the things i hate about you

It's mid-day as I open the front door to the house and saunter into the entrance hallway, humming a tune while jiggling my house and car keys in one hand. "Hope!", I call out as I place the keys on a side table at the hallway, which was now adorned with picture frames of our family. There was no reply.


"Honey?", I call again and I could picture her rolling her eyes in response. I knew that she disliked pet names, but I would do it every once in a while just to annoy her. Besides, I love catching the little upward curling of her corners of her mouth as she comes out with a witty retort. I peek through the living room but it was unoccupied, though traces of her were hard to miss as my gaze fall onto the crumpled blanket scattered across on the couch, and onto the half-filled mug and book that was placed on the coffee table. I frown, worry creases forming in my forehead. I was positively sure that she was at home, judging from her car that was parked at the front porch and her house slippers that were missing from the shoe rack. A little panicky, hoping she wasn't having one of her dizzy spells again, I pace to the stairs in a hurry and head upstairs. I walk towards the direction of our bedroom when I catch sight of the attic door that was left open. Curious, I climb up the steps and peer inside the attic, only to find her kneeling on the floor in front of several cardboard boxes with her back facing me.


"Hi.", I lean on the door frame, relief washing over me. "What are you doing up here?", I ask softly, watching her, noticing that she had wore her hair in a braid, tied up in a ponytail, something that I love seeing her in. The attic was where I used to spend time with Cassie though now it was mostly used for storage, but it would soon turn into a play room, again. I grin at the thought.


"Hey.", her reply cold, she didn't turn around, her focus clearly on something else. I recognise the pile of boxes at a glance, it was the things I had to clear away two years ago from my bedroom, when she had officially moved in. I narrow my eyes in confusion, wondering what was she rummaging through.


"What is so important that I can't even get your attention?", I remark dramatically. I walk to her side and get down on my knees, giving her a kiss on her temple in greeting.


She didn't return my affection, which was odd. "I was looking for a book, but instead I found this.", she shoves a sheet of slightly foxed paper into my hands, and she looks at me, expression unreadable, her lips a thin line.


My brows knit into a frown, perplex. "What is this? It's blank.", I stare at the piece of paper that was empty, place on my thighs.


She rolls her eyes at my silliness. "Turn it around.", she gestures at me with her finger, as she stares at the paper then back to me,  emphasising me to take it. She sits back casually, her legs crossing beneath her.


I squint my eyes, suspicious and worry arousing inside me. Quickly, I turn my attention to the paper and flip it around. I widen my eyes in surprise, my jaw fall open, as I recognise my handwriting immediately. "Oh.", I gasp, my mouth turning into an 'O" shape, I glance quickly at her, and at the paper again, reading the title that I had scribbled a long time ago, my face swiftly breaking into a sheepish grin.


The things I hate about her.


Shit. I thought I threw that out years ago. How did this paper not decompose. It wasn't meant to be read, not by her.


"This.", I divert my gaze away from her, and look down, anxious, my thumb brushing the thin, brown-spotted paper, my throat dry.


"Oh yes. This.", she nods her head, her beautiful clear green orbs boring into me intensely, and I feel a burning sensation arising from my chest. "You know, for such a title, I thought it would depict my flaws, but they seem to be my good traits? Care to explain?"


I let out a nervous laugh, my body tense. "Are we doing this right now?", I run my hand through my hair, trying my luck to escape the awkward situation that would befall me any second now. I waver slightly, unsure if it would be a good idea to revisit our past, even though she has long forgiven me.


"Yes we are.", her voice firm as she crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow, curiosity and confusion etching on her face, still staring at me. She wasn't going to let me go, not this time.


"Ok.", I comply, clasping my hands together. "Then let's get comfortable shall we?", I sit with my legs cross on the floor and shuffle closer to her, enveloping her from behind, letting her lean on my chest, with one of my arm wrapping around her, as I feel the warmth of her body. From the corner of my eye, I catch a thin smile appearing on her face, her killer dimples deepening whenever she smiles. I relax a little, thinking this might not be so bad after all. Holding the paper in my hand, it instantly brought me back to the day that I had wrote it and the reason why, even though it had been a few years. I marvel at the events of our lives, from taking the mantle of Ant-Man and The Wasp, to becoming an Avenger, being on house arrest and defeating Thanos, and now she's here in my arms, safe and sound and I am forever grateful. I inhale deeply, thinking carefully on how to explain this to her. "I wrote this a few days into my house arrest, after watching 10 Things I Hate About You on TV.", I cough awkwardly, embarrass.


"Oh God. You're so cheesy Scott.", she scoffs at me.


