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There never seems to be downtime at work and Daniel and Peggy have been working long hours. It makes the weekend times with family all the more important. It was a busy day with Mickey with spending some time doing outdoor activities now that Fall is here. It makes being outside much more pleasant…inside as well as there are cool breezes coming through the windows.
Dinner is over, Mickey is in bed, and the adults have the evening to themselves before the week begins again tomorrow. The evening's television show is on, and it's a quiet night…so far.
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Sousa has disconnected.
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Sousa has connected.
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Peggy isn't quite asleep yet, but if it's just going to be evening TV, she's probably going to be out within 20 minutes. As the weeks drag on, even with the bits of nausea she had mostly gone, the exhaustion is just increasing along with her waistline. She's strictly wearing his shorts these days, none of her pajama pants comfortable any longer and refusing to go and get maternity things because 'she hasn't really gained that much yet.' It's just about comfort.
She's currently just stretched out on the couch, her legs over his, head tucked sideways against one of the couch pillows as she tries to keep eyes open and watch the black and white picture dancing in front of them. It's the most relaxing night they've managed to have in ages, especially since it's barely 8 pm.
*
Sousa has his arm across the back of the sofa and likewise across Peggy's shoulders, resting one hand on her far shoulder and idly caressing it. He's a little more awake and chuckling at the comedy on the small screen. He looks over at the sleepy Peggy and shifts some on the sofa, settling in a little more. "So," is said at a break in the program. "Do we get the dog before the baby or after? It's completely your call on this one."
*
"…Mmp?" Peggy asks drowsily, her mind slowly coming awake at the fact her husband is talking. Nope, she wasn't nodding off at all! Everything is perfectly fine, everyone is awake here! This is not a household in bed before 9! She shifts on the couch, rolling onto her back instead of her side, stretching her legs over his lap so she can look up to him as they speak without really getting off the couch or moving otherwise. "…Get the dog? You…you really are going to be willing to go forward with it?"
*
Sousa moves his hand and arm so that she can readjust on the sofa, the hand going to rest on her leg. He still continues to run his fingers lightly along her as they converse. "The fact that she still hasn't dropped the subject makes me think that maybe she's really serious about it. I also think she might be lonely." Although that's going to change in a few months.
*
"She'll be in full time school next year, which will help… But she is serious about it. I think she wants to prove she can handle the responsibility. As much as it hurts to think about how she's growing up… She really is. And she's smarter than either of us realize. We… are in such trouble in the next few years." Peggy admits with a soft, fond laugh thinking about their little girl. Even as she says the trouble word, there is pride behind her voice. She settles a bit closer into his touch, getting fully comfortable there on the couch.
*
"Do we think we can stave her off for a year?" Daniel asks, his eyebrows lift. He's quite surprised at how asute Mickey is even at her young age, and he's also very proud of her. His daughter shows spunk and compassion and empathy even though she's as stubborn as the two of them put together. "The thing is, no child should have sole responsibility of caring for a pet. It's not fair to them or the pet. I'm sure she'll do well with it, but we're also going to have a new baby and what if she gets tired of the dog when she goes to school?"
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"…Do you *genuinely* think that she's going to get tired of the dog? Truly, Daniel?" Peggy asks, already fairly certain she knows the answer to that question and her daughter's interests, which tend to be passionate and head first. Occasionally she's tossed things out the window, but it's after a day or two of interest. If Mickey's been begging for months, it probably means she's not going to drop the matter. "…And, yes, we are her parents, we absolutely could stave her off for a year. But… I don't know if we want to. She's… she's been asking so long. And I'd rather juggle a dog *now*, get it all trained, and a baby *later* than both at the same time."
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Sousa doesn't answer immediately as he thinks about it, "No, I don't think she will. I just don't want there to be this dog that feels lika a burden. It's not fair to us or to the dog." But she has been asking for months and she still keeps on bringing it up. He does get his answer and gives a nod. Mickey will be thrilled. "Maybe we can get a dog that's already trained? I'm going to take her to the pound to choose one that needs a home." Soon. Maybe next weekend. "Are you ok with that?" There's a grin that slowly forms on his lips, "You realize we're sliding further and further into domesticity."
