Title: Decode
Chapter 20: Grant
Author: snarkysweetness
Rating: R
Pairing: Skye/Grant with the new S.H.I.E.L.D. team [coughs: some Avengers] & a few other ships
Summary: Ward's mission had been simple: infiltrate Coulson's team and report back to Hydra. He never intended to fall in love any more than Skye expected that the guys in suits would become her family. Torn apart by Ward's betrayal, Ward struggles with his loyalties and desires to keep Skye safe while Skye pays the price for their indiscretions. When Hydra discovers Skye's origins, her life is placed in danger once more but she carries a secret that may cement Ward's loyalty to Hydra for good.
Warnings: Super heavy on the angst, mild sexual content in some chapters, language, & violence.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Notes: This is the end, thank you to all of the lovely people who took time to leave reviews. In the next day or two I'll be posting missing scenes of the team taking place during Skye's imprisonment if you're interested in reading those. Thanks again, lovelies [kisses you all].

Grant stood outside the gate watching his family with a smile on his face. A pair of big brown eyes met his with a smile. He lifted his finger to his mouth but his little Skylar wasn't one to keep quiet.

"Daddy!

Mommy, look! Daddy's home!"

He could see Skye sigh. He wasn't supposed to be home for another week. "No, princess, daddy's on a-" Skye turned and spotted him and their eyes met and he swore for a minute it was like they were falling in love all over again.

"Daddy!"

He entered the yard and scooped up his princess. He hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss to her temple. "You didn't think I'd miss your birthday, did you baby?" He'd missed her first and no matter what mission he was on he always made sure to come home to see her.

"No!"

He held her against his chest and glanced back to Skye who watched him with tears in her eyes.

"I've only been gone a few days," he teased.

"Daddy, did you bring me a present?"

He laughed and pulled back to give his little lady a smile. "Aren't I enough?"

"No. I want a puppy!"

He laughed because they already had one and because he knew there was a second with a bow on its collar waiting inside courtesy of grandpa. "We'll see."

"Trip?" Skye whispered as she watched them. "Take your niece," she ordered as Grant set Skylar down.

"I'm busy here," he said, motioning to the toddler in his arms.

"Trip," she warned before handing off Lillian to her overwhelmed uncle.

The moment the infant left her arms Skye ran for him. She threw her arms around him and he lifted her off the ground and kissed her properly.

"Eww, Uncle Fitz, they're kissing."

"Yeah? You don't like that?"

"No, last time I saw them kissing Lily showed up."

Grant smirked against his wife's lips as he carefully set her back on her feet.

"I missed you," Skye whispered as she moved her fingers through his hair.

He rested his forehead against hers with a smile. "I'm sorry, sweetheart." They both tried not to leave for more than a couple of days at a time so the girls could have both of their parents around as much as possible but how could you say 'no' to Steve Rogers when he needed your help?

"Yeah, well, you're back now," she whispered before kissing him again.

"Eww, does that mean two new babies are going to appear?"

Skye rolled her eyes as she pulled away.

"Honey that's not how babies are made-"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. delivers them mom, I'm not stupid. Uncle Tony told me all about it."

Grant and Skye met eyes and she frowned. "Oh boy," she muttered before returning to Lillian so she could rescue poor Trip.

Grant took her instead and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Hi angel, daddy missed you." She was fast asleep but he didn't care, just being hear her was enough for him.

"I don't know why you complain so much, Trip."

"I'm trying to hold my daughter and you're just thrusting more kids at me!"

Skye sighed loudly. "Okay, first of all, you have another kid, how can you not handle two of them? Secondly, really?"

Grant did his best to hide a smile. It was clear to anyone who took one look at the Simmons children (Jemma had insisted on them having her last name seeing as she'd given birth to them) who had fathered which child but neither Trip nor Fitz cared.

Emilie was an exact copy of Jemma with the exception of Fitz's unruly hair. In fact, Grant wondered if she should be in the sun. He was always worried about Jemma being out in it for too long and Emilie was a tiny little thing (like Fitz).

Nolan on the other hand…well, he was only a few months older than Lillian but Grant already knew he was going to have Trip's personality, which, as it turned out, was a lot like Skye's.

Sick of listening to them bicker he pulled Skye against him and kissed her. "Sweetheart, leave the man alone. He's not as skilled as we are."