I chuckle. "I realised I couldn't see you again and honestly, I missed you, badly. I had Cassie, but it just felt different, without you.", I said sincerely while I steal a glance at her, gauging her reaction, and she looks at me, her eyes brightening a little at my statement.


"But why?"


"Why?"


"I want to know why you wrote it."


"To try to forget about you."


"You wanted to forget about me?", she exclaims, looking at me with disbelief. "How could you!", she smacks my hand, her eyes wide open in surprise and hurt.


"No, no. What I meant was ---", I stumble on my words like a child, struggling to explain, knowing she would misunderstand. Heck, even the title of the list was misleading enough. "Even if I wanted to, I knew I couldn't. And as I wrote this down, I realise it was the reasons of why I love you.", I explain as I look at her, a silly grin appearing on my face. She meets my gaze, her countenance soften as she considers my words.


"Why don't you read it?", I offer.


"Ok. Number one. The way she thinks she's a badass.", she glares at me. "But I am!", she retorts, annoyance written on her face.


I laugh. "Undeniably you are. To be honest, I was terrified with your cold, hard exterior and that all-business hairdo didn't help either.", I recall the first time I met her, when she was watching me sleep with ants standing guard around me. I shudder at the thought.


"I looked pretty hard core back then.", she chuckles softly. She has changed since the first day I met her, her hair is longer now with soft curls at the end when it isn't tied up, she no longer wears heavy make-up, still, she looks as beautiful as ever.


"And when you kept kicking my ass whenever we spar or train, I knew you weren't someone to mess with. But, you're also a giant softie.", I tease her as she roll her eyes at me.


"I'm not.", she denies, shaking her head.


"Come on! You are! I realised it when you told me about how you felt about Hank being absent from your life and when you knew I had a daughter. And don't get me started on when we met again after two years of my house arrest. I noticed the way you look at me and when you kissed me at the docks. Also, when we were reunited after the defeat of Thanos, you practically jumped on me! Ah, memories!", I grin widely.


"Stop it.", she warns, as she gives me a death stare.


I let out a laugh again, pleased with myself and kiss the side of her head, taking in a whiff of her vanilla-scented hair.


"Number two.", she continues. "The way she tries to hide her smile from me.", and she does it unknowingly now as she bites her lip, trying to stop herself from smiling.


"Guilty aren't you?" When I met her, she rarely smiled. It was a difficult task getting her to smile and it's something I pride myself with if I manage to squeeze a smile out of her. As she warmed up to me, she would try to stifle it or suppress a laugh at my silliness and goofiness. And when she does smile, it lights up her eyes and they twinkle with an honest delight, and not forgetting her irresistible dimples whenever she does. "This is my favourite. I love your smile. It means a lot to me."


"I always smile.", she thinks deeply, as she stares into a distance, trying to reminisce.


"Now, yes. Last time, not so much." She looks at me questioningly. "You didn't like me and all you showed was your resting bitch face.", I chortle. She despised me from day one and she was in a difficult situation with her father, I couldn't blame her. "But the first time you really smiled? It was when we were in your car together, when I managed to control the ants successfully."


"I can't believe you even remembered that!", she grins broadly, amused at my memory, unsuccessful in concealing her smile.


"I remember everything. Don't let my outward appearance fool you."


"You're such a dork.", her eyes twinkling with laughter as she mocks me.


"I'm your dork and I vow to make you smile every single day." It was a promise I made when we exchanged our wedding vows. She turns to me, and I lean forward, kissing her gently on her lips, as she smiles into the kiss. "Moving on!", I holler.


She snorts and proceeds to read the third point on the list. "Her skills and the way she pursues her passion."


"This is easy. You're my hero Hope. Your abilities and accomplishments inspire me. You're amazing, really, and I don't know how I got so lucky, having you by my side.", I remark honestly. Despite how much her father had objected her from being a superhero, she still continued to train herself and chase her dreams, and persevered till the very end. Cassie had made me want to be hero, but Hope was another driving force in me.


"You're my hero too.", she whispers, looking at me fondly.


I'm her hero. I smile in surprise as I feel my love her swell infinitely. "Also, I love the way you look in your suit. One word, hot.", I wink at her playfully. She laughs as she lace her fingers around mine, and I pull her hand towards my lips, kissing her palm.


She clears her throat. "Number four. Her facial expressions. What? You love my resting bitch face?", she giggles and falls back on me.


