Her body hurt. Between the chair flipping, birthday party, and baby juggling events of the day, her back was in misery. Fresh out of the shower, Deunan slipped on her t-shirt and climbed into bed. She heard Hitomi coming down the hall and smiled as she came through the door. No matter how chaotic the day, Hitomi never seemed any worse for it. She lightly blew a kiss to Deunan and then went to the closet.
“Are they sleeping?”
“Gillian, yes. Deugan -”
“No.” came a voice from the doorway. Deugan stood there in his striped pajamas, his hair standing so far up on his head it looked as if it were trying to escape.
“Deugan. Why aren’t you sleeping?” Deunan got up on one elbow.
“Because I’m six.” He answered matter-of-factly.
“Right.” Deunan ran her hand through her damp hair. “Now, just because you’re six doesn’t excuse you from sleeping. So please go to bed.”
“No.”
“Hitomi…” Deunan clenched her teeth.
“Now Deugan. If you want to continue to grow and be an even bigger boy when you reach seven, you will need to sleep. Understand?” Hitomi walked over and tried to smooth down the boy’s stubborn hair with her hands.
“And if you want to live to be seven, you’ll go to bed- now.” Deunan sat up to make her point. Hitomi gave a gentle push and Deugan ran back down the hallway. The slam of his door made them both sigh with relief. Hitomi clicked their bedroom door shut and sighed again.
“Are all human children so bad?” Deunan flung herself back onto her pillow in exasperation. “Or is this because he’s a boy?”
“It’s you- your DNA, Deunan. He’s just as tough as you, that’s all.” Hitomi answered, pulling off her dress. Deunan watched in fascination as Hitomi folded her dirty clothes to put them in the hamper. After seven years, she’d picked up none of Deunan’s bad habits- and had even gotten Deunan to adopt some of her good ones. But folding dirty clothes was not one of them, and it never failed to make Deunan shake her head in wonder. Hitomi moved back towards the dresser for her nightgown but Deunan softly whistled to her.
“Hey. Come here.”
“Like this?” Hitomi’s smile was different now. It was the smile she only gave to one person- Deunan.
“Just like that.” Deunan breathed out, and moved over in the bed. She watched Hitomi walk towards her. Seven years and two children hadn’t done anything to the bioroid’s body other than the small scar she bore from the delivery of Deugan.
“Perfect.” she whispered.
“Did you say something?” Hitomi’s eyes sparkled and she leaned over Deunan. Deunan impatiently went to take off her own tank top, jerking it over her head. A spasm shot through her back and she hissed in pain.
“Did you hurt your back when you fell?” Hitomi’s expression changed into worry.
“A little.” Deunan was not about to mention flipping her own office chair.
“Turn over and I’ll rub it for you.” Hitomi reached for the lotion on the nightstand. Deunan did as she was told, and felt the smooth warmth of Hitomi’s skin on her own as the bioroid comfortably settled herself on Deunan’s behind. Her soft hands worked their way over the sore muscles. It was heavenly. All the pain and aggravation of the day seemed to slide away. Deunan let out a big sigh.
“Deunan- are you happy?”
“Yes, Hitomi.” she murmured. Hitomi stopped and leaned forward, pressing her body into Deunan’s.
“You’re not just saying that because of a certain word you can’t say to me?” she teased. Deunan rolled over, feeling Hitomi move with her, getting her body underneath of her, as they had done countless times before. She looked down into those dark eyes.
“No, Hitomi.” She smiled and leaned in for the kiss. “No.”