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The door clicked open, Vi stepping inside with bags full of groceries in his arms, his keys barely hanging from his fingers as he kicked the door closed behind him.
Quick footsteps padded across the hallway, sharp nails against the marble floors.
Vi chuckled. “Hey, baby. Daddy’s got stuff in his hands right now. I’ll give you attention later, hm?”
Artemis, their female Doberman, wagged her tail harder and trotted at his side as he made his way into the kitchen.
He set the brown paper bags on the counter and rolled his shoulders, starting to unpack—cans, vegetables, snacks Caitlyn had been craving this week. He was halfway through reorganizing the pantry when a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind.
“Cait?” he said, pausing mid-motion, a can of beans in his hand.
Caitlyn didn’t answer. She only pressed her face into the center of his back, her belly gently nudging him as she tried to pull him impossibly closer.
Vi immediately softened, placing the can down and covering her hands with his own. “Hey, baby."
"Hi, daddy." Caitlyn exhaled, a small frustrated sound caught in her throat. “You were gone longer than usual," she murmured, voice low, thick.
Ever since Caitlyn's pregnancy, they've been kidding around with nicknames—saying it was just "experimental" and so they could "get used" to the thought.
But recently, it's become a habit.
Vi turned around, resting his hands on his wife's hips, his thumbs slowly rubbing circles on Caitlyn's belly. " I'm sorry, cupcake. There wasn't any parking and the lines were so long."
Caitlyn didn’t move. If anything, she pressed even closer, her forehead brushing his collarbone now that he’d turned to face her. Her fingers curled into the back of his shirt like she was seconds away from tearing it off.
Vi raised a brow, amused. “You okay?”
Caitlyn huffed—less annoyed and more needy, the sound thick with something that made Vi’s pulse jump. Her hands slid up his torso, palms warm and insistent beneath his shirt as she murmured.
“I’ve been waiting for you for hours.”
“Baby, it was forty minutes.”
“It felt like hours,” she insisted, as if that alone explained everything. Then she nuzzled into his neck, breath hot against his skin. “I want you.”
Ah.
That explained everything.
Pregnancy had turned her already shamelessly affectionate tendencies into something else entirely—clingy, touch-starved, and absolutely lacking in patience. Half the time she woke him up in the middle of the night just to drape herself on top of him like a weighted blanket with demands.
Vi slid a hand down her back, over the curve of her spine. “You want attention?”
Caitlyn lifted her head just enough to meet his eyes—blue and stormy and very done pretending.
“I want more than that,” she corrected, voice husky. “I want you. Right now.”
Vi blinked. “Right, no—Cait, I literally just got home.”
She tugged lightly at the hem of his shirt. “So? I missed you.”
“You miss me every ten minutes,” Vi laughed, leaning his forehead against hers, but she wasn’t joking. Not even a little. Caitlyn looked seconds away from climbing him like a tree right in the middle of the kitchen.
Her breathing was shallow, her thighs pressing together, her cheeks already flushed.
Artemis, oblivious, sat off to the side, watching with polite confusion.
Vi cupped Caitlyn's jaw, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. “Baby, you’re really worked up, huh?”
Caitlyn whispered, almost annoyed at her own body, “I can’t help it. You smell good. And your voice—” she shivered, burying her face in his neck again, “—the moment you walked in I just… god.”
Vi let out a soft, low laugh, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her just enough to make her squeal. “You gonna let me put the groceries away first?”
“No.”
“That was fast.”
“Vi, I swear,” Caitlyn muttered, fisting the fabric of his shirt again, “If you make me wait, I’m going to lose my mind.”
“Okay, okay,” Vi soothed, kissing the top of her head, “let’s get you upstairs before you start ravishing me next to the canned beans.”
Caitlyn grabbed his wrist, eyes dark, pupils blown. “Downstairs.”
Vi froze. “…the couch?”
Caitlyn nodded, already tugging him toward the living room with surprising strength for someone eight months pregnant. “I’m not climbing stairs for this.”
Vi snorted. “Fair enough.”