I didn't reply. It was difficult to explain her every facial gestures. Like how she's a master at rolling her eyes when she's annoyed or whenever she catches me doing something ridiculous or unbelievable. Or how she narrows her eyes, her face breaking into a lopsided smile, her dimples deepening on the left side of her face when she teases or makes fun of me. And when she's being judgemental, she fluidly cocks an eyebrow, peering right through my soul. Also, when she glowers at me, adorably thinking she could kill me with her looks, which I don't deny occasionally. And the way she bites her lip in full concentration whenever she's focusing on her work. And when I catch her looking at me with pure affection in her eyes, her expression so soft it makes my heart quicken or skip a beat. I realised I could go on and on and it amazes me at how far we've come. I look at her again, taking in her facial features as she's peering at me with curiosity, waiting for me to answer.


"This is difficult to explain. I just love everything about you."


She looks at me incredulously. "You're just going to leave me in the dark about this aren't you?"


"Yes.", I nod.


"Fine.", she prods my chest firmly with her elbow. I chuckle as I hold her tighter, burrowing my face in her shoulder, kissing the nape of her neck and resting my chin on her shoulder again.


"Number five. The way she is with Cassie.", she reads out loud and the corners of her mouth curl upwards, as she subconsciously fiddles with my palm, lazily tracing invisible circles on it.


"This point is pretty straightforward. I'm happy that Cassie has someone like you in her life, someone to love her and for her to look up as a role model. She loves you Hope." I love seeing her interact with Cassie and it warms me up every time we spend time together. Even though I knew she wasn't particularly comfortable around children, deep down she always have a soft spot for Cassie because she didn't want her life to turn out like hers did.


"I love her too. But until now, I still can't believe that she's your daughter.", she jokes.


"What's that supposed to mean?", I fake hurt. I really am lucky to have a daughter like Cassie. "I can't wait to see you with our baby. You're gonna be a great mom." I let go of her hand, and slide my palm to the small bulge on her stomach. She leans closer to me, planting a kiss on my jaw, and rests her head on my chest.


"You really think so?", her voice slightly in doubt.


"I do.", I answer with conviction and kiss her forehead. "Speaking of which, I think we've been here for too long.", I shift uncomfortably on the cold floor. "You're supposed to be on bed rest!"


"I'm fine.", she grumbles. "I'm pregnant, not an invalid.", she huffs out in frustration.


"I just don't want you to tire yourself out.", I gently rub the small of her back. Suddenly, I hear a low rumble. I eye at her suspiciously, trying to stop myself from smiling. "You're hungry aren't you?"


She hides her face in my chest in embarrassment, her cheeks a faint blush. "Yes.", she replies softly.


"What did you have for lunch?"


"Leftovers.", she murmurs guiltily.


"What?", I look at her disapprovingly. "Come on, I'll fix us something to eat before dinner.", I stand up and help her get up to her feet. I take her hand in mine, leading her to the doorway. She rubs at her back, slightly groaning at the discomfort.


"Wait. We haven't went through number six.", she stops walking, and looks back at the sheet of paper that was left on the floor.


I flash my signature grin at her, and take both of her hands in mine. "It's how you take my breath away.", I said softly, looking at her endearingly. Her face blossoms into a wide smile as she takes a step closer towards me, her hands leaving mine as she places a hand on my chest, her other arm sliding up to wrap my neck and pulling me close till her lips meet mine, as I cling my hands around her waist. We kiss passionately.


"I love you.", she pulls back, breathless.


"I love you.", I cup her cheek with my hand, giving her another kiss.









the next bit carries on but from hope's pov









The way he's honest.


I threw off the earpiece, frustrated, as he snuck into my car and closed the door. "Oh God.", I rolled my eyes and glared at him in distaste.


"You gotta lock your doors. I mean, really. There's some weird folks in this neighbourhood.", he shook his head and throws a joke again at an inappropriate time like he always does, but it had only annoyed me more.


"Do you think this is a joke?", I cut him off. "Do you have any idea what he's asking you to risk?", I hissed as I questioned him. "You have a daughter." I still wonder at why he agreed to become the Ant-Man, knowing he could lose his life and his daughter would be left without a father. I didn't want the little girl's life to turn out like mine.


"I'm doing this for her.", he emphasised frankly.


I pondered at his statement, but did not reply. Instead, to my surprise, I started to confide in him. "You know when my mother died, I didn't see him for two weeks." The memory of it was painful, but saying it out loud was unexpectedly relieving.


"He was in grief.", he commented. It surprised me that he was defending my father, someone he barely even knew.


"Yeah, so was I, and I was seven. And he never came back. Not in any way that counted. He just sent me off to boarding school.", I continued calmly. It was the first time I had ever showed my vulnerability.


He looked at me with a grave look on his face, not knowing what to say, a side of him that I have never seen before.


"You know I thought with all that's at stake, just maybe we might have a chance of making peace. But even now, he still wants to shut me out.", I sighed at the thought, and looked away, trying to stop myself from being emotional.


