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Things are getting back to normal now, after weeks of having Peggy back. Their lives seem to be working into a routine that, while busy, has taken on a very different feel with the two now working separate places. It may be too early still to say if it's for the positive or negative. Mickey is out in the backyard with Cookie, making sure the dog does its business while Sousa is in the kitchen making breakfast. He's also a bit tied up around the phone cord as he speaks to work all while making sure that the hashbrowns don't burn.
"This is taking far too long. I don't care about the tape, this is going to blow up and we're going to feel the brunt of it. We're trying to bring people together, not drive them further apart! Get me -something-. I want it on my desk by Monday."
There is some obvious protest on the other line.
*
While Peggy generally would protest sleeping in, she's getting to the point of pregnant, in the last few months, that her body wins. Especially because she's up hours at the night, tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable spot among far too many pillows. So, when her body lets her sleep, the rest of them let her sleep too. That means she's only now drowsily waddling down the stairs, in nothing but her night gown and dressing robe tied loosely over her round belly. She rubs tiredly at her eyes, stomach grumbling at the scent of much needed food. But, of course, first to the kettle. Tea is a must.
She arches silent brows in his direction, curious at the phone, but doesn't cut in the background yet. She will let him finish with work as she goes through drowsy, habitual motions of preparing her first cup of tea.
*
Sousa tries to keep the cord away from Peggy as she makes her tea, "This is abysmal that we're left in the dark. If they didn't want us to handle such things, why create the department in the first place?" He leans over to give Peggy a quick kiss on the cheek. "No, that wasn't for you." is then said into the phone. "Goodbye, Sergeant. Call me if you need me." He then twists around so that he can hang up the phone without tripping over the cord. "Everyone's a comedian," he quips as he goes back to the stove.
He knows to steer clear of Peggy while she's making her tea, but he can't help but ask, "Did you sleep all right?" He's aware of the tossing and turning. It's familiar, but it's been a while.
*
"…I'd offer to call for you and rant, but I think you'd just get more cranky if I try to swing SHIELD over their heads. And that doesn't always work. But… it'll be fine. You're doing what you can, that is all they can ask." Peggy's sleep-husky voice reassures him quietly, leaning over to happily accept that kiss and return it to the corner of his mouth before she goes back to her much needed tea.
The question of sleeping makes her smirk, giving a half dismissive wave, "…Oh, yes. Wonderfully. For at least an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Between pissing, everything hurting, the pillows being not fluffy enough and then being too fluffy. Slept like a baby." she deadpans quietly. then a touch of guilt crosses her eyes. "I just hope I didn't keep you up?"
*
"Actually, I think bringing SHIELD in might make it worse. I appreciate the offer, though," Sousa is going to use his ties to that organization very, very carefully. This is a battle that the NYPD Special Forces need to fight and they don't need the Cavalry quite yet. He stirs the hash browns in the skillet as Peggy goes back to her tea and smirks when she mentioned keeping him up.
There's a shrug before he offers, "It's all right. It's good practice for when the baby comes."
*
"…Was Mickey this bad? I feel like it wasn't this bad…" Peggy mutters, leaning her hip against the edge of the counter as she just hovers over her tea, nursed between both of her hands, and lets the heat and scent of it relax her more than actually trying to sleep was relaxing. She doesn't push anything more about his work with the NYPD. She made her offer and, otherwise, is staying out of it. "…and truly, dear, if it's that bad… we can get separate beds, you know? Just for now. While you're starting the new job. Plenty of couples do…" For what she used to call some assanine reason, but she's starting to understand now.
*
"Mickey was pretty bad and I remember going out for craving runs at all hours," not that could necessarily find what he needed, but he always brought -something- home. At least he hasn't had too many of those yet. He moves on to working on the eggs while the potatoes continue to brown and soften in the pan, "If it gets that bad, I can sleep in the guest room. But I was without you for far too long. I'm not going to waste time with you, even if it means a little less sleep." He might sneak off and catch a few hour's sleep and then come back to bed…or he might just nap during the day on the weekends. He'll make the sleep up eventually.
"The job isn't all that new now…it's been a couple of months," although to her, it -would- be newer. "It's just that incident at the Museum. We should have been involved."
*
Finally, Peggy actually takes one sip of her tea and then carefully sets it down, the cup actually far too hot to consume right now, so she will let it languish and cool while she goes up to his side. She's careful not to pull him away from the stove, but does sink closer, letting her stomach gently press into his side as her arm slips around the back of his waist and she leans against him just enough to not stop his cooking, but be in a fair amount of contact.
"Mm…I suppose. I am trying to be better about the cravings. And yes… I know it's not… new. It just still feels it. I will adjust." She mutters drowsily, head almost sinking onto his shoulders. She could practially go back to bed right now.
*
Sousa turns his head to pland a kiss on Peggy's forehead, "You can crave all you want. It's my job to go and try and get the food…didn't you know that?" She's the one doing all the work right now, not him. There's a smirk as he works on the eggs, "We're going to be adjusting a lot soon. So much for hitting any sort of a stride, huh?" But he's not afraid of it. Not anymore. This will all be good and actually bring more stability, or so he hopes.