But as Caitlyn pushed him backward onto the couch and crawled into his lap with a hungry determination that made his breath hitch, he muttered under his breath—
“Damn, baby. Remind me to go grocery shopping more often.”
Caitlyn didn’t waste a second.
The moment Vi’s back hit the cushions, she swung a leg over his thighs and settled into his lap like she’d been deprived of him for days instead of… well, forty minutes—but in her defense, that's still way too long to be apart from her handsome husband!
Her palms slid up his chest, slow but absolutely possessive, fingers curling at the collar of his shirt as if she needed it gone just to breathe properly.
Vi let out a low, surprised laugh, hands instinctively coming to steady her hips. “Easy, mama. I'm all yours”
Caitlyn leaned in until her nose skimmed his cheek. Her voice was soft but intense, a whisper that felt like it hit him straight in the spine. “All mine."
Vi swallowed.
She wasn’t playing. Not even a little.
"Damn, Cait... All this passion and you might even get me pregnant." Vi joked, grinning.
Caitlyn dipped her head to his neck and kissed him—slow, almost thorough, lingering like she was trying to memorize the taste of him. Her lips dragged along his pulse, warm and eager, and Vi’s breath caught.
“God, cupcake…” he murmured, fingers flexing at her waist, “you’re on fire.”
“It’s your fault,” she muttered against his skin, breath shaky. “You left me alone with hormones and boredom for nearly an hour.”
“Forty minutes,” Vi corrected weakly, but his voice cracked halfway through.
“Same thing,” Caitlyn argued, nipping lightly at his jaw. “And you smell good. And your shirt is soft. And I’m—” She let out a frustrated groan, burying her face in his neck again. “Everything is making me want you.”
Vi’s hand slid up her back, slow, comforting. “Baby… I want you too. But you’re worked up. Let me take care of you.”
Caitlyn pulled back just enough to meet his eyes—and damn, she looked devastating. Flushed cheeks, pupils blown wide, lips parted, hair slightly messy from the way she’d practically attacked him.
“I don’t want gentle,” she whispered.
Vi blinked. “…you don’t?”
“No.” She shook her head, hands sliding up to cradle his face. “I want you close. I want you holding me. I want you right here.” Her fingers tightened at his jaw. “Just stay with me.”
Her hand drifted slowly, brushing against the hexstrap at Vi’s crotch. At her touch, a familiar blue glow flickered beneath his pants, humming softly with energy.
Vi exhaled slowly, his chest tightening—not with lust, though that was definitely there—but with a fierce, overwhelming affection. “Yeah, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”
She kissed him.
Not rushed, not sloppy—just deep. Hungry. Like she wanted to feel him everywhere, all at once.
Slowly, Caitlyn started to drag her hips against Vi's lap, the soft grind making Vi shiver.
Vi’s hands immediately went to her hips, steadying her, his breath catching at the small, deliberate movements she was making. Caitlyn’s head fell back against his shoulder, eyes half-lidded, lips parted in quiet gasps that made his chest tighten.
“Baby… you’re… wow,” he murmured, voice rough, pressing a hand along the small of her back. “You feel… amazing.”
She shivered, tilting her hips slightly, teasing, pressing into him with a slow, intimate rhythm that left both of them breathless. “I just… need you, Daddy,” she whispered, voice husky. “I can’t help it.”
Vi cupped the back of her head, kissing her back with the same slow intensity, one hand stroking circles over the small of her back, careful around her belly. Caitlyn shivered, leaning into him until her whole body seemed to melt against his.
For a moment, the world shrank to just the two of them—their breathing, their warmth, Caitlyn’s soft sounds in his mouth.
When she finally pulled away, they were both breathing harder than before.
Caitlyn rested her forehead against his, eyes heavy. “Daddy… take me to the bedroom.”
Vi brushed a thumb across her cheek. “I thought you didn’t want to climb stairs.”
Caitlyn arched a brow. “You got my hormones completely out of control,” she said, matter-of-fact and painfully turned on. “And I’m carrying your child, Vi. So you’re going to carry me upstairs.”
