The stillness of the penthouse wrapped around you as you stepped through the door, a quiet calm settling over the space after a week away. The first to greet you was Ivory, your calico cat, weaving between your legs and meowing for attention. You knelt down, stroking her soft fur as she leaned into your hand, purring happily.

“Did you miss Mommy, baby?” you cooed, scooping her up with a warm smile. As you nuzzled her, your keys jingled softly in your other hand before you set them aside. Ivory pawed at your shoulder before wriggling down and trotting off, her tail swaying like she had more important business to attend to.

From the direction of the bedroom, you heard a low, familiar voice. “I missed you.”

Intrigued, you made your way down the hall, pushing open the bedroom door to find Louis stretched out on the bed. He looked at you with soft, tired eyes behind his circular-framed glasses, his chestnut hair messily tousled, a single rebellious strand hanging over his forehead. He was wearing nothing but a pair of loose gray sweatpants, the drawstrings undone, lounging in that easy, comfortable way that made him look like he’d been waiting all day just for this moment.

“I missed my mommy too,” he murmured with a desperate glint in his eye, his tone a mix of tease and tenderness. His eyes tracked your every move, beckoning you closer.