"Are you going to take any time off, do you think? Coulson seemed to handle things well…"
*
"A week or two. Not too much. I've already taken enough time off this year, I can't afford much more…" Of course, Peggy could. They were managing fine, but she is still ever over protective of the organization she started and the guilt of being missing so long has been weighing heavily on her. The fact she's willing to take off a few weeks instead of just a few days is probably something that should be counted in the win column. She still doesn't pull away from his side, sinking her head fully down onto his shoulder, forehead tucked against his neck as he works.
*
"I'll make sure the nanny stays around then to help," even though he'll also be around to help as much as possible, it'll be different now with Mickey being the big sister. "We can also see if Mickey wants to help…" even for some little things? "My sisters practically raised me…" so it can work in theory.
He continues to cook the breakfast, seemingly perfectly happy to have Peggy leaning against him as he works. "I've been thinking…maybe we should get another car?"
*
He might feel the quiet stirring against his hip, Peggy having stood still long enough that the baby is waking up again. Not full on kicks yet, though that will be soon, but the drowsy, pressing moments that are almost slow flutters against her skin. More obvious for being the second time around. She smiles drowsily, just tucking a bit closer against him and letting herself breath deeper of HIS scent, not just the food. Her husband. Home. Mornings like this really did make it all worth it.
"…We'll talk to Mickey and let her make her decisions. I should be able to manage without the nanny but… there's no reason to let her off two weeks only to bring her back. I suppose the help will be nice. But… it's not a worry now. We still have time." Then her mind catches up to his last words, a small sound in her throat, "..mm…car…don't like the Aston Martin? We… could probably get Howard to do something to work with your leg…"
*
"Well, the Aston Martin's your's," Sousa points out. "And with two kids, maybe we should have two cars?" She actually voices what he was thinking. "Maybe…although Howard tends to go overboard. Is Tony as bad? Just something simple…maybe move the pedals to the left?" He isn't sure how -simple- that would be, but, "That means you don't have to drive everywhere."
He turns some to glance at her right there and smiles. This does make it all worth it. "How do you want your eggs?" So romantic.
*
As he turns, Peggy shifts up a bit so he CAN turn, looking at him drowsily. From the expression in her eyes, she wants her eggs in bed, going back to sleep, but she's trying to stay up and awake, one arm still wrapped behind his waist, holding on close and warm, "…mm… However you are making them. Not picky." Eggs weren't thrilling this morniing. They were food, but she's not craving them. "…I can talk to Tony.. he can be as bad as his father, but I'll look into it, see what we can get you. I promise. Should have done it a while ago. I'm sorry, dear…"
*
"Sorry they're not exciting," but they're breakfast and he doesn't want them to go bad. "I think I can add some cheese," maybe it'll make them better? Sousa turns to look at his wife as she turns to look at him but he grimaces at the whole conversation about the Starks. "Maybe we should ask someone at SHIELD…" because if he doesn't have to deal with a Stark, he'd rather not.
He leans in to give another kiss before moving to take out some cheese, "There's nothing to apologize for. We didn't need another car. We could probably make-do with one now, but I think it'll be easier on you if -I- can actually go to the store without you…" and not have to walk to and from.
*
"They are warm and filling, I don't need exciting right now. I just need my husband and some food. And… then maybe bed again." Peggy admits, a rarity that she ever considers going back to bed but exhaustion might win out on a lazy weekend day. She squeezes at his waist once more and then finally, reluctantly lets go, pulling away so she can amble over to the kitchen table and sink down into the seat next to her tea. It's more of a lean back and eventually just plop in, but she gets there. Stiff and sore this morning, she's feeling her age on top of the pregnancy after a rough night. "I…I'll talk to people, Daniel. Don't worry about it. I'll handle it."
*
There's a glance to the window where he can see Mickey and the dog playing in the yard before he turns back to Peggy. "Maybe one of the neighbors will take Mickey for a little bit today…" and give the two a lazy few hours to themselves. Where they'll most likely sleep, but still. "You can talk to people, I'll look into the car. We'll split that responsibility."
Once the food is ready, he brings a plate first to Peggy before fixing a plate for himselef and Mickey. The girl and dog get called inside, the child told to was her hands even as he prepped the food for the dog as well. Milk is set beside Mickey and Peggy even as he goes to pour his own coffee.
*
"Mm.. You've enough to worry about with work. Besides, perhaps 'people' are going to need a specialized kind of car. Let me talk to people first. You worry about getting that press conference going. Once I have some answers and someone who can do the job who won't drive you insane, then you can start picking out which car of the options makes you all starry eyed, alright?" After all, she does drive an Aston Martin, Peggy knows what it is to fall in love with a good looking car and want that exact one. Some Americana of cars-as-status-symbols has worn off on her, after all.
As Mickey tumbles in, all energy, with lolly-jawed dog beside her, Peggy reaches a hand down to scratch at the dogs ears and murmurs a few words of assent to Daniel's comment that Mickey should wash up. Then she smiles wider to her daughter, "Cookie is being good for you, yes? Did you teach him any tricks yet, hmm?" And she fondly tussles at her daughter's hair.
