#gavin bai

[breykurenei]

Day #18 Gavin Bai 🎐🚔

[arabella-77]

MLQC CN Gavin Solo Event PV

MLQC Gavin's Brightly Sunny Concerto.

"My girlfriend is the cutest in the world."

[spacesquidlings]

Fifth Planet From The Sun, Beloved By The Moons

By the afternoon of Gavin's birthday, the heat has already reached a fever pitch, but Rowan and Gavin have no plans to stay outdoors. They'll be travelling to a new, state-of-the-art museum that will capture Gavin's heart as surely as he has already captured hers. And with every new exhibit they wander through, Rowan will be reminded of how her love for him is fathomless; as endless as the ever-expanding universe.

Pairing: Gavin Bai x OC (Rowan)

Warnings: Mentions of suggestive content

Notes: Hello!!!! I’m here to wish the most happiest of birthdays to my favourite fictional boi and my favourite comfort character. I love you Gav!!!! I hope anyone who reads this has a marvellous time, and I hope it brightens up your day just as much as writing it brightened mine!!!!

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Arms stretched high towards the cerulean of the afternoon sky, Gavin passed a long, slow gaze across the trees that surrounded the small cabin they had rented for the week.

Well, cabin was the wrong word. The building was wooden but it was circular with a domed roof, and Rowan had been so excited at the idea of staying in one that he hadn’t been able to say no to her when she’d been looking for places for them to stay that week. He couldn’t remember what it was called, but it was essentially a big round cabin. It had heated floors, a cozy little fireplace set in the middle of the main room, and a full bathroom and kitchen. It even had a loft that housed a cozy  bedroom, with a massive, soft bed that took up nearly all of the floor-space.

There was even a deck a few feet away, with a couple of plush outdoor seats wrapped around an outdoor fireplace.

All things considered, it was quite a nice place. And the look on his wife’s face when they’d secured their rental of it had made it better than perfect.

“Gavin it’s going to be amazing,” she’d gushed, moving to curl up on his lap after she’d closed her laptop, beaming up at him with a smile that outshone the stars. “The loft will be so cozy it looks nice and warm!”

He’d chuckled at that, wrapping his arms around her and leaning back until her head rested on his shoulder, her chest pressed against his. “It’s the middle of the summer, pumpkin. Are you sure you want it to be warm?”

“Well the place comes with air conditioning,” she’d muttered, glaring up at him. “And you know what I mean.”

“Do I?”

That had earned him a smack. He’d deserved it, he’d known he’d deserved it. But that hadn’t stopped him from whining a little when she’d gently smacked him, rubbing his arm for emphasis. “You’d really hit me?”

“I barely hit you.”

“Your precious husband? Whose birthday is coming up?”

He’d gotten a few kisses for that, and he remembered smiling all the rest of that day. Remembered a few other things too that usually followed after kisses.

Well that was a lie, he remembered all of them. Every little sound she’d made and how she had felt against him and around him. And he would be lying again if he said he wasn’t hoping that this week wouldn’t be filled with similar activities.

He let his arms fall back to his sides, trying to peer between the trees that surrounded the small area. Another bonus had been that this particular cabin had been quite secluded compared to the other few that were on this property. The trees completely blocked them off from view of the others, and the area around the cabin was blessedly quiet.

It made it feel that much more private, that much more special. It made him feel like they were the only two people in the entire world. That maybe they were the entire world.

He knew Rowan was his entire world, anyways. And he didn’t want to spend even a fraction of a moment sharing her attention with anyone else, even a fellow camper coming to say hello or asking them if they knew where some of the hiking trails were.

Gavin liked to think he wasn’t that selfish, at least not about most things. He didn’t usually think that much of himself, too focused on his missions or his work or the handful of hobbies that had kept him occupied in his lonelier days. But he was selfish when it came to her. He was selfish and greedy and he wanted all of her attention.

And it was his birthday, too. He didn’t usually make a fuss for his birthday, had often seen it come and go with no fanfare in his earlier years. But Rowan always tried to do something special. Took him on vacation and made him special dinners and treats and bought him gifts and kissed him until he was laughing and breathless and his heart was so full he thought it might burst.

She’d made him believe that he was allowed to be a little selfish. That he was allowed to be treated like he was special, that he could want to be treated special. And he did. If Rowan got so excited about his existence, then why couldn’t he?

And why couldn’t he be a little selfish? And want all of his wife’s attention?

She was his world, sunshine to his sky, light to cast off the shadows, warmth to banish the cold.

He crossed his arms, turning around and peering back at the doorway of the cabin. Speaking of his wife, where was she?

“Rowan?” He called, taking a step towards the door. “Is everything alright?”

“TURN AROUND!” She shouted, her head popping out of the doorway a moment later. “Gavin Bai, you turn around right now.”

He blinked, cocking his head to one side. “Why?”

“Gavin if you don’t turn around I will blindfold you.”

He arched a brow, the corner of his lip twitching. “I don’t believe you.”

“You think I wouldn’t try?”

“You think you could?”

She huffed, stepping out of the door and crossing her arms, mimicking his stance. “I do think I could.”

“And why’s that?”

She tipped her chin up. “I know where all your tickle spots are.”

He flinched, but quickly regained his composure, fighting against his smile. “Sweetheart, I know yours too.”

“You won’t be able to see me though once I get the blindfold on you!”

“If.”

She sighed, slumping against the doorframe and looking for all the world utterly dejected and devastated. “Babey, please. It’s for your birthday!”

He took a step towards her. “Then I really don’t want to turn around.”

She pouted, her shoulders slumping. “I’ve been preparing for ages, though. I want it to be a special surprise.”

He couldn’t hold back his smile anymore, his heart aching now. He loved her. Oh how he loved her. She was his air and his light and his everything. He was a lone tree and she was sunshine and she was filling him with warmth with life.

He wondered how she would feel if he asked to reschedule their plans for the day. If she would be okay to let him lay his head in her lap and run her fingers through his hair. Maybe he would ask her to sing to him, or to tell him about the books she’d been reading or the projects she’d been working on. Anything just to hear her voice. To be close to her.

“Gavin?”

Her voice drew him from his reverie, back into the present moment. To the afternoon sunshine and the cloudless sky and the gentle breeze that did little to cool the warm July air.

“Sorry, I was thinking.”

A line formed between her brow and she straightened, coming towards him. “Thinking about what? Are you okay?”

He took a few steps towards her, closing the distance between them. She blinked, not realizing what he was doing until it was too late, until he had lifted her into his arms and pressed his face against her throat, trailing kisses over the pulse of her heart, sinking his teeth into her skin, earning a quiet gasp.

“Thinking of you,” he murmured, pulling away enough to meet her gaze, to catch her lips in a long, slow kiss. She tipped her head to the side, opening her mouth for him, sighing as his fingers tangled in her hair, holding her in place.

His body felt warm, and he felt dizzy, lightheaded like he was drunk or like he’d been spun around in a carnival ride.

He broke away slowly, wishing he didn’t need air. Wishing he could kiss her forever. Her eyes were glassy, her cheeks flushed, her breath ragged as she tried and failed to gain control of herself.

Gavin couldn’t help smiling again, not when he noticed the way she’d hooked her legs around his waist, how she clung to him, how she seemed unwilling to let go.

“Do you want to put today’s activities on hold?” He asked, letting his voice drop an octave, letting it sound rough and warm, and maybe just the tiniest bit needy.

Not that he was only a tiny bit needy. He was always needy. He was always needy for her.

He slid his hand up her thigh, played with the hem of her dress, which had ridden up when she’d wrapped her legs around him. “Maybe we could do something just the two of us?”

Her chest rose and fell slowly, her eyes unfocused as they skated over his face. “Something?”

He couldn’t help smiling at the quiet neediness in her own voice, the way she had so quickly been robbed of all thought.

He slid his hand up higher, beneath her dress, tracing his finger against the soft skin of her thigh. “Something for just us.”

Colour bloomed across her face, the crimson of a sunset sky, her breath catching. She blinked, like she was struggling to process what he was saying.

He took one step back towards the cabin, then another. Leaned close so his words caressed her ear. “I think there’s something I’d like to unwrap early.”

Out of anything he could have said, those were the words that seemed to snap Rowan back into the present. She shook her head furiously, struggling to extricate herself from his arms, although he was loath to set her down. He wanted to hold her, he wanted to keep holding her. Why couldn’t he hold his wife in his arms?

But she was unwrapping her legs from his waist, wiggling until he finally relented and set her back on her feet. She glared up at him, her mouth pressing into a thin line.

“I planned out a special day today,” she whined, resorting to slumping her shoulders and pouting. “I wanted to make you happy.”

“I’m always happy with you,” he murmured, ducking his head to find her eyes. “No matter what we’re doing I’m always happy with you.”

“I just want to make your birthday special.”

“It always is as long as I have you by my side.”

A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, and Gavin grinned, delight dancing through his chest like sunshine over rippling ocean waves.

“We can continue later,” he murmured, grasping her chin gently and lifting it up, so he could see her face clearly, so he could see the beautiful blush that crept over her face.

She nodded, looking like she was at a loss for words once more.

He arched a brow, trying and failing not to laugh. But it was hard when she looked like that, still so flustered. “Wasn’t there something you were doing before?”

A line formed between her brow as she thought for a moment, then gasped, her eyes lighting up as she remembered. “Yes! And you have to turn around! And close your eyes!”

He chuckled, deciding that this time he would oblige. He turned around, covering his eyes with his hands. “Okay, I’m ready! How long do you need?”

“Just wait until I tell you it’s okay.”

“Yes ma’am.”

She sighed, long and loud. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I’m the luckiest person in the universe to be loved by you.”

He was sure her cheeks were an even brighter red now, and he smiled wider, earning a light smack as she walked past him.

“You’d hit me on my birthday?!”

“It’s not your birthday yet,” she said, pinching his side as she passed him.

“I’ll get you back for that,” he teased, letting his voice drop low again.

“I’m sure you will,” she sang, as if he’d told her he would buy her flowers.

He should buy her flowers, now that he was thinking about it. He hadn’t bought any flowers in a while, and she loved to press them and hide them in books around the house.

It was a little like a scavenger hunt, and every time he found one he couldn’t help smiling. It always felt like a little piece of sunshine that she’d tucked between the pages, brightening up the day whenever one was found.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now!”

He did, spinning around to find her standing by their car, her smile filled with mischief.

“So when do I get to see my surprise?”

She rolled her eyes, moving towards the passenger seat. “That would ruin it! What’s the point of a surprise then?”

He sighed, although he knew it wouldn’t do any good. He doubted he would be able to pry any details from her. For now he would just have to yield to her decisions.

And anyways he would find out soon enough. If Rowan was packing everything in the car that meant whatever the surprise was would be brought with them today.

Although that was little consolation when he could feel himself itching to know what exactly she’d hidden.

He didn’t know what had happened; he’d used to be disciplined and patient. He should have been able to hold himself back, push the surprise from his mind while he focused on the parts of the day he did know about.

Although maybe it had to do with how he looked forward to every new day now. Every new moment. Maybe it had to do with how there was always something that made him smile now. That made glad he was alive, that made him so very happy he was alive.

He was pretty sure it had to do with Rowan. It was as if she was springtime sunshine, melting away the last vestiges of winter to make way for the explosion of colour and life that bloomed in its wake.

He’d remembered liking things, he’d remembered loving things. But everything had been just a little grey, a little ashen. Food tasted plain, colours seemed dull. Even blood red roses and fiery sunset skies had seemed faded and lackluster. Music, something he had loved since he was a child, the piano or his bass or even just bright songs on the radio, had seemed muted, had touched his heart. But never much more. Like a breeze rustling his jacket rather than a storm that tore at his very being.

Like his world had been washed out, or perhaps like he had been underwater. The world muffled and dulled.

But everything was vibrant now, everything was loud and brilliant and bright. She’d stepped into his world and brought colour rushing in after her. Sunrise and sunset were fire. He couldn’t remember food tasting as good as it did now. Even the littlest things brought him joy, making him feel like his heart might burst with the happiness that spilled through him.

Sometimes he would find himself staring at some beautiful flowers, or seeing something pretty in a shop window, or listening to a soft melody, and his chest would grow so warm he was sure a star was blooming to life inside of him. He would think of her, of her smile and her laugh. Of the way she would grip his hand and tell him how pretty something was. How she would cling to him after and chatter away about whatever was on her mind.

Although sometimes now he would catch himself just admiring things around him. Lakes and trees and flowers and sky. The warmth of a cup of coffee against his palms. The sweetness of a pastry or treat on his tongue. The softness of a blanket against his skin. A cool, refreshing wind rustling through his hair.

The world was big and it was bright and it was beautiful. They were things he’d always known, but now they were things he really felt.

Perhaps that was why he was so impatient now, wanting to peek at whatever Rowan had hidden away for his birthday. There was so much that made him happy now. So much that made him excited.

He felt a little like a child, if he were being honest. Like his body was too small for the sunshine and the happiness in his chest.

“Gavin?”

Rowan’s voice drew him from his thoughts, back into the present. She took a step towards him, her head cocked to the side. “What are you thinking of?”

He smiled, reaching out to take her hand. “I was thinking of you.”

She blinked, her cheeks the soft pink of a cherry blossom, her voice catching as she asked “me?”

He nodded, pressing a kiss to her fingertips. “You.”

“Was it good things?”

He closed his eyes, chuckling at the squeak in her voice. “Very good things.”

“Like what?”

He arched a brow, opening his eyes to peer up at her impishly as she tried and failed to look disinterested.

“Like that I love you,” he breathed, leaning forward so he could press his brow against hers. “That I love you with all that I am.”

Her hand tightened around his, her other hand reaching up to tangle in his hair. “I love you too.”

He grinned, leaning a little closer, so their lips nearly brushed as he spoke. “Enough to tell me about your surprise?”

She peeled away, shaking her head. “I love you so much that I won’t tell you.”

He sighed in defeat, letting his shoulders slump forward. “I guess there’s no winning.”

“It’s okay babey,” she cupped his face with both hands as she murmured his pet name, stroking his cheek with her thumb. “You’ll get to see it soon. And today and the next few days are all about you.”

He resisted the urge to point out that if they were all about him then she’d tell him what the surprise was. And she’d also postpone their plans for the day because he still desperately wanted to carry her back into the cabin and undo the little bows that held her shoulder straps in place, her dress pooling at her feet.

But he just smiled, enjoying the feeling of his cheeks being cradled in her hands. He would have everything he wanted soon enough. And it gave him time to imagine all the different ways he would take her dress off and make her melt.

She kissed his brow so gently he sighed. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she breathed, pulling away just barely. “Although we should probably get going. We’ve got a lot to do today.”

“I’m glad I get to spend it with you,” he said, drawing her back for one last kiss. “There’s no one I’d rather spend it with.”

He would have kissed her more, held her tight in his arms forever if he could. She fit so perfectly against him, her heart beating in tandem with his, her breath curling against his neck, her hands pressed against his back.

He didn’t think anything could ever make him as happy as being close to her did.

But eventually the embrace did have to end, although after he buckled himself into the car he made sure to reach out and squeeze Rowan’s hand. To remind her he was right there, but also to remind himself that she was close. That she was there with him. Beside him.

“Alright, do you know how to get there?” He asked, slowly driving the car down the small gravel road that took them to their cabin.

Rowan hummed, opening up a map on her phone. “Once you get out of the campground you’ll want to start by turning right.”

He reached out to thread his fingers with hers, the car barely going more than 10 kilometers as they drove over the rough, uneven road.

They were heading to a new space museum that was opening up in the fall. Rowan had somehow managed to swing tickets to an early access viewing of the exhibits, and they had decided it would make a perfect summer trip for his birthday.

Had it been a normal museum Gavin probably wouldn’t have cared either way, but this one boasted private planetarium rooms made with tech almost as advanced as what the STF was often working with. The entire galaxy and known universe would be able to be projected in the circular room, so close he could touch any one of the planets or stars.

The rooms were also to be booked privately, so there would be no one in there other than him and Rowan. As if they were completely alone in the universe.

There were some other interesting exhibits he’d thought sounded cool, about spaceships and the history of space travel, and strangely even an exhibit on how space was depicted in fictional stories.

He would be lying if he said he wasn’t really excited for it. He’d always loved space and the idea of travelling through the stars. Of exploring different worlds and galaxies.

It was fantastical daydreams he’d had when he was a child, but they’d stuck with him even as he’d grown. And now here he was with the most important person in the entire world next to him, taking him somewhere his child self would have loved.

“Are you alright?” She asked, her voice tinged with worry as she leaned forward, squeezing his hand. “You look like you’re thinking about something serious.”

Gavin just shook his head, bringing Rowan’s hand to his lips and brushing a kiss against her knuckles. “Not at all. I was just thinking that I would have been very excited to go on this trip when I was a child.”

She gave him a funny look, arching her brow. “You think it’s childish?”

He chuckled, setting her hand down on her thigh. “No, no. I mean it’s something I would have loved. Had you taken little Gavin with you he would have been so happy.”

“Well what about big Gavin?” Her voice was soft as she spoke, and she reached out to tug at the sleeve of his shirt.

“Big Gavin is happier than he ever thought he would be.”

“He’s looking forward to today?”

He laughed, squeezing her hand. “He’s very excited for today.”

Rowan beamed, covering the top of his hand with hers. “I am too! I can’t wait to see the planetarium rooms! I wonder what galaxies we’ll be able to see.”

Hu hummed, pretending to be in thought. She was his everything, and if all he saw was her, then he would get to see the entire universe in that little room.

Although he wasn’t quite sure how to say that. Wasn’t quite sure if he could.

Even after years of dating and marriage and sharing whispered words late into the inky night, there were some things he still struggled to say. They would catch in his throat, his tongue struggling to form words that wouldn’t come.

He loved her though. He loved her so much. So he just squeezed her hand again, hoping it would convey everything he was feeling in that moment, everything he had felt since she had chosen to be a part of his life.

She squeezed his hand back, as if she understood completely. It made his heart grow warm, made his veins fill with sunshine gold. To be understood so entirely, even without words. He hadn’t known it was possible. Hadn’t known anyone would be by his side, would have worked so hard to remain by his side, to know him, to understand him, to love him.

He cleared his throat as a lump began to form, turning his eyes to the road as they emerged from the campground and turned onto the main road that would take them to the highway. “Where do I go next?”

“You’ll want to hop on the highway soon. Then it looks like we’ll ride that for a few hundred kilometres.”

He nodded, turning on his signal. “And you’re sure?”

“I’m sure!”

“You’re really sure?”

She pouted, crossing her arms and leaning away from him, towards the passenger side door. “That happened a long time ago, Babey! It was an accident!”

He snorted, remembering the “accident” in question. Rowan had read the directions wrong when they had been on their way to a new restaurant she’d been very excited to try. They’d made it to their reservation with ten minutes to spare, but not before going down every side street in the city and somehow ending up in the best parking spot in the miniscule parking lot of the restaurant.

He’d teased her about it since then, and if he were being honest it was a little funny. How was it possible to get completely lost and arrive early? He’d never done that before in his entire life. And yet somehow Rowan had, and it had brought him so much happiness he’d had to cover his face to stifle the laughter that bubbled through him.

“Don’t be like that pumpkin,” he cooed, squeezing her leg before returning his hand to the steering wheel. “Maybe we’ll arrive early.”

She huffed, rolling her eyes. “That was some weird freak of nature. I’m pretty sure there must have been a tear in the universe we drove through that got us there.”

“Maybe that’s your evol,” he teased, flicking his eyes to the side to find her resolutely staring out the passenger side window.

“Getting lost?” He could hear the pout in her voice, and he was tempted to pull over just to kiss it away.

“Teleporting maybe? Or bending reality to create something like warp travel?”

She spun around, her eyes wide. “You mean kind of like wormholes? In space?”

He grinned. “Exactly!”

“Babey, you’re such a dork. That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

His face grew warm and he coughed, focusing on the road ahead. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Only that of course you would come up with such a cute idea for an evol. And that it would be like something out of a sci-fi movie!”

His cheeks grew warmer still, the heat crawling up the sides of his face and his ears. “But I’m your dork, right?”

“Of course,” she sang, leaning towards him, folding her arms over the armrest between them so she could lean closer. “You’re my Gavin, my dork. And you make me so happy.”

He coughed again, scratching at the back of his neck, although he was unable to wipe away the smile that tugged at his lips. He was coming desperately close to pulling the car over so he could cup her face and kiss her until she was breathless.

“I’m so happy I was able to get tickets to this museum,” she said, falling back against her seat. “I keep checking their social medias and they keep posting about all these new exhibits. I feel like we’re going to walk out of there professionals in space facts!”

He hummed, happy to listen to her chatter away, happy to listen to her voice.

“Maybe we can buy degrees from the gift shop.”

“I doubt they’d have something like that,” he said, quirking a brow. “You can’t just buy a degree from a gift shop.”

“Not with that attitude!”

He snorted, turning back to the road.

“Oh, but that reminds me we’ll definitely have to get some things from the gift shop! So we can remember this trip!”

He doubted he would ever forget it. Every moment with her was so very precious, and every memory shared with her was kept safely in his heart, polished and shined so he would never forget.

“We can get whatever you want,” he murmured, imagining her running around a display of space-themed plushies. Maybe there would be some stuffed planets and stars, or little alien dolls.

“Not for me, babey, for you!”

He couldn’t help arching his brow again, peeking at her from the corner of his eye in bemusement. “You mean you wouldn’t want to buy any stuffed animals?”

She crossed her arms, tipping her chin up and closing her eyes as she feigned haughtiness. As if she didn’t cave within seconds of seeing a cute stuffed animal. “It depends.”

“A stuffed planet? A meteor? A star?”

She cracked open one eye to peer at him. “Do you think they have those?”

He grinned wider. “Well if they do, I’ll get them for you.”

She sighed in defeat. “Well maybe I want to buy you things, too. It is your birthday after all.”

“I don’t need anything,” he said. “I just need you by my side, that’s it.”

“But-”

“No buts,” he cut her off, shaking his head. “The only thing I need is you. Is sharing today with you.”

“What about things that you want?”

He rolled his eyes. “I want to spend today with you, Rowan. All I want is to spend my time with you.”

“Okay,” her voice was soft as she bobbed her head. “Well for the record I want to spend all my time with you. I want to share every single moment with you.”

And if that was the only gift he ever received, was being with her, being beside her, then it would truly be the best gift of all.

***

Gavin couldn’t help gaping a little as they got out of the car, staring up at the strange shape of the museum.

He would be lying if he said he’d been to many museums, but the ones he’d seen had always been square or rectangular, the outer walls made of bland grey concrete, usually with colourful banners unfurled over the drab colour advertising their exhibits.

But this one was a bit different. From where they stood in the parking lot the exterior of the building looked strangely circular, with cylindrical protrusions on either side. It looked sleek and white, reminding him of the interior of the STF, all smooth surfaces and flashing neon lights. There were markings on the sides he couldn’t quite make out, something that looked like a string of numbers, although he wasn’t entirely sure.

“It looks like a spaceship!” Rowan sang, clapping her hands. “Oh it’s so cool already and we haven’t even gotten inside!”

He tipped his head to the side, reassessing the building. He supposed Rowan was right, it did look a bit like a spaceship. Like something out of the newer Star Trek movies, maybe.

“Are you excited?” She asked, drawing him from his thoughts as she took his hand. “I wonder what the inside will look like if the outside looks like a spaceship!”

Her excitement was infectious, and Gavin couldn’t help grinning as he squeezed her hand in return. Her smile was as bright as any star, her eyes shining, filled with galaxies of light.

Oh he loved her so much, he thought his heart might burst.

“I’m so excited,” he breathed.

“Okay okay! Let’s go, I want us to get in early!”

“I thought the museum wasn’t open to the public yet.”

“It’s not,” she said, rifling through her bag until she found their VIP tickets. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of people who were invited to this early opening, though. And I don’t want to be stuck behind some pompous rich people or a couple of scientists who are just going to say the information isn’t good enough!”

She tugged on his hand, spinning around to face him. “I want to read everything in here! And I want to take tons of photos of you.”

“What about photos of you?” He cocked his head to the side, dragging her closer before she ran into a parked car.

“But this is for you!”

“Well I want photos of you, too,” he said, enunciating his words very carefully, and extra slowly, making sure to emphasize want. He wanted photos of her. He wanted to remember the little details of today.

“Are you sure? I’m not really that good in photos.”

“I think you’re beautiful,” he said, brushing her hair back behind her ear. “You’re always so beautiful. I want to remember every single moment with you.”

Her voice was small when she spoke again. “Okay, if you’re sure. But I want pictures of you too.”

He squeezed her hand, tucking it around his arm to keep her close. “As you wish.”

There were only a handful of people milling around outside the museum, snapping a few photos and peeking around the delicate gardens that had been set up on either side of the walkway leading to the entrance.

Rowan crouched down and plucked a flower with light blue petals, straightening to quickly twine it in Gavin’s hair. “There we go.”

His face flushed, and he lifted a hand towards the flower. “What’s that for?”

“A gift! For the most important person here today!”

He pulled the flower from his hair, tucking it into hers instead. “I think you would look much better with this.”

“But you’re so handsome, Gavin, you’re always so handsome.” She pouted, running her fingers lightly over his arm. “You don’t want my gift?” 

“Of course I do,” he murmured, trying and failing to ignore the way he shivered beneath her touch. “Will you hold onto it for me? You look very beautiful with it.”

Her face turned crimson, and she bobbed her head, her voice a quiet squeak as she said “yes.”

He grinned, pulling his phone out and snapping a picture of her before she could stop him.

“What was that?” She demanded, reaching for his phone. “What did you just do?”

“I told you,” he teased, tucking it back into his pocket. “I want photos of you, too. So I can always remember.”

As if he would ever forget. As if he could ever forget a moment with her.

She heaved a very long, very tired sigh before jabbing a finger against his chest. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

He tipped his head to the side, his starry eyes alight with mischief. “You think I’m cute?”

Rowan opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. Had it not been for his tone, she would have said yes, of course. Because of course she thought he was cute. She had to stop herself from squishing his cheeks between her hands most days because she thought he was so cute. From biting him because he was so cute. But he was very clearly teasing her, and any words she might have said vanished from her mind.

She snapped her mouth shut, running her hands over the front of her dress to smooth out a few wrinkles, before turning on her heel and walking towards the door.

“Come on, pumpkin,” he whined, catching up with her quickly.

He took her hand, tugging her against his side before slipping his arm around her waist. If she looked up she would know he was grinning, but she was not exactly brave enough to look up at him. They had been together for years and yet still every time she looked at him it was like she was falling in love with him all over again. Her legs turning watery, her heartbeat fluttering, her breath catching.

And the impish smile she knew was on his face would do little to assuage that feeling. Instead she was certain her body would give out on her completely and she would keel over, knocking her head on the pavement. Like a Victorian woman suffering from a bout of the vapours.

Although she had not brought any smelling salts, so she had no idea how she would be roused from such a state.

It was probably safer to just not look up at him.

Which was so much harder than it should have been. Because when Gavin wanted attention, he demanded it. And she could already feel his hand squeezing her waist, his thumb stroking her side idly while his other hand brushed against the bottom of her chin.

“Now you won’t even look at me?” She could hear the pout in his voice now, although she could picture the way the corners of his lips would be turned up, his eyes bright as stars.

“I miss you.”

“I haven’t gone anywhere, babey,” she murmured, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I’m right here.”

The pad of his index finger tapped against her chin. “Won’t you look at me? On my birthday?”

How could she say no to that? How could she ever say no to him?

So Rowan turned and looked at Gavin, looked at her beautiful, kind husband. At his sunbright eyes and his gentle smile and the soft dusting of colour that still stained his cheeks.

