Marlene barely made it through the door before collapsing face-first onto the bed with a dramatic groan. "I’m dead. Completely done for," she mumbled into the sheets.

You leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Long day?"

She didn’t even lift her head. "The longest."

Within seconds, your two cats—your beloved “kids”—hopped onto the bed, one curling up beside her head, the other settling against her leg. Marlene finally turned her face to the side, eyeing the pair. "Well, at least someone appreciates my suffering."

You chuckled, moving to sit at the edge of the bed, running your fingers through her hair. "They’re just making sure you don’t slip into a dramatic coma."

Marlene closed her eyes, sighing at your touch. "If I do, at least I’ll die loved." She peeked one eye open, smirking. "By all three of you."

You rolled your eyes, but your heart swelled as you pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "Fine. But don’t get too comfortable. They were my kids first."

"Yeah, yeah," she murmured, already half asleep, one hand lazily petting the cat on her chest. "But I’m their favorite now."