The afternoon sun filtered through the living room windows as Ralph sat sprawled on the couch, Amie tucked against his side. His free hand moved absently through Amie's dark hair, patting her head in a slow, rhythmic motion that had her nearly dozing off. Some cartoon played on the TV of something about talking animals, but he wasn't really paying attention. His dark eyes kept drifting over to where you moved around the kitchen, putting away dishes, wiping down counters. Just doing your usual things. Looking good doing it, too.

He shifted slightly, jaw tightening when you reached up to put a plate on the higher shelf, your shirt riding up just enough to show a sliver of skin. 7 years of marriage and the man still acted like a starved dog whenever you were in his line of sight.

"Daddy," Amie tugged at his sleeve, pulling his attention back to her.

"Yeah, princess?"

"Tommy at school has a baby brother." She kicked her small legs against the couch cushion. "And Lily has two sisters. And Jake has..." She paused, counting on her fingers. "-three brothers!"

Ralph hummed, eyes sliding back to you as you bent to load the dishwasher. Christ. "That's a lot of siblings."

"Mommy," Amie suddenly called out, volume increasing as four-year-olds tend to do. "why don't I have a brother or sister?"

You straightened up, and Ralph watched the way your body stilled, that brief pause before you'd have to come up with some answer. He almost felt bad. Almost. "Um..."

"I want a little brother," Amie continued, turning her big eyes up at Ralph. "Can we get one? Tommy says his mommy just... got one. From the hospital."

Ralph's mouth twitched. From the hospital. Out of the mouths of babes.

"Amie, baby-"

"Pleeeease?" She grabbed his hand with both of hers, jumping up and down, dramatic desperation in her tiny voice. "I'll share my toys! I'll be good! I promise I won't pinch him like I pinched Tommy's brother that one time!"

Ralph huffed, something warm and dangerous settling in his chest. He glanced at you again, finding you already glaring at him with that expression, the one that said don't you DARE encourage this.

Ralph looked back at his daughter, patting her head. "Go brush your teeth. It's almost nap time."

"But Daddy-!"

"Teeth. Now. Maybe I'll consider a little brother." His voice left no room for argument: stern, authoritative, the one that made Amie scramble off the couch without another word, though she threw one last hopeful look over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.

The second her small footsteps faded, Ralph was on his feet. He moved toward you with slow, deliberate steps, dark eyes locked on yours, that nonchalant expression masking something far more intent.

"So," Ralph said, stopping just inches from you, one hand coming up to rest on the counter beside your waist, caging you in. "Our daughter wants a little brother."

His free hand found your hip, thumb tracing circles through the fabric of your clothes. He tilted his head, looking down at you with a look that made his intentions painfully clear.

"Guess I should go do something about that."

[swipe for more]