"He doesn't want to shut you out. He trusts you.", he stated his opinion firmly.


"Then why are you here?", I frowned, my lips pursed.


"It proves that he loves you.", he stared at me, his clear green eyes etched with honesty and sincerity.


I scoffed at his comment and stared down, avoiding his gaze.


"Hope. Look at me. I'm expendable. That's why I'm here. You must have realised that by now. I mean, it's why I'm in the suit and you're not. He'd rather lose this fight than lose you."


I turned my gaze at him and contemplated his statement. He had said it with such candour that it lead me to believe it might be true, that my father was trying to protect my, even if his actions proved otherwise. My expression soften as I began to change my outlook on Scott, thinking that maybe there was more than him than his silly facade. When I couldn't wrap my mind around on the reason why my father was strongly against me in wearing the suit, he had offered his perspective. After all, he was a father himself. Deep down, I knew that he would protect his daughter at all costs, even if it means sacrificing himself. I was hard on him, but I wasn't cold-hearted. Maybe he does deserve a second chance.


"Anyway...", he was about to get out from the car when I placed my hand on his forearm. His gaze fell to my hand, surprised at my touch.


"Hey. Thanks.", I mumbled under my breath, quickly glancing at him as I withdrew my hand.


"Wait. Am I hearing this right? You're actually thanking me?", a smug smile appeared on his face.


"Don't push it Scott.", I rolled my eyes and chewed on my lower lip, trying to refrain myself from smiling.


"You're welcome! I'm glad we had this talk because the tension between us, it has been stressful!", he widened his eyes dramatically, letting out a long sigh of relief. "And hey, I'm here if you need anybody to talk to. I'm pretty good at keeping secrets.", he winked at me.


I couldn't help but smile, actually considering his offer.


The way he's an idiot.


We were at the lab, working on my suit, or rather, I was working, while he sat idly, opposite me. He had been stealing glances at me occasionally, thinking I wouldn't notice. Bored from soldering the piece of circuit board, he had shifted his attention to a colony of ants, using the earpiece to make them do different formations on the table. I peered at him dismissively at his man-child behaviour and returned to my work, and not long after, I heard him calling my name.


"Hope. Hope. Look at this.", he yelped excitedly.


"What is it?", I looked up to see him staring at the ants with full concentration, and my gaze travelled from him to the ants, where they had formed themselves into three words.


'I love you' contained in a heart shape.


I froze, unable to utter a word. Instead of letting the words come out from his mouth, he had let the ants do the job instead. That idiot.


He tilted his head upwards, his green eyes fixated on me, his face conveying so many emotions - honesty and sweetness that it was hard for me to look at him straight in the face. "I love you Hope.", he blurted. The ants dispersed as his focus shifted. His sudden confession had caught me off guard, and I couldn't hide the faint blush that was creeping onto my cheeks.


"What?", I smiled shyly in response, trying to contain my fluttering heart. I was never one to express affection, and I stumbled with my words. I didn't say it back, and he didn't seem to mind one bit.


"You heard me.", he flashed a silly smile as he jumped over the table to my side, knocking over several beakers and cylinders off the floor.


"Scott!", I exclaimed loudly but his hands had already grabbed my waist as he lifted me up onto the work table. I giggle like giddy child and wrapped my legs around him, while we kissed passionately, my work long forgotten.


Two hours later.


"Was there an earthquake?!?", Hank growled grumpily, looking at the broken glasses on the floor, eyeing at us suspiciously while we both struggled to keep a straight face.


The way a song reminds me of him.


In the cool of the evening / When everything is getting kind of groovy / You call me up and ask me / Would I like to go with you and see a movie? / First I say no, I've got some plans for tonight / And then I stop and say all right / Love is kind of crazy with a spooky little boy like you


The song opens with a breezy start, a tune that makes you bob your head along to the music, and when the velvety vocals start, it's a death ray of coolness. The song came up on the radio once, and immediately, I hated how the song reminded me of him. We were threading on unknown territory during the start of our relationship and neither of us had put a label on it even though it was clear that something was happening. Just when things were about to get serious, he had took off to Germany, joy-riding with Captain America.


I was working in the lab when he had strolled in. He took a seat behind me and grabbed a piece of circuit board and was about to meddle with it when the song attracted his attention. "This song sounds familiar.", he pointed out, his face scrunched up in deep thought.


"Is that so?", I arched an eyebrow, refraining myself from smiling, but I didn't turn around.


"Oh I remember, it was the song that was playing in your car after your kidnapped me.", he smirked.


"Kidnap seems like a strong word.", I looked at him over my shoulder and chuckled, amazed at his memory.


