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Usually, the morning chill was what woke Vi up—the sudden coolness brushing against her skin and dragging her out of sleep as early as four a.m.
But today, it was something else. Maybe it was the warmth radiating from Caitlyn’s skin. Maybe it was the tight hold her wife had on her.
Maybe it was the seven-month baby bump pressed lightly against her side.
A soft snore escaped Caitlyn’s lips. Her hair—once neatly tied up—was now a messy halo against their silk pillows. She clung to Vi like a koala, face tucked into the crook of Vi’s neck, one arm thrown over her torso, legs so tightly tangled with hers that Vi wasn’t sure where she ended and Caitlyn began.
Okay—maybe not a koala. More like a snake.
Vi gently brushed Caitlyn’s hair away from her face, biting back a laugh as she realized just how close Caitlyn had managed to get in her sleep.
Every tiny movement Vi made was met with a soft, frustrated little groan. Caitlyn’s brows would scrunch the slightest bit, lips pouting even in sleep.
And Gods, did Vi try to get out of bed.
She needed to get breakfast ready, tidy up a bit, and wrap the last of her very last-minute gifts for Caitlyn before she woke up.
But the moment she tried to slip her arm free, Caitlyn only tightened her hold, nuzzling closer with a sleepy, possessive sound.
“Vi…” Caitlyn mumbled, voice hoarse and warm with sleep. “Stay.”
Vi froze, then sighed in defeat, a fond smile tugging at her lips. “I’m not going anywhere, cupcake. Just need—”
“No.” Caitlyn’s reply was barely a whisper, but the grip around Vi’s waist spoke louder. “Five more minutes.”
Usually, Vi would have argued. Or at least pretended to. But the way Caitlyn’s voice cracked around that single word, the way her fingers flexed protectively over the curve of her belly, made it impossible.
“Five more minutes,” Vi echoed softly.
Caitlyn hummed in sleepy approval, already drifting again. Her breathing evened out, warm against Vi’s neck. The room was quiet except for that and the faint rustle of curtains in the morning breeze.
Vi stared up at the ceiling for a moment, pretending she wasn’t melting.
She’d never admit it out loud—not unless Caitlyn bribed her—but there was something grounding about this. About being held instead of always being the one braced to hold everyone else. About knowing that the world outside their bedroom could wait.
Right now, there was Caitlyn. And the steady weight of the future resting safely between them.
A tiny kick pressed into Vi’s ribs.
She stilled, eyes widening, then grinned.
“Hey there, little muffin,” she whispered, rubbing gentle circles over Caitlyn’s bump. “Didn’t mean to wake you. Your mama’s just clingy.”
Caitlyn made a faint, offended noise—very clearly awake enough to react, but not enough to argue.
Then, after a few minutes, Caitlyn's stomach rumbled. She furrowed her brows, clearly frustrated.
Vi felt the movement and snorted quietly. “See? This is why I was trying to get up.”
Caitlyn’s lashes fluttered, blue eyes slowly blinking open, hazy and unfocused in that early-morning way Vi adored far too much.
“…hi,” Caitlyn whispered, voice still rough with sleep.
“Hi,” Vi replied, softer than she meant to.
For a moment, Caitlyn just looked at her—like Vi was sunrise and safety and everything in between. Then her gaze traveled lower, to where Vi’s hand still rested over her bump. She covered it with her own, threading their fingers together.
“She kicked,” Vi added quietly. "Either that or you’ve got a tiny boxer in there who’s mad I tried to leave,” she teased.
Caitlyn hummed, smiling. “Must take after you, then.”
Vi chuckled, her thumb drawing slow circles on the swell of Caitlyn's belly. "Let me go and make you breakfast, mama."
"I don't want you to leave me here in bed," Caitlyn sighed, grabbing Vi's wrist into a tight hold.
Vi huffed out a soft laugh, even as Caitlyn’s fingers tightened around her wrist with surprising strength for someone who’d just woken up.
“You say that like I’m abandoning you,” Vi teased gently. “I’m just going to the kitchen, not the Fissures.”
Caitlyn’s lips formed the smallest pout — the exact one Vi could never win against.
“You’re warm,” she murmured. “And comfortable. And I’ve grown quite attached to you, in case you haven’t noticed.”
Vi’s heart gave a traitorous little flip. “Yeah? Since when?”
Caitlyn didn’t miss a beat. “Since a certain stubborn redhead broke into my life and decided to stay.”
Vi tried to look unimpressed. Failed miserably. “Flirting won’t distract me from your clear and urgent need for pancakes.”
“Worth a try,” Caitlyn sighed, though the corner of her mouth lifted.
Then, the baby shifted again, a tiny roll beneath Caitlyn’s palm. She smiled down at her belly, then back up at Vi.
“She likes it when you’re near,” she said softly.
Vi swallowed. “Yeah? Guess we’ve got that in common.”
This time when she moved to stand, Caitlyn let her go. Reluctant but willing at the same time.
“Don’t be long,” Caitlyn murmured.
Vi bent and pressed a kiss to her wife’s temple, then to her bump. “Not a chance, mama.”