Work Text:
The whole morning she could see the other Danvers, whom Kara left in charge before taking a vacation to see her mom, pacing all around the Tower. It was annoying and quite distracting. Of course Alex was stressed, the safety of the whole town and world in extent was on her shoulders, but – it wasn’t the first time, nor she was alone. The whole team was there, having her back. Yet not even that made her calm.
She kept on checking the security cameras, live feeds and any news channels just in case. Nobody would mind really, only if she wasn’t so loud about it! Moving between her screens in her noisy boots, fanatically typing into the computers, cursing at the smallest inconvenience... it drove the team crazy. All of them had something to do, mostly surveillance or evidence collecting. Nia and Andrea hid in the back room so they could work in somewhat peace.
Only the science buds, how Brainy liked to refer to him and Lena when working together, had something of greater importance on their plate. They started developing new smart tech that was supposed to make their lives easier. It was challenging task and temporary bosses’ behavior wasn’t helping at all-
“She needs a damn break already!”
Hissed Lena suddenly through her teeth, not looking up from her work desk anymore. Brainy just slightly nodded, also too interested in coding. Neither of them noticed Kelly entering with a tray of coffees for the whole squad.
“I know, she’s way too stressed lately, with Kara gone and all-”
Soft response sounded from behind their backs. That and the enticing smell of fresh black coffee and cappuccinos finally made them look up. Kelly had a soft yet slightly sad smile on her face, all of them just stood there quietly for a few moments before Brainy broke the silence:
“She needs to ‘chill out’ I’d say.”
Both women turned to him with surprise written all over their faces, they knew his way with words was ‘unique’, but this was something else. They couldn’t do anything but chuckle a bit.
“Nia has been teaching me slang, happy?”
“Strange, but okay...”
The Luthor wrinkled her brow, but moved on very quickly, mostly because she was more interested in her coffee than whatever was going on between the two young love birds. She turned to Kelly and took one of the cups from the tray with her name on it. Lena blew the delicious liquid slowly and then carefully took a sip.
“Oh God! You’re a lifesaver!”
“It’s the least I could do, you all have been working so hard.”
As she said that her eyes shifted to her wife, which Brainy spotted. He also took his coffee and spoke up, presenting everything the whole team was thinking in the past few days.
“Perhaps you two should take some time off...A little vacation would reduce Alex's irritating behavior.”
Very inconspicuously the Luthor shook her head in agreement and kept on enjoying her caffeine filled beverage. Kelly sighed heavily, daydreaming about how their vacation could look like.
“That’s- that’s a great idea, but she’ll never agree to that.”
These days Alex barely agreed to go to bed at a reasonable hour, so relaxing and taking it down a smidge was totally out of the question.
“Why not?”
Lena’s voice was somewhat concerned and upset. She wanted the best for her friends and historically she’d do anything to assure that all of the people she cared about were safe and sound.
“We all know you need that... besides Brainy, Nia, J’ohn, Andy and I can hold down the fort-”
“Tower!”
Brainy corrected the Luthor who just rolled the green eyes in response and continued:
“Right, we can hold down the Tower and you two can take Esme to the beach!”
It was obvious that Kelly liked the idea and even though she wasn’t sure if this argument would hold up with her wife as well, she had to admit to herself it seemed as the best tactic to persuade Alex into slowing down a bit and enjoying a little family time with her and Esme.
“If I phrase it in that way and maybe... just maybe she’ll finally agree to ‘chill out’ a bit.”
Both women burst into laughter while Brainy was just left confused by their behavior.
“Good luck then!”
The Luthor cheered for Kelly, when she turned around to go fetch the rest of the coffee cups to the rest of the team. The rest of the day she spent looking for the best words to use when she’ll talk to her wife later.
***
That day Alex got home considerably early, because she’d promised Esme that she would be there for dinner. There was no way she’d ever say ‘no’ to her daughter. It was a good thing she did though. They haven’t spent that much together as a family lately and spending time with the two most important women in her life always improved the redhead’s mood.
Kelly prepared a delicious meal for them that night, Esme was too excited and even set the table without asking. Most importantly the acting boss agreed to bring the dessert on her way from work, her girls’ favorite, chocolate chip muffins from the best bakery in the neighborhood.
It may have been quarter past seven, Alex swiftly walked up the stairs and stepped inside of their apartment. She almost dropped the box with a tasty-looking treat when her little girl ran up to her and grasped her legs. Esme was energic and joyful as usual, which made the woman smile in return.
“Hey, my little angel, I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too mommy!”
The girl tightened her grip before Alex put away the sweets and picked her up to her embrace. With their daughter in her arms she crossed the hall and walked to her wife, still standing in the kitchen. Kelly was finishing up the food when a soft kiss landed on her cheek.
“It smells amazing, baby.”
“Thank you, babe, it just needs a minute,... could you go and wash up, please?”