He laughed. "Any reason why you're playing the song over and over again?", he stared at me with a burning intensity, as if he was reading my mind.


"I...I just like the song.", I returned back to my work, my heart beating against my ribcage furiously, as I feel a hot flush pulsing through my cheeks.


"Wanna dance?", he asked smoothly.


"What?", I did a double take, and peered at him suspiciously. With him, I realised, I can never figure out. He was already walking towards me, his face plastered with a silly grin, his charm so disarming it's something I can't handle.


You always keep me guessing / I never seem to know what you are thinking / And if a girl looks at you / It's for sure your little eye will be a-winking / I get confused, I never know where I stand / And then you smile and hold my hand / Love is kind of crazy with a spooky little boy like you


It was quite entertaining figuring out the twists and turns of his thought process in the beginning, albeit a little challenging but I never shy away from a challenge, and often times, the end result was amusing, even though absurd at times.


"Come on, it's a good song and you need to relax."


I giggled at his spontaneity, as he wrapped one of his arms around my waist before I could back away, his other hand intertwined around my fingers, as he swayed to the groove of the music, taking the lead. I lean closer towards him, and rested my chin on his broad shoulder, and whispered into his ear, my lips brushing his earlobe. "Scott, something's happening again isn't it?"


"Yes.", he replied with a twinkle in his eye, as he pressed a kiss to the side of my hair.


If you decide some day to stop this little game that you are a-playing / I'm gonna tell you all the things my heart's been a-dying to be saying / Just like a ghost you've been a-haunting my dreams / But now I know you're not what you seem / Love is kind of crazy with a spooky little boy like you


The way he's sentimental.


The charming melody of Everyday Is Like Sunday woke me up from my sleep, and I could hear the rustling sound of the sheets behind me, as he struggled to pick up his phone. "Luis.", he growled softly, before hanging up and placed his phone back on the side table.


I smiled lazily and snuggled deeply into the covers while he had turned over, his lean body spooned perfectly around the curve of my back. His hand had travelled under the covers and greeted my bare thighs, and he trailed his hands higher to my hips, while he peppered soft lingering kisses on the back of my neck and shoulder, when his phone rang again.


"Damn Luis!", he grumbled, his hot breath tickling my back.


I giggled. "You're not going to pick up your phone?"


"No. It must be Luis. I told him not to call today, it must have slipped his mind.", he encircled his arm around my waist.


The ringing stopped. Still, at the back of my mind, I couldn't help but notice the familiarity of his ringtone, something I had meant to ask him about. "Scott? That ringtone of yours..."


"Mm?", he had drifted off to sleep again.


"Isn't that one of the songs in the mixtape that you had made me?", I glanced at him over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes questioningly. I recalled the time when he had made me a mixtape of our favourite songs, which was old-school but romantic. His eyes bulged in surprise, and I could feel his body tensed, and a sheepish smile broke on his face.


"It is! And we had played it when we...", I stopped in my tracks, when an epiphany hit me like a gush of wave. "...when we made love. Oh God Scott. You're such a dork.", I gasped, my face scrunched up, looking at him mockingly.


He titled his head back and let out a hearty laugh. "Busted."


"How long have you had that ringtone for?"


"Two years...?", he raised an eyebrow in deep thought before he grinned bashfully.


"That's pathetic.", I scoffed at him, though I was smiling widely, amused at his sentimentality.


"But I'm glad you remembered.", he kissed my cheek.


The way he makes me laugh.


It was late night when I was on the couch in the living area watching television, wrapped in a blanket when he had plumped down next to me, sinking into the overstuffed cushions.


"I'm bored.", he complained like a child, as he placed a hand on my thigh, tracing slow circles on it.


I looked at him, an eyebrow cocked. "You survived two years of house arrest, I'm pretty sure you'll be fine tonight.", I quipped.


"Hey, have you seen my close-up magic?", he grinned widely, ecstatic like a child. "I can't believe I haven't showed you yet!", he gasped like it was a travesty.


"Show me then.", I smiled, curiosity arising in me. Before I could react, he had already pulled out a playing card from behind my ear, the card magically appearing from thin air.


"That's pretty...amazing.", I let out a laugh, impressed.


"Thank you.", he tucked a hand behind him and bowed over.


I chuckled. "You're not hiding any cards up in your sleeves are you?" I reached out and patted his shoulders, searching for hidden cards.


"Of course not!", he looked at me wide-eyed, affronted. "How could you Hope! Now for the second act.", his voiced had turned deep for a dramatic effect.


I rolled my eyes.


"Ta da!", he pulled out a key from the back of my ear.


"A key?"


"A key to my heart." He no longer had a stupid grin on his face, but a small smile, his puppy dog eyes gazing at me endearingly. "Move in with me?", he asked softly as he held my hand, his thumb gently caressing my palm.