Vi stared at her for a heartbeat—then let out a low, breathless laugh that dissolved into something rougher, deeper.
“Yeah,” he murmured, sliding his hands under her thighs again, “okay, mama. You win.”
Caitlyn didn’t hesitate. She lifted her arms, wordlessly demanding to be picked up like she expected the world to rearrange itself around her wants—and Vi, as always, obeyed without a single complaint.
Happy wife, happy life—right?
He stood, lifting her effortlessly. Caitlyn wrapped around him with a soft gasp, her legs curling behind his back, her palms slipping into his hair as if she’d been waiting for this exact moment all day.
The movement jostled her belly slightly, and she exhaled against his throat—a needy, involuntary sound that made Vi’s grip tighten.
“Careful,” he whispered, even as he kissed her jaw, “you keep making noises like that and I’m not gonna make it past the stairs.”
“That’s your problem,” Caitlyn breathed, brushing her lips against the corner of his mouth, “because I need you now.”
Vi swallowed hard. “I got the message, sweetheart.”
He started toward the stairs, footsteps steady, but Caitlyn’s mouth on his neck made his pulse stutter. She kissed him there, slow and deliberate, like she wanted to ruin him before they even reached the landing.
“Cait…” His voice cracked, half laugh, half warning.
She hummed. “Mm?”
“You’re gonna make me drop you.”
“You’re not dropping your pregnant wife,” she murmured, kissing down to his collarbone. “You’re obsessed with me.”
He didn’t even deny it. Because it was true. He was absolutely obsessed.
“Bedroom,” she reminded him between kisses, voice unsteady, “before I start yelling at you.”
Vi laughed into her mouth. “As if that hasn’t happened before.”
Caitlyn shot him a glare—one that lasted about half a second before she dragged him back into another kiss, deeper this time, her breath shaking as she whispered against his lips:
“Daddy… please.”
That did it.
Vi’s whole body tightened, the word hitting him harder than anything else she’d said. He lifted her again, gentler this time, and carried her the last few steps to their bedroom door, kicking it open with a practiced ease that made Caitlyn’s eyes go dark.
As soon as they were inside, he set her down on the edge of the bed—slowly, carefully, his palms lingering on her hips as he knelt in front of her, breath uneven.
Caitlyn arched against him, her body practically pressing into his, letting him feel just how desperate she was. Her lips found the curve of his neck, kissing, nipping, leaving little marks that made Vi groan low in response.
Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, pulling him flush against her. Vi’s hands roamed her back, tracing slow, deliberate patterns, feeling her shiver under his touch. Every gasp, every soft whimper from her, every tremble of her body made him harder, made him want her more.
“Daddy… please,” Caitlyn whispered, voice husky, “don’t tease me. I… I need you.”
“Mm, you got it, baby,” he murmured, lowering himself beside her, pressing soft, heated kisses along her shoulder and collarbone, over the swell of her bump, then back to her lips, deep and claiming. “I’m right here… all of me, just for you.”
Caitlyn’s hands clawed at his back, pulling him closer, her body flush against his. "You're mine,” she gasped, voice trembling, “all of you, Daddy.. You're all mine.”
Vi hummed, kissing Caitlyn's forehead softly as he drew circles on her stomach. "You're so pretty like this," he murmured, lifting Caitlyn's shirt up to press kisses on her swollen belly. "Such a pretty mommy."
A soft sigh, almost a moan, escaped Caitlyn's lips, her back arching off the bed. She grabbed Vi tighter—pulling him as close as possible without squishing her stomach.
Vi's eyes lit up, arching a brow as he chuckled. He cupped Caitlyn's cheek, his touch firm, but gentle. "Oh, you like that?"
Caitlyn whimpered—soft, helpless, her body arching into his touch like she was magnetized.
Vi kissed the sound right off her mouth.
“Tell me what you want, Mommy.”
Caitlyn opened her eyes—blue, dark, drowning—and dragged her nails lightly down his back.
"Make love to me, Daddy. Please."