Alex smiled and nodded, taking Esme with her to the bathroom to wash their hands before dinner. And indeed, they began eating just moments after. They enjoyed the delicious food and each other’s company, while catching up on their days.
After dinner they moved to the living room and played board games for a while. The moms being moms gladly let their girl win, which made her even happier. Alex opened up a bottle of wine and poured one glass for herself and one for her wife, not to leave Esme out, Kelly brought her some blackberry juice and together they clinked their glasses.
This is really what all of them needed. Each other.
***
“Sweetheart, it’s getting late, go brush your teeth and after mommy and I will come by your room to say goodnight, okay?”
Esme wanted to protest at first, but Kelly’s features were clear, stern yet still kind. Still there was no place to argue, so she stood up and did as she was told. When their daughter was out of sight, the woman moved over to her wife. Alex put her arm around her and kissed her gently. The brunette smiled into the kiss and took a deep breath to gather up some courage.
“Listen... I wanted to talk with you about something.”
She looked a bit worried which made the redhead worried as well. She changed her position to face her wife and asked softly:
“Yes? What is it, my love?”
Kelly took another deep breath to stretch out the time and find the right way to speak up her mind.
“I’ve been thinking and we- well mostly you have been under so much pressure and I think a little break would be-”
“Kelly-”
The brunette put her index finger against her wife lips and sighed hard.
“Before you say no, it could be good for all of us-”
Alex interrupted her mid-sentence, mildly upset because of the ridiculous suggestion, yet there was a little voice in her head whispering that Kelly had a point. After all she saw how gratifying and definitely worthwhile was the time they spent together earlier.
“What do you mean?”
“We could take Esme to the beach, spend the day there, together... as a real family.”
A shy smile and some slight sign of hope was present on the brunette’s face, she tried her best to get her point across as compellingly as possible, but still in her usual amiable tone.
“That- that sounds lovely, but there’s so much-”
It didn’t work, not that easily. Thankfully Kelly knew her wife well and she was prepared, she worked on her argument all afternoon. She was determined to convince her by any means necessary.
“I know we’re the heroes who are charged with keeping everyone safe, but sometimes we should be able to be... normal for once. It’s not just us two anymore-”
Alex sighed, she was at tough crosswords, she would do anything for her family, but the outside pressure was immense. She took a sip of her wine and looked around the living room.
“I know and you’re right, but-”
Her eyes stopped at their little girl standing in the hallway, she’d obviously heard their conversation, because pure excitement was written all over her, her face lit up with bliss.
“We are going to the beach?”
The moms exchanged an unsure look, both speechless for a few moments.
“It was just an suggestion, sweetie, but mommy is-”
Before she could finish her sentence her wife once again cut in:
“She’s taking her favorite girls to the beach tomorrow for a family holiday, how does that sound?”
“Aaaaawesome!”
Shouted the girl cheerfully as she ran up to her moms and jumped between them. Kelly looked at her wife, her eyes silently thanking her, while both of them wrapped their arms around Esme, creating the loveliest hug they’ve had in quite a while.
***
Kelly played with her daughter in the water for almost half an hour before convincing her to return to the beach to take a bite from something and recharge their energy. When they got back to the blanket, they found Alex staring at her phone alertly. The brunette had noticed even before that her wife didn’t lose the screen out of her sight.
“Can you maybe relax a bit? And stop staring at your phone all the damn time?”
The redhead had sour response on the tip of her tongue, but her daughter was faster:
“Yeah, mommy... you weren’t paying attention to us at all...”
The puppy eyes that followed that sentence could soften even the coldest heart.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay, you can still make it up to me!”
Alex smiled and pulled her daughter to her arms. In the meantime the brunette handed them both a sandwich.
“Okay, I’m listening...”
“Help me make a sandcastle!”
They ate their lunch and got to work. First they build thick walls, then high watch towers and even a huge building in the middle that was meant as a ballroom. All of them decided that their castle should also be protected properly. So Alex and Esme started to work on a moat.
Kelly’s phone rang, it was some patient who needed quick emergency advice. She turned away for just a few moments and when she turned back, she couldn’t believe her own eyes.
“What the actual-“
Her wife was neck deep in sand and laughing. Esme jumped around her, so proud of herself. Her voice was as excited as ever.
“Now she can’t be on her phone at all!
Kelly shook her head, squatted next to her and burst into laughter as well, lifting up her phone and took a bunch of pics.
“I seriously need to document this for the team!”
“Nooooooooooooooooooo-”
The absolutely defeated and devastated expression on Alex’s face was simply priceless, but finally, finally she was actually enjoying herself, even though she could barely move.
That evening when they returned home they brought with them (except sh*t ton of sand) two very important things: joint memories they’d cherish till forever and a valuable lesson about how important it is to take a break and spend time with those you love.