My heart rate quickened, surprised at the unexpected situation. Still, without hesitation, I nodded, a broad smile on my face, my heart bursting with happiness. His face lit up instantly as he smiled from ear to ear.


"That sounded like a line from a rom-com Scott.", I teased him, as I crawled over to him, and settled on his lap, and leaned in to kiss him.


"I might have indulged in that genre a little too much.", he cringed slightly, guilty. Suddenly, he whispered in my ear seductively, "Wanna see my magic in bed?", he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. I couldn't help but laugh, a full-body laugh, my whole body shaking with laughter. He was absolutely absurd, but that's what was so amazing about him. Before I could reply, he had stood up abruptly, holding me tight in his arms. I yelped out in surprise but it soon turned into uncontrollable giggles as he had raced towards the stairs and into the bedroom, my arms around his neck, and my legs straddled around him as I pressed kisses on his neck.


The way he is with our daughters.


"This is impressive.", my eyes widened in amazement, my arms crossed as I take in the maze-like structure before me. "Did your dad build this single-handedly?", I took a few steps closed and peered into the opening of the cardboard box, curious of its interior.


"Yes he did.", Cassie nodded with a huge smile on her face, clearly proud of her father.


"How long did he take to complete this?"


"Nearly a week.", he appeared at the door and leaned at the door frame with a pleased look on his face.


"Daddy! I was just showing Hope the maze that you made. Do you think the three of us could go on the slide together?", Cassie asked, hopeful.


"There's a slide?" My interest piqued, the inner child in me awakening.


"Looks like somebody's interested.", he teased as he walked towards me.


"We could try peanut.", he ruffled Cassie's hair. "Why don't you go inside first then me and Hope will join you later?", he gave her a kiss on her cheek.


"Okay!", she giggled with joy.


"I have to admit, this is pretty cool." I always knew he was a good father and the lengths he would go for his daughter never ceases to amaze me. It used to make me think about our future, if we would ever have one, that maybe someday we could have a child of our own. I stopped at the thought and cringed. What has gotten into me?


"What can I say. I'm pretty crafty.", he winked at me. "Why don't you see it for yourself?", he had already took my hand in his and we crouched into the opening of the cardboard maze.


A few years later. I woke up abruptly in the middle of the night, my biological clock already well-adjusted to the time when our daughter needed feeding, curious at why there wasn't any infant cries sounding from the baby monitor. I yawned and glanced to my side, only to find him missing. Perplexed, I got out from bed and sprinted towards our daughter's bedroom, when I heard whispers traveling out from the room. I approached the room quietly and peeked through the door, only to see him hunched over at her crib, with a milk bottle in his hand.


"Hey cookie, I got you.", he cooed softly, as he easily scooped our daughter out from her crib, and cuddled her closely. I smile at the nickname which he had insisted on calling our child ever since her presence was known to use. "Let's not wake mommy up tonight alright, she's tired, so we'll let her rest. It's only me and you tonight, okay?, his voice so gentle.


I beamed at the sight, my sleepiness immediately melted away.


"I love you so much.", he kissed her forehead while he fed her. "And I love your mommy so much for bringing you to this world.", he murmured as he swayed from side to side, marvelling at their little creation, reminding him of the times when Cassie was still a baby. "You know, I almost lost her when you were born and it terrified me, even more than when I was stuck in the Quantum Realm."


I froze and my heart sank. We rarely discussed about the event that had occurred though I knew it was traumatising for him but I could barely remember because I had lost consciousness. I couldn't see his face in the dim light but I could picture it, his beautiful green eyes drooping slightly, the brightness in them waning and his lips pursed. It was an emotion he rarely expressed, always putting up a bubbly front was his forte after all.


"But she made it through and now I have both of you with me and I'm always thanking my lucky stars for that.", he kissed her plump, soft cheeks. "Cassie, your mother and you were the best things that had ever happened in my life."


A tear escaped through my eyes, and it trailed down my cheek. He was the best thing that had ever happened to me too.


...


I smile as I pen down the points on paper, memories flooding back like a river, still crystal clear, as if it had happened yesterday. I reminisce at the past and I'm in awe at how we had survived it all, together. After the war, or as fancied by Scott, the reversed-snap, most of us had settled back into our lives, occasionally being called back for mission or two, but it was nothing we couldn't handle.


"Ah ha!", he hollers. I hear his voice behind me, as he swiftly leans back and sits on the edge of the work desk, next to where I'm sitting.


I jump at his voice, my heart racing. "Shit. You walk like a ghost Scott."