Her knees did in fact feel weak, her face burning and her head spinning and her pulse racing as she met his gaze.

Hopefully if she fell Gavin would catch her, because she didn’t trust herself to walk steady in his presence.

“I do think you’re cute,” she said, her voice soft. “I think you’re so wonderful, and handsome, and adorable.”

His grin widened. “I think you are, too.”

She was pretty sure she would have kissed him right then and there if a particularly noisy group hadn’t started making their way towards them. They sounded like a group of scientists, discussing numbers and calculations and whether the museum would feature newer discoveries regarding the universe and using all sorts of words Rowan didn’t know.

Gavin gently guided her to the side to let the group pass before they continued making their way to the entrance. He lowered his mouth to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “To be continued.”

She nodded, letting herself be guided up the path to the entrance. She handed their tickets to the staff member standing by the door, who hole punched the tickets before handing them back before opening the door for them.

A blast of frosty, air conditioned air greeted them as they stepped inside a large, circular room. Signs cluttered the walls, and small clusters of people chatted softly amongst each other, pointing to words on glossy, colourful pamphlets.

“Where do you want to start?” Gavin asked, surveying the room. There were signs pointing to the bathrooms, the gift shop, and a table piled high with more of those colourful pamphlets.

Rowan grabbed one immediately, cracking it open. “Hmm, it doesn’t look like there’s a map in here.”

Gavin hummed, squeezing her hand. “There’s a hallway up ahead. Maybe we can follow that?”

She looked up from the pamphlet to where he was pointing, a seemingly plain hallway that took a sharp right and disappeared completely from sight.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” He asked.

“What if we get abducted by aliens? And separated?”

He snorted, rolling his eyes. “I’d find my way back to you.”

“You promise?”

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “That’s quite a silly question, Rowan. Of course I promise.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into him.

“Besides,” he continued, pulling away. “I would never let anyone separate us.”

“Not even aliens?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

That was a relief, although she doubted they were going to get abducted by aliens anytime soon. Or maybe they were, considering the hallway had curved to the right, the walls a stark white with bright, nearly blinding lights, and still she wasn’t sure where they were going.

Perhaps they were walking onto an alien spaceship, and they were about to be abducted. Spirited away to some unknown planet where they’d have to fight to make their way back home.

Rowan tightened her grip on Gavin’s hand, pressing closer against him as a shiver raced through her.

“Cold?” He asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and rubbing her bare arm. “Maybe we should have brought sweaters. I hadn’t really thought about that.”

She narrowed her eyes, remembering the soft pleading from him that morning, saying he thought one of her new dresses would look so beautiful, and wouldn’t it be nice if she wore it.

“And what exactly had you been thinking about?”

His ears turned bright red and he scratched at the back of his neck, quickly looking away. “Nothing much.”

“Now who’s the one who won’t look at me?”

Rowan was starting to wonder if maybe they should turn around when they were greeted with a pure white gangplank, leading up towards a dark, heavy curtain.

“Keep holding my hand,” he murmured, lifting their joined hands to press a kiss to her knuckles, sending butterflies cascading through her chest. “In case there’s any aliens trying to abduct us.”

She nodded, stifling a giggle as they headed up the gangplank and pushed past the curtain.

To Rowan’s delight it was not an attempted alien abduction. Instead, they found themselves at the beginning of one of the first exhibits in the museum. A beautiful, shining room with walls that seemed to glitter and glow. It took Rowan a moment for her eyes to adjust, and only then did she notice that there were millions of little model stars dangling from the ceiling, reflecting the lights, making the room feel so impossibly huge and bright.

“Oh wow,” she murmured, still clinging to Gavin’s hand. “They’re so bright.”

He hummed, shielding her eyes. “Careful not to look at them too long. I don’t want you to hurt your eyes.”

“I mean it’s hard to escape them,” she said, peering curiously around the room, wondering where they should start.

“You can always lean your face against my chest for a minute,” he said. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“I might take you up on that.”

She would definitely be taking him up on that soon, she could guarantee it. For now, though, she wanted to see some of the cool displays and exhibits, and she wanted to get as many photos of Gavin as she could.

They ended up starting with an exhibit displaying the birth of the universe. Whoever had designed it had chosen to depict the different theories for how the universe was born with colourful, scaled down dioramas. It was only the diorama big bang itself, the explosion that created everything, that was massive. It was taller than both of them, reaching up towards the starry ceiling, meant to illustrate the sheer size of it. The sheer power that created everything.

Rowan snapped a picture of Gavin as he read one of the placards, his brow furrowed in thought, his mouth moving silently as he scanned the words slowly, taking it in. She felt her heart soaring, higher than the domed ceiling covered in crystalline stars. He looked content, he looked happy. The light catching in his eyes, making them glow with an almost childlike wonder.

He seemed to radiate excitement, like he was his very own star, glowing with warmth and the most brilliant light.

Rowan forgot where she was for a moment, too lost in thought, too happy as she watched his lips move, his eyebrows shoot up. He was pointing to something new he was reading, his cheeks flushed. He was crossing his arms, smiling broadly, his hair spilling over his brow as he tipped his head to the side. She wanted to memorize every part of that smile, from the wrinkles around his eyes to the little dimple that appeared in his cheek to the shade of pink that bloomed in his cheeks like rosebuds.

She took another picture, not really caring if it was silly or not. She loved him, she loved him so much. She didn’t want to forget a single moment with him. Couldn’t bear the thought of this memory fading from her mind.

She lowered her arm to tuck her phone back into the little heart-shaped purse at her hip to find Gavin peering at her curiously, a bemused smile on his lips.

“What are you taking a picture of?” He asked, uncrossing his arms to take her hand again.

“You,” she said, her voice small as she let him draw her closer.

“I’m sure there are much more interesting things to be taking pictures of,” he said, casting his gaze around the starlit room. There were massive installations meant to depict stars and planetary explosions, and further away she could see paintings and beautiful artist renderings of the planets. There were multiple hallways branching off from the large room they were in, with displays she couldn’t quite see and colourful lights illustrating what would be in the following rooms.

It was all truly marvellous and beautiful and like nothing she had ever seen before.

And yet it all truly paled in comparison to the man before her. To his gentle smile, to the warmth in his eyes. He was completely incomparable. More precious and amazing than any star.

“No,” she breathed, squeezing his hand. “There’s nothing that can compare to you.”

He blinked, his blush deepening. Then he coughed, his gaze dipping down, his bangs falling so they covered his eyes.

“Gavin,” she reached out to cup his cheek, gently tipping his face back up. “Won’t you look at me?”

He did, although he looked a little sheepish, and his ears were the red of sweet, ripe tomatoes.

“I love you. Nothing in this room can hold a candle to you.”

His expression softened, his hand reaching up to cover hers. “I love you, too. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

“It wasn’t luck,” she said. “You were just you. You were Gavin, and how could I not fall in love with you?”

He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. He looked serene, he looked happy, comfortable. Safe.

She stroked his cheek softly, savouring his closeness for a few moments. They would need to move soon, she could hear voices growing louder, coming from that long curving hallway that led to the entrance of the exhibits. More people were starting to arrive, and they would be clamouring to get photos and absorb as much of the information as the museum could offer.

But for just a moment longer they could stand like this, virtually alone in the shimmering, shining room. Content to be close to the other, trying desperately to etch this moment into their memories.

Gavin tilted his head, pressing a kiss to the inside of Rowan’s palm before twining his fingers with hers and gently peeling her hand away. “What would you like to take a look at next?”

She hummed, spinning around as she observed the different installations and displays. “We could look at the one about star births! There’s something that looks really cool over there!”

He nodded, letting her lead him across the room. Similar to the exhibit they had just looked at, there were artistic models of all the different kinds of stars. Blue stars and white dwarfs and red giant stars and stars just like the sun that gave light to their own world.

He read the placards carefully, reciting the words out loud for Rowan, humming as he turned the information over in his mind. The beginning of the exhibit gave relatively simplistic information, facts that were easy to find when looking online or when taking an introductory astronomy class. But the further you moved into the maze of star sculptures and displays, the more detailed the information. Like they were trying to ease visitors into understanding the basics of astrophysics before using more complex terms and explaining things in much more detail.

Gavin had never really been one for complex sciences, and had often felt his brain grew messy and tangled if he tried to make sense of any of it. But he liked this, he liked the way it helped him mitigate so much of that confusion and frustration. He felt like he understood almost everything he read, and he couldn’t help beaming every time he straightened, feeling like a child again. Feeling as excited as he used to whenever he got to look up at the stars with the old telescope he’d used to own.

And more than anything else, he liked that Rowan was beside him. He would read something out loud to her and she would gape, the starlight from the hundreds of crystal stars hovering above their heads shining in her eyes, like she was made of galaxies.

She brushed her hand against his back as she leaned forward, her brow furrowed as she peered at a spinning, miniature reproduction of a star. It was an interactive display, and she gasped as she reached out to touch it. 

“It’s so warm!”

Gavin chuckled, listing his hand to let it hover over the star. “It is. But stars are supposed to be warm.”

Like her. Like the way she made his own heart feel when he woke up every morning and saw her still sleeping face. Her cheek smushed against the pillow, her hair a messy halo around her head. Her bangs sticking up at awkward angles that made him smile as he smoothed them out.

Perhaps she was a star. Or maybe she was a galaxy of stars. There was no other explanation for the warmth and the happiness he felt when she was close by.

“Here, put your hand on this one,” he said, taking her hand and setting it atop another star, this one a fiery red. “It’s still warm, but it’s a bit cooler.”

She bobbed her head, seeming starstruck. “That’s so cool.”

He chuckled, pointing to a bright blue star next to it. “Now try that one.”

She reached out to press her hand to the blue star, only to yank it back with a gasp. “That one’s almost too hot to touch!”

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm to ease the discomfort from the heat. “You’re right. Blue stars are the hottest stars in the universe.”

She blinked, turning back to the little model, her cheeks turning pink from the heat that radiated from it. “That’s incredible. That kind of star could keep lots of planets warm!”

He bobbed his head. “Theoretically, I think it could.”

He had liked researching about space when he’d been younger, hours slipping away as he’d read books and internet articles about space, the planets, the stars that bloomed in the sky every night. He couldn’t remember all of the details, though, about the stars, but he did remember once reading about how stars had to be in perfect position from planets to warm them, and to sustain life. Not only that, but there were different kinds of stars that could and could not sustain the growth and life of a planet like theirs.

“I’m not sure, though,” he admitted, furrowing his brow. “It might not last that long. The hotter and brighter the star the shorter its life.”

Rowan hummed thoughtfully, looping her arm through his. “I suppose that would make sense.” She wrinkled her nose. “Although it’s really hard for me to wrap my head around. Millions of years not being enough to sustain the life of a planet.”

He chuckled. “It is quite hard to picture it.”

“If there are other planets that have life on them, do you think they’re like ours?” She asked, pausing to peer at a diagram explaining the “goldilocks zone” and why it was so important to sustain life. “Do you think the people living on it would be quite different?”

He hummed. “I guess it would depend on their sun, and the environment.”

She leaned against him, sighing. “It would be really cool if we knew for sure there were other planets in the universe with life.”

“I’m sure there are. There would have to be. The universe is too big for there not to be.”

He peered over at her, watching her as she scanned the diagram, chewing on her bottom lip as she went over the information. “Although, I think our planet is best.”

She narrowed her eyes, looking up at him curiously. “Why is that?”

“Because it has you.”

Her eyes widened a little, her mouth opening in a small o.

“Gavin…” She trailed off, her voice lilting softly through the air, reminding him of a leaf twirling slowly to the ground.

“You’re the most beautiful thing in the entire universe,” he said, leaning closer to brush a kiss to her brow. “I know nothing else out there could compare to you.”

She pressed her face against his shoulder, and he could hear the pout in her voice as she whined. “You’re so lucky it’s your birthday.”

He chuckled, running a hand over her hair. “And why is that?”

“Because you can get away with saying sweet things like that!”

“I’m only telling you the truth. And the sweetest thing here is you, pumpkin.”

She grumbled wordlessly, glaring at him as she peeked up. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, and he considered what her retaliation might be.

Maybe she would say something equally as sweet that would make his face burn and his stomach dip like he was being thrown from a cliff.

Maybe she would kiss him until he felt a little breathless and then act like nothing had happened.

Or maybe she would step on his foot. Or pinch his waist. Or reach for the ticklish spot that her hand was awfully close to and-

He grabbed her hand before she could make her move, snorting as he held onto it tightly. “It’s my birthday, Rowan.”

“And?” She asked, her voice light and saccharine as she smiled at him just a little too sweetly. “I was going to make you smile.”

“You make me smile by being here beside me,” he murmured, his free hand wrapping around her back and slowly edging upwards.

She opened her mouth to respond, but then her eyes widened and she gasped, snorting as laughter bubbled from her mouth.

Gavin grinned in triumph as she wrenched away from him and he lost his hold on her most ticklish spot. “And I can’t help smiling when I hear your laughter.”

“That is not fair,” she groused, crossing her arms.

“But it’s my birthday,” he whined, trying to reach for her. “I thought I could have anything I wanted.”

She glared at him, stepping away. “Within reason.”

“I would say hearing your laugh and seeing your smile are more than reasonable.”

She scrunched her face up, lifting her shoulders up as her whole body tensed.

Gavin couldn’t help laughing at the sight, covering his mouth with one hand and reaching out to her with the other. “Come on, princess. Don’t be like that.”

She let her face relax, sighing as he took her hand and drew her through a display of stars. “I can’t say no to you.”

He ran his thumb over the back of her hand, her words making his heartbeat stutter and stumble, like a child still learning to walk. Did she know how much her words meant to him? Did she know that even the simplest, smallest things she said made him feel like he was filled with the light of a million stars?

He paused, tilting his head as he took in one of the displays. “Does that mean you won’t say no if I ask to take your picture?”

She turned to look at the display he had his eye on. A brilliant explosion of light, an artist’s rendition of a star exploding into life. The colour seemed to leap from the canvas, and Gavin could make out the texture of the paint from where he stood, making the fire and starlight seem so real he was sure that if he reached out to touch it that it would burn his hand.

He turned back to her, fixing the flower that he had tucked into her hair. “It just reminds me a little of you.”

Beautiful. Warm. Brilliant. His Rowan. His own star.

She tipped her head to the side, but she nodded, letting him take her picture next to the painting.

He was grinning as he tucked his phone away before taking her hand again. “Alright. Where to next?”

“Well I picked last time, so why don’t you choose next?”

Gavin hummed, wondering what to do next. And then he spotted a sign pointing to an exhibit all about space travel, and knew exactly where he wanted to go next.

There were spaceships in this next room. Replicas, of course, he knew it was unlikely they would have the remains of some of the most famous spaceships in history. But the replicas were astounding, lifesize models that reached towards the ceiling, seeming to vanish into the cluster of false stars that swathed the ceiling.

“Oh wow,” Rowan said, her head twisting from side-to-side as she took it all in. “These are huge.”

He nodded, drifting towards one of the closest spaceships, what would have been the ship for one of the first expeditions into space in history.

He couldn’t help imagining getting to be one of the crew members on one of those expeditions. Soaring out past the clouds, reaching towards the stars, unravelling the mysteries that still surrounded their own universe.

His heart ached a little. He didn’t regret what he did. He knew he’d made the right choice, working hard every day to keep his city safe. To keep everyone safe. To keep his Rowan safe.

But still, sometimes he couldn’t stop himself from dreaming a little. Dreaming about if he’d chosen a different path. If he’d chosen exploration and adventure instead.

He didn’t realize Rowan had moved so close, too wrapped up in his own thoughts as he gazed up at the hulking spacecraft. Didn’t notice as she snapped a photo of him, his mind swimming with all the possibilities of who he could have been.

What would his younger self have said, had he stood before a spaceship when he had been young?

That he wanted to be an astronaut, no doubt. That he wanted to touch the stars, wanted to bring one back to show his mom.

His eyes burned, although no tears came. She would tell him she was proud of him, and that if it made him happy he could be whatever he wanted. That she would be proud of him, that she would support him no matter what.

There were arms around his waist then, the steady warmth of Rowan’s body pressing against his back. She remained silent as she held him, but Gavin couldn’t help sinking into her embrace, letting himself be weak for just a moment as he closed his eyes, fighting against tears that turned exhibits around him murky.

His mother would have loved to take him here. Would have held his hand and pointed out all the cool things and told him how smart he was, how brave he was for dreaming of space.

He missed her. He missed her so much.

His hands fell to Rowan’s, still wrapped around his waist.

“I love you,” he murmured, his voice gravelly and rough.

“I love you too,” she breathed, her chin resting on his shoulder, her breath curling against his neck. He felt her lips brush against his skin, over where his pulse thrummed in its unending beat.

“Do you want to go?” She asked.

He shook his head. “No, I just need a moment.”

She kissed him again, tightening her grip around his waist. She didn’t need to say anything to show that she understood, that she knew what he was thinking of. That she would be here for him always, without question.

She anchored him, brought him back into the moment, back into the world around him. Reminded him that he was loved, that he was precious, that he had someone who was proud of him just for existing. Just for being him.

He let himself take a moment, let himself be enveloped in Rowan’s arms, in her warmth. She smelled like flowers, and cookies, and like the warm blankets they had snuggled into the night before. He felt himself relax, felt the tears begin to abate.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice still rough as sandpaper, the words feeling strange and foreign on his lips.

“I love you,” she murmured, pressing her face against his neck, her words turning muffled as she repeated herself against his skin. “I love you.”

He smiled, the heaviness that had washed over him beginning to disappear, like ocean waves drawn back by the tide.

He was certain his mother would have loved Rowan. Would have been so happy to know he was loved by someone like her. That he loved her with all his heart. That she was his entire world.

He turned around, Rowan’s arms loosening at his waist as he moved. He cupped her face with his hands, leaning his forehead against hers.

“Thank you,” he breathed, so quiet only she would hear.

He wished he could have stayed like that forever, wrapped up in his own little world, with Rowan’s arms around him. But the museum was beginning to grow louder as voices crescendoed through the building. More people were starting to arrive as the day grew longer and the sunlight turned to the bright, unrelenting gold of the afternoon.

He didn’t want to share this moment with anyone but Rowan. So, reluctantly, he slowly pulled away, smoothing her hair back and fixing the flower still tangled in her loose waves.

“Where to next?” He murmured, dropping his hand.

She peered over his shoulder, pointing back towards the spaceship. “It looks like you can go inside the different ships! Do you wanna try?”

He nodded, taking her hand. Needing to hold onto her. “Yeah, let’s take a look.”

The inside of the ship was fascinating. He knew it wasn’t a real, functional ship, and yet it felt so real he was sure that if he looked out one of the windows he would see the earth far below him, hanging like a blue pendant in an ocean of darkness. They walked along metal walkways, their steps echoing in the silent craft, taking in the interior of the ship.

There was a miniature gym, a recreation room, sleeping quarters that looked far from comfortable, and even a small kitchen.

Rowan wrinkled her nose as she surveyed the cramped sleeping quarters, the multiple twin sized-bunk beds stacked on top of eachother like blocks.

“That doesn’t look comfortable at all,” she mused, taking a step into the world. “You can reach out and smack the person in the bed next to you.”

Gavin chuckled, stepping into the little room after her. It did feel a little claustrophobic. Although it wasn’t that much different than some of the bunks he had slept in during military training.

“I think our room is much better,” he said, hooking his arm around her waist.

“You’re right, it’s so much cozier. And our bed is bigger. And the blankets are so soft.” She sighed, leaning against him as she closed her eyes.

“What are you thinking about?” He teased, poking her side.

“I’m thinking I want to take a nap,” she said, covering her mouth to stifle a yawn. “That would be awfully nice I think.”

He nodded, resting his chin on her shoulder. Curled up under a nice soft blanket with Rowan nestled safely in his arms. He would wear one of the soft, worn t-shirts she loved best. Or maybe he wouldn’t wear any shirt at all, so she could press herself as close as she could against him, squishing her cheek against his chest to listen to his heart. Maybe he would be able to coax her out of her dress too, the warmth of her body seeping into his, filling his veins with sunlight, spreading it throughout his entire body until it felt a little like he could glow.

He would pull the softest blankets they had over them both, cocooning them away from the harsh afternoon sunlight, the piercing scream of ringtones and alerts, the overwhelming cacophony of voices that filled most streets. Keeping them safe from anything that would dare try and intrude on their peace.

He kissed her cheek absently before they moved on to another one of the rooms in the ship. Perhaps he would try requesting a nice afternoon nap tomorrow. So that he could enjoy some time tangled in her arms, with nothing to do and nowhere to be.

He was smiling to himself when they reached the cockpit of the ship, a wide, rectangular room at the very front of the ship. Whoever had designed the exhibit and the replica ship had suspended the spaceship diagonally, so while they could walk on from the ground, by the time they reached the cockpit they were staring down from the ceiling of the exhibit, the glittering false stars casting wavering rainbows of light over the floor and the seats in the room.

“It’s like we’re really in space!” Rowan sang, rushing to the front of the room, gaping at the stars. “Oh they’re so pretty, Gavin. Like miniature suns.”

He wished he could reach out and pluck them from the ceiling, like apples from a tree. He would choose the biggest one, the one that glittered the most, that cast prisms of light through the air and made Rowan’s eyes sparkle. And then he would gently set it in her hands, and he would watch as the crystal star was set alight by the brilliance of her smile.

“I wish I could just reach out and take one,” she said, turning her head to look at him. “I’d take two! So we could have matching ones!”

He brushed a strand of her hair back behind her ear. “What would we do with them?”

She wrinkled her nose, frowning at the stars. “Maybe we could hang them in our room! Oh! Or I could hang one in my office and you could hang one in yours, and then when we look at them we’ll think about each other!”

For all his military training and all his daily workouts and exercises, Gavin felt himself turn a little weak. His knees wobbling like jelly, his heart overflowing like a too-full cup, his veins spilling over with fizzing light.

Did she know when he looked up at the stars he thought of her? Did she know that when he looked at the moon and thought of all the bright, twirling moons that surrounded the planets, he was thinking of her? His Rowan, his star, his moon.

He was worried his voice would crack if he said anything, like glass shattering across the floor, so instead he leaned his head against hers, breathing in the sweet, warm smell of his favourite person.

“Are you okay?” She asked, looping her arm around his waist.

“I’ve never been better,” he murmured, nuzzling his face against the side of her head. “I’m just thinking.”

“Good things, I hope.”

“It’s always good things when I’m with you, pumpkin.”

He could picture the colour of the blush surely creeping across her face now. The soft, sweet pink of the peonies they had planted in their backyard. Although she was so much sweeter, and so much prettier than a simple flower.

“You’re such a dork,” she muttered, her voice cracking. “You say such sweet things.”

“They’re nothing I don’t mean.”

She sighed, heavy her shoulders and up down as dramatically as possible. “Alright, well that just means I get to take my revenge on you.”

He pulled back, arching a brow curiously. “Revenge?”

She dipped her chin in a curt nod as she surveyed the room quickly. “Yes, my revenge. I am going to do something so sweet you’re not going to even know what to say.”

He snorted, letting her take his hand and guide him to one of the chairs bolted down in the mock cockpit. “And what’s that?”

“I will not be revealing my secrets any time soon.”

He pouted. Or at least he tried. He’d hardly stuck out his bottom lip before she’d leaned forward, her hand on his shoulder, and pressed her lips to his.

“No pouting! No pouting on birthdays,” she sang as she pulled away, her cheeks flushed. “It’s absolutely not allowed!”

He poked his bottom lip out again, doing his best to look as despondent as he could. He even drew his shoulders together, peeking up at her from beneath his lashes. “How will you fix it?”

Rowan laughed, leaning back down to kiss him again. Gavin dropped his act immediately, threading his fingers through her hair, his other hand wrapping around her waist and drawing her into his lap.

“This definitely fixes it,” he murmured, dipping his head to press kisses to her throat. “This makes things better.”

She whined softly, her chest heaving as she struggled to keep her breathing even. “Gavin, we’re in public right now.”

“No one’s here,” he breathed, kissing the spot above where her pulse thrummed.

“There’s probably cameras.”

He groaned, dropping his head to brush his lips against her shoulder, to gently sink his teeth into the soft, delicate skin.

Rowan gasped, her fingers digging into his own shoulders for a moment before he pulled away.

“Alright,” he said, leaning back, ignoring the way he could feel himself straining against his pants. “What were you going to do for your revenge?”

She blinked, looking completely lost for a moment. And then slowly light blazed in her eyes and she crawled from his lap, fixing him with a furious glare as she took several steps away from him.

“You’re an animal.”

He tipped his head to the side. “What kind of animal do you think?”

She grumbled something under her breath, pulling her phone out.

“What was that?” He asked, arching a brow.

Rowan huffed, pretending not to hear him.

“Come on, princess, won’t you tell me?”

She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, staring at him for a long, long moment. Then she sighed, her shoulders sagging. “I said you remind me of a wolf sometimes.”

“Oh?”

She jabbed a finger at him. “Don’t even try to think of anything.”

“I mean wolves are pretty territorial and-”

“No thinking!”

He would be lying if he said he was thinking about anything other than the pink of her cheeks and how her lips were just the tiniest bit swollen and how he could make out the red around the bite on her shoulder.

“What are you doing?” He asked, straightening as she lifted her phone.

“I’m taking a picture, babey. I said I wanted to take pictures of you!”

He lifted his brow higher, but let her direct him to sit and stand in different poses around the cockpit. He couldn’t help grinning as she fixed his jacket or pointed at different chairs or told him to stare out at the crystal stars. He didn’t really know what she was planning, but from the starlight in her eyes it was clear it was making her happy, which meant it made him so very happy, too.

Finally satisfied, Rowan gave one huge nod and shoved her phone back into her purse. “Okay! I am all done.”

Gavin took her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm before twining their fingers together. “Did you have fun?”

“I always have fun with you.”

They walked from the false spaceship hand-in-hand, Gavin drawing Rowan closer against him as they passed by a large group of people trying to pile inside the exhibit.

“Looks like we checked that out at the perfect time,” he said, heading towards an exhibit that seemed to be focused on planets in their solar system. “We got our own private tour.”

“And I got some very handsome photos of you!”

Gavin’s face burned. “Will you show them to me?”

“Eventually.”

He couldn’t help laughing. Couldn’t stop himself from laughing; a huge, goofy grin tugging at his lips. It was such a simple, mundane thing, wandering around a museum with Rowan, pointing out different things, reading little placards and walls of info. Discussing some of the strange science facts that neither of them could wrap their heads around. Taking pictures while the other was turned around.

Or perhaps better yet taking what felt like a million poses as the other one instructed them on how to stand. Rowan running her fingers through Gavin’s hair, stating it wasn’t properly tousled as he stood before a spinning replica of Jupiter with its countless moons twirling around it like specks of confetti. Gavin smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress as he snapped as many pictures as he could of her in front of a glittering interactive display of stars, their light catching in her eyes and making her glow.

It was so mundane and simple. The switching between taking photographs, pointing to different exhibits, dragging the other towards something that had caught their eye. And yet it felt so special to him, so incredibly important he couldn’t put it into words. Just a feeling that bloomed in his chest like the first springtime blooms. That washed over him like a slow creeping tide, sun-warmed and gentle and all-consuming.

He couldn’t count the number of times they’d done something similar. Museums and zoos and aquariums. Tours through snowy outdoor light shows that glittered beneath frozen stars. Trailing aimlessly through the burning oranges and fiery reds of autumnal corn mazes, gasping at statues and animatronics hidden in corners to scare any visitors.

They were all special. Everything was so special with her. Every moment like it’s very own unique gem.

