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“Daisy! How are you?”
Seeing Daisy smiling on the screen in front of her lifted Jemma’s heart. Things had been very busy since they got back from the alternate timeline, and they hadn’t got to spend much time together.
“I’m great. How are you doing?”
“Oh, you know, a bit tired. We’re getting settled in though.”
“Sounds great.”
“It is great.” Jemma hesitated a moment. “I miss you all. We didn’t get to spend as much time with everyone as I would have liked.”
“I know. There was so much to be done to rebuild Shield and get back to our lives.”
“And welcome new people?” Jemma asked slyly.
“My sister is doing great, thanks for asking,” Daisy said.
“You know that’s not who I meant.”
“Yes, well, he’s doing fine too. But let’s talk about you. It occurred to me that you full on went through an entire pregnancy, had a baby, and then raised that child for years without any time to celebrate with friends. I mean, you spent all that time with just two humans and one not-quite-human.”
“Yes,” Jemma said, nodding unsurely.
“That’s a lot Jems. Like a lot . Did you ever want a day off, away from everyone else?”
Jemma thought. “Well, yes, I suppose. Sometimes I just wanted a nice soak in a tub, away from everyone, just me and my thoughts. But then I remembered that I was very lucky to have my husband and daughter at all. And Enoch.”
“It doesn’t make you a bad person to wish you could have some time to yourself Jemma. Self-care is important.”
“No, I know.”
“Well anyway, I have the perfect idea to both celebrate you, and give you some time away. You and me. Day spa. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Daisy…” Jemma started.
“I told you I won’t take no for an answer,” Daisy said. “Look, I already cleared it all with Fitz. He understands you could use this. And Sousa offered to stay and help take care of Alya, so surely between him and Fitz they can keep her contained. Ish.”
“I don’t know…”
“There’s nothing to know,” Daisy said emphatically. “This is happening and you’re going to enjoy it.”
After Daisy hung up, Jemma called her husband into the room. “Fitz, did you talk to Daisy about me having a day off?”
He immediately began fiddling with his fingers. “Well, yes. You deserve it.”
“Fitz, I don’t need a day off.”
“Don’t you though? How many Mother’s Days did you miss? How many times dropping Alya off with the grandparents so you could just relax did you miss?”
“Well, if that’s your standard, then you deserve a day off too.”
“And I will take one sometime. But don’t deflect.” He took Jemma’s hands in his. “Look, I know it might seem scary. We spent so much time together, our little family unit alone. But it’s just one day. Then you’ll come back happy and recharged and appreciative of your family. Hopefully.”
Jemma smiled. “I love you.” She took a deep breath then let it out slowly. “Fine, I guess I will do this. But I expect many texts through the day letting me know how you two are.”
Fitz nodded. “Of course.”
Daisy was there nice and early, and she didn’t waste any time depositing her boyfriend in the house and pulling Jemma out the door. Daisy hopped in a car that was parked outside the Fitzsimmons house.
“You drove here?” Jemma asked.
“Well, we flew, but we decided that getting you there and back again would be easier if we drove. Just sit back and enjoy the drive.”
Jemma did as Daisy said, leaning back and closing her eyes. After a few moments of quiet, Jemma realized that this was the first time in a long time that she hadn’t had to worry about anyone else. No one was there needing anything from her or walking in on her while she was using the toilet or any of the other things that were regular parts of her day now. She almost wanted to ask Daisy if she needed anything, but Jemma stopped herself.
At some point, she must have dozed off, because soon Daisy was announcing their arrival. They were outside a very nice building, with discreet signage indicating they were a spa.
“This looks very posh,” she said.
“Your husband offered to pay for the very best for you.”
“And you?”
Daisy shrugged. “Fitz was in a very giving mood I guess.”
Jemma laughed at this, and then they went inside. Daisy did all the talking, allowing Jemma to look around. It really was quite beautiful, but then Jemma supposed she could trust Daisy to pick someplace good.
“Ok, so we’re both going to go for separate massages, and then we’ll meet up again for pedicures and drinks.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Jemma said.
Jemma was led to a small room where she quickly prepared for her massage. She laid on her stomach first, letting the masseuse do their job. It felt amazing. Tensions Jemma wasn’t even aware she had were melting away slowly. Eventually she rolled onto her back, and the masseuse gently took care of the fronts of her arms and legs. Jemma closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she was all alone. The room was dim, lit by candles, and soft music was playing. Jemma sat up slowly, unsure of what to do.
The masseuse came in then. “Oh good, you’re awake. Your friend is waiting for you whenever you are ready.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”
“That’s quite alright. Your friend told us to let you rest for as long as you needed and assured us your husband would pay for any time.”
“How long was I out?” Jemma asked.
“Almost an hour,” the masseuse answered.
“Oh dear. I’m afraid that’s going to be the most expensive nap I’ve ever had.”
Jemma quickly put her robe back on and went to meet Daisy. Daisy was waiting with drinks and assurances that everything was fine back at home.
“Sousa says that he and Alya are getting on quite well, and he’s even managed to give Fitz some time off as well.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Jemma said.
As they got their pedicure, the two drank and talked. It had been a long time since the two of them had been alone together, and Jemma was very appreciative of her time with her friend. Daisy knew what was going on with everyone, and she had tons of hilarious stories about how Kora and Sousa were adjusting to being in the future.
“Kora is unsurprisingly very into 80’s pop, even though she said she never really listened to it while holed away in Afterlife.”
“Has Kora decided what she wants to do with herself?” Jemma asked.
Daisy smiled. “She wants to be a Shield agent.”
“Oh, how wonderful for her and you.”
“I know, I’m pretty excited to be keeping it in the family and all. She has a lot of things to work through, but I think she’ll be an amazing agent.”
“I’m sure she will,” Jemma said. “And what about Agent Sousa?”
“I’m not sure he could ever be anything but an agent,” Daisy said, laughing. “It’s like he was made for this. In fact, I think it’s hard for him to get out of agent mode.”
“But I’m sure you’re helping him with that.”
Daisy shrugged. “I do my best.”
After this they got facials, then took some time to soak in a hot tub. It was all marvelous. Jemma almost didn’t want to go home.
Almost.
When she finally got a chance to check her phone, she saw several texts from Fitz and the cutest picture of Alya. Jemma felt particularly lucky with her family and friends at that moment. They seemed so willing to provide a need for her that she hadn’t even realized she had.
On the drive back, Jemma once again rested, knowing the silence was about to be broken in the very best way. Alya ran to her when she got home, having survived the separation. A kiss from Fitz with a glint in his eye that said there would be much more to come later made Jemma smile. Daisy and Sousa left with promises to visit again soon. Jemma watched them go, knowing she could never truly put into words what the day had meant to her.
Alya came to Jemma holding a piece of paper. “I drew this for you.”
It was a colorful drawing of hearts and two people meant to be Alya and Jemma. “Oh darling, it’s lovely.” She gave her daughter a hug. “Thank you so much.”
Yes, having the day off had been wonderful, but she was also very glad to be home.