*
"Can't do anything about the press conference if we don't have information. If the regular NYPD is handling it, then it's not our's to touch. It's just a mess and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to clean it up. I've already told the DA's when to bring us in. Old habits, I guess…" or prejudices. He's not too sure which.
There's a pause as she mentions a car that might get him starry-eyed, "I haven't driven a car since the War, Peggy…I doubt I'll get that way over any of them." Famous last words, perhaps?
He also watches as Mickey bursts in, dutifully washes her hands (although not without a pout), and makes sure Cookie is eating before she settles into her place at the table. "Well, he likes to jump and I'm trying to teach him how to roll over, but it's really muddy outside. I'm going to teach him inside though!" she insists before taking a piece of toast to chew on.
*
"…Really…Muddy?" Peggy asks, her eyes going a bit wide with worry as she suddenly shifts over to look down at the floor and figure out JUST how much mud Cookie may or may not have tracked in. Maybe their daughter was extra careful this time? Probably not, but Peggy can hope. "…Well, be sure to keep all the mud down here and then you are both getting a bath later, yes? No pouting." Peggy's got that stern tone on, the tone which should kill arguments before they start.
Then she's looking back up to Daniel and smiles a bit more, "All the more reason you should get a car you love. It has been too long. We'll see what types they can modify and then you can pick one out. There is a bit of extra money from everything floating around, we can manage something expensive."
*
Mickey wiped her feet…and Cookie's feet before they came in, but there still might be a little mud on the floor. "It's too cold for a bath!" she insists and goes back to eating her breakfast as if that closes the matter. Cookie doesn't really seem to care. The dog has food and attention and that's all that matters. She's more than willing to argue with her mother now that she's been home for a while.
Daniel, on the other hand, is trying not to smile at the interaction between the two. "I'm not really picky. Whichever one works. Probably not an Edsel." He glances over to his wife then though, "I don't need it to be expensive. It'll be expensive enough making changes to it, I'm sure."
*
"Psh. I'm owed enough favors, making the changes will cost us nothing. In fact, it will probably be a good project for some people! Think nothing of it, truly, my love." Peggy reassures him, her slippered foot coming out from under the table to sneak over and rest against his real ankle. Reassuring, slightly flirtatious, simply happy about it and happy to be doing this for him. "Those Nashes are very nice, and large… might give you a bit more space to manuever." She offers thoughtfully.
Her brows slightly arch as she's not seeing near so much mud as she thought she would. Mickey might have actually cleaned them both before coming in. A slightly proud, thoughtful sound escapes from Peggy's lips and she nods to her daughter, "…Did you clean up you and Cookie when you came inside?…That was very smart. Perhaps… perhaps you can get away without the bath. Until tonight. But I will remind you, young lady, you DO take baths in the dead of winter. SO none of this pish posh about it being too cold."
*
"I don't want anything too large that I'll have to navigate on the streets though," Sousa points out, thus the comment about the Edsel. "Maybe one of the smaller ones…" although not the coupe, right? That wouldn't make sense for a father of two children. "Maybe they could do hand-brakes and accelerators? It would take getting used to, but then you wouldn't have to mess with moving the pedals?" He's not the mechanic or engineer for this, really. He's still amazed that they had him engineering bridges in the War. Desperate times.
Mickey looks at her mother as if she just said the silliest thing, "Of course I wiped my feet -and- Cookie's. I brought a towel out so that I could do it, too." Probably one of the nicer towels, actually. There's an exasperated sigh when Peggy mentions that there will still be a bath in the evening and she concedes only with a "Maybe."
*
The exasperated tone gets a sideways look and a very high arch of a brow. Peggy's smirking, torn between ridiculously proud of her daughter for learning such things and miffed that her daughter would take THAT tone. But also completely amused that Mickey has taken that tone. Peggy clears her throat, hiding just a bit of a laugh behind that sound as her back stiffens, "Yes, well… That is not a maybe. Bath now or tonight. I will get you in that water, my pretty, and your little dog too." Yes, she's totally making a hack job of that quote from that movie, but they've all seen it, so it's not too awful!
THen it's back to Daniel about actual business instead of more relaxing family times. She considers, "Well, just… just hold on, dear. Let me talk to people and get options, alright?" SHe flashes him a bit of a smile, "I can tell you are already excited or you wouldn't be going on like this. I will talk to people on MOnday. I promise."
*
"It's just a car," Sousa shrugs, but he's actually a little curious to see if they could make this work. Not only would it give him a lot more freedom, but he wouldn't feel like he's putting Peggy out every time they have to drive somewhere. There's also a sense one gets when they're driving on a sunny day…the top down on a convertible…it's almost like flying. And it's one he hasn't known for nearly twenty years now. Not as a driver.
He also watches the interaction between Peggy and Mickey, hiding his own smile behind his coffee cup and eating breakfast.
The movie quote actially has Mickey laughing, "Can Cookie come in the bath too with me? Oh, then I'll take a bath! We'll go take one right now!" She starts to slide off of the chair but Sousa puts a hand out, "Finish breakfast first."
Dark eyes turn to Peggy, "You walked into that one…you get to supervise."
*