"Hey!"

Fitz chuckled and Grant turned to find him handling his son just fine along with playing a game with Skylar.

"Yunno, I was going to say since there are three of them he's not used to having to deal with two at a time but I think he's just lazy."

Trip rolled his eyes and stormed off grumpily.

"Trade?" He asked Fitz who effortlessly traded their son for their daughter all while continuing to bounce Skylar on his knee and showing her how to play whatever science themed board game he'd bought her.

Grant held Skye against him. "I think Fitz was born to be a dad."

"Eh, Trip's not so bad; he's just terrified of screwing up. Reminds me of someone I know."

She glanced up and Grant grinned. "Eh, that was with the first one, I've got this thing down, by the time the next one comes alone I'll be perfect at this."

Skye laughed. "Oh no, I wanted to stop with one. You got this one so you could have your do-over. I'm done. No more babies. This factory is closed." She left him to go join the boys and he followed her with a pout.

"But look at them, they're so perfect, why wouldn't you want more?"

Jemma emerged with the cake looking very pregnant and grumpy and Skye made a nod with her head as to say 'that's why'.

"All right, everyone, who's ready for cake?"

It was a Captain America cake (of course-he was sure the Avengers would all show up at some point with gifts but for now it was just their tiny immediate family) topped with a number five candle. He and Skye met eyes again and he smiled. In just six short years this group of people had managed to change his life and give him the family he'd always wanted. He knew he didn't deserve it but he was smart enough not to point that out.

"Where's grandma and grandpa?"

"Oh, they're coming, angel, just blow out your candle, will you?" Jemma instructed as she set the cake down.

Skye leaned down to light the candle and gave Skylar a kiss on her cheek. Grant cradled Lily in his arms and rocked her gently as he watched Skylar lean into her cake with excitement.

"I know what I want; another puppy!" '

'Puppy' was an overstatement. Lola was more of a grumpy senior.

Skylar then blew out the candle enthusiastically.

Skye laughed and grabbed her around the waist. "You're not supposed to say what you wished for, silly!"

"I don't care, mommy!"

"Did someone say 'puppy'?"

Phil emerged carrying a tiny black lab they'd rescued from a shelter. Their older Corgi lifted her head, took one look at it, shrugged, and returned to napping. Grant chuckled.

Skylar squealed and ran for her grandpa. She kissed his face and took the puppy. She stumbled trying to carry it but May appeared out of nowhere to help her not drop him.

"Daddy! Look what grandma and grandpa got me!"

He laughed. "I see."

"And where has grandma been hiding?" Skye crossed her arms and lifted one brow.

May shrugged innocently. "Nowhere, I was just-" a kitten appeared at May's feet and she smirked. "Ah, there you are."

Skylar squealed even louder and Skye sighed loudly as she shook her head and both May and Phil disapprovingly. "I said she could have a goldfish and now I have three damn animals to take care of …"

Fitz appeared at his side. "I should take her in, too much sun is bad for them, you know."

Grant did know but he didn't want to let go of his baby either. He pressed a kiss to Lily's forehead and reluctantly handed her over to her uncle. Fitz and Trip disappeared into the house with the babies and Grant took a seat at the picnic table. He pulled Skye into his lap and held her as they watched Skylar lead Emilie and their new friends around the yard.

"You let this happen," Skye mumbled grumpily.

He kissed her temple and held her closer.

"Skye, we both know the moment you get your hands on those cute fur balls you're going to be completely in love with them. You're like Coulson, always taking in strays, like me."

She chuckled and glanced up at him. He reached down to tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

"We did good, right?" She whispered.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. "We did better than good, sweetheart."

She smiled and they both turned their attention back to the not-so-tiny miracle that had brought them both everything they'd ever wanted and more. He glanced down at Skye with affection knowing she was the real reason he was happy. She'd given him everything; her heart, his children, and a family. He loved her more than anything in this world.

He pressed his cheek to hers and held her closer. "I love you, Skye."

"I love you too."

"No regrets?"

She glanced at him with a smile.

"Honestly?" He nodded. "When our daughter's grown up I'd like to not have to tell her she was conceived in a janitor's closet."

Grant grinned and pressed his lips to hers. He held her tighter and rested his chin on her head. "I don't know what you're talking about, wife, banging you in that janitor's closet is the smartest thing I ever did."