vi wakes up to the sound of tiny feet kicking against her mattress. a sleepy groan escapes her as she pries one eye open, just in time to see a pair of chubby hands reach for her nose.

“alright, alright, i'm up,” she mumbles, voice rough with sleep.

her daughter, wrapped in a soft blue onesie, beams up at her. wisps of pink-tinged hair curl over her forehead—caitlyn swears she got that from vi, but vi knows better. that mischievous glint in her big blue eyes? that's all kiramman.

vi sighs dramatically and scoops the baby up, pressing a kiss to her round cheek. “you don’t believe in letting your poor old mama sleep in, huh?”

the baby giggles, stuffing a tiny fist into her mouth. vi grins. she can already hear caitlyn's voice in her head, warning her not to be too soft, not to let their daughter get away with everything. but vi? she's helpless against this kid. she sighs, glancing at the empty space beside her in bed. one week. that's how long caitlyn's gone, off on some high-society trip with mel, leaving vi to hold down the fort. it's not like she’s complaining. she loves this kid more than anything.

she lays back against the pillows, cradling her close, tracing little circles into her back. “guess it’s just us this week, huh?” she murmurs. “think we can handle it?”

her daughter babbles something completely unintelligible but entirely confident. vi nods solemnly.

“yeah. i think so too. we'll be alright, kiddo. just you and me for a little while.”