"I'm surprised you didn't hear me walking in. You rarely let your guard down.", he teases me with a lopsided smile, which is true, something he had come to observe over the years. I can't seem to stay relax or unsuspecting as normal people would, it's a habit that's difficult for me to shake off, until now. "What's that?", his gaze falls onto the piece of paper under my hands.


"It's nothing.", I shrug nonchalantly, keeping my expression neutral while shifting my arms unsuspiciously, trying my best to cover my writing.


He squints. "Is that what I think it is? A list?", a smug smile spreads across his face. I turn away and look down, avoiding his gaze, biting my lower lip to suppress a smile. I could feel his eyes burning into my skin as I hold on to the paper tighter, but from the corner of my eye, he reaches out his hand and tugs at the sheet of paper out from under my hands, to my horror. My hand slides up to cover part of my face, and I slouch in embarrassment.


"You've gone soft Hope!", his eyes sparkling with laughter, as he skims through the list.


"And I have you to blame for that.", I glower at him, my cheeks flush. I hated how he had soften my hardened edges over the past few years. "I know it's been two years since I've discovered the list that you wrote about me but I wanted to get back at you and it was supposed to be a surprise!"


"I am surprised!", he responds in glee as he lean towards me and places a kiss on my forehead. He turns his attention to the paper again, reading the first point aloud. "I'm honoured that you think I'm honest because when we met all you did was scowl at me. Who would trust an ex-con anyway, even Baskin Robbins didn't.", he chuckles.


"To think I went from despising you to almost liking you.", I laugh at the absurdity, something I had never expected from the beginning. "I think it all changed when we had that conversation in the car." It was something I had never shared with him before, how I had started to respect him as a person and how I felt safe confiding my deepest, darkest secrets with him.


"That was some speech huh.", the tone of his voice is cocky as he looks pleased with himself. "But I meant every word of it.", and there he goes again, as he looks at me warmly, his green orbs reflecting truthfulness and sincerity. "Wait, did you start to fall for me at that time?", his smile transitions to a cheeky grin.


"That's not important Scott.", I let out a short laugh and evade his question, giving it a deep thought. It was difficult to explain how I had fallen for him. "It just happened, I don't think I need any reasons for how I fell in love with you. I just did."


"I think that's the most romantic thing you have ever said to me."


I snort. I was always never good with expressing my feelings.


He adjusts his position on the table till he is sitting right in front of me, and he subconsciously holds one of my hand, something he does often whenever he is beside me. He looks at the paper again and grins widely. "I still find it unbelievable that you're attracted to an idiot like me.", he self-deprecates, depicting his wry sense of humour, though I know for a fact that he's an intelligent man, even though he often acts otherwise.


"You're a man-child Scott.", I burst into laughter as I think of all the silly and ridiculous things he has done. "But you gotta give yourself some credit.", I squeeze his hand lightly and he looks at our entwined hands, smiling slightly. "I love how you've given me a home, and every single time I see you with Cassie, with Hailey, I have never regretted my decision of having you as my partner."


He grins wider. "I'm glad I have a second chance with you. I really do." He clears his throat and continues to read through the list. "I'm sentimental? This is totally inaccurate.", he scoffs.


"Really?", I narrow my eyes at him, doubting him as I pull out the drawer and reach for a cassette and shakes the object in front of him. "You made me a mixtape, you're still using the same ringtone you used since five years ago, you're still keeping that scary stuffed rabbit that you've gotten for Cassie even though she's outgrown it...", I could go on and on.


A boyish grin animates his lips and he takes the cassette from my hand. "My god, do they even make cassettes anymore?", he muses. "Also, the song reminds me of when we make..."


"I don't need reminding.", I roll me eyes as I interrupt him, derailing him from making his statement. He erupts into a fit of laughter at my annoyance. "And I hope you have never mentioned to anyone about the origins of your ringtone.", I cock an eyebrow.


Suddenly his face contorts, his features scrunches up slightly, embarrassment creeping up his face. "I might have mentioned it, in a drunken state to the guys..."


I stare at him incredulously. "That's it, you're not getting laid at any point now or in the future.", I warn.


"Are you sure about that? Because I bet you couldn't last one day without jumping my bones.", he taunts me, his arrogance showing.


"Are you saying I can't withhold from having sex with you?", I retort, offended with his remark. "Because I seem to recall someone's hand was between my thighs today morning.", I smirk.


His face falls, colour rising from his cheeks.


"Don't bet on something you can't win Scott.", I wink at him.


"Ha ha." He returns to the paper again, trying to divert the topic. "The way he makes me laugh."