*
"That… that would be nice. I know she might pout for a puppy, but I think you can talk her into an older dog. A good compromise. And they'll be easier to handle than a crazy puppy." Then Peggy is watching that grin of his, her head tilting to the side as she furrows brows, trying to figure out what it's about. His words explain a heartbeat later and she coughs out a laugh, reaching down to gently swat at his fingertips. "…Don't say it like that! I'm bound to run off on some mission halfway across the globe if you put that thought into my head."
*
"I'm hoping that if we explain that these dogs lost their homes and need new ones that she'll understand. Besides, I'm not sure it's a good idea to be training a puppy -and- having a baby." That just seems like a recipe for disaster. His grin doesn't change though, even as she swats at his fingers, "Two kids, a home in the suburbs, and a dog? I think we're doomed."
*
A little groan comes out of Peggy and her nose wrinkles, shifting on the couch and sinking deeper into the pillow as she stares up at the ceiling. "Nooo… We're still secret agents of the world's largest intelligence agency, Daniel! We… we still have exciting lives!" Peggy insists with a little bit of a laugh, but she seems to agree with most else of what he's saying. "…And yes, tell her that. You are very good at pulling on all the heartstrings of the women in this household."
*
Daniel can't help but start laughing as Peggy continues to protest. "Secret agents? We're paper-pushers. Everyone else gets to be the secret agent…we get to file the paperwork and tell them what to do! We're the bosses." Besides, with two children (and a dog), will they really be traipsing off? "Face it, Peggy, we're settling down." He reaches to take her hand in his, "I don't really mind it."
When she compliments him for his ability to tug on heartstrings, he shrugs nonchalantly and offers, "It's my inherent charm. Women can't resist me."
*
Another, teasing whine comes from Peggy as he comments on them being paper pushers. She shakes her head, tossing brown curls (with just a few strands of gray here and there) over the couch cushion. "Nooo. No. I refuse. I'm going to Berlin next week, that's it." She murmurs teasingly, no actual case in Berlin, but it seemed a good place. Her hand stretches out, lazily tracing fingertips against his ribs even as she continues to protest.
"Sousa women can't resist you…If you've got other women falling to those charms, well, they are going to have a *very* big problem soon and you might have to bring me up on murder charges." Peggy admits with a teasing grin.
*
"You're going to Berlin…out of spite…to prove that you're still a secret spy?" Sousa grins, apparently amused at her protest of their life status. "Don't forget to bring your wigs." Does she still have them? As she corrects him in terms of his boast, he can't help but chuckle. "I don't think I do. All the younger women in the office seem to think of me as a father-figure." Which is both flattering and a blow to his ego.
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"I just might." Peggy humphs, but the glimmer in her drowsy eyes is fairly clear she is teasing. She lets her fingertips now just rest against his side, calming a little and not falling to the temptation to tickle him. Though his comment about the wigs makes her smirk and she does give a little tickle, because he deserves it. "Sometimes I need those! You never know! They're still in good shape!" She protests firmly. "And you are a great father figure."
*
Sousa gives a little start and a squirm as he's tickled, "Hey now!" Does she really want to start that? Because he'll reach over to tickle ar her side right back! "I'm surprised Mickey hasn't found them to play in yet," is offered regarding the wigs. When she says he's a good 'Father Figure', however, a hand goes to his chest, "Ouch…you wound me!"
*
Peggy grins wide at his protest, looking up at him and just *daring* him to do it back to her. "You're the one who started in on this domesticity nonsense! I had to put a stop to it some how!" Peggy teases back, though the love in her voice is clear and she does go back to just resting her hand against his side. "And I keep those wigs up on a high shelf! They're important!"
*
"I was just pointing it out!" Sousa protests, but he's also almost laughing. "Do you? I haven't seen them…" but he also doesn't go digging around in her closet. His amusement calms and he rests his hand on her leg, just wanting that physical connection as well, "I wouldn't trade it though. Not a thing. Even if it means we become domesticated."
*
The woman shakes her head again, giving his side one last, gentle swat. "Awful. You are being awful. We're not… Domesticated. We're just… us. Parents. Family. Getting old. You know. Us." Peggy teases back gently, but there is something in being domesticated that genuinely seems to bother her for some reason. Or maybe scare her.
