When Faye opened her eyes, Princess was wide awake, staring at her girlfriend. The room was already noisy from the pups playing around. Their playful voices echoed off the walls as they tumbled over the blankets, Faye’s heart thumping a soft, fast rhythm against her ribs as her lungs pulled in a deep, morning breath.
"Emmm... did you get any sleep?" Faye asked. She wondered if Princess had slept because she was in the exact same position she had been in before Faye closed her eyes.
"No. I didn’t want to close my eyes because I’m scared you won’t be here when I open them," Princess admitted honestly. Her voice was soft and vulnerable in the quiet bedroom, her eyes wide as her breath hitched in her throat.
"Good morning, babe." She leaned in and kissed her. Their lips met in a warm, gentle press, Faye’s lungs expanding with a long, contented breath as the soft kiss settled the last of her morning anxiety.
"Okay, what do you want to eat for breakfast?" Princess asked.
Princess started to get up, but Faye pulled her closer and wrapped her arms around her. Faye’s muscles locked tight as she tugged her girlfriend back down onto the soft mattress, her pulse speeding up with a protective surge.
"Get some sleep, babe. I’ll do the morning chores," Faye said. She kept her arms anchored firmly around Princess’s waist, her breathing coming out slow and steady against her skin.
"I don’t feel sleepy." Princess murmured weakly, though her heavy eyelids fluttered down for a long second, her chest rising and falling in slow, tired waves.
"Don’t worry. I’ll be here when you wake up. I’m not leaving this house until then," Faye assured her. She kissed her forehead and gently played with her hair as if Princess were a baby. Her fingers stroked through the soft strands with a rhythmic, soothing motion, her own heart beating a gentle rhythm.
"It’s a good thing we have a whole week of holiday from school. Sleep as much as you want... hmm? I love you." Faye whispered, her breath brushing softly against Princess’s cheek.
Princess slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again just to look at her girlfriend one more time. She pulled in a long, quiet breath through her nose, her body relaxing completely into the mattress.
"I love you too, babe," she murmured before drifting back to sleep. Her breathing slowed into a deep, peaceful pattern, her chest rising and falling steadily under Faye’s touch.
Faye waited for about 30 minutes before gently slipping her arm away from Princess. Then she stood up from the bed. She moved with fast, careful steps so as not to shake the mattress, her lungs releasing a tiny, silent puff of air as her feet touched the ground.
"Okay, time for your morning bath, my little puppies," Faye said. She kept her voice down to a soft rumble, her chest expanding as she turned to face the energetic babies on the floor.
She was about to pick up Minny when he started his crawling game again. He kept giggling, making his mommy chase him around the large room. The baby’s little knees slapped against the floor at a rapid pace, his tiny lungs letting out sharp, happy squeals as Faye darted after him with fast, heavy strides, her heart pounding a playful beat.
Then Leonny happened to crawl in front of him. Minny didn’t notice his brother and bumped right into him. The two little bodies collided with a soft thud, both pups tumbling onto their sides while their little legs kicked out in wild, chaotic bursts.
Faye caught him immediately and tickled him as punishment for making her run all over the room.
Donny was still asleep, so Faye carried her over beside Princess. The two girls were now sleeping peacefully together.
Faye bathed the boys and turned bath time into another little adventure. The 3 of them played with their bathing toys in the bathtub. Water splashed loudly over the edges, the warm steam filling the bathroom while Faye’s lungs pulled in the fresh scent of baby soap, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days.
They were having fun until Ronny started drinking the bubble water. The little boy cupped the soapy foam in his hands and shoved it right into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out as he tried to swallow the suds.
Faye immediately ended the adventure, rinsed them off, and dressed both boys in matching yellow overalls.
Afterward, she prepared breakfast for the pups, herself, and Princess.
She checked her phone for missed calls and messages. The only missed call was from Malo, so she called him back.
Malo said he had only called to ask whether Dre had returned. His voice sounded quiet over the speaker, his own breathing coming out in small, anxious hitches as he waited for news.
Faye told him no.
She then called Pali, who said Dre still hadn’t returned, but he was going to hold a funeral for Martha with or without the body, and it would be today.
After the call, Faye continued feeding the pups. She could have let them to feed themselves, but she didn’t want them making a mess and having to bathe them all over again.
"Good morning, Cotton candy."
Princess wrapped her arms around Faye from behind while she was doing the dishes and kissed her neck. The sudden, warm contact made Faye’s breath hitch in her throat, her pulse spiking happily as she felt Princess’s soft chest pressing flat against her back.
Faye turned around and wrapped her arms securely around Princess’s waist, pulling her close as her lungs expanded with a deep, loving breath, burying her face into her girlfriend’s shoulder.
"Good morning, but it’s already past 1, so it’s afternoon now, babe. Did you sleep well?" Faye asked softly, pulling back just enough to look into her bright eyes.
"Yes, I did. I dreamt about you." Princess said, a soft, radiant smile spreading across her lips as her chest rose in a slow, content wave.
"Aww. What did you dream about?" Faye teased gently, her eyes shining with affection.
"It’s my dream, silly." Princess giggled.
"Okay then... Your breakfast is on the table. You should eat. I see you and Donny have already taken your bath."
"Yeah." Princess murmured softly.
"I was waiting for you to wake up so the two of us could bathe together," Faye said. She nudged her shoulder playfully against Princess, her breathing turning warm and light.
"Oh... we can still bathe together." Princess grinned. "I don’t mind getting dirty for you." Her eyes flashed with a mischievous glint that made Faye’s heart jump a fast, joyful beat.
Faye smiled and continued washing the dishes.
Then she remembered she needed to tell Princess that she was going out.
"Uncle Pali wants to hold Ms. Martha’s funeral today, so I have to go out. But I’ll be back before bedtime," Faye said. She turned her head slightly to look at Princess, her lungs pulling in a careful, steady draft of air as she waited for her reaction.
"Okay." Princess nodded.
"I’m coming with you too." Princess added firmly. Her eyes locked onto Faye’s with absolute, unwavering resolve, her chest swelling with a strong, deep breath that left zero room for argument.