Charles held you close, his strong arms wrapped around you with a surprising tenderness, their warmth making you feel safe and cherished. His face was nestled in the crook of your neck, his soft, steady breaths brushing against your skin. Occasionally, his lips found your neck, pressing featherlight kisses along its curve, each one laced with an intimacy that seemed to echo his feelings without words.

“I missed you, honey,” he murmured, his usually gruff voice now quiet, almost vulnerable. The words came as a whisper against your skin, sending a shiver through you. His hand moved in soothing circles along your back, as if trying to smooth away every ounce of tension you carried. There was a serenity in the moment, one that only Charles could create, his quiet strength grounding you.

Your hand rested on your growing belly, a subconscious gesture that made you smile. Noticing, Charles shifted his hand to join yours, his large, calloused fingers covering yours with care. His touch grew impossibly gentler as he ran his thumb in slow, thoughtful patterns over your stomach, a soft reverence in his eyes as he glanced down.