“Yeah?” he whispered, voice dropping, warm and reverent. “That’s what you want?”
Caitlyn nodded, almost desperately, her fingers curling into his shoulders like she couldn’t bear the thought of him not touching her for even a second. Her thighs pressed to his hips, her belly nudging his stomach as she leaned in.
“I want you to make love to me,” she repeated, softer this time, breath shaking. “Slow. Deep. I want to feel you everywhere.”
God.
Vi kissed her—slow, devastating, his hand sliding up her spine while the other cupped her cheek. He kissed her like she was something fragile and powerful all at once, something he could drown in if he wasn’t careful.
When he finally pulled back, he brushed his thumb along her lips, eyes warm and dark and full of something that made Caitlyn shiver.
“Okay, mama,” he murmured. “I’ll give you exactly what you need.”
He shifted onto the bed properly, guiding her gently until she lay against the pillows, propping her up just right so she was comfortable—support behind her back, room for her belly, his hands steady and practiced in the kind of care that came from months of loving her through every ache, every craving, every hormonal tidal wave.
Caitlyn watched him, breathing uneven, but soft around the edges in that way she only got when she felt safe—ruined by need, but safe in his hands.
Vi slid beside her, one hand cradling her jaw, the other smoothing over the swell of her stomach.
“Look at you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple, then her cheek, then the corner of her mouth. “So beautiful… carrying our baby… wanting me like this.”
Caitlyn’s breath hitched, her hand slipping under his shirt to feel the heat of his skin. “I always want you.”
“Yeah,” Vi murmured, lips trailing along her jaw, “but this…” His palm pressed warm and steady to her bump as he nudged her legs apart gently with his thigh, “this is different. You’re glowing, cupcake.”
She flushed a deep pink, her breath trembling as he kissed down the column of her throat—slow, patient, savoring her like he wanted every inch of her memorized.
Her hands threaded through his hair, her voice unsteady. “Vi… please…”
He lifted his head, meeting her eyes.
“Slow,” he reminded her softly. “You asked for slow, remember?”
Caitlyn bit her lip, nodding helplessly.
Vi smiled against her cheek—a soft, tender thing that contrasted how dark his eyes had gotten.
“Good girl.”
She shuddered.
He slid closer, nudging his knee between hers, guiding her hips with warm, steady hands. The hexstrap between them hummed with a soft blue glow as he adjusted it—precise, careful, making sure it was comfortable for her, angled just right.
“Daddy…” she whispered, breath catching as he positioned himself between her thighs, “I—”
“I know.” He kissed her. Deep. Gentle. Full of heat. “I’ve got you, baby. All you have to do is hold onto me.”
Her hands gripped his shoulders.
Vi pressed his forehead to hers, breath mingling with hers as he whispered:
“Ready, mommy?”
Caitlyn’s voice came out small and wrecked.
“Please… yes.”
Caitlyn’s breath caught the moment Vi eased forward—slow, steady pressure that made her toes curl and her fingers dig into his shoulders. Her head tipped back against the pillows, lips parting in a silent gasp before sound finally escaped her in a soft, shaky moan.
Vi caught it with a kiss.
“Shh,” he whispered against her mouth, even though he looked proud of the sound he stole from her. “I’ve got you.”
His hips moved with deliberate gentleness, rolling into her instead of thrusting, every movement controlled and careful—like he was learning her all over again, like this moment mattered more than any other time they’d touched.
And to Caitlyn, it did.
Her legs tightened around his waist, pulling him closer, deeper. “Vi… god, you feel—” She cut herself off with a whimper as he rocked into her just right. “You feel so good…”
Vi’s breath stuttered, eyes fluttering half-closed as her words hit him. “Yeah? You like it slow, mama?”
She nodded quickly, lips brushing his jaw as she clung to him. “I like you. Just like this. On top of me. Holding me.” Her voice cracked softly. “Feels safe.”
That was the thing that finished Vi.
Something in his chest softened, melted, went molten hot all at once. His hand slid up to cradle the side of her face, thumb brushing her cheek tenderly as he kissed her again—unhurried, deep, full of emotion that nearly overwhelmed him.