No, he was certain each moment was more precious than diamonds and rubies and sapphires. Maybe it was more like stars. Fiery, powerful celestial forces that filled their sky with light despite how far away they were. Offering light and guidance even beneath the heavy cloak of night. Little pinpricks of hope scattered through the sky like glitter. Pieces of light that held wishes and promises within their pale, glimmering light.

That was what each moment was with his Rowan. It was light, and it was hope, and it was the promise of happiness today and more happiness tomorrow, all bottled up in her eyes and her smile and her arms.

Gavin slipped his arms around Rowan’s waist, pressing his face against the back of her head as they stood before a relatively boring display case showing pieces of moon rock that had been plucked from the moon and sent back down to Earth.

It was utterly amazing, he couldn’t deny that. But it was also pieces of grey rock, and it was bland and forgettable when his Rowan was right here. When she was standing right here and it was so easy for him to draw her into his arms.

She rested her hands over his, stroking his wrist with her thumb. “Do you wanna get something to eat? There’s a cute little cafeteria with snacks and then we can check out the science fiction exhibit and the planetarium rooms.”

He nodded, but his arms tightened around her, his words muffled as they tangled in her hair. “In a minute.”

They stood there for a few moments, a comfortable silence washing over them as strangers filtered out from the room, on the hunt for more exciting things to look at. The room grew quiet, the sound of footsteps and murmuring voices melting away until all Gavin could hear was the quiet rush of the air conditioning and the sound of Rowan’s breaths.

He held her tight for another long, long moment before finally letting go. He struggled with words most days, but knowing that she understood, that she could feel the emotions behind the actions he could do in lieu of sweet words warmed his heart, offered him a sort of solace he hadn’t known he’d needed until he met her.

She squeezed his hand as he made to pull away, twisting in his arms so she could meet his gaze, so she could reach up and cup his cheek with her free hand.

“I love you,” she said, standing on her toes to kiss his brow. “With all my heart.”

He covered her hand with his, feeling more at peace than he ever had in his life. Feeling more happiness than he knew what to do with.

“Come on,” she said, taking both his hands and guiding him from the room, following the signs pointing towards the cafeteria. “Let’s see if they have any food in the shape of a spaceship.”

***

In perhaps the most disappointing of events, there wasn’t a single food item in the shape of a spaceship. A fact Rowan lamented bitterly as she and Gavin searched for a quiet spot to sit and eat their lunch.

“The water bottles have space ships on them,” Gavin offered, pinching her side as she briefly pouted down at the array of treats on her tray.

“It’s not the same,” she groused. “It’s a space museum you’d think they’d make something spaceship shaped.”

“The pancakes are shaped like moons,” he offered, gesturing to the stack of strawberry and chocolate chip pancakes on one corner of her tray.

“They’re round. That’s a normal pancake shape.”

“Moons are also round! And planets.”

She quirked a brow as she reached over to try and pinch him right back. “I don’t think that counts.”

Gavin batted her hand away with ease, jabbing her in the side in retaliation. Her body convulsed as he prodded at one of her ticklish spots, and she had to bite down on the inside of her cheek to stop a shriek of laughter from spilling from her lips.

“I think it does,” he murmured, a crescent moon grin arcing across his lips.

“Well how can I argue with the birthday boy,” she teased, scooting away as he arched a brow. “Whatever you say.”

He chuckled, reaching out to wrap his arm around her waist before she’d moved too far away, trying to draw her back to his side. “You’re too far away.”

“You pinched me!”

“You tried to pinch me.”

She didn’t put up a fight as he tugged her closer, her thigh bumping against his. “I only did that because you had already pinched me once.”

“You were pouting. I wanted to make you smile.”

Rowan glared at him, scrunching up her entire face even as he snorted.

“But I love your smile.”

His voice was so gentle she couldn’t hold onto her false scowl. His words were so soft, barely more than a whisper of a breath against her cheek as he leaned closer, cupping her face. They were laced with a quiet need, a want that stained his voice like the first blush of dawn in the grey of the early morning sky.

So of course she smiled, her heart warm, her body feeling a little like jelly. A little like it was melting beneath the amber of his gaze.

Colour bloomed in his cheeks, washed over his ears, reminding her of the beautiful snapdragons Gavin had given her on their last anniversary. His smile was as warm as the summer sun, his entire face softening as he looked at her.

She couldn’t help reaching up in kind, cupping his face in her palms, stroking her thumbs over his cheeks. He had shaved the day before, and yet already she could feel the scratch of stubble against the pads of her thumbs. Was he really real? Was he really here in front of her, sitting next to her, holding her like she was precious? Was he really looking at her like she was the most important thing in his world? Was he really hers?

Sometimes Rowan had trouble believing it. She hated going to sleep more than anything, terrified she would wake up and every beautiful moment would be a dream. Every precious second with him, every shared memory, would vanish like mist beneath the morning sun.

But then she would wake up and there he would be, curled up against her or holding her close as he waited for her to open her eyes. There he would be, warm and strong and utterly, completely real. And then she would feel happiness so strong it would make her eyes burn and her throat constrict and she would snuggle against him, squeezing her eyes shut against the threat of those tears.

“What are you thinking?” He murmured, drawing her back to the present, to this moment with him beside her and his face still held between her hands. He covered her hands with his, the rough callouses on his palms scraping against her skin. “Are you okay?”

She chewed on the corner of her lip, nodding furiously as she struggled to stifle the tears burning her eyes.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded again, gently pulling his face closer so she could kiss his brow. “I’m just so happy you’re here. I’m so happy you were born.”

She didn’t see his expression, not as she dropped her hands and pressed her face against his shoulder. “I love you, Gavin.”

Rowan felt herself enveloped in his arms, felt him gently pull her against his chest, tucking her beneath his chin. “I love you, too. More than anything.”

“Really?” Her voice was little more than a squeak, but she couldn’t find a reason to care. She wanted to hold him so close, wanted him to know how truly happy she was that he was real, that he was alive. That he had been born and she could hold him and love him and listen to the warm laughter that reverberated through him.

“Really. I would never lie to you, my princess.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him as tight as she could, her chest aching. She remembered wondering if she would ever feel a shred of happiness again, if her heart would ever feel warm, if she would ever feel safe. And now her heart was so filled with sunkissed joy and candy coloured delight and so much love it felt like she might shatter into stardust and iridescent light.

Gavin hummed, stroking her hair gently. “Although looking at some of the exhibits here has got me thinking.”

Rowan peeled away from her hiding place against his chest, curiosity getting the better of her. “Thinking about what?”

He brushed her hair back from her face. “I was thinking about how if I’m Jupiter, then you must be my moon.”

“Jupiter has almost a hundred moons,” she pointed out, even as heat began to crawl across her body.

He furrowed his brow for a moment, considering her words. But then he just took one of her hands and brought her palm up to his mouth, so close she felt his lips against her skin as spoke. “Then you’re all the moons, every moon. Although…” He trailed off, pressing a kiss to her hand. “I don’t think a single one of them can compare to you.”

“I dunno, did you read some of the information about the moons?” She teased, her voice wavering as he kissed her palm again. “They’re pretty important. We only have one and it’s so important. And where would we be without Sailor Moon? She’s definitely saved the world.”

Gavin’s brows shot up, his eyes squeezing shut as he burst into bright, warm laughter. It sounded like sunshine, like the wind rushing through leaves, like the way happiness felt when she woke up to a gentle kiss every morning.

He snorted, covering his face as he continued to laugh, his hair tickling her face as his forehead knocked against hers.

Rowan couldn’t help grinning, his laughter infectious. “It wasn’t that funny.”

He shook his head, his nose bumping against hers as he held her face between his palms. “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Her heart was soaring on gilded wings, lifted high by the warm July winds. She was melting, turning into a Rowan shaped puddle. The only reason she hadn’t completely fallen apart yet was because Gavin was holding her tight, keeping her upright even as her body wanted to turn to jelly.

“Was that really the funniest joke you’ve heard?” She asked, her voice so quiet it turned to smoke even as she tried to tease him. She didn’t have the heart to tease him that much right now, not when she still felt a little giddy and silly from his sweet words.

Gavin was always sweet, always kind, always ready to murmur a sweet nothing into her ear at the perfect moment. But it was always when she was least expecting it, and it always threw her off, sent her reeling as her heart turned to a flurry of gossamer winged butterflies.

His laughter slowly petered off, and he breathed softly for a moment, sighing as he leaned his weight against her. “I love you.”

“And I love you,” she said, still feeling a little breathless from the delight in his laughter and his sweet words.

He pressed a kiss to her cheek before pulling away, smoothing back her hair. “We should eat, there’s still lots to see. And I’m starting to get very curious about my surprise.”

Rowan blinked, having almost completely forgotten about everything else that was happening, about all her plans that day. She looked around, realizing they were sitting in a rather cozy corner of the museum’s cafeteria, a low hum of voices floating towards them as other guests slowly filtered in to search for something to eat.

She frowned down at the food on her tray, still very much not spaceship shaped.

“Pumpkin, you need to eat. You haven’t eaten since before we left this morning,” Gavin chastised, pointing to her food.

She glared at him from the corner of her eye. “The shapes are boring.”

He didn’t bother responding before he grabbed her fork and knife and started cutting up the food on her plate. “Rowan if you don’t eat I’ll make sure you do.”

He held the fork out to her, a piece of fruit speared onto the tines. She knew he was giving her the option between feeding herself and being fed, and for a moment she considered being an absolute brat and refusing to take the fork from him. But that was something she would do in the comfort of their own home, not here, no matter how private their little corner felt. So she took the fork from his hands, earning a small smile as she took a bite.

Gavin squeezed her thigh, sounding pleased as he murmured a quiet “good girl.”

She almost smacked him, her entire body burning up as if she had been caught in a wildfire. She would have smacked him, if she were being honest, except that he grabbed her hand before she could even reel it back, smirking as a knowing light flickered in his eyes.

He brushed his lips against the pads of her fingers, his breath tickling against her skin as he spoke. “What are you thinking of?”

“Nothing,” she groused, glaring down at her food.

Snorting, Gavin released her hand. 

“What do you want to go see next?” He asked, poking at his own food now.

Rowan fished the museum map out of her bag, smoothing out the wrinkles as she examined the exhibits splashed across the indigo coloured map like splatterings of paint. But before she could find the next exhibit she wanted to go to, her phone began to buzz.

Once. Twice. Three times. The signal her and her “teammates” for the day had agreed on.

Gavin arched a brow, curiosity seeping into his mind as he set down his fork. “Is everything okay?”

Rowan nodded, passing him the map. “Yeah, everything is great! Although I think I need to run to the bathroom really quick.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, unable to keep his suspicion from threading between his words. “You haven’t had a message all day, and now-”

Her phone buzzed three times again and she stood, shaking her head. “It’s nothing. It’s just a little reminder I set for myself.”

He narrowed his eyes. Rowan wasn’t exactly the best liar, and he had already committed all of her tells to memory. There was the way she breathed a little deeper, her chest rising and falling a little slower. Her eyes stayed locked on his face, but when she was talking her eyes normally would roam all over a room, pausing on his face only briefly before flicking elsewhere and back again. And she was much stiller than normal. Usually she was twisting a bit of fabric around her fingers, or she was pulling at the straps of her top, or tucking and untucking her hair, or bouncing her foot from side-to-side, or reaching out to play with his fingers.

It was like she was holding herself very carefully, like she was making sure she was in complete control of every motion and breath she made. Like she was telling herself to be “normal” and to not act “weird.” Even though this attempt at control was what gave away her lies in the first place.

“What aren’t you telling me?” He asked, leaning forward to take her hand, stopping her escape.

He didn’t think something was wrong, not exactly, but he couldn’t stop the persistent, niggling feeling that something was off.

His mind started to race as it brewed up a million different scenarios for why she was suddenly acting strange. She was worried she was pregnant, she was sick with something she hadn’t told him about yet, she was being blackmailed to do something terrible, she was part of some secret organization that would put her in serious danger…

His mind churned for what felt like an eternity, constructing scenarios that went from potentially plausible to downright ludicrous. He had to forcibly reel his thoughts back in, reminding himself that most of those were all fantastical situations that were more at home in a fictional story than in real life.

But still he couldn’t banish the feeling that something was going on, and that she was keeping secrets from him.

Gavin opened his mouth, the beginning of his interrogation on the tip of his tongue. But Rowan leaned down, the ends of her hair tickling his face as she kissed the top of his head.

“Rowan-”

He didn’t get much further than that, his thoughts melting away like fog beneath piercing, golden sunbeams of a summer afternoon. Rowan pressed light, chaste kisses to his brow and cheeks and the tips of his ears and just behind them. Her hands lay delicately on his shoulders, little more than the pads of her fingers pressing against the fabric of his shirt.

He was certain she was teasing him, with her featherlight kisses and her whisper of a touch. He wanted to thread his fingers through her hair and wrap an arm around her waist and hold her close to him. He wanted to pull her into his lap, he wanted her to wrap her arms around his neck.

But instead all she gave him was the ghost of an embrace, a phantom of a touch. He felt haunted, lost in a shadowed maze, chasing after the spectre of light that had bloomed in her wake.

He leaned forward, wanting to kiss her back, wanting to be close to her for a moment longer, but Rowan was stepping back, beaming at him with mischief in her eyes.

“I’ll be right back, babey,” she said, her voice lilting like the opening of a love song. “Don’t miss me too much.”

And then she was gone, and his heart was aching because he did miss her already. The cafeteria felt very large and for one of the very few times in his life he felt incredibly small, poking at his food as he waited for her to return.

He could feel something scratching in the back of his head, a little like when Stella, their dog, pawed at the back of his head first thing in the morning when she wanted to go out.

But this was different, if only because Stella wasn’t actually pawing at the back of his head. It was more like there was a tiny Stella in his brain, scratching at the back of it, trying to get him to remember something he could not figure out.

He continued to poke at his food, chewing slowly as he swept his gaze across the room, searching through the growing swarm of people for his most beloved person, wondering what she would want to do once they were done eating. Maybe they could check out the science fiction exhibit next. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t particularly excited about that one. Rowan had shown him some photos that had been posted on the museum’s website, and there were interactive displays and video footage and so many cool things he wanted to check out.

He wanted to look down at a diorama of Arrakis and read all the placards explaining important scenes and moments from the books. He wanted to step through a life-sized Stargate and step into the interactive hologram exhibit beyond it. He wanted to sit in the cockpit of the accurate-to-film Millennium Falcon and listen to the audio guide explain the real science that went into its design.

But mostly he wanted to hold Rowan’s hand and imagine living in a fantastical world with her. Any universe with her in it was magical, but he sometimes liked daydreaming about flying through space with her, or travelling through time holding her hand.

He knew it was childish, but it made his heart feel warm. There was a certainty to his fantasies; the knowledge that she would want to be a part of them, that if they were in any universe she would want to be with him. And that she would not mock him for his musings, that she would hold his hand and brush his hair back from his brow and listen with her eyes wide and bright. That she wouldn’t say they were childish or silly, that she would cherish them as much as she cherished him.

Gavin was so lost in thought that he almost didn’t notice Rowan returning. She settled her hands on his shoulders, reeling him back from the hazy world of his mind and into the sharp intensity of the real world. She pressed the pads of her thumbs against the base of his neck, massaging gently as she leaned down, resting her forehead against the side of his head.

“I missed you,” she breathed, her lips hovering just behind his ear. She sighed softly, her breath tickling his skin, and he could feel the gooseflesh rising on his arms.

He wanted to draw her into his lap and press his lips to hers and kiss her breathless. It was his birthday after all, he should have a free pass to do whatever he wanted.

But he would have to wait until they returned to their cabin for the evening before he could do all the things he wanted so desperately.

For now he would settle for tilting his head back so he could catch her lips in a gentle kiss. “I missed you so much.”

Rowan beamed as she pulled away, her hair falling over her cheeks in soft curls. Her face was flushed, the soft pink of a newly blooming peony.

He should buy her some flowers. He should buy her a bouquet of sweet peonies and tulips and daisies. All in the different shades of pink that stained her face when he pressed his lips to hers.

Rowan peeled away from his embrace, sliding back into her seat only to glare down at her food. “I see it didn’t change shapes while I was in the bathroom.”

Gavin snorted, spearing a forkful of food and raising it to her mouth. “At least eat it for me. It is my birthday after all.”

Rowan rolled her eyes, but acquiesced, a small smirking dancing at the corners of her mouth. “You’re lucky it’s your birthday.”

***

Once they were done eating, Rowan let Gavin take her hand and guide them through the museum to the Science Fiction exhibit.

It was one of the last exhibits aside from the holographic planetarium rooms, and their reservation time wasn’t for a while yet. So they headed to the Science Fiction section next, passing through a doorway that made it seem like they were about to enter the bridge of the starship enterprise.

There was a light in Gavin’s eyes as they stepped into the first section, like twin stars had exploded into existence. Like there were galaxies within his eyes, millions upon millions of stars and suns glittering as he looked around the room.

Rowan wrapped her arms around his, pressing herself against his side, her heart aching. She wanted to be close, wanted to be as close to him as she possibly could, warmth radiating from him. He looked so open, so happy, a childlike joy so pure and sweet in his expression that she wanted to squish his cheeks and kiss him until he laughed.

He was happy, she was so very glad that he was happy.

Her eyes burned and she looked away, forcing herself to focus on what a robot was saying as it explained the different ways robots and androids appeared in sci-fi media. But her brain couldn’t focus, could only think about Gavin. Gavin’s eyes, Gavin’s smile, Gavin’s heart beating and spreading all his joy throughout his being.

“Pumpkin, what’s wrong?”

She blinked furiously trying to compose herself as she tipped her head up to meet his gaze. A line had formed between his brows, concern swimming within the golden depths of his eyes.

“I’m alright,” she murmured, rubbing his arm in what she hoped was a pacifying gesture.

He hummed, his lips pressing into a thin line, clearly not buying it, but after a moment his expression softened, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Why don’t we go take a look at some of the Star Wars stuff.”

She beamed up at him. “Lead the way.”

Gavin kissed her head once more, sending warmth and gossamer-winged butterflies streaming through her from the place his lips brushed against her skin.

The sci-fi exhibit ended up being easily the largest exhibit in the museum, with massive installations and interactive holograms and in some sections robot guides.

She was utterly in awe as they wandered through replicas of different ships featured in the Star Wars films, listening to audio overhead explain the different mechanics that would have made the ships function, and how fiction melded with science to inspire these creations. It was so realistic, like they were truly in the middle of an intergalactic space chase, like they were on their way to a fierce space battle and all they had was a rusty laser canon attached to the ship.

“I feel like im in the middle of a movie,” she murmured, squeezing Gavin’s hand as they walked around a group of ewoks brandishing spears. “Like if I look up I’ll see starfighters flying overhead.”

Gavin chuckled, lifting her hand up to press a kiss to her knuckles. “I would keep you safe. You wouldn’t have to worry about being hurt.”

She quirked her brow as they made their way towards one of the next parts of the exhibit. “Oh? Do you think you’d be a jedi?”

Gavin hummed, even as they stepped down a small ramp that led into a faux-desert that had been constructed within the building. “I think even if I was, I would leave the order.”

She frowned, ducking her head as they headed into a ‘cave,’ eerie music playing softly from speakers she couldn’t see. “Why?”

He cupped her face with one hand, stroking her cheek. “Because I would want to marry you. I could never give you up.”

Her face burned, and she tried to look away, but Gavin held her fast, his voice lilting with restrained laughter. “I’d leave the jedi in a heartbeat for you.”

She blinked, her words drying up on her tongue.

His words themselves weren’t particularly romantic, but it was the way Gavin said it, the way his voice dipped as his eyes fell to her lips, as his mouth curved up like a crescent moon, the only source of light in a starless night. It was the way he leaned closer, his breath tangling with hers. How she could feel his lips brushing against her skin as he spoke.

She swallowed, her mouth dry as a desert, her gaze falling to his mouth, to the smirk playing on his lips. He was far too confident, and far too pleased with himself. He’d been teasing her all day and he hadn’t let up for a second.

She tried to scowl, although there was no true intensity behind it, and Gavin just ended up snorting with laughter, his smirk becoming a bright smile.

“You know I remember when you used to be too shy to hold my hand,” she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the ceiling.

Gavin tsked, leaning down to flick her nose, startling the scowl from her face. “But you like when I hold your hand.”

“I-”

He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head up towards him. He was grinning, a stupid little self satisfied smirk that made her heart stumble and her face burn, like a match had been struck beneath her skin. She couldn’t find her words, they were lost and stumbling in an endless wood and she couldn’t seem to catch them. And all his grin did was grow wider as she stared at him wordlessly.

He leaned closer, mischief sparking in his eyes. “And you like when I tell you I love you.”

She didn’t know if she could move even if she wanted to, and she was so mesmerized by the dark lashes framing his golden eyes and the warmth of his skin so close to her and the way he began to stroke her jaw with his thumb.

She didn’t want to move, she just wanted to melt into his arms and be held very close and listen to the sound of his heart beating.

She forgot, too, that she should have been moderately annoyed at him for teasing her yet again. But all thoughts had vanished from her mind the moment he’d stepped a little closer, her world contracting until it was only him, all him. Perhaps she didn’t mind, so long as he would continue to look at her like she was the moon and stars. Like she was his everything.

He brushed the most painfully chaste kiss against the corner of her lips, his lashes fluttering against her skin as he closed his eyes. Rowan could feel the beat of her pulse beneath her skin, could hear the rush of blood in her ears. Perhaps she was already melting, perhaps she would need to be carried from the museum in Gavin’s arms.

But of course he pulled away all too soon, his grin nothing short of smug as she blinked up at him, as she shivered in the absence of his warmth.

It occurred to her then, as her senses slowly returned, that they were absolutely being one of those annoying couples people complained about in public. The couple that stood in line for roller coasters cuddling even when it was over 30 degrees, with their hands locked together so tightly you were convinced they were fused together. The couple that was almost certainly found in the corner of the library making out when it was supposed to be a prime study spot.

But it was also Gavin’s birthday, and he wasn’t one to care much about other people’s opinions anyways. And she wasn’t about to stop him when he was pressing kisses to her face.

Gavin took her hand again, drawing her deeper into the ‘cave,’ lights flashing as holographic info boards bloomed into view, explaining the science that went into the writing and creation of the planet Arrakis. The caves, the spice, how the journey would affect the protagonist.

Rowan would be lying if she said most of it didn’t go in one ear and out the other, like water spilling through open hands. She’d watched many a sci-fi film with Gavin, loving the brightness of his eyes and how excited he always got when he watched a trailer for a new movie, even if he did his best to act calm. And she loved watching them with him, loved sitting curled up beside him or sharing a bag of popcorn with him in a darkened theatre.

But she would be lying if she said she understood a word of what the exhibit was saying, or if she even understood half of what happened in Dune. She just knew Gavin enjoyed it, so she did too.

The desert planet exhibit slowly morphed as they continued walking, the walls of the false cave they walked in turning blue and translucent, the decorative stalactites hanging from the ceiling becoming white, seeming to drip icy water onto their heads as they passed. Fog began billowing around their ankles, and Rowan shivered, pressing closer to Gavin.

“They really went all out trying to make this realistic,” she murmured, her gaze tracing over the ‘icy’ stalactites. Gooseflesh raced across her body and she wiggled closer, trying to leach Gavin’s warmth.

He chuckled, slinging his arm around her shoulder and drawing her against his chest. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm, resting his cheek against the top of her head as they walked. It felt like they were experiencing an information overload, little passages branching off from the main ‘cave’ that changed depending on what show or movie they were inspired by.

They walked through the passage inspired by Hoth from Star Wars first, and Rowan nearly leapt out of her skin when they turned a corner and found themselves face-to-face with the monster that had attacked Luke in the first movie.

It must have been an animatronic because it shuffled towards them, lifting it’s big hairy arms and screeching as it came near them.

Gavin knew it was fake and wouldn’t hurt them, and yet he couldn’t help tightening his arms around Rowan as she stared up at the animatronic beast with wide eyes. It was frighteningly realistic.

Or rather, as realistic as something could be that was based on a movie from the eighties.

He rubbed Rowan’s arm as he gently propelled them both around the screaming animatronic and into the next part of the exhibit.

“Scared?” He asked, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice. He was definitely starting to push his luck with Rowan, but he couldn’t help teasing her just a little more. He loved the shade of pink that stained her cheeks, loved the way she screwed her face up into a little pout.

And it was his birthday, so he was sure it was allowed.

Rowan turned her face away from him, huffing quietly, and he craned his neck to see the way her bottom lip stuck up and her nose crinkled as she did indeed pout.

He was going to kiss her so much when they got back to their cabin. He was going to kiss every little part of her, he was going to sink his teeth into that bottom lip and hold her hips against him so she knew just how much he enjoyed it.

“It’s just an animatronic,” she grumbled, her nostrils flaring. But barely a second passed before she let out a shrill screech, as another beast emerged from a shadowed alcove that they hadn’t seen.

Gavin couldn’t hold in his laughter as she leapt in his arms. Her entire body was shivering, her fingers practically claws against his forearm.

He kissed the top of her head, holding her tighter, silently thanking whoever had designed this exhibit.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he breathed, and this time she did not have a retort, letting him guide them through the cavern and back out into the light.

They wandered through the rest of the exhibit, stepping through a replica Stargate, a hologram whirring, speakers singing as they stepped into the space beyond it. They took turns sitting in the cockpits of different fictional ships, Rowan striking such goofy poses Gavin had no choice but to fill his camera roll with photos of her brilliant, beaming face.

The fictional weapons and droids section was the last part of the sci-fi exhibit, the entrance to the final room surrounded by flashing lights and the buzz of clashing lightsabers.

Visuals of famous fictional sharpshooters like Han Solo covered the first wall they came across, their preferred blasters suspended in the air before them, flashing lights simulating blaster fire drawing the eye.

Rowan blinked as she stared up at one of the murals, the pallid blue lights shooting bursts of starlight flashing across her vision. Even as Gavin guided her away, one hand on her lower back, still she could see the flurry of stars in her periphery, practically blinding her as she stumbled through the exhibit.

There were lightsabers and futuristic swords next, with little info cards that glowed the same colour as the sabers they hovered beside. Rowan leaned forward, humming as she read one of the placards on a saber with a black blade that looked more like a sword than anything else she’d seen in the movies.

“Babey,” she said, pulling on his hand and pointing to the display in front of her. “What’s this one? Is this from Star Wars?”

He propped his chin on her shoulder, his hair tickling her ear. “It is. I think it’s just in the cartoons, though.” He pressed his cheek against hers, the low rumble of his hum vibrating through her, warming her heart, making her legs feel a little like jelly. “Although I think I’ve seen it in one of the live action shows.”

“Do you think we could watch some of those shows when we get home?” She asked, leaning her head against his in kind. She could feel the way his brows lifted high, his mouth quirking to the side.

“You want to watch them with me?”

“Of course I do,” she murmured, slipping her arm around his waist. “I want to share the things that you love.”

She didn’t have to look at him to know he was blushing, she could feel the warmth creeping into his cheeks, could feel the quickening of the beat of his heart. She even felt the whisper of his lashes against her face as he struggled to calm himself, quietly reeling from her words.

Maybe he hadn’t changed that much, maybe he was still the same man who had once bashfully rubbed at the back of his neck and muttered a quiet retort when she’d told him she liked the cologne he was wearing. Maybe he was still the sweet, shy man whose face had turned the red of a sky blanketing a wildfire when she’d kissed his cheek.

“I love sharing with you,” he finally responded, tilting his head to the side to brush his lips against the corner of her mouth.

Now it was Rowan’s turn to burn up, and she squeezed her eyes shut so she didn’t have to see the smug look that was most definitely glowing in his eyes.

She just wanted to make him happy, wanted to see the bright, innocent joy that bloomed in his face like midnight stars. It was light and warmth, and it was precious, beloved.