*
Sousa watches Peggy for a long moment before he offers, "It doesn't mean our lives stop or that we blend in, you know. I think it just means that our priorities change." Family comes first. There was a time when Sousa would have sacrificed himself readily if it meant the greater good but now there's always a second thought. "I don't think we're getting old. Old-er, sure. But I think we're only old when we decide to be,"
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"…I… I suppose so. I just… it's not what I ever thought of for my life." Peggy admits softly. Then she looks up to him, realizing how that might sound. She shifts her fingertips to take his hand and give his palm a tight squeeze. "But…I wouldn't change this for anything. Even if it means getting a dog, having another kid, and becoming *those* people."
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"Me neither," Sousa admits. "I figured I'd be a bachelor for the rest of my life," and that no one would want him. He gives Peggy a soft smile, "I know. Neither of us thought that we'd be 'those' people. But we never really will be though. Not completely. It's…" his lips twist in a wry grin, "It's our Secret Identity."
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That grin gets a little smirk, but her eyes are amused. "Alright, alright… well… seems like we have a plan. Mickey can get the dog now… you can take her to get a trained one at the pound, not a puppy. We'll hopefully not need to do much work and… she has to understand the responsibility. Then we simply… carry on as we have been." For now, at least. Until a new baby comes in and turns everything else up side down.
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Sousa reaches out a hand to lightly brush at her hair, "All right. Plans are good, right?" Even though this may likely blow up in their faces. "I'll try to find a somewhat trained dog. I hope the nanny doesn't mind adding dog training to her day," since she'll be the one caring for it while Mickey is at school and then helping Mickey learn how to take care of a dog. "But not a puppy. Ai, what are we getting ourselves into?"
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Without hesitation, almost on instinct alone, Peggy tilts her head into the brush of his hand. She nods gently, "Yes…plans are good, and we are good at doing that. We'll talk to the nanny but… she works for the household. It's not her business to mind." Sometimes, Peggy can get bossy. This is one of those times. "…We're getting our daughter something that will teach her a lot and love her a lot. That's what matters." Peggy smiles a bit softer as she says that, though she's sinking deeper into the couch. It's clear sleep is tempting her so dearly.
*
His hand gently brushes against Peggy's cheek before he pushes himself to his feet. He limps over to turn the television off before holding a hand out to Peggy, "Come on, let's get you upstairs. Unless you really -want- to sleep on the couch. I mean, I'm more than happy to just spread out on the bed tonight…"
"…it's awful. It's only nine… I AM getting old." Peggy grumps, but she doesn't protest beyond that. She reaches her fingertips up, wrapping them through his and swinging her legs down off the couch so she can stand. She squeezes his palm gently before letting go, so he can navigate the steps without her throwing his practiced balance off. "And no. No couch sleeping. Unless you want to hear about it all day tomorrow." She states with a smirk as they head for their bedroom.
*
"No, you're pregnant and have a five year old," Sousa corrects. "I think that would exhaust anyone. We should get Captain Rogers to babysit sometime and see." He's mostly teasing. His balance isn't affected by helping her to her feet and he's able to make his way up the stairs and to the bedroom without incident. They're few and far-between at this point. "Yeah, let's not do the couch sleeping," he grins, teasing. "You going to be all right though?"
*
"Oh, I'm fine. I always am, darling, you know that." Peggy states with a warm, reassuring smile. She then leans up to tug him into a warm, lingering kiss. "I love you." She affirms softly. She then lets go, heading over to the bed and almost immediately crawling in. She really is that ready to drop off. She tucks up into the pillow on her side, leaving plenty of room for him, thankful she already was in bedwear. She'll be off to sleep within minutes, breathing slow and deep.
*
Sousa returns Peggy's kiss and makes sure she climbs into bed all right. He then goes about his own evening preparations, which may take a little longer than Peggy's. She then gets another kiss on the cheek after he gets into bed and gets settled for sleep himself. He doesn't fall immediately asleep, however; instead, he watches Peggy for a moment before getting lost in his thoughts. It's probably another hour or so before he finally mentally relaxes enough to fall asleep.
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