“You are safe,” he murmured against her lips. “With me? Always.”
Her eyes met his—blue meeting blue—and for a heartbeat the world narrowed to nothing but the two of them, breath tangled, bodies pressed together, sharing something deeper than lust.
Then Caitlyn whimpered again—soft, needy—and Vi’s hips answered instinctively, rolling slower, deeper, drawing another shaky breath from her chest.
“Vi…” she whispered, eyes squeezing shut as pleasure rippled through her. “Don’t stop.”
“Not planning to.” His voice was low, warm, a little breathless. “I’m right here, sweetheart.”
Caitlyn clung to him, but Vi shifted slightly—one hand bracing beside her head, the other sliding under her back to hold her closer. Supporting her. Lifting her just enough that she could arch into him without strain.
Her chest brushed his. Her belly pressed warmly between them. Their noses bumped. Their breaths mingled.
Every movement was intimate.
Her lips trembled. “I love you…”
Vi froze—not stopping, just pausing long enough to kiss her once, slow and reverent.
“I love you too, baby.” His voice shook. “More than you know.”
She whimpered, overwhelmed and aching, and Vi resumed that careful, devastating rhythm—slow enough to savor, deep enough to make her whole body shiver.
“Daddy…” Caitlyn whispered, breath breaking.
Vi’s forehead pressed to hers as he whispered back, voice warm and wrecked:
“Yeah, Mommy? Talk to me.”
But Caitlyn couldn’t—her nails dug into his back, her thighs tightened around him, and Vi felt her body starting to tremble, breath quickening under him.
He smiled softly, lovingly.
“There you go,” he murmured, kissing her temple as her breath hitched. “Let go for me, Mommy.”
Her next exhale turned into a gasp—sharp, helpless, her whole body clinging to him as the pleasure unraveled her.
Vi held her through every moment of it, moving slow and steady, grounding her, whispering into her ear:
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you, mama.”
Caitlyn was still trembling when Vi finally eased her back into the pillows, his movements slow and careful like she was made of something priceless.
He didn’t pull away immediately.
He stayed there, chest pressed to hers, their breaths syncing as he whispered, “You okay, mama?”
Caitlyn nodded, but her body told a different story—languid, loose, boneless in the way she only got when he had completely undone her. Her fingers were still curled in the fabric of his shirt, holding him like she wasn’t quite ready to let go.
Vi smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
“Let me take care of you.”
He slipped out gently, earning a soft, breathy sound from Caitlyn, and he caught her cheeks with both hands, kissing her until she melted into his palms.
Then he moved—only for a moment—quickly padding towards the ensuite where he’d already placed a warm cloth earlier. Prepared. Because he always was when it came to her.
He cleaned her with slow, gentle strokes—careful around the places he knew were sensitive, murmuring, “Tell me if anything hurts,” even though she was already relaxing beneath his touch.
When he was done, he set the cloth aside and immediately crawled back into her space, sliding one arm under her shoulders and the other around her waist.
Caitlyn curled into him instinctively, her cheek pressed to his chest, her fingers slipping beneath his shirt to trace the warm skin underneath.
Vi exhaled softly, kissing the top of her head. “There she is… my good girl.”
She flushed but didn’t hide her face, just nuzzled closer.
His hand stroked her back in slow circles, easing the tension from her muscles. “How’s your breathing? Still a little shaky?”
“A little,” she admitted, voice soft and small. “In a good way.”
“Good,” he murmured. “Just breathe with me.”
He guided her through slow inhales and exhales, matching his rhythm to hers until her body stopped trembling and settled into that warm, post-afterglow calm.
After a moment, he shifted just enough to pull the blanket up over her legs, tucking her in gently.
“You thirsty?” he asked, brushing her hair behind her ear. “I can get you water.”
She clung tighter. “Later… stay.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Vi kissed her temple, then her cheek, then the soft corner of her mouth. “I’m right here, mama.”
