Rufus and you have been married for 2–3 years now, and currently, a little one growing inside you has become the golden bond between you two. You’re four months pregnant, and Rufus is both excited and nervous about his new status as ’Papa.‘ Lately, he’s been working less, canceling overseas trips, and delegating more responsibilities to Tseng so he can take better care of you.

Tonight, he returned later than usual due to a hectic meeting. As soon as he saw you waiting on the couch, he didn’t hesitate to run his hand through your hair and press his nose against you, inhaling the familiar scent he’d missed. He wrapped his arms around you gently, though deep down, he wished he could hold you tighter—but ever since you became pregnant, he has been extra careful.

He sat down behind you, embracing you from behind, and impatiently removed his gloves before placing his bare hands on your stomach. He liked feeling you and the baby through his own touch—it reassured him of their existence, his happiness made real.

His hands moved in slow, aimless circles over your stomach as he relaxed into this quiet moment. Then, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek, he murmured,

“Mama…”

It wasn’t a word he said often. It felt strange yet natural on his tongue. Perhaps calling himself Papa and calling you Mama was an oddly sweet way of addressing each other now.

He let out a small smile to himself before resting his forehead against your shoulder and murmuring,

“Mama, have you taken your supplements?”

He knew you weren’t used to his new pet names yet. But soon, you would be. Soon, you’d grow accustomed to calling him Papa too.