He was precious, beloved. 

And there was nothing she loved more than watching the light swell in his eyes, watching as his expression grew brighter, as some invisible slipped from his shoulders little by little each day.

They wandered through the rest of the exhibit, murmuring to each other as they pointed out different weapons and robots. Rowan mused about whether either of them could wield the swords and lasers and guns that were propped up in the room around them and that dangled ominously from the ceiling on wires she could not see. She stepped up next to one of the interactive displays to wrap her hands around the handle of a particularly massive space gun, pulling the trigger so the barrel lit up in emerald and ultramarine.

“I wish they had weapons from some magical girl shows,” she lamented, stepping away as a swarm of children raced around her feet, shouting about how they wanted to try out the gun.

“There’s lots in space, you know,” she continued, taking Gavin’s hand as they continued on. “There’s Sailor Moon, and there’s She-Ra, and there’s-”

“You mean like that?” He asked, pointing to an array of sparkling, life-sized versions of the different scepters and wands and pens and swords and literal actual guns that had appeared in some of the magical cartoons she loved.

Rowan squealed, dragging a laughing Gavin behind her so she could peruse the different wands, picking up an interactive one that sang and sparkled as it moved.

“Look at it!” She sang, getting to enjoy some childlike joy of her own as she waved it around. “It’s just like in the shows! I wonder if it can…” She trailed off, fiddling with the handle, only for light to pulse from the wand and the little alcove the wand was displayed in began to glow and sparkle, pink and red and purple and yellow and blue all bleeding together into a cacophony of light.

She didn’t notice Gavin taking her photo, or the delighted smile that was dancing on his lips. She was too focused on the wand, on the staff next to it that exploded into light when lifted it, and then on the spinning tiaras next, and the demo one she could pick up and fling around and around.

He could feel fatigue beginning to creep into the edges of his mind, an added weight like some of his bones had been encased in lead. But he couldn’t bring himself to speak up, to let her know he was becoming tired.

His heart felt so warm, his chest like there were stars being born there, galaxies and galaxies of them, bright and warm and life-sustaining. The day had been about him, he knew, about indulging in some of the childishness he was finally allowed to experience. But seeing his Rowan wander around the exhibit with the colourful, sparkly magical weapons made him all the happier. Now he got to see her bright smiles, got to see the shining wonder in her eyes that he had been carrying in his heart for most of the day.

He didn’t care that she dragged him from the exhibit and into a tiny one they hadn’t noticed at first, the walls painted in different shades of pink with sparkles and sunshine yellow whorls decorating the walls.

Rowan yanked him around the room, the magical girl exhibit quiet, the other guests no doubt preoccupied with the spaceships and stargates and screaming blasters and droids. There were more magical weapons, and sculptures and replicas of spaceships and outfits from the different shows. A shimmering info board was suspended from the ceiling, lights flashing around them like trails of glitter guiding them through the information about the shows, the costumes, the characters.

He captured a few more photos of Rowan as she ran around, squealing and waving her hands in front of every case, leaning her whole body into every diorama like she was trying to become a part of the action. Gavin would keep these photos forever, cherishing that smile, that pure, unfettered joy.

She was spun sugar and sweet teas and pink frosting. She was candied flowers and strawberry ice cream and syrupy honey. His teeth ached from her smile, her laugh. She was a confectionary of warmth and sweetness and everything he loved.

Gavin resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her and bury his face in her hair. He didn’t want to break the enchantment that glittered in her wake as she pointed at all the different things, as she mimicked the poses of some figurines, as she explained to him her favourite storylines, as she critiqued some of the information, citing that some of it read as if the people writing it didn’t care about the story at all.

“It’s so clinical,” she grumbled, frowning down at a little diorama of the Sailor Moon-verse, the different planets surrounded by halos of light as information about each planet and the sailor that protected them scrolled across the top of the glass over the diorama.

She pointed to Venus, wrapped in an aura of orange and yellow light. “It doesn’t even mention the interesting history of Sailor Venus! There was like a whole chapter at the end of the Sailor V comic about her and her reincarnated lover!”

Rowan pouted, the glow of the display gilding her face. She could have been art from a museum, her eyes bright as stars, her smile golden from the light, the line of her jaw traced in gold, then scarlet, then azure, then the snowy white of a first snow. Her hands perfectly posed above the glass, fingertips hovering over the words scrolling across the top as it explained the history of the moon kingdom, now. Her hair fell into her face, curling against her cheeks, alight like a flame had been set beneath the waves, casting it in bronze and auburn and the brown of soil that had been freshly tilled.

She would be named something like joy. Or delight. Or perhaps creation, her body leaning over the diorama of planets and moons like a goddess peering over the cosmos she had brought to life.

He took another picture, before she noticed. She was mesmerized by the display, and he was mesmerized by her. By his Rowan, who was his joy, his delight. She made his heart warm, made him feel like he was brimming with universes and cosmos and so stars.

She looked up then, and he slid his phone back into his pocket, although the effort was pointless as she scanned the room, her brow furrowing as she considered something.

“I’m sorry,” she said at last, stepping away from the lit up display. He could see her teeth worrying her bottom lip, took note of the hunch of her shoulders as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Today is supposed to be about you, and I’ve spent the last little bit running around this exhibit when there’s other things you’d rather do.”

When he ached to hold her this time, he did not resist. Instead he reached for her hand, taking it in his and pressing it to his heart.

“The only thing I want to do is spend time with you,” he said, holding her gaze. “And I want to see your smile.”

She hesitated, her eyes slipping to the floor, to the carpet embroidered with pink and purple symbols from all the different shows and comics featured within the magical girl exhibit.

He pressed his index and middle fingers beneath her chin, tipping it back up so he could find her eyes. “If I get nothing else for my birthday, I’d like to see your smile for a little longer, today. And share the things you love too.”

The blush that crept over her cheeks reminded him of the sky as the sun began to set, soft pink staining the cerulean first, following by a rosy red that turned to fire as the sun set the horizon ablaze.

“Will you tell me more about what was missing in that display?” He asked, jerking his chin at the lit up diorama of the planets. “I’m not familiar with Sailor V, I don’t think it was in the comics you showed me.”

Her previous embarrassment washed away as her eyes widened. And there, curving over her lips like a crescent moon, was her smile once again.

“Did I not show you the Sailor V comics?” She mused, her eyes flicking up, to the side, back to him as she thought. “I don’t know if I brought them with me. I was preoccupied with some other things…” She trailed off, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Well once we get home,” he suggested. “Will you show me? Are there any episodes about it?”

She deflated a little, shaking her head. “No, but I wish there were. I don’t even think there’s any episodes about it in the reboot.”

She hummed, looking back at the display. Gavin’s hand fell from her chin, and he scratched at the back of his neck. “Will you explain it to me, though?”

Again that brilliant light in her eyes, replacing the sheepish look she’d had before. “Yes! But…” Again she trailed off, her gaze sweeping through the room, fixing on something to his left. He was pretty sure he heard the jingle of a bell and a 

Gavin turned to look, his own gaze falling on a light up tunnel with flashing pink lights. He could see the inside of the tunnel was pink, and he was pretty sure there was an extensive dessert menu hanging on either side of the hall. There was music playing too, so faint he couldn’t quite make out the tune.

“Can we go down there? While we talk?” She asked, pointing to the lit up hall. “I think I know what show it’s going to be about, but I want to be sure.”

He squeezed the hand he still held as he gave his assent. Of course they could, of course he would walk with her. He would go anywhere with her, so long as she was happy. So long as he could be by her side.

***

Perhaps Rowan should have felt a little bad, for the time she’d spent dragging Gavin through the comparatively tiny magical girl section of the museum. She didn’t even remember reading it on the map, although she supposed the section labelled MG would have stood for magical girl, the corner of the museum dedicated to the exhibit so much smaller than the others even on the map that it couldn’t fit the full exhibit name on the map.

But she didn’t feel bad, not even a little. She had, at first, but Gavin had squashed that feeling like a spider beneath his shoe.

Which was, in fact, something he did have to do quite often because there was no way she was squishing a spider. No way she was feeling the crack and squish of its exoskeleton so close to her skin.

Gavin had been kind, had been so sweet, his words giving her courage, and she had brimmed with relief for a few moments before it had been eclipsed by her excitement. There had been so many colours and so many things she loved, altogether in one bright maze of an exhibit. It had been quiet, too, most of the other guests preoccupied with the massive spaceships and dense texts that populated the rest of the museum.

But she had been so excited, and Gavin had held her hand, asking questions as they wandered through, making her heart sing every time he chimed in, every time he asked a question or made a remark or asked to watch the shows with her. It had been bubbling, brilliant joy, like sparkling pink rosé in her veins.

By the time they finished in the magical girl section it was almost time for their turn in one of the little planetarium rooms. So Gavin had squeezed her hand, drawing them back through the museum and the bustling crowd towards the domed planetarium that sat in the very centre of the museum.

They stood in line for a while, and Rowan leaned against Gavin, feeling fatigue beginning to set in. Her legs felt heavy, her feet aching from walking for so long. She winced as she tried readjusting her stance, the backs of her shoes pinching her heels.

She’d have blisters by the end of the day, and they hadn’t brought any blister bandages with them. She’d have to buy some later or suffer through more pain when they went out again.

Or, of course, Gavin could carry her. Which she wouldn’t be opposed to in the least. And she doubted he’d need much of a reason either. Then she could rest her head in the crook of his neck and listen to the beat of his heart.

There were, of course, issues with that plan, but she chose to ignore them for now. At the very least he could carry her around their yurt and the little bit of private space around it.

“Is this the last stop for us?” He asked, unfolding their map, his eyes scanning over the different exhibits highlighted on the side.

“I think so,” she said, the sound of a child’s laugh ringing through the echo-y hallway they were waiting in.

She smiled a little, her mind wandering as she imagined a tiny hand in her own. Or perhaps a tiny person perched on Gavin’s shoulders, cooing at the spaceships and the figures and the lights.

“What are you thinking of?” He asked, his voice reeling her from her daydream.

Her cheeks heated and she looked away, focusing on the queue, on how much longer they’d need to wait. She could see someone coming down the line, checking reservation times.

Rowan felt a pinch at her hip and spun around, gaping at Gavin.

“Tell me what you were thinking,” he insisted, a sly smile on his lips. “I want to know.”

“You’re awfully nosey today.”

He chuckled, his hand hovering over her waist, like he might pinch her again.

“I was just thinking about how much longer we have to wait,” she sniffed, crossing her arms. “We’ve both been really looking forward to this part.”

He arched a brow, his eyes glittering with mischief, as if he didn’t believe her. But he didn’t pry. He just pinched her again, smirking.

“When you’re ready to tell me, let me know.”

She narrowed her eyes, wondering why he was being so weirdly cryptic. What did he think she was thinking about? Why did he think it was something she wasn’t ready to tell him yet?

But she didn’t have time to mull over his response any longer as a staff member walked up to them, a small tablet in her hand.

“Party name?” She asked, typing in their information.

Her face brightened as their information popped up on her screen, and she beamed. “Mr and Mrs Bai?”

Gavin squeezed Rowan’s hand, looking smug. They hadn’t been married for so long that the sound of their shared name had lost its enchantment. It seemed like quite the opposite had happened, Gavin seeming more and more delighted every time he heard it.

“We’ve got planetarium room J reserved for you two,” she said, gesturing for them to follow. “It’s just around the corner here.”

She took the around a curve in the hall, pausing before a silver door that reminded Rowan of something she’d see on a spaceship.

“Here are your pamphlets,” the lady said, handing them each a rather hefty pamphlet. “It includes information on how to work the planetarium projections and holograms, and it has some basic information on the planets and galaxies we know of.”

The silver door opened with a soft whoosh, ice-touched fog rolling out to wrap around their ankles.

“Don’t worry about that,” the woman explained. “That’s just for theatrics. A bit of dry ice and fog adds a bit of drama!” She waved at them to enter. “You two have fun!”

They stepped into the room, a slight chill wrapping around them as the door whooshed shut and they were left to stand in the fog.

Pallid blue light shone down from the ceiling, bathing the small room in an eerie glow. It was circular, around the size of their living room, with what looked like steel counters curving around the circumference of the room.

Rowan wandered towards the counters, finding dials and buttons and gauges flashing ivory. She hummed, flipping through the pamphlet the woman had given her, trying to figure out how it all worked.

Gavin came up behind her, hooking his arm around her waist and peeking over her shoulder. “This looks like some of the stuff at the STF.”

“Do you think you can get it working then?” She asked, squinting as she tried to make out the instructions in the weak light. “This makes no sense to me, I-”

She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Gavin leaned over her, his fingers dancing over the controls. He flicked a switched and pressed a few different buttons and sketched something she couldn’t understand over a little control pad, and suddenly the light was brightening, turning to a soft golden glow. She could hear humming around her, the whir of fans and engines and tech coming to life.

And then as if standing in the centre of the universe as the big bang came to be, galaxies exploded around her.

Rowan gasped, clapping her hands together as she took in the holographic universe swirling around her. Planets hovered in midair like dangling ornaments, stars blinked into existence and meteors twirled like snowflakes in a storm.

“What do you want to look at first?” He asked, drawing her towards the centre of the room, to where galaxies spun and danced like tissue paper on the wind.

She reached out her hand, the pad of her index finger brushing over the space where the milky galaxy hovered. There was a flash, and then it was expanding, their home galaxy blooming into existence around them. She watched as earth and mars and venus and saturn spun around their sun, whirling in time to different dances that the others could not follow.

“Look,” she sang, careful not to touch anything as she stepped through the glow of the hologram and stood before one of the planets. “It’s jupiter!”

Gavin chuckled. “And all its moons.”

Rowan gaped at the moons, her finger hovering over the closest one.

The hologram of jupiter grew larger, the moons orbiting around Rowan and Gavin now as well as the projected planet.

“Cyllene, or, Jupiter XLVIII-”

Rowan jumped at the sound of the cool robotic voice that filled the room, echoing against the metal walls.

“Is it telling us facts about it?” She asked, furrowing her brow as the voice grew quiet, the moon she’d touched spinning before her eyes.

The sound of paper crinkling drew her attention, and she looked over to see Gavin flipping through the pages of the pamphlet, a line between his brows. “It looks like we can activate the voiceover vocally, or if we select certain planets it will trigger automatically.”

“I’m gonna try another one,” Rowan reached out, sliding her finger over the moon beside her, and the hologram shifted as the new moon replaced the one the robot had called Cyllene.

The room chimed, followed by the cool robotic voice from before.

“Chaldene, or, Jupiter XXI, named after Chaldene the mother of-”

Rowan gaped, tipping her head back as if she could find the face of the voice that echoed through the chamber.

Gavin watched her spin in a circle, her arms lifted over her head, as if she were trying to feel the shooting stars that tumbled past.

“It feels kind of cool,” she said, dropping her arms as she again focused on the planet and moons before her. “Like I’m walking through a light rain, maybe?”

Gavin shifted, holding his arms out next. There was the chill of the fog creeping around their feet, but more than that there was a subtle coolness that wrapped around him, gooseflesh pricking his bared skin. If one of the shooting stars or moons or planets brushed against him he shivered, like a drop of frozen rain had slid down his back.

“I think you’re right,” he said at last, dropping his arms too. “Although if you’re cold, I can do my best to warm you up.”

Even in the wan light of the hologram he could see the colour creeping into her cheeks, disappearing beneath the curtain of her hair that veiled her face as she tipped her head forward.

He could have teased her more if he wanted to, but found himself too enchanted by her as she continued to select the different moons, listening to the computer list off different facts about them. She pinched her fingers and spread them wide when she wanted to zoom in further on the surface of some of the moons, although she wasn’t always successful, the holographic recreations fuzzy and lacking any specific details of the satellites’ surfaces.

He felt like maybe he had been put under a spell, a charm crafted of starlight and moon dust and freezing ocean water only found beneath Europa’s silicate-and-ice. Because how else could he explain how he could not focus on the hologram in the room at all, could not focus on the stars that bloomed to life and exploded into darkness around him when all he could focus on was Rowan.

She was still preoccupied with the moons, asking the room more information about them, about the potential for the ocean hidden beneath the frozen crust of Europa. The room responded in kind, sending the galaxy whirling around them as it brought another moon to the forefront. Ganymede, this time.

Gavin knew all of this information, of course. Once he’d become interested in space and in their universe he’d gotten lost down a rabbit hole of articles and books about the different planets and galaxies, and he kept up to date on every new discovery.

So he knew that there were moons that could be hiding life beneath their frozen surfaces, that there were interstellar oceans that they didn’t fully comprehend.

But watching Rowan, her eyes wide and filled with the light of the stars sailing past, he felt that wonder anew, magic and awe sparking in his heart like embers to kindling. She was gaping, the galaxy reflecting in her eyes, and he felt like he was seeing the universe for the first time. Like he was taking in the stars and the planets and the moons with new eyes.

Perhaps he was; experiencing it all now with his wife beside him. She seemed to be the axis his new universe spun around, a brilliant star that gave him warmth and life. He’d joked about being Jupiter and her his most precious moon, but truly she was the warm, beautiful planet, and he was nothing more than a satellite caught in her orbit.

She took his hand, startling him from his thoughts. “It’s your birthday, what do you want to look at next?”

How did he tell her that he would be satisfied looking at her? That she was the most precious thing in the universe, that no mysterious ocean or hurtling asteroid or cannibal galaxy could be as awe-inspiring as her? As precious as her?

He would tell her, he decided. He would just tell her later, once they’d gone back to their circular cabin and he’d pressed her against the bed and kissed her until her face was burning bright as a red star.

But for now he just squeezed her hand, their fingers tangling together as he suggested experimenting with the different modes the hologram had. Why not watch the galaxy bloom to life, shifting and melding and expanding over time?

She nodded her assent, trailing behind him as he flicked a few buttons to activate the time-lapse mode. Again the sound of whirring machines filled the room, and the temperature seemed to drop, the fog spilling from vents around their shoulders now. Within moments they were standing in a sea of drifting fog, their legs swallowed up by the pallid mist.

“It makes it feel kind of spooky,” Rowan admitted, pressing closer to Gavin.

She knew the fog was meant to elevate the atmosphere in the room, to enhance the experience itself of being in a private planetarium room, but it just made her skin crawl. It reminded her of the haunted house she’d tried to go through a few years ago. She’d had the chills while waiting in line, and they had only gotten worse as she’d stepped past the curtain and into the shadowed maze of the haunted house.

She’d been shaking so hard by the time she’d gotten to the first jump scare that she’d cried when the actor had leapt from their hiding place.

Gavin had been with her then, and he’d drawn her close, searching for the nearest exit. Afterwards he’d bought her pumpkin doughnuts and a hot chocolate from a food truck near the haunted house before taking her home and holding her tight on their shared couch.

Gavin’s voice was warm, drawing the fear from her heart like poison from a wound just like he had back then. He still held her hand now, his thumb tracing over her knuckles.

“Look,” he murmured, pointing with his free hand at a collection of stars. “The birth of stars.”

She followed his gaze, but she felt herself drawn back to him, the exploding stars gilding his face with their light. There was a comfort in being next to him, a warmth that washed over her and banished the chill that had descended.

He looked like a star himself, bathed as he was in the light of the growing universe. Planets twirled on invisible axes, asteroids hurtled past, stars bloomed to life and exploded into darkness in the blink of an eye. Galaxies collided, planets were vaporized, and the vastness of the universe around them expanded, entire worlds growing smaller as everything else stretched past any hope of comprehension.

But Gavin was the one constant in the chaos of the universe. Only he remained the same, warm and steady and kind, his hand like a tether that kept her from twirling away in the wake of the ever-changing tide that swept through space and time.

His eyes were bright, his smile kissed by starlight. He must have turned the volume down on the room’s voice, because it was little more than a hushed whisper, like the rustling of leaves in an autumn wind. Gavin spoke over it, explaining to Rowan the different planets, the different stars they watched wink in and out of existence. He pointed to a black hole, started telling her about the theories surrounding them as it swallowed galaxies whole.

She shuddered, pressing closer still. It was a little terrifying to think that such things were out there, ready to consume everything she held dear and tear it to shreds.

Gavin continued, too caught up now in the holograms around them to notice her discomfort. He grew more and more animated as he spoke, the amber of his eyes shining like molten gold, like flickering fire.

He looked so happy, utterly enchanted by the stars. And Rowan felt like she was enchanted in kind, although the spell cast upon her was because of the man before her, rather than the terrifying unknown of the universe.

There was joy in the way he moved his free hand, the way his words lilted as he spoke, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled as something flashed before their eyes. It was pure, undiluted, almost child-like, and her heart ached as she listened to him, as she watched splotches of pink appear on his cheeks.

He was happy, excited, to be here, to be sharing this with her.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away. Today was Gavin’s birthday, and she would not let him see her cry. But she would cry later, burning tears of joy streaking her cheeks when they turned in for the night and she buried her face against his chest. When the happiness and love staining her own heart were finally too much to bear, and it was safe to let them spill, knowing she would not confuse Gavin or upset him to see her cry.

She loved him so much, he was so precious to her. Her husband, this most wonderful man beside her, her most precious star.

***

Rowan squinted when they stepped from the planetarium room, the lights of the corridor so much brighter than the pallor of the dark room and the holograms.

The chill from the fog still lingered, buried in her bones as it was. She tugged at Gavin’s arm, pouting as he chuckled before wrapping his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close to his chest as they made their way to the exit.

They had one more stop before they were done at the museum, before Rowan could put the rest of her plan into motion.

She couldn’t help grinning, although she tried to play it off as excitement as they walked beneath the sign for the gift shop. Before them was a sprawling room with shelves stuffed nearly to bursting with toys and books and figurines. It felt a little like stepping into another of the exhibits, so many things to look at Rowan didn’t know where to start.

Her heart thundered in her chest, but she forced herself to take a very deep breath, redirecting her focus to the shelves on the far end of the shop, stacked high with colourful boxes.

“I think those are lego sets,” she said, dragging Gavin through the shop, their footsteps muffled on the moon-and-planet carpet. She wondered, vaguely, if the carpet had been stolen from a bowling alley. It certainly looked like it belonged in one.

There was still pink on Gavin’s cheeks, and they stood before the exclusive lego sets, trying to decide on which spaceships they wanted to build. Rowan furrowed her brow, trying to remember which ones he already owned, which ones she’d helped him build already.

She was pretty sure he had just about every Star Wars set, although there was a brand new one that had released not too long ago.

She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to remember. She liked to keep up on lego releases so she could be prepared with gifts for Gavin when he returned home from long missions, or for holidays and birthdays, or honestly when she just felt like treating him. It was probably the easiest gift to give him, his face always lighting up like a kid at christmas when he unwrapped a new set.

Once they had settled on a few sets Rowan wandered over to the plushie display, smiling at the embroidered grins and rosy cheeks of the plush planets and suns and moons. She couldn’t help it, she had to get at least one. Or maybe two.

One for her and one for Gavin.

She felt his breath against her ear as he settled his chin on her shoulder. “I think the planet ones are the best.”

She arched a brow, pointing to the plush Jupiter. “I suppose we have to get that one for the birthday boy.”

He chuckled as she gathered the plush into her arms. “Of course.”

“But he needs a friend,” she murmured, her hand grazing over the different plushies.

Gavin reached forward, tapping his finger on a smiling moon. “Why not this one?”

She snorted, but collected one of the plush moons, nestling it in the crook of her arm next to the Jupiter.

“Now they’ll be best friends,” she announced, beaming at him as he straightened.

Gavin cupped her cheek with his free hand. “Maybe more than friends?”

“Maybe.”

They wandered through the rest of the shop, collecting a few other odds and ends before heading to the cash. Rowan had been preparing for this day for months, had planned out exactly what she would do when they got up to the register with their hoard.

So she was ready with her card in hand, slapping it against the screen of the card reader before the cashier had even finished reading their total.

Gavin’s eyes widened, his wallet in his hand. “You didn’t have to-”

Rowan beamed at him as the card reader beeped, the transaction completed. “You can carry the bags.”

Gavin slid his wallet back into his pocket, blinking at her as he took the bags from the cashier. “Rowan, you know I-”

She took his free hand, pressing a kiss to his palm. “Happy birthday, babey.”

Gavin stumbled behind her for a moment, dazed. He usually liked being the one to pay for things when they went out, liked taking care of her, even if it was just buying little treats and knick knacks.

He felt a little like there were wings in his belly, delicate butterfly wings made of gossamer and sunshine. They were fluttering furiously, and he couldn’t help but feel a little like a boy again, like his crush had smiled at him and leant him her pencil.

He swallowed, his cheeks heating. He would have to thank her later, would have to show her exactly how thankful he was for her gift.

Rowan groaned as they made their way into the parking lot, running a hand through her hair. “It’s so hot, I forgot how warm it was supposed to be today.”

Gavin squeezed her hand, scanning the parking lot. “Let’s get to the car and we can get the air conditioning going for you.”

It took him a moment longer to spot their car than he had anticipated. He’d thought they’d parked quite close to the entrance, barely more than a few moments walk. But the car was quite a few rows back, and he could feel sweat coating his skin like a film by the time he unlocked the passenger side door for her.

Rowan slid inside, and Gavin moved to the door to the backseat to toss their bags inside. But he found himself pausing, his eyes narrowing.

The backseat was virtually empty, nothing but a simple pink blanket spread out over the seat. But hadn’t it been full that morning when they’d left?

He distinctly remembered something in the backseat he hadn’t been allowed to look at. Except now it was gone.

Gavin set the bags in the back before going around the side and settling into the driver's seat, turning the key in the ignition.

“Rowan,” he said, turning to her as the air conditioning blasted frosty air into the car.

“Hmmm?” She looked over at him, her face red from the sun.

“Don’t you remember us parking closer?”

She furrowed her brow, turning around to lean forward, peering up at the museum. “I don’t think so?”

“It feels like it took longer to get back to the car.”

She quirked her mouth to the side, leaning back. “Maybe it’s just from the heat? I feel like when it gets hot out everything feels like it takes longer.”

He hummed, supposing she had a point. But how did that explain the empty backseat?

Gavin opened his mouth, but closed it again as Rowan watched him curiously. She didn’t seem to have any idea what he was talking about, and it was entirely possible he was remembering wrong. He had been a little preoccupied with her and with his excitement at coming to this museum.

Shrugging, Gavin shifted the car into drive, slowly pulling out from their parking spot and heading towards the lot exit.

“Why don’t we do a little driving around,” Rowan offered, as the main road came into view.

He arched a brow. “Where to?”

“I don’t know, I just…” She trailed off, her eyes flicking down to her hands, her fingers hooking around the chain of her bracelet. “I don’t want today to end yet.”

He flicked the turn signal on, leaning his head back as he watched the cars racing past him. Something seemed off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“There’s a little town nearby. We could head over there and wander around a bit.”

He could admit that it was a bit odd that Rowan would want to wander around in the late July afternoon, the heat beating down on them as it was.

But he brushed his suspicions off, not caring if it was slightly strange that his wife wanted to walk around. It was his birthday, and she was partial to cute little towns with little shops and parks to wander through. And it was a perfectly good excuse to hold her hand for a little longer.

He merged onto the road at last, heading towards the town that the museum was located on the outskirts of. It was busier now than it had been that morning, the roads growing busier the closer they got to town. Rowan chattered aimlessly, her fingers brushing against his arm as she told him about something she had read, as she asked him did he think there would be any ice cream shops, it was the perfect day for ice cream.

He followed the signs that directed him towards an ‘olde towne,’ which he assumed was something like the downtown. That would surely be the place Rowan would like best, and there would be plenty of shopping and places to wander hand-in-hand.

“Oh babey, look! A little bookstore!”