Caitlyn sighed, her whole body softening as she burrowed closer—a little needy, a little clingy, something Vi adored more than he ever admitted.
He held her tighter, rubbing her back.
“You did so good for me,” he whispered against her hair. “So perfect.”
Caitlyn’s voice came out small, warm, and sleepy. “Can you take your shirt off?”
“What?” Vi chuckled, arching a brow.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes and gave Vi’s shoulder a lazy smack. “Your skin’s warm. I want it.”
Vi huffed a laugh but reached back anyway, tugging the fabric over his head in one quick move. “You know, most people ask for a blanket. You ask for me.”
“Mhm. You’re better,” Caitlyn murmured, already tugging Vi closer, sliding her hands around Vi’s now-bare waist. She nuzzled in, settling her cheek against Vi’s chest like it was the only thing that would let her sleep.
Vi softened instantly, wrapping an arm around her.
An hour later—when Vi was sure Caitlyn was deeply asleep—he slowly eased himself out of bed, slipping one of the soft pillows into her arms so she’d still have something warm to cling to. She immediately curled around it, sighing quietly, and Vi smiled before gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
He shut the bedroom door with practiced quiet, stepping into the hallway.
Artemis immediately trotted over, tail wagging so hard her entire backside swayed, her favorite squeaky toy jammed proudly between her teeth.
“Oh, baby…” Vi murmured with a fond, guilty chuckle, crouching down to her level. He took the toy from her mouth, giving her ears a soft rub. “Daddy forgot to play with you earlier. I’m sorry. Your mommy needed me.”
Artemis bumped her head against his chest in dramatic forgiveness.
Vi laughed under his breath. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I owe you.”
He tossed the toy down the hallway. Artemis bolted after it, the click of her nails echoing across the marble floors. Vi leaned against the wall, stretching the tension out of his shoulders—still sensitive, still warm with the memory of Caitlyn wrapped around him.
He let out a breathy laugh. God, he loved that woman.
Artemis sprinted back and dropped the toy at his feet again—this time adding a stern little bark, as if reprimanding him for zoning out.
“Okay, okay,” he said, tossing it again. “Bossy girl. Just like your mommy.”
The dog’s sudden excited yips made Vi wince—then immediately glance back at the bedroom door. He waited, breath held.
Silence.
Good. She didn’t wake up.
Artemis returned again, proudly victorious, dropping the toy directly onto Vi’s bare foot.
“Thanks,” he muttered, shaking his head fondly as he picked it up again.
This time, instead of tossing it far, he crouched to scratch under her chin. Artemis leaned into it happily, eyes soft.
“Let’s play downstairs in the living room, hm? We don’t want to wake Mama. She’ll either get up angry, crying, or extremely hangry.” Vi chuckled as he guided Artemis down the stairs. “That reminds me—I still haven’t finished stocking up the pantry.”
Vi flicked on the warm kitchen lights as Artemis bounded ahead, toy in her mouth, ready for round two. The half-unpacked grocery bags sat exactly where he’d abandoned them earlier—right before Caitlyn had practically tackled him in the pantry.
He shook his head, grinning to himself.
“Yeah… that happened,” he muttered.
Artemis barked once, as if agreeing.
Vi grabbed a box of cereal off the counter and slid it into the pantry. “I know, I know. Daddy got distracted.”
He reached for the next bag, putting away spices, soups, and the random snacks Caitlyn swore she hated but always ended up eating at 3 a.m.
Artemis dropped her toy at his feet again.
“Hold on, baby,” Vi said, nudging it gently aside with his foot. “Daddy multitasks, but not when it comes to food. Mommy will eat me alive if I forget her mango gummies again.”
He pulled out the last few items—fresh fruit, vegetables, Caitlyn’s prenatal vitamins—and placed everything neatly in its place. Satisfied, he closed the pantry door with a soft click.
Artemis whined.
“Alright, alright—your turn.” Vi finally tossed the toy toward the couch. The dog pounced, skidding slightly across the rug with a victorious grunt.
Vi leaned against the armrest, rubbing the back of his neck. Now that everything was quiet again, he could finally breathe.
