feel blood rushing to her cheeks, her entire face suddenly warm.
Lucy peers up at them with curious brown eyes, bright and sparkling and full of wonder. Lance sighs happily, reaching down to brush back her downy hair.
“She looks so much like you,” he murmurs, chuckling when Lucy waves her fist at him.
“She’s got your eyes,” Bobbi grins, bouncing Lucy gently, which makes her smile. “And your dimples, thank god.” Lance sighs contentedly, nuzzling the top of her Bobbi’s head, his eyes no doubt slipping shut once more.
It’s nearly morning, the sky starting to turn a hazy orange-blue as the sun draws closer to the horizon. It’s not like it’s uncommon for Lucy to wake them up at the crack of dawn anyway; they’re lucky if they get to sleep in until seven as it is.
Lucy turns her gaze to Lance, babbling and reaching up at him while wriggling against Bobbi.
“Luce, do you wanna see daddy?” Lance makes a curious noise, lifting his head, and Bobbi twists to look up at him. “Aw, I think daddy fell back asleep.”
“Mhmm,” he groans, scrubbing a hand over his face tiredly. “Here, lemme hold her.” She carefully transfers Lucy to the cradle of his arms, heart swelling when he ducks down to kiss her forehead. “C’mon princess, let’s go make the coffee.”
“Thank you,” Bobbi calls out dreamily as he exits the room.
Coffee had been their one saving grace through all of this. Lance had done quite a bit of reading to make sure it was safe for her to drink while Lucy was nursing. He had backed off fairly quickly once she growled at him when he tried to turn the pot off; nobody gets between Bobbi Morse and her caffeine.
She finally heads downstairs after swiping her robe up from the bedroom, holding it tight around her sides as she walks into the kitchen. Lance is humming some nonsensical tune as he rocks Lucy, a peaceful, tired smile on his face.
“There’s mama,” he says in a sing-song tone, giving her that same tired smile, and it makes her inhale sharply. Every time he gives her that smile, her brain short circuits and her heart skips a beat.
He crosses the room until he’s right in front of her, tilting his face up toward hers. Bobbi’s hand comes up to his cheek, anchoring him as she leans in to kiss him. It’s sleepy and warm and so damn domestic that it makes her stomach twist up in the best way possible.
“Good morning,” she murmurs against his lips. Lucy’s hand slaps against her chest, right where her heart beats strongest, and Bobbi chuckles, placing her hand over Lucy’s tiny one. Bobbi takes Lucy from his arms, cooing down at her as Lance heads to the living room.
“Hey.” She looks up just as the Christmas tree in the corner comes to life. It’s still dark outside and the tree is the only source of light, showering the walls in vivid colors. “Merry Christmas, girls,” he beams, pressing himself up against her back, arms winding around her waist and tugging her close.
“Merry Christmas, Lance.”