Later that night, after dinner plates were cleared and the house had quieted down, Zayn drifted off to sleep on Charles's shoulder, his tiny fist still clutching his grandfather's shirt.
Charles smiled softly. "I'll take him tonight."
Sara didn't argue.
She followed them to the guest room, carefully arranging Zayn's favorite blanket, his little pillow, and the worn-out toy he refused to sleep without. She kissed his forehead, wished Charles good night, and quietly slipped out, closing the door with gentle care.
The hallway lights were dim now.
When she entered the bedroom, she found Kairo already sprawled across the bed, phone in hand, scrolling through emails with a serious expression, brows slightly furrowed.
Work mode.
Sara paused at the door for a moment, watching him.
He looked serious.
Too serious.
She smiled slowly, like someone about to poke a sleeping lion just to see what happens.
She locked the door gently, and without warning, she climbed on top of him, sliding between his arms, her face blocking his view of the phone entirely.
He glanced at her.
She gave him a bright, mischievous smile.
No reaction from him.
"What happened to our baby boy?" she asked softly.
Silence.
She leaned closer. "Seems to be sulking again…"
He let out a long, exaggerated breath.
She chuckled quietly because whenever he was like this, quiet and pretending to be unbothered, he looked ridiculously adorable.
She leaned in and pecked his lips.
He blinked at her. Still no reaction.
Her smile widened. She brushed her fingers through his hair gently, pushing a strand away from his forehead.
"What happened, baby?" she whispered, kissing his cheek this time. "Why are you so quiet, hmm?"
"Where did my naughty husband disappear to?" she murmured, pressing a slow kiss to his jaw.
He only looked at her. No words. Just that quiet, stubborn stillness.
Her smile deepened. "Has no one ever told you that you look unfairly adorable when you're silent?"
He exhaled, long and dramatic.
She brightened as if he had handed her a gift. "There… even your breathing is cute today. How is that possible?" Her voice wrapped around him, soft and warm, the way one tucks a blanket around someone pretending not to need it.
His heart gave a traitorous little shift. He held himself steady. She was trying to undo him with sweetness, to melt him with babying, Soft voice. Warm hands. Gentle teasing. And he knew it. And the best part, he was liking it.
He turned his face away on purpose, still playing the sulky card.
She only smiled, cupped his cheek, and guided him back to her. Then came the gentle assault, tiny affectionate kisses scattered across his face like falling petals. He stayed still, though every muscle in him was aware and fighting.
She brushed his hair back with gentle fingers. "Talk to me, baby. Why are you so quiet?"
He blinked once. Twice. Then, finally surrendered a small confession. "I'm mad."
Her lips curved again. "Why, baby boy? What happened?" Another kiss to his cheek.
He met her eyes. "You all were making fun of me. You teamed up with Dad. I was embarrassed."
Her eyes sparkled at that, delight dancing in them. A soft chuckle slipped out. "My poor baby… embarrassed over one tiny dramatic story from childhood?"
She stretched the words just enough to tease him again.
He looked at her, completely betrayed by his own heartbeat. She was using that same gentle, coaxing tone she uses for Zayn. Speaking to him as if he were something precious and small.
And he absolutely loved every second of it. He made the strangest little face, twisting his lips to trap the smile threatening to escape.
She noticed it.
Leaning closer, she whispered with a soft grin, "I'm sorry, baby, if I laughed at you too much. Please forgive me…" and then she attacked his face with tiny pecks, rapid and affectionate, as if cuteness itself had taken over her.
His hands finally betrayed him. They slid to her hips, steady and warm, holding her there.
She kissed him again. Small, gentle kisses that made something inside him fizz and bloom like shaken champagne. His composure cracked at last. A shy smile stretched across his lips.
She giggled, triumphant.
"Finally…" she whispered, pleased.
She tried to pull back, but he tugged her close instead. "Kiss me more," he said honestly. "I like it." No filter. No pride left to protect.
Her smile deepened into something playful and knowing. She kissed him again, laughing against his skin. Her lips wandered to his ear, nibbling lightly, then trailing along his jaw. She bit gently, pouted his lips with her fingers, sucked him until he let out helpless little laughs. An aggressive kiss landed on his cheek, then another. Her mouth lingered at his neck, warm, wet, and open against his collarbone.
He reacted to every touch. Heart racing. Muscles tightening. Goosebumps rising like a silent chorus across his skin. He bit his own lip as she made him feel impossibly delicate beneath her attention.
His hands gripped around her waist as she traced the line beneath his jaw with her tongue and grazed it with her teeth. A soft, sweet sound escaped him before he could stop it.
She pulled back just enough to look at him.
His eyes were hazy, his ears flushed, and his expressions undone in the most endearing way.
She smirked at the sight. "You seem lost, baby boy," she whispered.
He pulled her closer again, voice barely steady, but soft. "Love me more… like this. It feels good."
She pressed his cheeks together until his lips formed a pout, then leaned in and sucked the pout slowly, deliberately. He gasped, his breath hitching.
She hovered over him, eyes playful but commanding. "Will you obey me, baby boy?"
"Yes… mommy," he replied, already surrendered.
Her fingers moved, unbuttoning the top of his shirt slowly, pushing it open just enough, revealing the warmth of his chest beneath. She guided his hands above his head, pinning them gently, never breaking eye contact.
"Don't move. Stay still," she murmured sweetly, leaning closer. "Or I might have to tie your hands."
He nodded and answered, "I obey you," breath unsteady.
A small, satisfied smile touched her lips before she finally captured his mouth fully, slow, warm, unhurried. Loving him exactly the way he wanted. With heat, with tenderness, with devotion woven into every kiss.