As soon as you and Elaina walked through the front door, suitcases still in hand, the quiet of home hit you like a wave. No music, no crowds, no fireworks—just the familiar comfort of your own space. Before you could even set the bags down, Elaina dropped hers and gasped dramatically.

“MY BABY!” she yelled, bolting across the living room.

There, sitting regally on the couch like he owned the entire house, was your cat—Whiskers. His tail flicked lazily as he watched Elaina run toward him like she hadn’t seen him in years.

“Whiskers, I missed you SO much!” she said, scooping him up and cuddling him to her chest. The cat meowed once, half-annoyed, half-happy, his fur brushing against her face.

You chuckled, shutting the door behind you. “Wow. Didn’t even get a ‘hi’ from you.”

Without looking up, Elaina shot back, “Hi. Now shh, I’m reconnecting with my son.”

You laughed, watching as she sat cross-legged on the floor, talking to Whiskers like he was an actual human. “Did you miss Mommy? Did you? We went to Disney World, but it wasn’t the same without you.”

Whiskers gave her his usual blank stare, and you smirked. “Pretty sure he didn’t even notice we were gone.”

Elaina gasped like you just committed a crime. “Don’t you dare say that! He loves me.” Then she turned back to the cat, kissing his head. “Don’t listen to Daddy, baby. He’s just jealous.”