From Darkness into the Light

Spoilers: All Episodes, mainly focused on the 1x21 "Ragtag" promo

Disclaimer: I don't really own anything here.

The sound of knocking at the door made Grant Ward look up from where he stood in the kitchen of the apartment he shared with Skye. When field work no longer was an option, Tony Stark hired them both and provided them an apartment at Avenger Tower. He managed training members of security while Skye oversaw the computer system and security. While they missed the field and team at times, they had a good life that they loved.

"Skye get the door please." He yelled and turned back to the stove, trying to make sure the soup he was making for dinner didn't burn.

The sound of old voices let Ward know that Skye had answered the door, he turned slightly to see Skye entering the kitchen with Coulson and Fitzsimmons. They were both aware May was stationed on the SWORD helicarrier training new recruits so she'd be absent from that year's birthday party.

"What are you doing in the kitchen Ward?" Coulson looked at him curiously and Ward looked down at the soup.

"Making dinner sir." He stirred the pot and put the lid back on, turning to them. "The kids asked for soup tonight and since its healthy I didn't see a reason not to fix it."

Coulson nodded, "speaking of kids…"

"Kids!" Skye turned and raised her voice slightly, seconds later three small beings arrived in the kitchen doorway. "Someone is here for the party."

All three voices yelled the same thing, "Uncle Phil!"

He hugged all three and smiled down at them, "you all have grown way too much. Pippa, you and Andy look like you've grown at least two feet."

Philippa 'Pippa' Ward laughed at his comment and her twin brother, Andrew 'Andy' Ward just laughed along with it. The two were celebrating their seventh birthday that evening and were ecstatic to see their extended family. Both moved on to Fitzsimmons as Coulson picked up the youngest of the Ward children, four year old Avery. Avery was a miniature of Skye down to her skin tone and Ward was a bit more protective of her than the older two, mostly because of her looks but also because she was the baby of the family.

"Your dress does look lovely." Simmons complimented Pippa and the seven year old grinned.

Ward placed his arm around Skye as she sidled up to him, the weight of her head on his shoulder was so familiar that he missed it when she left his side. "Okay, everyone needs to wash up because dinner will be finished in a few moments."

Dinner occurred without any issues besides the children trying to talk over each other but Skye had long since deemed that a normal thing. Ward's soup, a recipe from his grandmother, seemed to make even Coulson going back for seconds. After dinner was presents, unfortunately due to Avery's diabetes they didn't have a cake on birthdays but made a favorite meal instead.

Pippa and Andy sat opening their presents and saying their thanks for their gifts. Skye noticed Avery sitting quietly with tears in her eyes so she walked over and bent down next to her.

"Avery, baby what's wrong?"

She bit her lip, "I wanted Legos and Daddy said no but Pippa got them. It's not fair!"

Skye looked over to see Ward making his way over to Avery, he gently picked the girl up and held her. "Come on, we'll talk about this in your room so we don't ruin your brother and sister's day."

Once in Avery's room, Ward sat on her bed and looked down at her as she sat in his lap. "It's not fair Daddy, Pippa got what I wanted and you said I couldn't have them."

He pulled Avery's chin up. "I didn't get the Legos and neither did Mom, it was Uncle Leo who bought them for her. Just because you ask for something doesn't mean you'll get it. Do you remember when Mom said you would have to make a choice between toys and gymnastics lessons? Well that is why you were told no the other day. Your lessons are very expensive and we can't afford to pay for them and also get you every toy you want. That's how life works and I know it's hard to accept but we told you how it would be when you begged to have those lessons."

"But I want…"

"I know you want something Avery but we gave you a choice and you're going to have to accept that choice." He kissed her forehead, "now why don't you ask Pippa nicely if you can play with her when she pulls out her Legos. I'm pretty sure she'll let you play with her."

Avery shook her head, "no, I want my own! I don't want to share!" She kicked his leg and Ward sighed, knowing Avery would be having a tantrum. "I want my own! NOW!"

Ward stood up and put Avery on her bed, "when you can talk nicely and behave appropriately you can come out of your room. Until then you are going to stay in here alone. When you're ready to come out and apologize you can leave." He left the room and shut the door, ignoring Avery's loud sobs and cries. She'd gained her flare for the dramatic from Skye and combined with his temper they were finding that the terrible twos lasted until age five with their kids.

Skye looked up when he entered the room alone, "tantrum?"

"Tantrum." He sat down beside her as he confirmed her question. "She'll stay in her room until she can behave appropriately."

"Daddy look what Aunt Melinda got me." Andy ran over and held up a junior baseball bat. "I needed a new one after Luke Pearson put a dent in my other one."

Ward took the bat and examined it, "looks like you and I will be going to the batting cages this weekend huh?"

"Thanks Daddy!" The seven year old put his arms around his father and kissed his cheek before running off.

Presents and talking seemed to continue until there was nothing left to unwarp and the kids were examining their toys in greater detail. Skye sat on the couch beside Ward, his arm around her and her head on his shoulder. They enjoyed watching the kids talk to Fitzsimmons or Coulson about their toys.

"Mommy, help me put it on." Pippa moved over to Skye and the former hacker accepted the collar that Pippa had. "It's a headband but I can't put it on right."

Skye looked over at Coulson, "oh no…"

"Already talked to Stark and he said yes, as long as Marie got one too." Coulson chuckled and folded his arms. "So yes, it's already in the room." He motioned to the large box in the corner.

"Daddy?" They looked over to see Avery in the doorway looking at them with sorrowful eyes and a tearstained face. "I can behave, can I come out?"

Ward sat up slightly and held out his arms, Avery ran over and moved into his lap. "What do you have to say to everyone?"

"Sorry I was mean to everyone." Avery spoke softly before burying her face in Ward's shirt. "I'm sorry Daddy for kicking you."

"Let's not do it again." He held her and kissed her head, turning to Skye. "What's the problem?"

She held up the collar and then motioned to the box in the corner. "Coulson got the one thing we swore never to get until we moved."

"What is it?" Andy moved over to the box and looked at it.

"Open it and find out." Coulson answered gleefully, "Avery why don't you go help them."

Avery moved off her father's lap and over to the box, helping the twins open it only to be met with a wet nose. All three children laughed and squealed when a brown lab puppy jumped from the box and began sniffing each of them.

"A puppy!" Pippa practically screamed and flew into giggles when the puppy licked her face and neck. "Thank you Uncle Phil, best present every!"

Avery flew into giggles next as the puppy sniffed her and licked her cheek. "Silly puppy, I'm not food."

"What are you going to call him?" Coulson asked as the puppy made his way over to Skye and Ward, placing his paws on the couch and looked at the ex-specialist.

"Daddy can you pick his name since we won't agree." Andy was the one to ask intelligent yet innocent question.

Ward looked at the chocolate lab puppy and scratched his head, Skye smiled as he did so. "I think we should call him Buddy."

The End

A/N: And there we go, the end. I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

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