But only for a second.
A soft shuffle sounded behind him.
Vi turned just as a sleepy figure in one of his shirts appeared in the doorway—holding the pillow he’d left her like she’d carried it all the way downstairs.
Caitlyn rubbed her eyes, blinking blearily. “…Vi?”
He straightened immediately. “Baby, you should be resting.”
“You weren’t there,” she mumbled, like it explained everything.
Vi felt something warm punch him right in the chest.
Artemis trotted over to Caitlyn, tail wagging, as if trying to escort her back to bed. Caitlyn ignored the dog entirely, gaze locked on Vi like he was the only steady thing in the room.
She padded across the living area, stopping in front of him. “Why’d you leave me?”
Vi softened, reaching out to brush his thumb across her cheek. “Mama, I was just finishing the groceries and playing with Artemis. You were knocked out.”
“I don’t like waking up without you,” Caitlyn whispered, voice small, raw with pregnancy emotions. “Feels… lonely.”
Vi pulled her gently into his chest, wrapping his arms around her, pillow and all.
“Come here,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed. Didn’t mean to make you feel alone.”
Caitlyn melted instantly, her whole body relaxing against him like he’d hit the switch that made her function again.
Artemis circled their legs and plopped down beside them, as if joining the cuddle pile was her sworn duty.
Vi stroked Caitlyn’s hair, his thumb brushing along her temple. “You wanna go back to bed?”
She shook her head against his chest, voice soft and sleepy. “No… I wanna stay here with you. And… I’m hungry.”
Vi grinned, the warmth of her head against him making his chest tighten. “Hungry, huh? Alright, we can fix that.” He shifted slightly so she was comfortable, then swung his legs off the couch and stood, Artemis padding at his heels.
“Midnight snack, coming right up,” he muttered, opening the fridge. “Let’s see… fruit, yogurt… oh, and some of those stupid gummy things you love.” He grabbed a few small items, balancing them carefully in his hands.
Caitlyn followed him with her eyes, still curled against the pillow he’d left her, tiny little hums of approval escaping her lips.
"Can you shred carrots and mix it into the yogurt?"
Vi chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Shred carrots… into yogurt? You’re really testing me, cupcake.”
Caitlyn shrugged, a lazy, playful smile tugging at her lips. “Don't judge me," she chuckled, rubbing her belly. "It's your daughter that wants it."
Vi chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Really?"
Caitlyn nodded, a small, proud smile spreading across her lips. “Yeah. She’s kicking like crazy whenever I eat yogurt and carrots together. She’s… uh, insistent.”
Vi laughed softly, shaking his head in disbelief. “Guess she’s already got taste, huh? Just like her mama.” He rubbed a hand gently over her belly, feeling a small, impatient kick that made him grin.
"Mhm. She's been kicking hard, too. Already a fighter like her daddy."
Vi chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Caitlyn’s head. “Yeah… looks like she’s got your stubborn streak too, huh?”
Caitlyn laughed quietly, leaning against him. “Guess she does. I can already tell she’s going to be a handful.”
Vi’s hand moved in slow circles over her belly, feeling another little kick that made him grin. “A handful… but worth it. Every single kick, every little move. She’s perfect, just like her mama.”
Caitlyn’s fingers found his, resting over his hand on her stomach. “You really think so?”
“Absolutely,” Vi said, voice soft, sincere. “She’s already got the best of both of us. And I can’t wait to meet her… but I kinda like this stage too, feeling her move around. Makes her feel… more real.”
Caitlyn smiled, letting out a content sigh. “Yeah… me too. Feels like she’s already part of our little world.”
Vi leaned down, brushing his lips against her temple. “She is. And so are you. Always.”
Artemis, lying at their feet, gave a small huff, as if agreeing, and Vi laughed again, ruffling her ears. “Even our little furball agrees.”
Caitlyn nuzzled closer to him. “I love you,” she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy.
“I love you more, Cait, ” Vi echoed, squeezing her gently, feeling their little world pulse between his arms.