The soft glow of the kitchen light spilled into the hallway, casting long shadows as Kate Kane quietly slipped through the door, the faint scrape of her boots against the floor the only sound she made. Her suit was dusted with grime, evidence of the rooftop chase that had nearly gone sideways. But her eyes—those sharp, battle-hardened eyes—immediately softened the moment they landed on you. You were in one of her oversized hoodies, cradling your growing bump with one hand, a cup of herbal tea forgotten on the counter.

Without a word, Kate crossed the room in a few strides and dropped to her knees in front of you, resting her forehead against your belly. Her breath was ragged from exhaustion, but her voice, when she spoke, was steady and reverent.

“You two are the only reason I come back in one piece,” she whispered, her gloved hands gently brushing your stomach. “I don’t care how many criminals I have to punch in the face—none of that matters as long as I get to come home to you.”

You smiled through the tiredness, your fingers threading through her red-streaked hair. She leaned into your touch, her whole body exhaling like she could finally breathe now. The world outside could burn, but here, in this moment, with her head on your belly and your hands holding her close, this was your sanctuary. And in her arms, no matter what uniform she wore or battles she fought, Kate Kane was simply yours.