Gavin took that as his cue to find a parking spot, quickly pulling into a little lot behind a collection of shops.

Rowan scrambled from the car before he had even pulled the key from the ignition, popping coins into the parking meter in front of them.

“What are you doing?” He asked, stretching his arms up as he stood.

“Just making sure we have loads of time,” she sang, popping another two dollar coin into the machine. “I don’t want us to get a ticket.”

He chuckled, tucking the key into his pocket and wrapping his arm around her waist. “How long do you think we’re going to be here, pumpkin?”

Her bottom lip popped out and she looked away. “I just want to make sure we’re not ticketed. Parking tickets on birthdays are the worst.”

He sighed, earning a sharp yelp as he pinched her waist. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Stop pinching me, I hope!”

He snorted. “But it’s my birthday, I thought I could have anything I wanted.”

She narrowed her eyes, stepping out of his arms. “You want to inflict bodily harm on me?”

He couldn’t help it then, reaching forward quick as lightning to pinch her waist again. Rowan squealed, smacking his arm.

“Stop that!” But she was laughing, even as she jogged away from him.

“Don’t worry,” he assured, closing the distance between them quickly. “I’ll make sure to kiss it better tonight.”

She puffed out her cheeks, her face turning scarlet. “Or you could just not pinch me.”

“But where would be the fun in that?”

Rowan poked his chest, pouting. “You owe me.”

“On my own birthday?” He challenged, smirking.

“Debts don’t care about birthdays!” She announced, turning her nose up. “And I’m here to collect.”

Gavin sighed, cupping the back of her neck to hold her steady as he leaned closer, savouring the way her knees wobbled and her breathing faltered.

“Can I pay it back later?” He murmured, his eyes dropping to her lips, a lazy smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I have a couple of ideas.”

She squeaked, and he could feel the flutter of her lashes against his skin.

He hummed, his free hand idly stroking her side. “What do you say?”

Her voice cracked, sounding strangled, like there was something caught in it. “I-I-”

“What is it, pumpkin?” He couldn’t keep the laughter from his voice.

“I just meant like…” She trailed off, her voice catching as he tangled his fingers in her hair.

“Like buying me some candies, or a book, or some flowers,” she managed, her eyes looking anywhere but at his face.

He chuckled again, pulling away, although he was loath to move so far away from her. “Well there was never any question of that.”

She sighed, her head falling forward. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Hopefully a lot, since it’s my birthday.”

His cheeky little comment cost him dearly, Rowan pinching his arm in kind before marching off. He winced, but quickly shook off the pain, chasing after Rowan to twine his hand with hers.

“I’m only teasing,” he said, letting her choose the route, deciding it was probably best not to push her too far. He had to save up a little mischief for later.

Rowan didn’t respond, her face scrunched up in a facsimile of a pout. She just tugged him forward, glaring at him in their reflection in a shop window.

“Why don’t we look for a sweet shop?” he suggested, trying to offer her an olive branch. “There’s usually at least one in a town like this.”

Rowan halted her steps, her shoulders relaxing. “Will you buy me the chocolates with the maraschino cherries if they have them?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“And if there’s any raspberry ones?”

Again he nodded.

“And if there’s any orange ones?”

He squeezed her hand, biting back another laugh. He would buy her the moon if he could. He would string the stars on a chain of gold for her neck, he would pluck the rings from Saturn for her fingers, he would twist the stardust trail behind a meteor through her hair.

Of course he would buy her a little bag of candies if she wanted. If that showed even a scrap of how much he adored her.

“As you wish.”

She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath about how dorky he was being yet again, but Gavin couldn’t find it in himself to care. Perhaps he was a little silly and dorky, as she so often liked to tell him before kissing his cheeks or wrapping her arms around his waist.

But he was hers, and she loved every little part of him, even the silliest parts.

Gavin let her draw him into shop after shop, the sun warming his face, the heat seeping into the marrow of his bones. They were greeted with blasts of air conditioning and chiming bells as they pushed open different shop doors, the smell of chocolates or spiced drinks or old leather permeating the different spaces.

They wandered around the fancy chocolate shop that was in fact in the little town, only a few streets over from where they’d parked. Rowan wandered aimlessly, lifting up little packets of hot chocolate or prepackaged assortments of candies while Gavin leaned over the chocolate display case, scanning the options carefully before pointing to the different sweets he wanted.

He had them all packaged up by the time she had finished her rounds through the store, a box of hazelnut chocolates in the shape of little animals in her hands.

She looked a little sheepish as she held the box up to him, chewing on her bottom lip. “Can we get these too?”

She didn’t need to ask. Gavin was already taking them from her hands, tucking them under his arm as he made his way to the register.

“Should we stop and get something to eat?” He asked, his card already on the card reader so Rowan couldn’t pull her little trick on him again.

She seemed to mull over his question, her eyes scanning the shelves behind the cashier, catching on the pink striped wallpaper that reminded him of cherry flavoured candy canes.

“I don’t feel that hungry,” she said, sighing. “The food from the museum is sitting kind of heavy in my stomach.”

He rubbed her back idly, taking the pink paper bag of their things in his free hand.

He steered her towards the door, concern flitting through him like a moth at midnight. “A drink then?”

She nodded. “A drink would be nice.”

Gavin kept his hand on her back, steering them both through the throng of people ambling around on the sidewalks. “I think I saw a little tea place this way.”

“Ooo and the bookshop is just over there!”

He couldn’t help smiling, his attention diverted for a moment before he resumed his mission. “Maybe we should sit down first, if you’re not feeling well it could be from the heat.”

Rowan grumbled something under her breath, but Gavin decided not to respond. Verbally, at least. Because he definitely pinched her side again, something he was becoming a little too fond of doing, if only to elicit the gasping response Rowan always seemed to give him whenever he pinched her.

He would make sure he was very gentle when he made up for it later.

It took a bit of wrangling to get her to sit while he went to order them both something to drink. She insisted that she was fine, that she wasn’t an invalid, that she was perfectly able to stand on her own feet and wait in a queue.

But Gavin wouldn’t take no for an answer, and after a prolonged battle between their wills, Rowan had relented, letting him guide her into a seat at a small table next to a window.

He might have had to pull the birthday card again, but he would be lying if he said he was ashamed of it. If it meant convincing his wife to rest then he was more than happy to abuse it until the day was done.

The line wasn’t particularly long, and Gavin ordered iced teas for them, one a sweet strawberry tea and one lemon.

A pair of kids ran past his feet, squealing as they chased after their mother, who was carrying a bag of cookies and a tray with three iced drinks balanced on it. Gavin’s eyes trailed after them, their laughter ringing like bells. He wondered what it would be like if there had been someone smaller with him and Rowan, little hands grasping at his, a stream of questions about space and rocket ships as they’d wandered through the museum.

He would have had to buy extra chocolates at the last shop, and he smiled as he imagined how Rowan’s voice would have lilted as she’d chattered with the little voice. Then he would have tossed the child onto his shoulders, and they would have squealed as happily as the children following their mother squealed.

Perhaps there would only be one, or perhaps two, or-

His daydream fizzled apart as his name was called, the drinks he’d ordered set on the counter.

He did his best to ignore the strange feeling that had bloomed in his chest, not quite melancholy not quite want, tucking away the image of chubby cheeks and little grasping hands held safely in his. Instead, he grabbed the drinks, heading back to the table.

Rowan smiled at him as he approached, and she cooed about how she’d missed him, although he was sure it had only been a few moments at the most.

Not that it really mattered, not when he’d missed her so much too.

They chatted for a little, sipping at their drinks, but Rowan’s eyes kept sliding out the window, fixing on something in the distance.

Gavin followed her gaze, his focus settling on a greenspace, the entrance to a park. And just beyond the park entrance he could make out a group of kids shrieking as they raced through a little splash pad.

Rowan opened her mouth, closed it again, her hands wrapping around her plastic cup.

He angled his head to the side, flicking his gaze between her and the splash pad, the strange ache returning to his chest.

It took him a long moment to identify what it was, as his focus shifted back to Rowan, as his mind wandered once more to the hazy fantasy tucked in the back of his mind.

Longing. It was longing.

“Gavin,” she said at last, her eyes growing distant, like she was watching something in her mind’s eye, something tucked deep inside of her. “Have you ever…”

She trailed off, and Gavin was certain he knew what she was thinking of now.

They’d talked about it a little, back when they were dating, and again after they’d returned home from their wedding and honeymoon. And it had come up here and there, when they walked past aisles of childrens toys or walked past a youth soccer game or when Rowan received an invitation to a baby shower.

But maybe it was time to talk about it in earnest. Maybe now it was time to move past talking.

“Have you ever thought…” Her voice cracked as she again trailed off, her head dipping down, casting her eyes down to the scratched surface of the table.

How did she ask it? How did she find the right words?

‘I know we’ve talked about having kids before, but have you ever thought about us trying for real?’

Certainly she couldn’t just say that. It was ridiculous, she was sure he would think she’d gone mad, that the sun and the summer heat had gotten to her.

But the thought had always been buried deep in her heart, the quiet want that had always seemed to grow a little more with every passing day. And then today there had been the two little kids racing around the store, calling for their mama as she’d carried their treats and drinks to a little picnic table across the street.

Rowan had followed the sound of their laughter, her gaze fixing on the splash pad not far from the picnic tables in the park across the street. And it had been hard to not imagine, to stop herself from imagining, carrying a tray of drinks and snacks for her own children. With amber eyes like Gavin and chubby cheeks and little dimples that always came out like the sun after a storm when they smiled.

Perhaps they would run screeching through the splash pad, terrorizing each other and her and Gavin. Perhaps they would sit and chatter quietly, perhaps they would try to drag her onto the splash pad with them.

It hurt a little, the ache in her chest where the longing had buried itself like roots. They had agreed, initially, to enjoy their time just the two of them for a while. But she…

She sighed, shaking her head as the words to her question dried up on her tongue once more. She was being ridiculous, she didn’t even know why she was asking this. It was Gavin’s birthday, the focus was supposed to be on him. On making him happy. On making sure he was kept distracted until his final surprise was ready.

She opened her mouth to dismiss what she had been trying to say, but Gavin cut her off before she could.

“I have,” he said, his eyes following the same trajectory as hers had earlier. “I have thought about it.”

She didn’t know how she knew, she was no telepath, she had no evol to speak of. But somehow, deep in her belly, Rowan knew he was talking about kids. About wanting to have kids, too.

She felt like she was walking on ice, the raging ocean a few inches from her feet churning furiously, daring her to take another step, daring her to risk going forward, further out to see.

She swallowed. “And?”

The late afternoon sunlight was the gold of autumnal leaves, and it refracted into millions of rainbows as it spilled across Gavin’s face, catching in his eyes, glittering with magic.

“I think we should talk about it more,” he said, reaching across the table to take her hand. “I think we should try.”

Delicate wings of sunshine and silken petals swarmed her chest and belly in a typhoon, whipped around and around the invisible wind in her heart.

She didn’t know she had leaned forward until almost her entire torso was stretched across the table, both her hands grasping Gavin’s now, her heart’s rhythm stumbling from excitement.

“Really? You really mean it?”

Gavin laughed, his hair turning to gold in that brilliant sunshine. “I really mean it.”

She sat back, beaming. “That makes me really happy, babey.”

He arched a brow, mischief in his eyes now. “How happy?”

She pulled her hands away, taking hold of her cup once more. “I don’t think I like your tone.”

“I’m only asking so I know how you’re going to treat me later tonight.”

His voice dipped low, turning sultry, and Rowan considered tossing her iced tea over her head to douse the heat curling in her belly.

She sniffed, pretending like she was unbothered. “I guess you’ll just have to find out.”

When they were done their drinks they returned back to wandering, and Rowan was finally able to drag him into the little bookshop she’d seen.

Her reasons for bringing him in were two-fold: one, to buy herself a little more time because she hadn’t gotten the all clear text yet, and two, because she really wanted to look at a few books with him.

They likely would have covered more ground had they split up, but at this point it was a sort of tradition to wander around together, whether they were on a mission or not.

Neither of them had brought anything with them to read, and Rowan thought staying at the yurt would be a golden opportunity to rest and catch up on doing the fun little things they liked doing together. Like building lego sets and reading together.

It was a little game they had started years ago, picking out one or two books they thought the other would enjoy. Rowan ran her eyes over the colourful spines of different fiction titles, trying to determine what her husband would like best.

Something in space, perhaps? To fit with their trip? Perhaps something completely different, a genre he didn’t normally read?

She considered buying him a mystery novel, but Gavin was notorious for getting about halfway through any murder mystery and solving it and stuffing the book full of sticky notes and messy thoughts crammed into the margins, making the books unreadable.

So perhaps mystery was out of the question.

From the corner of her eye she caught Gavin sliding something from the shelf.

“What’s that?” She asked, turning her head to the side, tipping it back as Gavin stiffened.

“It’s a surprise,” he said, snorting when she tried moving closer. “You don’t get to see it.”

She pouted. “Why not!”

“Because it’s my birthday, and I said so.”

“Boo, you’re no fun.”

She disentangled her hand from his marching away.

“Pumpkin, where are you going?”

She jutted her chin up, deciding that although normally they would wander together, today they would not.

“If I can’t see what you’re looking at then you can’t see what I am!”

She could hear his laughter, warm and sweet as melting honey, chasing at her heels.

It made her consider turning back around. But no, she would pick something out for him on her own, and then she would get to give him two surprises today.

She wandered for a while, scanning the titles in the science fiction section over and over, considering the options. Perhaps she could get him the book about space necromancers? It was in space, but she remembered reading some reviews that it got quite confusing at parts.

She pulled the book from the shelf anyways, tucking it against her chest as she continued to browse. It was his birthday, she could get him another.

She ran into Gavin after she’d made her third selection, deciding Gavin deserved lots of options, and she’d hastily covered the book covers with her hands before he could take a peak.

“Don’t look!”

He closed his eyes, sighing, but there was a smile dancing on his lips, belying his facsimile of fatigue.

“So you want a few more minutes?”

She looked down at the books in her arms, scanning the titles quickly before giving him a firm nod. “I’m ready!”

He opened his eyes, gesturing to the register with a jerk of his head. “Then shall we go?”

They purchased separately, and were soon wandering through the town again. Rowan clutched the paper bag of books against her chest, the crinkle of paper beneath her fingers making her smile. She hoped Gavin liked what she picked out. She hoped he would be happy.

She eyed the sun, haloed by wispy white clouds. It was so warm, and her eyes felt heavy, like they would close at any moment. She wanted to find a nice patch of grass and take a nap, curled up in a buttery sunbeam until nighttime washed over the world and the stars bloomed in the sky.

Beside her, Gavin yawned, his head falling back, the sun washing over his face as his eyes squeezed shut.

Rowan wished she was a photographer, or perhaps a painter. She wished she could capture that moment, when he was gilded by sunlight, his hair ruffled, his cheeks pink from the sun.

But instead she tucked it away in her memories, leaning against him as he straightened.

“I feel like I could use a nap,” he admitted, letting her tug him past a crowd outside an ice cream shop. “Do you want to head back yet?”

She shook her head, stomach twisting into knots.

Not yet.

“I want to wander around a little more,” she said instead, squeezing his hand.

He just smiled, seeming content to be dragged around. “As you wish.”

They wandered aimlessly, popping into the different shops that lined the rustic “olde towne” they had found. There were hat shops and dress stores and a shop that specialized in wool sweaters imported from Ireland.

There were little bakeries and a used bookshop and a flower shop, where Gavin purchased Rowan a small bouquet of peonies, some of her favourite flowers.

She had lifted the pale pink blooms to her nose when she felt her phone buzzing in her pocket. Relief washed over her and she sighed, breathing in the sweet smell of the peonies.

“Before we go,” she said, swinging Gavin’s arm between them. “Do you think we could walk through that park? It looks like it’s nice and shaded and it might be nice.”

“Lead the way.”

Again that relief swelled, followed by delight and excitement that tumbled and tangled together in a tumult in her chest. She was so excited she could barely keep her breathing in check as she walked with Gavin through the park, passing the splash pad and the raucous group of children racing through it. As they walked deeper into the park, passing older couples and people walking dogs and teenagers rollerblading past them.

The sun had finally begun to set, too, painting fiery shades of orange and copper and red across the once-cerulean sky. It looked like someone had taken a flame to a canvas, letting the blue paint turn to smoke and memory.

A soft wind chased after the setting sun, ruffling in their hair and snapping at their clothes. The hum of cicadas was a constant symphony, filling the air even as the path began to grow quiet.

Gavin wondered, distantly, if they should turn back. It was still bright and warm, but now that the sun was beginning its descent all he could think of was curling up in bed with Rowan, his head pillowed on the soft curve of her breast. But he was also loath to let the day end, savouring this precious time with her.

He thought nothing of the little copse of trees nearing them on the right, but it did prick through his reverie when Rowan began heading towards it.

“Where are you going?” He asked, stepping onto the grass to follow after her.

But she just turned around, a coy smile on her lips. “It’s a surprise.”

He furrowed his brow, confused. The quiet tinkle of silver bells danced in the wind like the beginning of a melody, and he caught a scrap of blue fluttering from the side of a tree.

He followed behind her, his confusion melting into curiosity, that too melting away when he stepped into the little circle of trees.

There were blue and gold ribbons strung between the trees, knotting and twining together so they formed a silken archway above their heads that shifted and sighed in the wind. Silver wind-chimes had been hung from the tree branches, pealing in bright song. A checkered picnic blanket was stretched across the space, loaded with plates of sweets and cupcakes and sandwiches and salads and meats. To the side there was a little pile of wrapped presents, the silvery wrapping paper seeming to glow in the fading light.

He gaped, awestruck as Rowan took a seat on the blanket. “What is this?”

She spread her arms wide. “It’s for you! It’s your birthday surprise!”

He continued to gape, amazed at what she had done.

“But how did you… When did you…” He couldn’t finish his sentence, even as the question prodded at his mind.

How had she gotten all this done? How had she gotten this all set up when they’d been at the museum all day?

She patted the ground next to her, and Gavin sat, resisting the urge to pull her into his lap and kiss her breathless. He couldn’t believe it, couldn’t think of anything at all.

She tucked her hair back, looking a little sheepish. “Please don’t get upset, but I had to get a little help from Eli and some of your colleagues. And maybe Minor too.”

Gavin blinked. Logically he knew that this would mean extensive harassment at work. He could already imagine Eli’s shit eating grin when he came back to work.

And oh the teasing he would get from Minor. He wouldn’t be safe for weeks.

But those thoughts all swept away as he met Rowan’s gaze, as he looked around him at everything she had prepared for him.

His eyes burned, and he had to blink to stop himself from crying. He could feel a lump in his throat, choking off his words, stopping him from telling Rowan how happy he was, how amazed he was.

She watched him quietly, a crease forming between her brows. “Babey? Is everything alright?”

He didn’t even pretend to have any self restraint this time as he gathered her in his arms, dragging her into his lap so he could crush her against his chest.

Rowan gasped, but the sound was quickly muffled as she pressed her face into his hair, her fingers splaying out on his back.

“Thank you,” he managed, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He sniffled, feeling like a child as silent tears streamed down his face. “Thank you, Rowan.”

She rubbed his back, massaging gently. “I love you, babey. I love you with all my heart. I love you more than there are stars in the sky.”

He sucked in a breath, squeezing his eyes shut tight.

“Happy birthday, Gavin. I’m so happy that you were born.”

He felt like he was shaking, but her arms steadied him. She held him tight, murmuring soft words, gentle words. That she loved him, that he was precious to her, that he was kind and good and strong, that he was so easy to love, that she couldn’t imagine life without him.

He was crying like a child and he couldn’t stop. Not for a long long while as night cast itself over the world, stars emerging like diamonds tossed across the sky.

Gavin peeled away from her slowly, ducking his head so she did not see the stains from his tears. But all Rowan did was cup his cheeks and gently turn his face up, wiping the drying tears with her thumbs.

The song of the windchimes steadied him, helped to bring him back from the haze that had been his tears. He sniffled again, covering Rowan’s hands with his.

“Thank you,” he murmured. “Thank you, Rowan. I’m so happy.”

She smiled, more brilliant than the stars, more ethereal than the moon. “I’m so glad. But you haven’t even had the food I prepared yet!”

He released his grip on her, begrudgingly, so she could collect a paper plate for him and begin piling all the food she’d brought onto it.

“I tried my very best to make your favourites,” she sang, stacking two salads on top of each other. “Although you will have to forgive me for the cupcakes. I just couldn’t resist.”

He watched as she settled a small cupcake on the centre of his plate, blue and purple icing swirling together, crusted in gold and silver star-shaped sprinkles.

“It’s all wonderful,” he said, his cheeks warming as she fussed over him and the food. “I’m sure it’s all delicious.”

“Well,” she groused, preparing her own plate now. “I hope so. If anything is bad we can blame Minor.”

He snorted, wholeheartedly agreeing with her. There was no way his Rowan would make anything that didn’t taste good. “Deal.”

He was only about halfway through his food when she started pushing presents towards him, but Gavin tucked them to the side, promising up and down that he would open them later.

“Do you not want them?” She asked, clutching a small bag in her arms.

He had just sunk his teeth into his cupcake, and he chewed quickly. “I do want them, in just a minute, love. I want to enjoy sitting here with you for a moment.”

A flicker of light caught his eye and he looked up, watching as a shooting star streaked across the sky.

He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in as he spun the magic of his wish.

He wished that he would spend the rest of his birthdays with her. That he would spend every birthday and every day in-between with his Rowan.

He opened his eyes to find her leaning close, her thumb brushing against his face a hairsbreadth from the corner of his lip.

“What is it?”

There was mischief in her eyes as her hand fell away.

“There’s a bit of icing on your face.”

He lifted his brows, his hand coming up to wipe it off. But Rowan batted his hand away, leaning close, so very close he could catch the specks of green buried deep in the sea of her eyes.

Her lips brushed against the corner of his mouth, and he felt her tongue flick against him.

“There,” she sang, sitting back. “All better.”

He felt a little out of sorts, his breathing heavy, his heartbeat stumbling like a toddler in a race. There was heat in his core, a tightness in his pants that he struggled to ignore.

He eyed the presents piled on his side, then Rowan again, who looked more than a little proud of herself and her shenanigans.

“You know,” he said, shifting closer, pinching a strand of her hair between his thumb and forefinger, letting his voice turn sultry and soft. “I think there’s something else I’d much rather unwrap right now.”

Rowan smacked his arm, feigning outrage. But all it did was make Gavin laugh, made the heat in his belly grow, made his head feel a little like he’d drunk an entire bottle of champagne.

He swiped his finger across the icing of a cupcake, wiping his finger against Rowan’s cheek.

“There,” he murmured, sucking the rest of the icing from his finger. “Now we’re even.”

He didn’t have a moment to react before an entire cupcake was being smushed against his face, cake crumbling over his shirt, icing streaking down his neck.

Rowan cackled, wiping her hand on the blanket. “Now we’re even.”

Laughter bubbled in his chest, brilliant as sunshine, light as spun sugar. He wrapped his arms around her, dragging her close, wiping his messy face against her throat.

Rowan shrieked, squirming in his arms. “Gavin that tickles! Let go!”

But he in fact did not let go, nuzzling his face more against her, smearing icing all over her throat and her collar and part of her shirt. He nipped at her skin, licking some of the icing as she continued to gasp and squeal, her hands smacking his arms uselessly.

“Gavin!”

He hummed, his nose bumping against her chin.

“Gavin that tickles!”

Finally he relented, releasing her just enough so she could breathe, but keeping her firmly in his lap.

“That was uncalled for,” she wheezed, trying and failing to glare at him as she wiped her palm across her chest.

He shrugged, grinning. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“But I had fun,” he said, running a hand through her hair, pushing it back from her face, golden candy stars getting caught in her bangs. “And since it’s my birthday…”

She groaned, throwing her head back. “Okay okay, you win.”

He chewed on his lip for a moment, a habit he’d picked up from Rowan as he regarded her carefully.

“Rowan?”

She straightened, her hands falling to his shoulders. “Hmm?”

“Thank you,” he said, his voice soft as feather down. “Thank you for this.”

Her gaze softened too, and she cupped his face, her fingers still sticky with icing. “Babey, I love you more than I can say. I just want you to have a happy birthday.”

How did he explain to her that every birthday now was happy? That she had reminded him that he was alive, that the world was beautiful, that there was still joy to be had in the smallest of things? How did he explain to her that every birthday he was happy he had been born, that he was happy he was beside her?

How did he tell her that every day with her was a gift, was more precious than any newborn star or glittering galaxy could be?

He didn’t know how, didn’t have the words to say it right. So instead he kissed her, gentle this time, tasting the sweet buttercream of the icing and the sugar of the sprinkles and the chocolate of the cupcakes on her.

She was his star, his guiding light. She’d brought warmth and happiness back into his life, she’d brought him laughter, brought him joy and comfort and love.

He felt like he might cry again, but did his best to hold it back. He wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening before they packed up, he wanted to take his time tasting the different foods she’d brought while he opened the gifts, and then he wanted to return to their cabin and take his time tasting all of her.

She sighed as they broke apart, her eyes closed, icing caught in her lashes as they splayed across her cheek.

He grinned, unable to stop himself, feeling a ghost of that earlier laughter bubbling in his throat.

“Rowan?”

She opened her eyes, peering at him curiously.

He gestured to the icing smeared over them both, smiling. “Will you help me clean this up?”

She laughed, plucking a napkin from the little basket perched nearby. The windchimes sang in tandem, the melodies twining together in a starlit song that sent gossamer wings flitting in his heart.

Rowan kissed his cheek, sending warmth spilling through him like sunshine across a wildflower field. “As you wish, my love.”

[gavin-bai]

Target locked. Taking action immediately.

[gavin-bai]

Agent B-7, energy wave detected in Loveland. Sending Coordinates.

[arabella-77]

Gavin's Evening Breeze & Childhood Poem PV [MLQC CN]

OMG in the new PV Little Gavin is so cute.

Take a look at him 😍😍😍💙.

Thanks to @putufelisia for adding Eng sub translated by us 😊.

[multifandom-worlds]

hello!! i hope you don’t mind me asking you if you could write for mc x gavin with the prompt “you’re comfy”. i totally understand if you can’t though

Under the Stars

Genre: fluff

Word count: 474

Warnings: N/A

Authors Note: Hi honey! Thank you so much for this ask! I apologize in advance if it's short but I hope you like it, anyways!

Being this high in the mountains and so far away from the pollution of the city lights, the sunset is more beautiful than words could ever describe. No artist nor poet could capture the majesty of the evening. The colours were so vivid, the dark so inky. While she was admiring the sky, I was admiring her. She would look away every few minutes to grab another bite of cookie or whatever she wanted to eat, then her eyes were back on the sky.

“You know, Gav,” she says, looking back at me, eyes innocent. “Thank you for this. It’s nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, away from all the lights, sounds, and constant traffic. It feels peaceful, and truthfully..” She bites her lip. “I’m..I’m happy to be here with you. I miss you when you’re away. I’m sure that comes as no surprise to you."

I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her shoulders before pulling her down onto my lap. She yelps before letting out a faint giggle as she rests between my legs comfortably, looking up at the sky. "I miss you when I'm away too, pumpkin—no more missions for a while. I'm staying with you for a solid six months. I'm not going anywhere."

She smiles but doesn’t say anything as she looks up at the stars. We hadn’t had time to stargaze since our wedding - life got in the way. Missions and meetings, meetings and missions. I had missed her so much that as soon as I landed after my most recent mission, I called Minor to set this up for me; I just needed time with her under the stars—our favourite place. 

“Hey, can you sit up for a second, pumpkin? I want to get more .” I ask, gently helping her up to a sitting position. She shifts to her knees away from me so I can lay down, grabbing one of the pillows Minor dropped off and placing it under my head before I open my arms, inviting her to join me again.

