Chapter Text
So much had changed over the years. He used to picture himself cuddling with Jemma on this couch; now the girl he spent all his nights with was Maddie. But the couch was the same, and it was still just as comfortable as the day it was delivered. He really needed to thank his mum for that. It had been her advice that a real home needed a comfortable couch. Maddie gave a sleepy sort of sound, but he knew if he tried to move he’d just disturb her and the crying would start all over again. Instead he rubbed her back and kept talking in a low voice. For some reason the sound of his voice put her to sleep more easily than anything else. Jemma said it was his accent -- though it never seemed to make her sleepy.
He really owed a lot to this couch. The best project he’d ever worked on had started right here. It had brought him Jemma. And Maddie too, for that matter. He glanced down at the baby sprawled face down across his chest, her head turned to the side and her fists balled up near her ears.
He knew that beneath her closed eyelids her eyes were still blue. Jemma insisted they were the same color as his, but he knew they might still change. He was amazed every day by the tiny life he and Jemma had created together. They really did make a great team.
He reached out a finger to gently caress Maddie’s cheek, inhaling the smell of baby shampoo from the bath he’d given her earlier. It had technically been Jemma’s turn, but his wife was practically dead on her feet, falling asleep right after dinner. And Fitz was more than happy to spend some extra time with his best girl.
But...he didn’t have the same touch as Jemma did when it came to soothing Maddie and getting her into her crib. Even with lullabies playing and the nightlight throwing stars across the ceiling, every time he tried to lay her down in the crib she’d wake up from what looked like a dead sleep and start wailing. So instead of risking waking Jemma he’d decided to let Maddie sleep out on the couch with him. Well, on him.
A rustling sound and a lightswitch flipping on distracted him from his thoughts.
“Fitz?” Jemma came into view, yawning. “You weren’t in bed. What are you doing out here?”
“Oh, you know. Just relaxing on the couch.”
“Maddie won’t go down for you?”
“It looks like she’s asleep to me,” he scoffed. “I think it’s this couch. Works wonders when people can’t sleep.”
Jemma laughed. “We’ve talked about this before. I think it’s time to let it go.”
“It was a miracle we were able to get it into this house. I’m not going to try to get it out of here.”
“Umm-hmm.” Jemma settled down next to him and he shifted to make room for her, careful not to disturb Maddie.
“Plus, it has too many good memories. I owe this couch for everything that has gone right in my life.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Fitz. Your couch isn’t responsible for that. You are.”
He turned towards her, lips quirked to the side.
“Really? This couch brought us together. We never would have had our first kiss if it wasn’t for this couch.”
“Fitz!” She laughed and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “When I met you I thought you were very handsome and smart, and I really wanted to get to know you better. All of this would have happened with or without this couch.”
“Well, I’m not taking any chances. Not when it comes to you and Maddie.”
“We’re all yours already, you silly man.”
Jemma snuggled into his side and he wrapped an arm around her, keeping the other on Maddie’s back. He pressed a kiss to Jemma’s hair, trying to figure out how he got to be so lucky.
Jemma sighed. “We really should get a new couch anyway. Maybe this one has too many memories. It can’t be that hygienic.”
Deciding it was best to just change the subject, he asked, “Since you’re awake now did you want to watch your favorite documentary?”
“We’ll have to put Maddie in her room if we’re going to do that.”
Jemma bit her lip and gave him an innocent grin that started his heart beating faster.
“Can you take her?”
“Of course.” Jemma stood and then reached down to lift Maddie off of Fitz’s chest, cradling her daughter in her arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “As long as you get the film all queued up.”
Fitz dimmed the lights and turned on some soft music while he waited for Jemma to return. He really was the luckiest man in the world. And when Jemma came back he’d make sure she knew how much he loved her.
“She’s all tucked in. So we should have at least a few minutes alone.” Jemma gave him a small smile. Having a baby had taken some getting used to. The hours they used to spend together were now broken up with diaper changes, feedings, and cuddling. And he wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Jemma came to sit beside him on the couch.
“So, ah, I assumed you didn’t actually want to watch that documentary.”
“Of course not,” she agreed, leaning in for a kiss. “I just want you.”
They shared a gentle kiss, full of love and longing. Fitz broke away just long enough to say, “See? I told you this couch was lucky.”
“Ugh, Fitz!” Jemma objected. But then he pulled her closer and there was no more need for words.