Chapter Text
Colin gripped one small, sticky, marker covered hand in each of his own. He grinned down at his children who were awkwardly trying to hold up posterboard pieces one handed. It would have been easier for them to use two hands but he didn’t dare release them in the busy receiving area of Heathrow. There was a tug on his left arm as Agatha began to jump up and down.
“She’s here! She’s here!”
“Where?” Thomas asked. Colin released his elder child to pick up the younger just as his wife came into view. It was good he did too because Aggie took off like a shot.
“Mummy!” She shrieked as though they’d been parted for months instead of a long weekend.
Colin strode forward with Thomas in his arms, arriving before Penelope just as she finished showering their daughter with kisses.
“There’s my big boy!” She said, reaching out to take Thomas.
“Both children are alive and well, just like I promised,” he said, bending forward to kiss her cheek.
“I’m sensing a but…” she narrowed her eyes at him.
“But holy shit, Pen,” he said with a beleaguered sigh, “I always spend your girls trip weekend learning to appreciate you even more. Please don’t ever leave me.”
Penelope laughed lightly as she took Agatha’s hand.
“Don’t worry Colin,” she said with a smile. “I’m with my family, exactly where I belong.”