She crawls over to me, laying her head on my chest before rolling over so she can look up at the stars. I place one arm by my head and the other around her shoulders, enjoying the soft sounds of the crickets chirping, the wind rustling through the trees, and the owls hooting. It was such a perfect, peaceful night; I don’t think I could have asked for a better night to spend with her. 

“Gavin, you’re comfy, you know that?” She asks after a short, comfortable silence. I chuckle, not imagining how I, of all people, could be comfy to lay on. Before I could even voice my confusion, she spoke again. “Muscles or not, you’re comfortable. You feel like home to me, and to me, home is comfort.”

[spacesquidlings]

Tissue Paper Hearts

Valentines day is approaching, and Gavin finds himself bending to the whims of his tiny daughters, sitting at his kitchen table amidst the glittery storm of their Valentines crafts. His heart aches for his wife, away on a trip, but it also aches from all the love he feels for the family he's built with her.

Pairing: Gavin Bai x OC (Rowan)

Warnings: None

********************************************

There was glitter on the floor. Or rather, there was glittering falling to the floor, cascading through the air like stardust trailing after a shooting star.

There was glitter covering the kitchen tiles. There was glitter in Stella’s heavy winter coat. There was glitter caught in eyelashes and clinging to cheeks and hair. Little hands were covered in glue and stickers, somehow more glitter trailing up their arms, embedded in their nails, catching the light as it sparkled from their ears.

Gavin sat at the kitchen table watching his daughters as they argued over the craft supplies scattered across the table. There were ribbons and glue and pom-poms and stickers and pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks and foam and so many scraps of colourful construction paper that it made him dizzy. And yet the girls continued to fight over the three containers of glitter, puffs of it exploding into the air every time one of them yanked it from her sisters.

Gavin had long since given up any hope of avoiding the clouds of sparkling shrapnel, his hair and shirt practically coated in pink and gold glitter. He also had paint running up his arms, although it was not from anything he had been doing.

It was almost Valentines, and Aurora and Wisteria had been tasked with making valentines cards for each of their classmates. Cordelia and Gardenia were still much too little for school, but that didn’t stop them from trying to participate, making their own messy valentines with their older sisters.

Gavin’s participation had been compulsory, both Aurora and Wisteria taking his hands and whining until he’d caved and agreed to help them put their cards together.

Not that it had taken much pleading on their end. They’d just had to snuggle up on either side of him and give him the biggest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen. Wisteria had even managed to summon crocodile tears to streak down her cheeks while they both pleaded with him to help them with their valentines.

They hadn’t wanted the store-bought ones, although Gavin knew Rowan had a soft spot for them and used to sneak one under everyone’s pillows along with a little treat or toy the night before valentines. No, the girls had wanted to make original ones. With different shapes and ribbons and stickers and so so much glitter.

And how was he supposed to say no to their sweet little faces? How was he supposed to say no when the twins got involved, crawling into his lap and asking him to help?

So he had caved almost immediately, setting the paperwork he’d hoped to get done that afternoon aside and scooping the twins up while Aurora and Wisteria squealed, racing towards the kitchen.

And now he was sitting at the kitchen table, listening to them squabble over the craft supplies while he carefully wrapped an empty tissue box in layers of pink tissue paper.

“Daddy,” Wisteria said, poking her head up from the chair she had squished herself onto with Aurora.

“What is it, baked potato?” He asked, his brow furrowing as he focused on folding the tissue paper so it didn’t tear before he taped it.

“When is mommy coming home?”

He looked up then, his heart aching the tiniest, littlest bit.

“She’ll be home tonight,” he promised, his eyes shifting towards the hallway that led to the front door. The door he kept wishing would creak open, followed by footsteps and the sing-song voice of his favourite person.

Stella would race and skitter into the wall in her haste to get to the door, the girls would squeal and shout as they stumbled over each other to greet their mama. And Rowan would smile and fall to the floor to gather them into her arms and smother them in kisses, laughing as they all tried to talk at once, their voices melding together in a cacophony of noise.

And then she would look up at him and her smile would grow soft and her cheeks would stain pink and he would kiss her brow. And once the girls had scattered and Stella grew bored he would scoop her into his arms and hold her close the rest of the day.

But she wasn’t due back for hours yet. There had been a couple day event she’d wanted to go to with her friends, and even though she had hesitated, not wanting to leave the girls for even a day, Gavin had convinced her to go. He could take care of the girls just fine on his own, and she deserved to have time with her friends.

But that didn’t mean he hadn’t missed her since the moment the front door had closed behind her. His heart ached, his chest feeling hollow, his body cold. He missed her smile, missed her voice, missed her idle chatter during the day. He missed waking up next to her in the morning, missed snuggling into bed with her at night.

It had only been a few days and yet it had felt like an eternity.

She’d been due back that day, and he’d been unable to stop himself from staring at the door. From walking past it every so often, straining his ears for the sound of the lock turning, of a car in the driveway dropping her off.

But of course she wouldn’t be back until the sun had set and the stars had bloomed across the sky, and the sun was still brilliant and gold as it streamed through the kitchen windows, setting the room alight.

“Do you miss mommy?” Aurora asked, her amber eyes wide and sad.

“I do,” he said, trying and failing to turn his attention back to the four tissue boxes he had to help decorate. “I miss her a lot.”

Aurora leaned forward, giving his hand a light pat. “She’ll be home soon! And then you can hug her lots!”

He smiled, his heart growing warm as Aurora beamed up at him. She was so sweet and gentle and kind. He reached out to tossle her hair, chuckling. “I love you, sweet potato. You’ll be able to hug mommy soon, too.”

“Oh good,” Wisteria heaved, letting her head fall to the table, stretching her arms out in front of her. “She kept asking me for extra hugs.”

“You were the one with nightmares!” Aurora cried, looking heartbroken at the idea that her sister didn’t want hugs.

She turned to Gavin, her wide eyes lined in silver, her bottom lip quivering. “She wanted hugs! She had nightmares!”

“You wanted hugs too,” Wisteria grumbled. “You kept crying after daddy turned the lights off.”

“I did not,” she whined, shaking her head.

Gavin did his best to hold in his sigh. Aurora had cried a lot after she’d been put to bed for the last few days. Rowan was usually the one that put her and Wisteria to bed, and Aurora usually ended up cuddling with Rowan for a very long while before finally being tucked into her blankets and going to sleep.

He’d intervened every night since Rowan had been gone, finding Wisteria and Aurora cuddled up together, Aurora’s usually rosy cheeks streaked with tears. Wisteria would already be half asleep, but Aurora would still be sniffling and whimpering as Gavin gently untangled them before lifting Aurora up, clutching her close. And each night he’d inevitably taken her back to bed to sleep with him, her little hands clinging to his shirt so tightly there’d been no hope of her letting go.

He and Rowan had sneaking suspicions that Wisteria wasn’t the only one having nightmares, but Aurora refused to say a word about it if she was.

But he’d just held Aurora very tightly until her sobs had quieted and her breathing had slowed and her little fists had finally loosened from his shirt. And then once she’d finally fallen asleep he’d felt comfortable enough letting himself slip away into oblivion too.

Aurora continued to stare at him, new tears slipping down her cheeks. Gavin only shook his head, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “You’ve been very brave, sweet potato. And I’m sure mommy will want a million hugs from you once she’s back.”

Aurora sniffled, but her smile quickly returned. “I can’t wait to show her our valentines! I hope she’ll think they’re pretty.”

“I’m sure she will,” he said, his gaze flicking over the array of different coloured hearts smothered in ribbons and glitter. He couldn’t help smiling a little, already picturing her face in his mind, lighting up at the mess scattered across the kitchen table.

He could practically hear her squealing with delight, bending over the table to sing ‘These are wonderful! They’re so pretty!’

“Daddy, have you finished the mailboxes yet?”

Wisteria’s voice drew Gavin from his imagination, his heart aching a little as he remembered Rowan was not yet home, and she could not smile at him and the girls and their glittery mess.

Gavin stared down at the tissue box in his hand, the second of four he’d been instructed to put together. He shook his head, showing Wisteria. “Not yet. They’re taking me a while to make.”

Wisteria pouted, narrowing her eyes as she surveyed his work. “It needs more stickers, daddy.”

Gavin frowned as he looked at the tissue box in his hand. “It’s got lots of stickers on it.”

“It needs more!” She cried, throwing her arms up. “More! Stickers!”

Gavin nodded, electing to agree with her on this. He was not, after all, a professional tissue box decorator. And Wisteria, as she very often liked to say, was a professional at deciding where stickers went.

Although he did have to question her decisions when the stickers ended up stuck to the table and the cabinets and somehow the ceiling in the living room.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to know how the stickers had gotten up there.

Aurora reached across the table, dragging a bottle of liquid glue towards her.

“Do you need some help with that?” Gavin asked, starting to stand so he could move next to her.

“Daddy you have to put the stickers on the box!” Wisteria cried, the twins giggling at her outburst. “‘Rora is an expert!”

Aurora bobbed her head, holding the glue bottle up over her head like a trophy. “I’m okay! I’m very careful.”

She hadn’t even finished her sentence before glue spilled from the cap, dripping onto her dress.

Aurora paused, blinking in confusion as she stared down at the glob of glue. Her brows knit together in confusion, her bottom lip sticking out as she contemplated the accident.

“Oh.”

Gavin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, even as Wisteria and the twins gasped in horror.

Aurora slowly turned her face towards Gavin, looking more confused than anything. “Daddy, please help.”

This time he really couldn’t stop himself from snorting as he stood, grabbing a napkin before kneeling next to her. “Let me get that before it dries.”

“I’m sorry, daddy,” she murmured, her little shoulders slumping forward. “I didn’t mean to.”

“I know,” he said, making sure to keep his voice soft and calm for her. “It’s alright. The cap probably wasn’t screwed on tight enough.”

She sniffled. “Will my dress be okay?”

He smiled up at her, having caught the glue in time before it could congeal that it was barely even noticeable. “Practically good as new.”

Aurora clapped her hands, grinning as he stood. “Thank you for helping.”

He ruffled her hair, making his way back to his seat as the girls returned to their cards. They bickered over some of the supplies, heaving great, dramatic sighs as they settled for some other task. For his part, Gavin did his best to nod along, 4 different conversations twisting and twining into the air until they all grew so muddled he could not for the life of him figure out who was talking about what.

So he nodded along, adding little “ohs” and “hmms” where he saw fit, while keeping himself focused on the tissue boxes until all four were complete.

“Well, what do we think?” Gavin asked, brandishing the tissue boxes when their conversations quieted.

The twins gasped, squealing as they tried to take the boxes from Gavin.

“Perfect!” Cordelia sang.

“I love it,” Gardenia breathed, clutching hers to her chest.

Aurora had a similar reaction, although a line formed between her brows the more she stared at her box, spinning it around on the table in front of her.

Wisteria was uncharacteristically quiet, setting the box to the side and immediately staring up at the ceiling.

Gavin tipped his head to the side, concern bubbling in his chest. What was Wisteria thinking about?

“Hey baked potato,” he said, trying to stop his worry from staining his words. Her eyes had a faraway look in them, the look usually reserved for when she was thinking of something particularly mischievous. “What are you thinking of?”

Wisteria blinked, slowly sliding her amber gaze down until she met Gavin’s. She blinked again, seeming lost for a moment. And then her eyes cleared and she shrugged. “I’m hungry.”

Now it was Gavin’s turn to blink. He hadn’t realized it had gotten so late. But the sun was already beginning to set, and when he checked the time he saw that it was almost time for dinner.

Which was not good, because he hadn’t had anything planned for the night yet.

“I want McDonalds,” Wisteria said, crossing her arms and nodding, as if that was the wisest thing anyone had ever said. “I want a big mac.”

“You’re too short for a big mac,” Aurora said, rolling her eyes.

Wisteria lifted her chin. “I want two big macs!”

Gavin snorted, pulling his phone out. Maybe takeout tonight wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It was getting late and it would take him at least an hour to make anything.

Aurora leapt to her feet as she saw Gavin’s phone light up. “I want McDonalds too, daddy! They have barbies! I want a barbie!”

“Well I want a dinosaur,” Wisteria countered, sounding awfully haughty for a six year old who demanded two burgers when she’d never even been able to finish one.

“They don’t give toys with big macs,” Gavin said, arching a brow. “You can get a happy meal if you want the toy.”

Wisteria groaned, flopping back in her chair. “Fine, I will take the happy meal.”

Cordelia turned to Gavin with wide eyes, Gardenia beside her with her hands clasped over her heart. “Can we have nuggies?”

Gavin stood so he could scoop both twins into his arms, squeezing them tight as they squealed. “Of course you both can have nuggets.”

He tossed one over each shoulder, chuckling as they tried to crawl onto his head. “Careful, we don’t want you two to fall.”

“We’re careful!” Cordelia said, sounding as indignant as a four year old could.

“Very careful,” Gardenia added, right as she yanked on Gavin’s hair to steady herself.

He winced, pulling up the delivery app for their food.

He’d only just made the order when Aurora’s expression grew pensive as she again spun her tissue box around.

“Is there something wrong with your box, Aurora?” He asked, reaching up to grab Cordelia as she wobbled on his shoulder.

Aurora shook her head. “No. I was just thinking.”

“And what were you thinking?”

She tipped her head to the side, wrinkling her nose. “Do we have two more of these?”

“Two more tissue boxes?”

She nodded, patting her own box. “Yeah.”

He hummed, bouncing as he walked towards the cupboard they kept the spare tissues and toilet paper and paper towels in. The twins giggled, clutching at his head as he walked.

Gavin crouched, gently setting the twins down as he rifled through the cupboard until he found the boxes. They were full, but he would just stack those extra tissues with the others he’d had to remove for the girls’ boxes.

“We definitely have two more,” he said, twisting around to show Aurora the two boxes.

“Can I have them?” She asked, hopping down from her chair, her little hands reaching out to take them.

Gavin narrowed his eyes and he paused, trying to figure out why she would need two more tissue boxes.

“For a craft!” Aurora announced, wiggling her fingers when he didn’t cough up the box.

“What kind of craft?”

She crossed her arms. “It’s a surprise!”

He frowned, trying to figure out if there was anything particularly troublesome she could do with two tissue boxes. But this was also Aurora and she was not the criminal mastermind of the four.

Finally he relented, handing the two additional boxes to her. “And you’re sure you won’t tell me what you’re up to?”

Aurora shook her head, skipping back to the table. “Nope!”

He sighed, scooping the twins back up and spinning them around. “Should we get back to your valentines now, tater tots!”

They squealed, clutching at his shoulders as he spun them.

“Actually,” Aurora said, standing up on her chair with her hands on her fist. “Daddy, you need to leave.”

Gavin paused, staring at her as Wisteria stood up behind her, looking particularly gleeful at his sudden banishment.

“Pardon?”

“You have to leave,” she said again.

“You have to go, daddy!” Wisteria cried, seeming far too happy.

“Why?”

“For the surprise,” Aurora said, staring at him like the answer was obvious.

“Why can’t I be here?”

“Go!” Wisteria squealed, giggling as she jumped to her feet, mimicking Aurora’s pose.

“Because it’s a surprise,” Aurora groaned, rolling her eyes. “You can’t see it if it’s a surprise, daddy.”

“Get out of here!” Wisteria sang, jabbing her finger at the door. “Shoo!”

Cordelia giggled, waving her hand in the same direction as Wisteria. “Shoo!”

Gavin groaned, pressing his face against the top of Cordelia’s head. “Not you too, tater tot.”

“Shoo,” Gardenia whispered, covering her mouth with her little hands as she giggled.

Gavin sighed, shaking his head. “I’ve been outnumbered.”

Aurora hopped down from her chair, Wisteria following after her, her Sailor Moon themed skirt fluttering in the air as she bounced behind her older sister.

Aurora pressed her palms against Gavin’s legs, shoving him towards the door. “Daddy you have to go!”

Wisteria joined in Aurora’s shenanigans, pushing him towards the door. “Gotta go! ‘Rora said so!”

“Since when do you listen to Aurora?” He asked, bemused as the twins continued to giggle.

“Since now!”

He chuckled, stumbling towards the door. “Okay, okay, I’m going.”

“Wait!” Aurora shouted, jumping away and racing in front of Gavin.

He arched a brow. “Wait?”

“Leave Cordelia and Gardenia.”

The twins squealed, immediately wiggling in Gavin’s arms as they tried to get down.

“What do you mean?!” He asked, feeling childishly indignant as he clutched the twins tighter. “You want me to be on my own?”

Aurora paused, her expression growing pensive. “You could have Stella with you! She’ll keep you company.”

Gavin blinked. “But not a single one of my own daughters?”

Aurora sighed, patting Gavin’s leg as if that offered any comfort to him as he finally let the twins escape his arms. “We love you daddy!”

“We just don’t want you here right now,” Wisteria added, giving him a bright smile as if she’d just told him something very sweet.

“Well I can’t argue with that,” he muttered, letting them shove him the rest of the way out of the room.

“Go have a nap!” Aurora said, waving at him as he finally made his way from the kitchen. “You’re always telling us and mommy to have a nap! You should have one.”

He arched a brow again. “I’m not tired.”

“That’s what you think,” she said, the twins in the background still parroting “shoo! Shoo!” and giggling like it was the funniest thing in the world.

“Cuddle with Stella! You’ll feel nice and sleepy after that.”

Sighing, Gavin felt as though he had no choice but to make the lonely trek to the living room. He had been banished from the kitchen, the sounds of the girls’ giggles echoing behind him, trailing in his wake as he trudged forward.

He couldn’t help feeling a little sad, even if they were just playing around. He’d been having fun, he liked listening to them chatter, and he liked helping them with their crafts.

He sighed, falling back onto the couch and throwing his arm over his face. A few moments later and he felt Stella’s nose bumping against his palm, her nails clicking on the hardwood floors as she tapped her paws impatiently.

“They’ve kicked me out, Stella,” he said, his hand flopping down so he could scratch between her ears. “They’ve kicked me out of the kitchen!”

Stella whined, tapping her paws again before hopping up onto the couch and wiggling next to him.

He arched a brow as she wagged her tail, her paws planted on his chest.

“Oh, the other pets weren’t as good for you?”

She grumbled in response, glaring at him until he resumed scratching between her ears and down her back.

“I wish Rowan were here,” he murmured, his gaze sliding towards the front. “She would sit with me.”

Stella whined, flopping onto her side.

“She would cuddle with me,” Gavin continued, imagining Rowan nestled against him. Her head would be on his chest, her hair splayed around her like a halo. Her fingers tracing invisible shapes against his arm as she teased him for being kicked out by the girls. And then she would tilt her head up and press a kiss just beneath his jaw. And then she would tell him that she loves him more than anything.

Stella whined louder, smacking her paw against his face, knocking him back to the present. To a world where Rowan hadn’t yet returned home.

He closed his eyes, groaning as he returned to petting Stella. “You’re awfully needy today.”

In a very remarkable turn of events, Stella did not have a reply.

Gavin snorted. “You must miss Rowan, too.”

She tried pressing closer, and Gavin sighed, letting her cuddle up with him. Rowan usually snuggled her like this, like she was a big plush toy. Or maybe a very fluffy baby. And Stella would snore softly, content to cuddle with Rowan all day if she let her.

“I miss her too,” Gavin sighed. “I miss her so much.”

Stella yawned, opening her eyes for one moment to peer at him curiously before closing them again.

“Although if she were here, you would not be getting these cuddles,” he said, flicking Stella’s ear. “Rowan would have beaten you to it. She would have been laying on me before I’d even laid down.”

He hummed, his eyes beginning to feel heavy. Or maybe he would have carried her. Would have scooped her into his arms and settled her on his chest as he’d laid back on the couch. Just so he could stay close to her. And he loved to carry her, loved to clutch her close to his heart, to feel her breath on his skin as she pressed her face against his throat.

He loved to press kisses to the top of her head, to feel the touch of her lips as she brushed featherlight kisses beneath his jaw in return. To feel her arms circling his throat as she tried pressing herself closer.

He even loved the little way she would pout when he tried to get up. To go to the bathroom or to get a snack or to help one of the girls who had somehow gotten her head stuck between banisters on the stairs. She would squirm in his arms and pout and give him big, puppy dog eyes, begging him not to get up. Which only made him hurry through whatever he was doing faster, just so he could be back with her again.

He hadn’t realized his eyes had grown so heavy until he was half asleep, dreaming of Rowan’s hand in his and her hair tickling his cheek as it blew against his face.

And then he was being very roughly awoken by a pair of tiny hands smacking his arm.

“Daddy,” Wisteria whined, wrinkling her nose as she pouted. “Daddy, I need you to cut something.”

Gavin squinted, unable to focus on the paper Wisteria was waving through the air. “What do you need me to cut, baked potato?”

“These!” Wisteria squealed, squeezing her eyes shut and jumping.

He chuckled as he sat up, trying to take the paper from her hand. “I don’t know what these are.”

“Valentines! They’re valentines!”

He nodded, gently taking the safety scissors from her other hand and cutting out the messy shapes sketched over the paper.

“I wanted to cut them myself, but Aurora and Gardenia told me not to,” Wisteria pouted. “I was gonna make them so pretty.”

He silently thanked Aurora and Gardenia for remembering the rules he and Rowan had made about scissors. He was sure Wisteria remembered too, but he doubted she would pay attention to the rule if she didn’t want to.

“Well when you’re bigger you’ll be able to cut up as much paper as you want.”

She huffed, taking her newly cut valentines and marching from the room. “I’m already tall!”

“Stella is taller than you.”

Wisteria spun around, jumping up onto her toes. “She is not! See?!”

Gavin snorted, getting up as Wisteria stretched her arms above her head, as if that would somehow prove how tall she was. He was going to pick her up and toss her into the air, but she squealed before he could get close, sprinting away shouting that he’d “never catch her alive.”

He shrugged, heading back towards the couch. But he hadn’t even sat down yet when Aurora wandered in, a hot glue gun in one hand and a half decorated tissue box in the other.

“Daddy,” she whined, holding them up. “Will you please help me?”

He stood up again, taking the glue gun from her little hand. How could he say no to her?

“What do you need me to do, sweet potato?”

“Can you glue the tissue paper?” She asked, pointing to tissue paper held on by tape and shiny heart-shaped stickers.

He wrinkled his brow. “You didn’t want to use a glue stick for this?”

She shook her head, pointing to the stick of unmelted glue in the glue gun. “I wanted to use the sparkly glue mommy bought! It’s so pretty!”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before moving to the nearest wall outlet and plugging the glue gun in. “This must be an awfully special craft to use the sparkly glue.”

Aurora nodded her head very seriously.

“Who’s it for?”

Her face broke out into a giant grin. “Nice try! I’m not telling!”

He chuckled. “You’re too smart for me, sweet potato.”

She bobbed her head, watching his work carefully as he began squeezing out some of the glue. “I’m the smartest! I can count all the way to a hundred!”

Gavin hummed, grinning as she beamed at him. “That’s very impressive.”

“Do you wanna hear?”

He opened his mouth to say maybe not, but it was too late, she had already started reciting the numbers, her hands clasped in front of her chest as if she were reciting a solemn vow.

Gavin nodded along, carefully gluing down the layers of tissue paper she’d taped to the box until it was swathed in pink and purple and yellow and so much glitter glue some of the sparkles were spiralling to the floor.

But she wasn’t yet done counting, so Gavin just unplugged the glue gun and waited, the tissue box nestled in his lap as he cupped his chin, listening to her quietly.

“Ninety-seven, ninety-eight,” Aurora took a great big breath, squeezing her eyes closed as she continued. “Ninety-nine, one hundred!”

Gavin clapped, figuring that was the best response to give to her as her eyes flew open and she beamed at him, dancing on her toes.

“Was that good?” She asked, bouncing up and down.

“That was amazing,” he applauded. “You were amazing, sweet potato.”

She giggled, wiggling her shoulders. “Thank you, daddy! I’m very smart, right?”

“Oh the smartest.”

She hiccuped, throwing her arms around his neck. “I love you, daddy!”

He wrapped his arms around her little body, holding her close. He loved her so much. He loved his tiny little daughter with all his heart.

“I love you, too.”

She giggled, jumping back to pick up the tissue box. “Okay! I’m going back to finish the surprise now!”

“Since I helped, will you tell me anything about it?”

She grinned wide. “Nope! I don’t wanna ruin the surprise!”

He snorted as she skipped away, back to the kitchen. He really wasn’t going to know what they were up to, was he?

Which was a shocking revelation if he were being honest. Because not even a full ten minutes had passed before Aurora was back, asking him to cut some shapes for her out of a glittery golden card stock. And barely three minutes after that Gardenia toddled out to ask him to help her take some stickers off a sheet.

And then Gardenia came back to complain about Cordelia paying more attention to her pet rock than to her own sisters. Gavin had needed to bite the inside of his cheek to hold back the grin that was threatening to burst across his face while Gardenia vented to him.

Cordelia loved that rock, and treated it like a pet, and even had a special bed just for the rock to sleep in each night.

But sometimes she would give the rock just a little too much attention, and she’d end up completely ignoring her sisters. And while Aurora and Wisteria were big enough not to get too upset over it, Gardenia was the littlest, and she often clung to her twin like they were combined, and she was always heartbroken when Cordelia ignored her in favour of her favourite toy.

So Gavin gathered Gardenia up into his arms, rocking her gently as her words turned incoherent, fat tears slipping down her cheeks. She clutched his shirt tightly, pressing her face against his shoulder when she felt too overwhelmed to make even the tiniest noise.

He pressed kisses to the top of her head, murmuring that he loved her, that her sister loved her, that Cordelia was trying to have fun with her toy, that she was still important to her twin. That she was so incredibly important to him and Rowan.

She sniffled, slowly peeling away from his shirt to stare up at him with puffy, red-rimmed eyes. Her bottom lip trembled, and snot dripped from her nose.

“Promise?” She pleaded, her voice small and fragile as she stared up at him.

“I promise, tater tot,” he murmured, gently wiping the tears from her eyes. “Me and mommy love you so much. You’re so important.”

“And Cordelia loves me?”

“Of course she does,” he said. He pulled the sleeve of his shirt over his hand, wiping the snot from her nose. “You’re her sister. She loves you more than anything.”

Gardenia’s expression darkened. “More than her rocks?”

“Much more than her rocks.”

Gardenia nodded for a minute, seeming uncertain. Then after a few moments her little hands twisted in the fabric of his shirt and she peered up at him gravely.

“I wanna stay with you,” she mumbled, her brows drawing low. “Wanna stay.”

“You can stay with me,” he said, smiling as he leaned back against the pillows of the couch, kissing the top of her head. “You can stay as long as you want, tater tot.”

“Okay,” her voice was little more than a breath, but she looked relieved, like she couldn’t stand going back into the kitchen with the others.

“Why don’t I put a movie on for you. How does that sound?”

She nodded her head, but remained quiet as he scrolled through their extensive selection of Barbie movies, searching for Gardenia’s favourite.

“That one, daddy,” she muttered, pointing at the screen as he paused over Fairytopia.

“This one?” He asked, clicking the title so an image of barbie with a very sparkly pair of wings appeared on the screen.

“Yes.”

He smiled as he hit play, glad to see she had calmed down a little. She wasn’t sniffling anymore, and she’d relaxed her death-grip on his shirt. She kicked her legs idly, stretching out on his chest, her eyes glued to the television screen as the opening credits played.

He couldn’t help chuckling as she giggled, delighted as a strange little blue creature appeared on screen. He wanted her happy, he wanted to be able to make her and her sisters happy.

He would watch a million doll-inspired films on repeat for eternity if it meant he could make them happy, if it meant listening to her laughter as the weird blue creature chattered incomprehensibly.