"I don't think this needs explanation.", the sides of my lips curl up forming a smile as I look at him lovingly, as I hold his hand tighter. "I love how you brought me smiles and laughter even at the most difficult of times, and even as I try so hard to stop myself from giving in to you, I just can't. You're like a breath of sunshine Scott, and you're my sunshine." I watch his smile grow wider and wider as I ramble.


He stares intently at me, his mouth slightly agape, his countenance brimming an indescribable joy. "I don't know what to say."


"You're speechless. Well, this is a first.", I tease him.


"I love you.", he succeeds in saying, and he leans down, giving me a gentle peck on the lips and I smile into the kiss.


"I know."


He reads the next point out loud. "The way a song reminds me of him. Wait, what song?", he turns to me, curious. "No, wait, let me guess.", he ruminates hard, his brows furrows together, and suddenly, realisation dawns on him like a tidal wave. "No way! Was it that song that we danced to at the lab?", a lopsided smile appearing on his face.


"How did you know?", I nod and laugh, in awe at how he remembers every single detail of us.


"I had my suspicions. And you still listen to that song occasionally, talk about me being sentimental. So I'm that spooky little boy huh?", he grins with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "There's just one small correction though, I only have eyes for your and no one else.", he stares at me, full of love and adoration.


"I'll make sure of that. If not you'll be in trouble.", I stand up and turn around, my back facing him, and he shuffles backward, giving me space for me to sit at the edge of the table. I lean closer into him, my back resting on his chest, while he envelopes me with his arm and I cup his cheek, planting a kiss on his jaw.


"The last one. The way he is with our daughters.", he rests his chin on my shoulder.


"I think I have told you a thousand times. You're an incredible father Scott, you really are. I love that you're the father to our daughter and that you're everything that my father wasn't, and I am very certain that you would never leave her, and you would always be there for her. And the effort you make when you spend time with Cassie and Hailey, to be with them, just seeing you with them makes me so happy.", I look at him with pure admiration, my chest swelling with pride.


He chokes a little as he tries hard to fight the lump rising from his throat. "And I have you to thank Hope, for bringing Hailey to us. I've always regretted not being there for Cassie during her formative years...", he pauses and inhales deeply.


"Oh Scott.", I stroke his cheek gently, leaning my forehead against the side of his head. "She still turned out perfect, she's amazing.", I soothe him.


"I know. And I'm happy that I get to have another shot with Hailey.", he turns to look at me, the tip of his nose brushing mine, his face so close it's blurry and I greet his lips with mine before resting my forehead on his again.


"Now, what's the real surprise?", he asks after a while.


"What real surprise?", I look away and pretend to not know what was coming. As much as he looks like he's clueless on the surface, he can be sensitive at times, and one scrutinising look from him he seems to know or suspect something.


"I don't know. You said this was supposed to be a surprise but my birthday and our anniversary's over...", he ponders hard.


Damn it. I curse myself for letting it slip.


"Are you sure you don't want to tell me anything?" He strokes my hand gently, looking at me tenderly, encouraging me. "Like how recently you've been sleeping in late, you're not having your usual cup of coffee in the morning, and don't deny it, I caught you with tears in your eyes when Hailey finally learned to say 'I love you' a few days back. You're rarely emotional, and when you are, it means you're...", he trails off, eyeing at me suspiciously.


I hold my gaze at him but I bite my lip to stifle a smile. It amazes me at how he seems to be so in tune with me, with my emotions and with my body. God, I love this man.


"You're pregnant aren't you.", he reveals my secret with ease.


I break into a wide smile and nod vigorously, confirming his suspicions. "I'm pregnant."


He clumsily launches at me, and pulls me close into his chest, hugging me tight, his lips pressing sweet kisses over the side of my face and neck. I bubble over with laughter at his affection. "I love you. I love you so much.", he whispers into my ear. He pulls away and looks at me lovingly, he takes in a deep breath as his slightly trembling hand reaches out to tuck a stray hair behind my ear and I see a glint of fear in his eyes and worry creases forming on his forehead and I understood immediately.


"I'm fine. We're going to be fine.", I allay his fears quickly, cupping his cheek, my thumb grazing his stubbled cheek and then moving through this hair, as I attempt to calm him. I knew what was on his mind. Our daughter's birth wasn't exactly easy and it was complicated with postpartum haemorrhage, and I know it terrified him, even if he never really talked about it. Still, I could see it by the way he watches me sometimes, especially when I'm with Hailey, at how he's always thankful that I got through the whole ordeal. It wasn't like a mission where we could be in total control, it was a totally different process.


"I know.", his features soften and relaxes as his palm covers my hand, and slides it over to his lips, kissing my hand. "Whatever it is, we're going to get through it together.", he promises.


"Together.", I smile and close the distance between us and catches his lips with mine, and we kiss deeply.

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