He didn’t even realize he was falling asleep until he awoke with a start, feeling something sticky pressing against his cheek.

Musical laughter curled upwards, muffled only by a soft voice hissing “quiet! We can’t wake him.”

Gavin chose that exact moment to open his eyes, startling the girls as they fell backwards in a pile of giggles and bright amber eyes.

“And why should you not wake me?” he asked, unable to stop himself from grinning as they all gasped with laughter. Wisteria, in particular, seemed the most delighted, laughing louder than all her sisters, her eyes filled with mischief.

She was also the one holding a glue stick.

He cocked his head to the side, crossing his arms as they continued to laugh. “Well? What do you girls have to say for yourself? Wisteria”

Wisteria snorted, covering her face as she squealed.

“Aurora?”

Aurora bit down on her bottom lip, shaking her head.

“Cordelia?”

She just cackled, rolling over and pressing her face against Aurora’s tummy.

Gavin turned to Gardenia, whose tiny shoulders were shaking from laughing, her eyes shining like stars, not a single trace of her earlier tears and distress to be found on her round, rosy face.

Whatever was happening here, it was all worth it.

“Gardenia? Do you have something to say?”

She whipped her head to the side, staring right at Wisteria, as if looking to be told what to say.

“‘DENIA, NO!” Wisteria squealed, her eyes widening as Gavin zeroed in on her.

“You’re the mastermind I see,” he announced, scooping her up before she could scamper away.

“SAVE ME!” She cried, squirming desperately in his arms.

But the other three did not come to her rescue, all of them skittering away, hiding behind chairs and the coffee table as Gavin started tickling Wisteria until she was gasping with laughter.

“You’re under arrest!” He said, laughing as Wisteria wiggled and squirmed in his arms. “Now confess! What did you do!”

She tried pushing his arms away to no avail. “-Was just a few googly eyes!”

Gavin narrowed his eyes, pausing as he lifted a hand to his cheek, feeling something small and plastic attached to his face.

“You glued googly eyes to my face?”

Wisteria snickered, covering her mouth, refusing to admit to anything.

“It’s too late, your sisters ratted you out!”

“Did not!” Gardenia shouted, sounding indignant as she stood up and put her fists on her hips. “I did nothing!”

“So you’re all guilty then?” He asked, cocking his head to the side.

Three pairs of eyes widened, and before he could take even a step they all sprinted from the room, screaming with laughter, their footsteps echoing in their wake.

“You’ll never catch them!” Wisteria sang, seeming awfully proud for someone who was already caught.

Gavin arched a brow, tickling her once more for good measure. “We’ll see about that!”

He chased them around the house, listening for the telltale creak of the floor beneath their feet or their ragged breaths from running nonstop. He paused on the other side of doors, straining his ears to listen for sweet little giggles, peeking underneath beds to see if there was a little body shaking with laughter as he shocked them.

They only stopped once a knock on the door echoed through the house, sending Stella racing for the door, eager to meet whoever had stopped on their front step.

Aurora helped hold Stella back while Gavin retrieved the food, waving at the delivery driver in thanks even as Stella barked, her paws scratching against the hardwood of the entrance. She whined as he closed the door, clearly heartbroken at being denied the chance to make a new friend.

Aurora patted Stella’s head, cooing softly, telling her it was okay, they’d get her some extra treats to make up for it.

Gavin ruffled Aurora’s hair as he walked past, narrowing his eyes as he swept his gaze down the hall, where the twins had plopped down, playing with a few dolls.

“Where’s your sister?” He asked, furrowing his brow as he counted three heads.

Three.

Where was the fourth?

Cordelia and Gardenia pointed at each other, staring up at him with big innocent eyes that seemed a little suspicious if he were being honest. But still he couldn’t help snorting as he turned to Aurora, who was still petting Stella and very pointedly not looking at Gavin.

“Aurora?” He asked, arching a brow as her shoulders stiffened. “Where’s your sister?”

“Which one?” She asked, her voice squeaking.

He sighed. “Wisteria.”

She shrugged, refusing to look up at him. “I don’t know. Wisteria likes to hide.”

He pressed his mouth into a thin line, humming as he surveyed the room. There wasn’t anywhere for Wisteria to hide here. Which meant she was hiding somewhere else.

Waiting.

Or perhaps just sleeping. She fell asleep a little too often in her preferred hiding places.

He did his best not to swear as his stomach churned. They’d probably end up searching for her all night.

But the other girls didn’t seem to share his same concern, instead acting blissfully ignorant as they played amongst themselves.

Gavin lifted the bag of food in the air, struggling to keep his expression neutral as they all jumped to their feet. “We’re not eating until we find your sister.”

They all gasped, but none so loud as Wisteria, who emerged from her hidden fortress with messy hair and sleep heavy eyes, gaping at him.

“What do you mean?!”

He scooped her up before she could think better of revealing herself, tossing her over his shoulder. “Caught you!”

“No fair, daddy!” She cried, smacking his back. “You tricked us!”

“I did mean it,” he said, bouncing in place. “We wouldn’t have eaten until we found you.”

Which was probably the only way they would have found her.

Wisteria grumbled, wiggling limply, as if that would somehow free her from his arms.

“Do you not want your burger?” He asked. “I could give it to one of your sisters. Or Stella maybe.”

“No!” She shrieked, pulling back so she could slap her hands on either side of his face, holding his gaze. “I want it! I want the burger!”

“Then no more hiding for today.”

She wilted instantly, sighing. “Okay.”

Gavin would have laughed had Aurora not very abruptly yanked on his shirt then, stopping him on his way to the kitchen.

“You can’t go into the kitchen!” She cried. “You’ll ruin the surprise!”

“Where are we supposed to eat then?”

“The couch!” She said, rolling her eyes like it was obvious. “Then we can watch a movie!”

Gardenia bounced up and down behind Aurora. “Like Barbie!”

Even Wisteria was nodding along, her expression serious. “She’s right.”

Gavin blinked, turning to Cordelia hoping to find a little support. But she was standing at his side, hopping up and down trying to pry the takeout bag from his hand and not listening to a single thing being said.

“I want nuggets,” she hissed, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the bag.

He sighed, defeated. He supposed he could live a life without ever going into the kitchen again.

So they made their way to the living room instead, all four girls flanking him and watching him like golden-eyed vultures as he took out each of their dinners.

“Did I get a barbie?” Gardenia asked curiously, making grabby hands at one of the tightly packaged happy meals.

Gavin opened it up to peek inside, spotting the bright blonde hair of the doll included in the meal. He looked back up at Gardenia, her bottom lip quivering.

“Why don’t you take a look for yourself?”

He handed her the happy meal, balancing the bottom as she struggled to hold it in her hands. He had to bite down on the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling and spoiling the surprise, even as Gardenia eyed the box suspiciously. She hummed, settling it in her lap as she cautiously pulled the lid open.

And then her eyes bugged out as she spotted the plastic Barbie doll in the box, and she squealed as she thrust it into the air.

“I got the Barbie!”

Gavin ruffled her hair, sunshine flooding his heart. She was too busy playing with her new doll to pay much attention to him, but she did shoot him a small smile before returning to her play.

“Alright,” he said, distributing the remaining happy meals. “Let’s eat our food first, and then we can play, okay potatoes?”

“Okay,” they all echoed, not listening to him at all as they removed their toys first.

“Eat,” he insisted, gently setting their food in their laps. “Before Stella eats your food for you!”

His timing was perfect, because just as he said it, Stella walked into the room, her tail wagging and her attention zeroing on the food.

The girls shrieked, jumping backwards and pressing themselves against the back of the couch.

“Get away, Stella!” Wisteria shouted, holding her burger over her head.

“Go way!” Cordelia cried.

Gardenia only whined, pressing her face against Gavin’s shoulder, squeezing her eyes shut. “Want my nuggies.”

Only Aurora seemed unperturbed, hopping down from the couch with her happy meal swinging from her hand. She nestled up next to Stella, prying open her box and carefully setting aside her own Barbie doll.

“Figures only ‘Rora would be able to sit with Stella,” Wisteria grumbled, flopping onto her back. “Stella wouldn’t want her food.”

“Stella doesn’t take my food because we have an understanding,” Aurora said primly, delicately taking out her McDonalds hotcakes and flipping open the container.

“And what kind of understanding is that?” Gavin asked, gently pushing Cordelia away as she tried to take the top bun of his burger off to steal the pickles.

“That we’re best friends,” she said, beaming. “And she wouldn’t steal food from her best friend!”

“It’s ‘cause she’s got treats in her pocket,” Wisteria muttered, glowering down at her burger. “That’s why Stella doesn’t eat her foods.”

Gavin hummed, not bothering to mention that it was actually because of him that Stella wouldn’t take Aurora’s food, or any of their food. Not unless it was offered, anyways. He’d done his best to be strict about stealing food when she’d been a puppy, and now she was the model of perfection. She could sit next to the table as they ate and she wouldn’t even try to beg.

Usually, anyways. Unless one of the girls snuck her their scraps. Or Rowan shared some of their food while she was cooking.

Gavin pressed his lips into a thin line. He’d have to work on being stricter with the girls, too. They really couldn’t have Stella start begging for food. She was a pretty big dog, and she was smart, and they had to be careful she didn’t get too rough or too demanding.

Although she seemed to be doing alright so far. Aurora was pouring syrup onto her hotcakes and Stella had curled up around her, snoring quietly.

Maybe it would be alright.

For now, anyways.

“Daddy,” Wisteria said, tugging on Gavin’s sleeve, drawing his attention. “You look like you’re going to fart.”

Gavin blinked, forgetting what he’d been thinking about. “I’m sorry?”

“Did you eat something that hurt your tummy?” She asked, tugging on his sleeve again. “Do you need the medicine mommy gives us?”

Cordelia pulled a face. “Yucky.”

“Stinky!” Gardenia cried.

Gavin blinked again, lost. “I’m okay, I was just thinking.”

Wisteria snickered. “Thinking about farting.”

“Wisteria Faye!”

She continued to giggle, finally taking a bite of her burger.

Gavin sighed, turning up the movie’s volume. Maybe Barbie would distract them from poking fun at him for a few moments.

It unfortunately did not keep them occupied in the least. Because the moment they had finished scarfing down their food they turned their attention to his.

Aurora was first, softly padding across the room and leaning against his lap, peering up at him with wide puppy-dog eyes. She poked his arm before reaching for his half-eaten burger, not even asking permission.

He rolled his eyes, holding it out for her so she could pick it up. “Save some for me.”

She grinned, taking the biggest bite he had ever seen before scampering away to finish her apple slices.

Then the twins stole his fries, in big fistfuls at a time, not even trying to be sneaky about it.

And then Wisteria grabbed his drink, nearly spilling it as she tried balancing the large in her tiny hands.

“Careful,” he hissed, balancing it as pop spilled from the top.

“I’m very careful,” she sang, right as she spilled more pop onto her skirt.

Gavin decided now was not the time to make a comment on that.

His eyes felt heavy as he cleaned up the empty takeout bags and containers. Wisteria was slumped on the couch, blankets wrapped around her like a cocoon, already fast asleep. The twins’ attention was glued to the television and the saturated pinks and blues and yellows of the magical Barbie movie currently playing.

Gavin narrowed his eyes. Was this the same movie they’d been watching before? He thought that movie was only an hour.

“Is this the same movie?” He asked no one in particular, not really expecting any of the girls to respond.

But Aurora heard him, and she snorted, as if he’d asked the silliest question in the world. “The last movie was Fairytopia, this one is Mermaidia, daddy.”

“Ah,” he nodded, more confused than he was before. “Those are different, right?”

“It’s the sequel!” Aurora sang, beaming up at him. “There’s a third one too!” She paused, her brow wrinkling as she turned back to look up at the television. “Although I like the first one best.”

He nodded again, still lost. There were three? How could there possibly be three?

“When this one is over I think it’ll be time for bed,” he said, running a hand through his hair, exhaustion weighing down his body.

It wasn’t even that late, and yet he felt like he could sleep for years.

Although sleep wouldn’t bring any comfort without Rowan with him. The bed was so much colder and lonelier and harder somehow. He’d spent years sleeping without many comforts, but now he couldn’t imagine sleeping without the soft curves of her body pressed against him. Without the weight of her head against his chest and the extra blankets she always draped over the bed claiming she was cold.

He’d tossed and turned all night since she’d gone on her trip, and he didn’t think he could handle another night sleeping alone.

“NO!” Aurora shrieked, jumping to her feet. “The surprise isn’t done yet!”

“It’s late, sweet potato,” he said. “It’s almost bedtime already.”

She shook her head furiously. “Daddy, no! You have to let us finish our surprise!”

He arched a brow, feeling himself caving already. “Do you think you can finish it in the next hour?”

“Yes! Absolutely!”

Gavin fell back against the couch, Wisteria slumping over and falling against his side. “Alright. Then you can work on it for another hour.”

“Thank you daddy!” She cried, hopping onto his lap and kissing his cheek.

He smiled, hugging her tight for a moment, her excitement infectious. “But afterwards you have to get ready for bed. Promise?”

“I prommy!” She sang, jumping back down. “Cordelia! Gardenia!”

The twins snapped to attention, their eyes widening.

“Let’s go! We have to finish our surprise!”

They crawled to their feet, sprinting towards the kitchen while Aurora frowned at Wisteria.

“She’s gonna be mad when I wake her,” she grumbled, taking a tentative step towards her sister.

“You could let her sleep.”

Aurora’s brow furrowed, as if she were considering what he’d said. But then she just shrugged, ripping the blanket off of her sister.

Wisteria gasped, her eyes flying open. “Fuck!”

“Wisteria Faye,” Gavin chastised. “You do not say that.”

She blinked up at him innocently, as if she hadn’t done a single thing wrong.

“We’ve told you before not to say that,” he said, trying to keep his voice even as she continued to blink, her eyes blank.

There was only one person Wisteria would have learned that from.

Gavin was going to kill his brother the next time he saw them.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, her voice uncharacteristically small.

Gavin narrowed his eyes, pretty sure she was feigning ignorance.

But then he sighed, running a hand over his face. “Go finish your craft with your sisters. It’s almost bedtime.”

“I’m not tired!”

“There’s drool on your chin,” Aurora said, tipping her head to the side. “You slept through the end of Fairytopia.”

“I did not!”

Aurora just shrugged, turning towards the kitchen.

Wisteria scoffed, staring up at Gavin in disbelief. “I’m not sleepy!”

He just hummed, pressing his mouth together in a thin line.

Wisteria ran off in a huff, her little fists clenched as she chased after her sister. Gavin could hear shouting coming from the kitchen, followed by squealing laughter and claps.

He chuckled, crossing his arms as he turned his attention up to the television.

He pursed his lips, Barbie looking deeply upset as she turned into a mermaid.

He… He didn’t have to keep watching Barbie if the girls were doing their crafts.

It was only after Stella climbed up onto the couch that he finally leaned forward to grab the remote, switching off Barbie to Star Wars, wincing as the opening theme thundered through the room.

“Why did we have the music up so loud,” he mumbled, turning it down low enough that he didn’t have to worry about hearing damage.

Although it was probably too late for that.

He didn’t even make it past the opening scroll before one of the girls walked into the living room, asking for help gluing ribbons to a heart-shaped piece of construction paper.

And then another one asking him to cut something out for them.

And another asking for help with some stickers.

Yet somehow, despite how many times they asked him for help, he could not fathom what they were making.

He had his suspicions, of course. He’d worked on the force for years now, helping to solve ordinary cases and evol cases alike. He wouldn’t be a particularly good officer if he didn’t have at least some theories on what the girls were making.

But somehow, other than mere inklings, he had no clue what they were up to.

They were making more of their Valentines mailboxes, he was almost certain. But why? For who? Was it for their tea parties? Was it for something else?

Was it for Rowan maybe? But why would they be hiding it from him?

Maybe they were piling their favourite cookies into the boxes and hiding them in their rooms.

Although Aurora was the only one that had tried that, and she’d given it up after Stella had found her stashes twice.

“Daddy?”

Gavin blinked, drawn back to the present by a tiny hand pulling on his shirt.

“What is it, baked potato?”

Wisteria held up a handful of pipe cleaners. “Can you turn these into shapes, please?”

He nodded, taking them one at a time and bending them into the little shapes and animals she requested until there was a pile of miniature, fuzzy creatures scattered on the couch next to him.

“Thank you!” She sang, scooping them all up and cradling them in her palms. “You’re the best at crafts!”

He ruffled her hair, his chest feeling warm and radiant as the sun. “I’m glad I could help.”

“Next time we have a surprise, you should be part of it,” she grumbled. “‘Rora’s idea was good, but I wants you to help.”

“You know I could help,” he said, feeling a little bad for prodding at their super secret craft, but still desperately wanting to know what they were up to. “If you told me what you were doing.”

Wisteria wrinkled her nose, seeming to consider his words. Then she burst into laughter, shaking her head so hard her hair whipped past her face. “No!”

She laughed louder, covering her face, her shoulders shaking. “‘Rora told me you’d try that!”

He snorted. “It was worth a try.”

“I’m not a snitch!” She sang, spinning around. “Not a snitch!”

He watched as she skipped away, singing “not a snitch” over and over to herself, until she vanished from view.

Now he was even more curious.

And when had the girls gotten so smart?

Gavin narrowed his eyes, leaning back against the cushions, raising his arm so Stella could nestle her head in his lap.

Hadn’t they been smaller yesterday? Hadn’t Wisteria still been stumbling over saying mama? Hadn’t Aurora still been speaking with that sweet little lisp?

He blinked. No, they were much bigger now. The twins were walking and speaking in complete sentences. Aurora could count to one hundred, as she’d been very quick to remind him, and knew to warn her sisters against spilling the beans. Knew Gavin would try to figure it out.

And Wisteria…

Wisteria was already trying to plot pranks on him at the drop of a hat. And she was the one that often sent him and Rowan on a wild goose chase while they searched all over the house for whatever new hiding place she’d discovered that day.

She was too smart.

He closed his eyes, scratching between Stella’s ears. It didn’t seem fair that they’d gotten so big already. They used to be so small, he’d been able to hold them all in his arms at once.

Now he could maybe carry two in his arms easily enough, as long as they didn’t wiggle and make him lose his grip.

He opened his eyes, trying to force himself to focus on his movie and not on the strange ocean his thoughts were drowning in.

His girls were still little, it wasn’t like any of them were packing up and moving out tomorrow. And even if they were he would still love them. He would love them forever, with all of his heart. Whether they were little or all grown up.

Although he was pretty sure they wouldn’t want cuddles when they were older, and he would surely miss waking up to his girls trying to crawl between him and Rowan for early morning hugs.

Gavin let the girls work on their “surprise” a little longer than he’d said he would, his movie almost over before Aurora sauntered into the living room, grinning up at him quite smugly.

“We’re done!” She announced, raising her arms up. “We’re all done our surprise!”

He paused the movie, his brows rising as he leaned forward. “It’s all done?”

“All done!”

“It’s alright for me to go into the kitchen?”

“Yes! We’ve already hidden it!”

He chuckled, standing so he could walk over to her and scoop her up. “Perfect timing, sweet potato. I’d say it’s time for bed then.”

Aurora nodded, looking very solemn. “Gardenia almost fell asleep.”

“And Cordelia?”

“She ate a spoonful of sugar.”

Fuck.

He paused, clenching his jaw.

“Did I say that out loud?”

“What out loud?”

He heaved a sigh of relief. Okay, he was still in the clear. Which meant his brother absolutely would have to pay for swearing in front of the girls.

“Never mind,” he said, hefting her up higher. “Let’s go get your sisters.”

His tone held more confidence than he felt as he stepped into the kitchen, finding Gardenia curled up in a little ball on the floor, her hands cushioned under her cheek. Wisteria was nowhere to be found, which he should have anticipated, and Cordelia was currently trying to climb onto the counters using the drawers as stairs.

“Cordelia Sage!” He did his best not to shout, but he couldn’t stop the icy fear that shot through him like a spear, his mind racing as a million images flashed through his mind.

Cordelia didn’t have time to react before he’d scooped her up, clutching her to his chest.

“We don’t climb on that,” he said, her voice wavering as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “We don’t climb on the counters.”

“Daddy?” Her voice was small, muffled against his shirt.

“You could get hurt,” he said, his heartbeat starting to slow, even as his stomach continued to churn. “You could have fallen.”

She whimpered, and he loosened his hold on her, letting her peel away to look up at him.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, trying to keep his voice soft, trying to keep it gentle and even. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her.

She had probably just started to feel hyper from the sugar, and no one had ever expressly told her not to try using the drawers to climb onto the counter.

Mostly because she’d never done it before. None of them had.

“I’m sorry for raising my voice,” he said, kissing her brow. “You scared me. You could have gotten hurt.”

She nodded, her amber eyes wide and bright. “I’m sorry.”

He nodded, breathing deeply. “It’s okay. You didn’t know, tater tot.”

She nestled her head back under his chin, her hands twisting into his shirt as she sniffled.

“Why don’t we get you all ready for bed,” he breathed, rubbing her back. “It looks like your sister is already asleep.”

He plucked Gardenia from the floor, cradling her in his other arm. “I think your bed will be much better than the floor, tater tot.”

She sighed, nuzzling closer.

Gavin started heading towards the stairs, but paused shooting Aurora a look before he left. “Find your sister.”

Aurora copied his expression, shrugging. “I don’t know where she is.”

“I think you do.”

She crossed her arms, huffing as she spun around. “I’m not a snitch.”

He chuckled, carrying the twins off to bed. Aurora was clearly not going to be much help at all. Which meant he’d have to find Wisteria on his own.

“She’s in the cupboard,” Cordelia whispered furtively. Her eyes snapped from side to side, as if she was revealing top secret information that would devastate the world if it got out.

He grinned, kissing the top of her head. “Thank you, Cordelia.”

“Daddy?”

“Hm?”

“Whaz a snitch?”

He snorted, kissing her head again. “Nothing you need to worry about. Something silly Aurora and Wisteria talk about.”

“They’re silly.”

“I agree,” he said. “Although you’re pretty silly too.”

She giggled as he bounced her in the air, waving her hands in the air. “You’re silly!”

He played with her for a while longer, Gardenia sleeping peacefully in his other arm even as Cordelia laughed. Her cheeks and ears turned bright red as she snorted between laughs, the sound so utterly infectious Gavin couldn’t help laughing too.

Rowan snorted when she laughed, too, and the sound made him happier than he’d thought it could.

Once Cordelia’s laughter finally petered out, it was surprisingly easy to get her ready for bed. He tossed her onto her bed while he woke Gardenia up long enough to get her pajamas on and get her tucked into bed. And when he turned around Cordelia had already tried getting her pajamas over her head, although she’d forgotten to take her shirt off beforehand.

He snorted, helping her to get changed. “Thank you for trying to help, tater tot.”

She beamed up at him, clutching her favourite plush dinosaur as he tucked her in. “I wubs you, daddy.”

He smoothed her hair back. “I wubs you, too.”

She giggled. “Have good dreams, daddy.”

“You too, love.”

His heart was warm as he descended the stairs, like perhaps his heart was made of sunshine.

He reached the kitchen and found Aurora bouncing on her toes, her hands behind her back.

“Find your sister yet?”

She shook her head.

“Alright,” he drawled, making his way to the only cupboard big enough for Wisteria to fit into. “So you’re telling me you don’t think she’s in-”

“- Here!” He threw the cupboard door open to find a half-asleep Wisteria blinking at the sudden light pouring into her hiding place.

Wisteria looked awfully confused as he pulled her out, heaving her over his shoulder. “Daddy, what are you doing?”

“It’s bedtime, baked potato.”

“I’m not sleepy,” she whined, yawning. “Not at all!”

He pressed his lips together in a vain attempt to stop himself from smiling. “Well you still have to go to bed, love.”

“Don’t wanna.”

“If you do, you’ll see mommy quicker.”

Both girls gasped at the same time. “Mommy?!”

He nodded, taking Aurora’s hand and leading them both upstairs. “Mommy will be home very very late, so you’ll see her in the morning.”

“I wanna see mommy,” Wisteria whimpered. “She wraps me like a burrito.”

“I can wrap you up like a burrito,” he offered, shouldering open their bedroom door.

“It’s not the same,” she whimpered. “Mommy has a burrito song.”

“A burrito song?”

“Yes! The Wisteria Burrito Special song.”

He snorted, setting her down into her little nest of stuffed animals and blankets so he could find her pajamas. “I’ll have to ask her about it when she comes home.”

“You must,” Wisteria sang, poking her head out of her nest. “It’s the best.”

“I think there’s better songs,” Aurora grumbled. “Like all the ones I make up!”

“‘Rora you make up a new song every day.”

“Do not!”

“Do too!”

Gavin tossed a blanket over Aurora’s head, making her laugh. “No fighting! It’s bedtime!”

“Will you read us a story?” Aurora asked, shoving the blanket to the side.

“Of course. But only if you both get changed very quick now!”

They shrieked, running around the bedroom trying to collect the stories they wanted him to read while he pulled out their pajamas. And neither of them made a fuss as he helped them change and carted them off to the bathroom to brush their teeth and wash their faces.

And four books later he was able to shut the lights off and creep from their room, shutting the door behind him.

He snuck down the stairs, careful to avoid the spots that squeaked beneath his weight. They probably wouldn’t completely fall asleep for another 20 minutes, but he didn’t want to make too much noise and give them an excuse to crawl from bed and search him out.

He’d probably shut his movie off and work on his paperwork before heading to bed. He needed to get at least a little bit of work done before the day was done, and he didn’t think he had the energy to stay up until the sky turned the soft grey that preceded the buttery gold light that stained the world as the sun rose.

He hadn’t stayed up so late in years. It had worried Rowan whenever he did, especially when he let slip that he usually just didn’t sleep until the following night if he stayed up so late. And after the girls were born he hadn’t ever had the energy to stay up until the crack of dawn if he didn’t have to. He’d gotten sleep where he could, sometimes passing out at his desk at work if he had a spare moment.

And now he just didn’t have the energy for it at all. There would be no staying up until the sun rose completing paperwork.

Although perhaps he could let himself stay up a little later tonight to finish his movie. If only so he could put off opening the door to his empty bedroom, could delay pulling back the covers and settling into a lonely bed.

Rowan would be back by the time he woke up, but tomorrow felt like an eternity away. He wanted her back now.

Running a hand over his face, he fell back against the couch, dragging a fluffy blanket over his lap before reaching for where he’d abandoned his work on the coffee table.

But all his plans to get work done scattered like sparkles thrown to the wind the moment he’d settled into his own makeshift nest of blankets. Because suddenly he just felt just so perfectly warm, and the blankets were awfully soft, and they smelled a little like Rowan, and his eyes were so heavy he could hardly keep them open.

Maybe if he just let his eyes close for a little he would be able to get his work done. Just for a moment, just to let himself rest.

But that moment turned into hours, his mind quickly drifting into unconsciousness, not even noticing the massive explosion in his movie, too deep in his own dreams to even register the crescendo of music that spilled from the speakers as the main characters cheered.

It wasn’t until the living room was bathed in shadows, the following movie nearly at its end, that he began to awaken.

His mind was slow, his thoughts sluggish. He tried to breathe, but felt something heavy pressing against his chest, restricting his air.

He forced his eyes open, finding Stella curled up on his chest, her nose pressed between her front paws as she slept.

“Hey,” he croaked, his voice heavy with sleep. “You need to get up so I can go to bed.”

The words had barely fallen from his lips when a click cut through the quiet shadows.

The lock.

The front door lock.

Stella sat up instantly, her tail wagging as she turned towards the door.

Was he dreaming?

But no, surely he wasn’t dreaming. This was too real. The sounds too sharp, too loud. They would be dull and muffled if he were dreaming.

At least he hoped, anyways.

He heard it open, heard the shuffling of feet, of suitcase wheels smacking against the floor as they were yanked over the threshold.

Stella jumped to the floor, making sure she stepped right on Gavin’s stomach as she did. Her outline melted into the shadows, the sound of her nails on the floor echoing as she went to investigate what was happening.

And then the loudest, most excited barks sounded from down the hall, followed by shrieking laughter as Stella welcomed her mom back home.

“Stella!” He heard her squeal. “I missed you!”

Gavin was on his feet in an instant, still not entirely sure this wasn’t a dream. Because the living room was gone in a minute, his feet carrying him through the shadows until he was standing in the entrance, standing before his wife, who had toppled to the ground, no doubt after Stella had thrown her entire body against her.

Rowan laughed, trying and failing to push Stella away as she licked her face, whining.

“I missed you too! I did, I did!” She laughed, snorting when she was almost shoved back again. “But you have to let me get my shoes off! I need to find your daddy!”

Stella did not seem like she had any plans to let Rowan stand up, her tail wagging so quickly it was little more than a brown blur in the air.

So Gavin leaned down, grasping Stella’s collar and giving her a gentle yank.

“Give your mom some space,” he said, his stomach flipping like he was in the midst of a freefall, his heart stumbling like he was just a boy again with a crush. “She’s probably very tired.”

Rowan opened her eyes as she was finally given a bit of space to breathe, her gaze sliding up until it met Gavin’s.

And then her smile widened and the little dimple on her cheek appeared and her cheeks stained the pink of a rosy dawn. And then she stood and threw her arms around his neck, stumbling as Stella knocked into her wrestling free from Gavin’s grip.

“I missed you,” she cried, burying her face against his shoulder, breathing deeply. “Oh Gavin, I missed you.”

He wrapped his arms around her before he could think, drawing her close, holding her so tight he should have been worried that she would break. But he needed her close. Needed her pressed against him, needing to feel her heartbeat against his chest. Needed to bury his face in her hair and breathe in the smell of her shampoo, feel the warmth of her body as it fit against his.

He was starving for her presence, desperate for the slightest touch. And now she was here, now she was in his arms, and he couldn’t bear to let her go, to let there be even a whisper of space between them.

He needed her.

His eyes burned and he squeezed them shut, pressing his face against the top of her head, his voice muffled as he spoke. “I missed you, too.”

They stood there for what could have been years, watery moonlight staining the curtains, casting pallid shapes against the walls in the hallway. She smelled so good, she felt so good against him. Soft and warm and home where she was safe.

He didn’t want to let her go.

“Gavin,” she murmured, her arms growing loose. “I have to unpack my things and shower.”

He whined, holding her tighter, his body curled forward as he buried his face against her neck.

“Babey,” she breathed, rubbing his back. “I smell, I really need to shower.”

“-don’t wanna let go yet,” he grumbled.

“Babey-”

“No.”

He knew he sounded like a whiny toddler on the verge of a tantrum, but he didn’t want to let go. How was he supposed to let go of her? What if she vanished into the shadows? What if he woke up and realized this was a dream?

No, he couldn’t. He couldn’t let go.

So he didn’t.

He leaned down instead, Rowan gasping as he scooped her up, cradling her against his chest.

“Gavin, what are you doing?” She hissed, the corners of her lips tilting up, betraying her. She was trying so hard to look serious, but he could see the way her eyes crinkled, the way she was struggling to hold her smile back.

“I’m not letting you go,” he said, his voice gruff.

“I can see that,” she teased, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. “But I still need to unpack and shower.”

He shook his head as he made his way up the stairs. “I’ll help you. As long as I don’t have to let you go.”

“My soap is in my bag.”

“You can use mine.”

She narrowed her eyes, tugging on his ear. “I’m not using your 2-in-1 shampoo.”

Gavin heaved a long, deep sigh before turning around and heading back to the front door to grab her bag.

“That’s an awfully dramatic sigh,” she said, running a hand through his hair.

“I learned it from Wisteria,” he said, struggling to balance both the suitcase and Rowan in his arms.

But there was no way he was letting her go. He was not putting her down.

“She’s quite the little drama queen.”

He snorted, pressing a kiss to the top of Rowan’s head. “You should have heard her today.”

“What did she do?”

“What didn’t she do is a better question.”

Rowan giggled, covering her mouth as they moved past the girls’ bedrooms.

“I’ve missed them all so much,” she whispered, leaning against his shoulder. “Waking up was so lonely.”

He chuckled, shouldering open their bedroom door before finally setting down the suitcase. “You miss getting kicked first thing in the morning?”

She rolled her eyes. “Well no, but I miss hearing them when I first wake up. I miss holding them as they wiggle around and hearing them tell me about their dreams.”

“Well I can promise they will be full of wiggles tomorrow,” he said, setting her down for a moment. “They could hardly sleep, they were excited.”

She arched a brow. “You let me go.”

He threaded his fingers with hers, using one hand to unzip her suitcase, grinning. “Did not.”

Rowan snorted, taking the bag of soaps and toiletries he handed her. “It’s almost like you missed me.”

He straightened, tugging her towards him. “I’ve missed you so much, Rowan.”

He leaned down, his body curling over hers as his brow bumped against hers, their breath tangling together. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she breathed. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He smiled, leaning closer, his lips barely a whisper of a breath from hers. “So I’m not going to let go for a while, okay?”

She squeezed his hand, humming her agreement.

“Good,” he murmured, brushing a featherlight kiss against her lips. “I’m glad we agree.”

Gavin was true to his word, unable to stop himself from threading his fingers with hers, or wrapping his arm around her waist, or pressing his fingers against her shoulders, or brushing his hand down her beck.

He had to be close, he had to hold her.

The shower Rowan had insisted on ended up taking much longer than they usually did, although Gavin didn’t really mind. It was difficult for her to wash her hair or her body when Gavin was holding her hand, or clutching her against his chest as soap suds streaked down her legs.

But eventually, despite Gavin’s interference, they both were able to get cleaned up, and then he was wrapping her in the biggest, fluffiest towel they ended and carrying her back to their room, water trailing in their wake.

“You know I do know how to use my legs.”

“I want to carry you,” he murmured, settling her onto the bed before turning to search through their dresser for her pajamas.

The rosy pink ones, with the soft shorts and the loose, flowy top with the bee embroidered on the sleeves. They were her favourites, and he remembered folding them and putting them away the day before.

“You’re not carrying me right now.”

He peeked over his shoulder at her, arching a brow as she grinned. “Don’t tempt me.”

“I would never dream of it,” she said, kicking her legs out in front of her, clutching the ends of the towel to her chest, her smile just a little too sunny for how tired she’d claimed she was. “Not ever.”

Gavin pursed his lips, humming as he finally unearthed the pajamas and pulled them free from the drawer. “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t.”

“I mean,” she started, trailing off as Gavin smirked, placing the pajamas next to her. “I might a little.”

He settled his hands on either side of her on the bed, leaning forward until his nose bumped against hers, until he could feel her breath against his lips.

“Only a little?” He asked, letting his voice dip low, his eyes falling to her lips.

She swallowed, her eyes widening a little. Her lips trembled, and he watched how they opened and closed, like she was trying to find something to say and coming up with nothing.

He leaned closer, just enough to close that little bit of distance between them. She tilted her head up, whimpering quietly as he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips.

But then just as swiftly as he had kissed her, he pulled away, grinning at the crimson blush that had bloomed in her cheeks.

Her brow furrowed, her shoulders slumping as she stared up at him. “What was that?”

His heart fluttered like birds’ wings taking flight at the whine in her voice, his words clogging in his throat for a moment at the sight of her pout, of her flushed face, of the way she leaned towards him still. Like she was hoping he would still sweep her into a long, passionate embrace.

The thought had crossed his mind, but he also was trying to think at least a little reasonably. It was late, and she had been travelling all day, and she had just had a very busy few days with her friends.

What she needed was rest. To be tucked into the softest sheets and kissed gently and held while she slept until golden daylight set their room aglow.

But still he didn’t think there was anything wrong with teasing her a little.

He shrugged. “I thought I might tempt you.” He paused, trying not to smile as she gaped. “Just a little.”

She stuck her bottom lip out more now, furrowing her brow. “That’s not fair.”

He leaned back down, pressing a kiss to her brow. “I think it’s completely fair.”

His chest tightened as he stepped away, not wanting to be so far away. But he also knew there were a few things he needed to do for her right now before bed.

“Get dressed,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “I’ll go get you something small to eat.”

“You don’t need to,” she said, clutching the towel tighter. “You’ve been taking care of the girls all on your own. That’s not exactly easy.”

He shrugged. “They’re our girls, they’re worth it.”

She opened her mouth, like she was ready to argue more, but he cut her off. “And so are you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “It’s late, you should sleep.”

“I will,” he said, opening the bedroom door. “Once I get my wife a snack and something to drink.”

He didn’t give her time to argue as he walked out the door and back down the stairs. He was sure she was still staring at where he’d been standing a few moments ago, whatever argument she’d been about to spout still on the tip of her tongue.

He chuckled, popping open the tupperware container with the cupcakes the girls had insisted on baking the day before. The girls had even iced them themselves, and although they were a little messy, they were perfect. 

He picked one with pink icing and pink sprinkles, setting it on a little plate so he didn’t get the icing all over his hands as he carried it. The girls had truly done their best, but there was enough icing on each cupcake to frost an entire cake, and it spilled over the sides of the cupcakes at even the slightest movement.

He licked off a splotch of cherry blossom pink icing from the side of his hand as he pulled down Rowan’s favourite mug and searched out her favourite non-caffeinated tea. The one that she said tasted like chocolate and mint.

He had to search through a few different tins of teas, popping the lid open and smelling each one before he was pretty sure he’d stumbled upon the right one. And by then the kettle had boiled, and all he had to do was put the teabag in the mug and let it sit for a few moments while he collected the milk and sugar.

Once her small snack was prepared he headed back upstairs, wondering if she’d actually gotten changed or if she would still be sitting in her towel.

It didn’t matter. If she still wasn’t dressed he would just have to help her with that, too.

But when he shouldered open the door again Rowan had changed, and she was sitting up in bed, the blankets tucked around her.

Her eyes grew round, glittering when the light caught in them as she looked at what he had brought. “Babey, you really didn’t have to.”

He set the plate and the mug on the bedside table next to her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I want to take care of you, pumpkin.”

She cast her eyes down, twisting the quilt between her fingers. “I just don’t want you to go out of your way. Even if it’s something small. I don’t want to be a burden.”

Gavin perched on the bed next to her, drawing her into his arms. “You’re not a burden, princess. I love you, and I want to take care of you. Okay?”

He pressed his forehead against hers, running his fingers through her hair. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” she said, her voice small. “Nothing is wrong. I just feel bad for making you do so much. I feel bad for going away.”

He snorted, closing his eyes. “It’s hardly anything. And you still do so much more than I do. And you’re always alone with the girls when I go away on missions.”

She sighed, and he felt her hands at his waist now, worrying the fabric of his shirt. “But I still feel bad. Your job is serious and hard and it was selfish of me to go away.”

He cracked his eyes open enough to find her gaze before poking her in the side. “It’s not selfish to do something for yourself, pumpkin.”

“But-”

He sighed, gently covering her mouth to stifle the argument. “You’re more than just their mother, Rowan. You’re allowed to do things for yourself. It’s not selfish.”

She furrowed her brow, and he was pretty sure she tried to lick his hand to get him to pull it away, but by this point he was immune to any tricks like that. Wisteria had stuck her damp finger in his ear too many times and the twins had tried licking his hands too many times while he’d played with them to recoil from it anymore.

“I’m their parent, too,” he continued, smirking as she tried gently biting his thumb this time.

That would also not work. Their girls’ teeth were much sharper than Rowan’s.

“And I am more than capable of taking care of them on my own. Of course I’ve missed you, but I’ve missed you because I love you.”

Her shoulders slumped forward and she nodded.

“And work has been nothing but paperwork for the last week,” he said, exhaustion creeping through him as he remembered the stack of paperwork that was very much not done still sitting on the coffee table downstairs. “It’s not like I’ve been overwhelmed lately.”

Rowan sighed, casting her eyes down.

“I’m going to take my hand away now,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “You’re not going to argue with me, right?”

She shook her head, her bangs falling over her eyes.

He would have to schedule a hair appointment for her in the morning. Make sure it included all the things she liked best about those appointments.

“Okay, good,” he let his hand fall from her face before wiping it against the quilt. “I love you, princess. You don’t need to feel bad. You’re not selfish. And I should be doing more for you anyways.”

“You already do so much though,” she said, her eyes widening. “You’ve turned down a lot of missions to stay home.”

“I still go away for weeks sometimes,” he said, cupping her cheek. “And that isn’t fair. I’m still working on switching some things up. But it’s because I want to, I want to be home for my family. I want to take care of my girls.”

She nodded, but her expression remained melancholy.

“Hey,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her nose. “Don’t frown. I love your smile so much, and I’ve missed it.”

She closed her eyes, leaning against him. “I feel tired. And I missed you and the girls.”

“We missed you too,” he breathed, rubbing her back. “If you’re tired why don’t you have your snack and then we’ll go to bed, alright?”

She made a grumbling noise he decided meant her assent, and reached over to scoop up the plate and settle it in her lap.

“Why don’t you try the cupcake,” he offered, rubbing her back even as she peeled away to look down at her lap. “The girls insisted on making cupcakes yesterday. They even frosted them all.”

A small smile played at the corners of her lips. “Did Aurora frost this one?”

He nodded, brushing her hair back from her face. “She did.”

“It looks like her work. She always makes everything so pink.”

He chuckled. “Reminds me of her mother.”

“It’s a wonderful colour,” she said primly, lifting the cupcake up to take a bite. “It’s very pretty, and lots of pretty things are pink.”

He hummed, stroking her cheek absently. “Like your cheeks when you blush. Or your lips. Or…” He trailed off, grinning as he leaned closer, his hand falling to her thigh. “A very different part of you.”

“Gavin,” she scolded, her cheeks turning pink as a sunset sky. “I was going to say like flowers, or the sky at dawn.”

He chuckled, brushing a kiss against the corner of her very pink lips. “I like mine better.”

“I’m going to smack you,” she grumbled.

“After being gone? You would hit your -”

He didn’t get a chance to finish as she smacked his arm. He coughed, covering his face to hide his smile as she looked at him triumphantly. “I would.”

He kissed her cheek again, his arms wrapping around her waist. “I’m sorry for teasing you.”

“No you’re not.”

“I am a little sorry,” he said, burying his face against her shoulder. “But not that much.”

“I didn’t think so.”

He chuckled, clutching her close and chatting absently as she ate and sipped her tea. Did she have fun? What did she do? Did she bring back any souvenirs? Did she eat any good foods?

Did she miss him?

“How do you feel now?” He murmured, gently prying the mug from her hands when she was finally done, her eyes drooping even as she struggled to keep them open.

“A little better,” she said, trying and failing to stifle a yawn. “I feel weird, though.”

He furrowed his brow as he helped her to lay back. “Weird how?”

She shrugged. “Kind of nauseous? And my body is aching really badly.”

“Did you catch something?” He asked, pressing the back of his hand to her brow. “Maybe it’s a bug?”

“Maybe,” she mused, holding her arms out to him, wiggling her fingers. “Although I think my period is a bit late, so it’s probably that.”

He hummed, taking note of her not-so-subtle hint that she wanted to be held as he drew her into his arms. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Just bear with me when I start crying if I spill anything.”

He chuckled, kissing the top of her head as he tucked her beneath his chin. “I’ll make sure I’m ready with plenty of hugs and your favourite things.”

“I’ll just need you,” she murmured, yawning again. “Just you, babey.”

“You mean you won’t want to watch Barbie movies with the girls and eat desserts for dinner?”

“I mean,” she said, nestling closer. “Maybe that too.”

“I’ll let the girls know to pick out their favourites for a movie marathon.”

Her voice was smaller now, softer as she slipped towards unconsciousness. “I can’t wait.”

Gavin felt her breath even out as she fell asleep, her arms around him growing slack as her dreams took her. But he continued to hold her tight, fighting against his own drowsiness, not wanting to slip away yet.

He wanted to stay awake for a while longer, he wanted to hold her tight, to feel her warm and soft and safe against him. To feel her heartbeat against his chest, her breath curling against his neck. To hear the soft sounds she made in her sleep, the rustle of the blankets as she shifted, trying to curl into a ball.

But sleep eventually found him, as much as Gavin fought against it. He slipped away into the sea of unconsciousness, the feel of her body against his filling his mind with dreams of holding her close, of drawing her into his lap when she walked past. Of picking her up as they hiked through a hazy twilight forest. Of twirling her in the air, her feet skidding across the rosy surface of the ocean as they stood in the foamy surf. Of tucking her close as she shivered during the climax of a horror movie they’d been watching with faceless friends.

He dreamed of her, dreamed of her arms around him, of her body against his. Pieces of memories shared with her flitting through his mind like scraps of confetti, weaving through the murky, surreal landscape of his sleeping mind.

It was only when something pale and buttery and golden cut through the unending dusk that seemed to blanket his dreams did he feel himself slowly drawn from their depths. The light grew brighter, and he felt his arms tightening, his dream self still clutching his dream Rowan, who was curled in his arms and holding him tight.

Then he felt his body moving against its will, felt pressure on his belly, his chest, felt a shiver race down his spine. He was reeled further from his dreams, his dream Rowan melting from his arms even as the feel of her body remained.

He shivered again, heard tiny, muffled voices calling out to him. But it was only when tiny fingers poked his face, when they tried peeling his eyes open did he finally fully awaken.

“Daddy!” Wisteria squealed, bouncing backwards as he blinked, rubbing the eye she had been poking at so mercilessly. “Good morning!”

He squinted, craning his neck to peer at the clock mounted on the wall next to the door.

It was six in the morning.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. He hadn’t exactly planned on getting up at six today, not when he’d wanted to sleep in and cuddle with his wife until much, much later. But he also supposed he wasn’t exactly in charge of what time everyone got up.

If the girls decided they were getting up at six he guessed they were getting up at six.

Aurora and the twins were both crawling next to Rowan, throwing themselves over her side and calling out to her, trying to wake her up. And from the way she was struggling not to laugh, he knew she was already wide awake.

“Daddy,” Wisteria whined, tugging at his arm. “You need to move.”

He arched a brow, lifting her up into the air as she squirmed. “What are you doing, baked potato?”

She sighed, rolling her eyes. “Getting you to move!”

“And why is that?”

“So I can cuddle with mommy!”

“I’m cuddling with mommy,” Aurora said, throwing her arms around Rowan’s neck. “Me!”

“But I want to!” Wisteria wailed, all while both the twins managed to worm their way between Gavin and Rowan.

Rowan giggled, cracking an eye open as Cordelia kneed her in the stomach. “I’ll cuddle all of you, I promise.”

“Did you miss us?!” Aurora asked, nearly headbutting Rowan in her attempt to give her a kiss. “Did you miss us so much?!”

“I missed you so much,” Rowan sang, rolling onto her back to draw the three wiggling girls against her chest. “I miss you all so so much.”

“Let me hug mommy!” Wisteria cried, still squirming fruitlessly in Gavin’s arms.

“Alright,” he laughed, setting her down so she could throw herself onto Rowan’s stomach.

Rowan winced, but still reached down to ruffle Wisteria’s hair. “I missed you, little baked potato.”

Wisteria sniffled, burying her face against Rowan’s shirt. “I missed you mommy.”

Gavin didn’t have time to ask if it was possible for him to squeeze in with the girls, still wanting to hold his Rowan close. Not when Aurora sat up and fell backwards, her eyes lightning up like stars.

“Mommy,” she sang, hopping to her feet and pointing to the floor at the foot of the bed. “We have a surprise for you and daddy!”

Rowan arched a brow, gently shoving the girls to the side as she sat up, peeking over the edge of the bed. “What is it, sweet potato?”

Gavin sat up too, peeling the covers back to stand so he could walk around the bed to see what they had placed there.

And there, sitting on the floor, were what used to be two tissue boxes, covered in pink tissue paper and stickers and glitter and pipe cleaner animals and construction paper shapes, stuffed with handmade cards from the girls.

He chuckled, holding them both up for Rowan to see.

“Happy Valentines day!” Aurora squealed, falling back against the pillows. “Happy Valentines to the best mommy and daddy in the world!”

Gavin wanted to scoop up each of the girls and cover their faces with kisses. His heart felt like it was filled with sunshine and glitter. Like he was made of starlight and happiness.

“For me?” Rowan asked, taking one of the boxes before grabbing the closest girl and pressing kisses to her cheeks.

“That tickles!” Cordelia squealed, laughing as Rowan kissed her.

“I’m just very happy,” Rowan sang, releasing Cordelia before Aurora fell into her arms next. “I’m so happy to be home.”

“You gotta open the cards now!” Wisteria whined, bouncing on the bed. “Right, ‘Rora?”

Aurora nodded, her expression solemn. “You have to open the cards! We made lots and lots of special ones just for you and daddy!”

“That I didn’t help with at all, right?” Gavin asked, his voice laced with sarcasm, remembering all the things he’d glued and cut out and all the pipe cleaner animals and shapes he had made at Wisteria’s request.

Rowan snorted, kissing the top of Aurora’s head. “I’m very sure.”

She looked back up at him, patting the bed next to her, her bottom lip sticking out in the teeniest pout. “Won’t you sit next to me, babey.”

He settled the second box on the bed before crossing his arms. “Am I even allowed to sit on the bed?”

Wisteria fell back onto Gavin’s pillow, shaking her head. “No! You had mommy all night!”

“Wisteria Faye!” Rowan cried, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter. “Let your daddy sit there. I’ve missed him.”

“But I missed you more,” Wisteria whined, flopping onto Rowan’s lap. She threw her arms up, waving her hands. “I missed you this much!”

Rowan’s brows shot up, and her smile softened. “That’s an awful lot.”

Wisteria nodded. “It is.”

“But if you missed me that much, don’t you think your daddy missed me that much too?” She asked, pushing Wisteria’s hair back from her face. “I’m his very best friend, you know.”

Wisteria’s eyes widened as she wiggled closer to Rowan. “You are?”

Rowan nodded, her eyes flicking up to find Gavin’s. He felt a little lightheaded, if he were being honest, like perhaps this might have still been a dream. The morning light was so golden, Rowan’s smile so beautiful, the sunshine in his heart so warm. So light, so brilliant. He felt like maybe his veins were filled with bubbling golden champagne.

His chest ached to hold her again, his fingers itched to cup her face, his body felt cold without her against him.

He felt a little like he was made of gossamer and light. Of a spring breeze and quiet laughter.

“I am,” Rowan said, lowering her voice until she spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “He tells me all his secrets, you know. And travels with me, and goes to the arcade with me, and he takes me to the beach and all my favourite places.”

Wisteria hummed, glaring at Gavin for a very long moment. “Okay daddy, you can sit next to mommy.”

He chuckled, thankful for Wisteria’s approval. He pulled the blankets back and crawled back into bed, pressing a kiss to Rowan’s cheek.

“Thank you for your blessing, baked potato,” he said, ruffling Wisteria’s hair. “I still feel a little sleepy.”

“But it’s so late!” Aurora cried, hanging from Rowan’s neck.

“It’s not even seven, sweet potato,” Rowan murmured, patting Aurora’s cheek. “It’s very early, and me and daddy were up very late.”

“We’ll just have to have naps then!” Aurora sang, grinning broadly as she let go of Rowan and flopped onto her side. “We can get all the big blankies and cuddle on the couch.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Gavin said, holding his arms out as Gardenia crawled onto his lap.

“Daddy?” She murmured, her voice soft.

“What is it, little tater tot?” He asked, leaning close to her.

“Will you open the surprise?” She whispered, patting the closest box. “I made pretty art!”

He smiled, feeling warm and soft and insubstantial. Like he was made of clouds and sunshine.

“Of course,” he breathed, leaning forward to pluck the second box from where he had placed it before settling it in his lap. “Will you help me?”

She giggled, nodding as he plucked out the first card.

“Wait!” Aurora shrieked, shooting up and staring at Gavin with her eyes as wide as saucers.

He blinked. “What is it?”

“Mommy should go first!” She announced.

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around Rowan’s waist, bringing his lips to her ear. “Go ahead, pumpkin.”

“You know I would,” she said, heaving a small sigh. “But my hands are a little preoccupied with,” she tried lifting one arm, which was currently being held hostage by Wisteria clutching it. “This potato, and this potato!” She wiggled her other arm, which was currently wrapped around Cordelia, trying to stop her from knocking over the things on her nightstand.

“Cordelia Sage,” Gavin called, reaching over Rowan to scoop Cordelia up with one arm.

“Yes?” She chirped, sounding a little too innocent as he sandwiched her between Rowan and him.

“Stay there,” he instructed.

She wiggled into the blankets, pulling them up around her chin. “Okay!”

He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything further. He doubted she had given up on whatever mischief was going through her mind, but he hoped at the very least she would wait until he was more awake to deal with it.

“Better?” He asked Rowan, catching her eye as she watched him, her eyes bright, her cheeks stained a peony pink.

“Better,” she said, reaching up to cup his face. “I missed you, Gavin. I missed you so much.”

Gavin opened his mouth to respond, to tell her how much he missed her too, but clearly their girls had other plans as three out of the four of them shouted “EW!”

“That’s gross,” Wisteria muttered, picking up Rowan’s box and waving it in the air. “Look at all the things we made you mommy!”

Snorting, Rowan took the box from Wisteria’s hands. “Okay, okay, I’m going to look at your valentines now.”

Gavin winced as Cordelia squealed in delight, as Wisteria giggled and laughed as Rowan tickled her belly while she unfolded her first valentine.

But even as his ears rang and he winced again as Gardenia elbowed him in the stomach and Wisteria kicked his thigh, he couldn’t help the flutter of happiness in his heart. He couldn’t help the joy that raced through him like glittering starlight.

It was something he had never imagined he would feel, a life he had so long ago never even dared to dream he would ever have.

But he’d met Rowan, and she was his best friend, and he loved her more than anything. He loved her more every day, with every sunrise he looked at her and his heart was full of every beautiful, sparkly, glittery piece of joy and love in the entire world.

And then, with her, he had let himself dream. Let himself dream of all the things he had wanted so desperately, but that he had tucked deep inside his heart, certain he would never live to see them.

And now he was sitting here with blankets tangled around him and four little girls practically screaming in delight every time their mother pulled out another valentine, cooing over how precious it was and how much she loved it.

He knew that this was better than any dream he had ever had. It was everything he had dared to hope for and it was more, it was better. It was loud and bright and warm and beautiful. And a little bit painful as he was kicked again by another set of tiny feet.

But he didn’t care. He would gladly let himself be kicked a million times over. He would let the girls climb all over him and yank on his hair and steal his food and shout in his ears.

Their brilliant, joyful faces were worth it. The sound of their happiness was worth it. Their hugs and their love was worth it.

He looked up from his failed attempt to find the culprit who had kicked him, finding Rowan watching him quietly. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her lips curving up in a half-moon smile.

“I love you,” she said, holding his gaze for a moment longer before the girls stole her attention again, demanding she continue going through the box.

His heart ached, and he held her tighter, savouring the warmth of her body so close to his.

That was worth it. His Rowan was worth it.

She was more beautiful, more kind and funny and smart and gentle and perfect than anything he had ever dreamt. Than anything he ever would dream.

But even if this was a dream, he prayed he would never wake up.

Because all he wanted was this. All he wanted were the people around him and the warm morning sunshine and the messy sheets and the valentines scattered everywhere and their love and their squeals of joy.

All he wanted was them.