𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

Scarlett was late coming home from a meeting, which left me alone with her kids for the first time in a while.

To be fair, I'd spent time with them before—movie nights, birthday parties, the occasional dinner—but always with Scarlett nearby, always with an easy escape if things got awkward.

But now? It was just me, two pairs of skeptical little eyes, and the terrifying responsibility of entertaining them for the next couple of hours.

Rose, Scarlett's daughter, sat cross-legged on the couch, staring at me like she was assessing my worthiness.

Cosmo, on the other hand, had already claimed me as his jungle gym, climbing onto my back as if we had some unspoken agreement that I belonged to him now.

I held onto his tiny legs to keep him from falling. "You know, I do have a spine, buddy."

Cosmo giggled, bouncing slightly. "You're tall! That means you're for climbing."

I shot Rose a look. "Is that a rule?"

She shrugged. "He's five. He makes his own rules." Fair enough.

I adjusted Cosmo on my back, trying not to wince as he accidentally yanked on my hair. "Alright, what's the plan? Are we watching a movie? Building a pillow fort? Doing taxes?"

Rose gave me an unimpressed look. "We don't do taxes." Cosmo gasped dramatically. "What's taxes?"

I smirked. "Something I also don't understand."

Rose sighed. "You're worse than Mom."

I grinned, dropping onto the couch with Cosmo still clinging to me like a koala. "Impossible. Your mom is the most responsible person I know." Rose leaned back against the couch, watching me carefully. "Do you love her?"

The question knocked the air out of me. I met her gaze, realizing she was serious.

I swallowed, adjusting Cosmo slightly. "Yeah, Rosie. I do."

Rose's brows furrowed. "Like... a lot?"

I nodded. "A lot a lot." She studied me for a long moment before nodding decisively. "Okay."

I frowned. "Okay... what?" She smirked. "Okay, you can stay."

I let out a laugh. "Wow. That's it? No trials or obstacles to prove my worth?" She shrugged. "You passed the Cosmo test. He only climbs on people he likes and I mean, he is always all over you when you're here."

Cosmo, still attached to me, patted my head. "You're fun." I grinned. "Glad to hear it, bud."

Rose crossed her arms. "Just don't make Mom sad, my dad did that a lot." That part hit harder.

I swallowed, nodding. "I won't, I promise." She held my gaze for a second longer before finally relaxing. "Alright. Let's watch a movie."

Cosmo gasped. "Can Y/n pick?" I smirked. "Oh, I don't know... I was thinking something really serious, like The Lion King."

Rose's nose scrunched. "Ugh. Too sad." Cosmo nodded. "Yeah! Scar is mean."

I laughed. "Scar is mean. But your mom? Way nicer." Rose tilted her head. "Mom can be mean."

I smirked. "Only to people who deserve it." Rose grinned. "That's true."

I shook my head, pulling a blanket over both of them as the movie started. Cosmo curled up against me, Rose settled in next to my side, and for the first time, I felt like I was really part of this family.

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I came home to the sight of Y/n on the couch, curled up with both of my kids snuggled against her. My heart flipped in my chest as I quickly snapped a picture.

She looked up when she heard the door, giving me a sleepy grin. "Hey."

Cosmo stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up, his tiny hand still clutching Y/n's hoodie. Rose, already half-awake, blinked at me. "Y/n picked The Lion King."

I smirked, setting my purse down. "Brutal." Rose stretched before slipping off the couch. "I'm gonna brush my teeth."

Cosmo made a sleepy noise of protest as Rose gently pried his fingers from Y/n's hoodie, dragging him upstairs with her. Y/n yawned, stretching slightly. "I survived."

I smiled, stepping closer. "I can see that." She patted the spot next to her, and I sank into the couch, letting out a sigh as I kicked off my shoes.

Y/n turned, tucking a leg under herself. "Your kids are terrifyingly good at interrogations."

I laughed. "Rose grilled you?" She nodded. "Asked me if I loved you."

Something in my chest tightened. "What'd you say?"

Y/n smirked. "Told her no, obviously." I rolled my eyes, but my heart was pounding.

She grinned, reaching out to pull me closer. "Nah. I told her the truth." I let her pull me into her lap, sighing as I melted into her warmth. "And what's the truth?"

She kissed my temple, then my cheek, then the corner of my mouth. "That I love you. A lot a lot."

I felt my chest ache in the best way possible. "Good answer." She hummed, trailing her fingers down my back. "You trust me?"

I met her gaze, knowing she was asking something deeper than just this moment. I nodded. "Yeah. I do."

Y/n smiled softly, her thumb brushing against my lips. "I'm not going anywhere, Scar." I exhaled, leaning into her. "I know."

She grinned, running her hands down my thighs. "So... does that mean I get a reward for being the best girlfriend-slash-babysitter ever?"

I smirked. "What kind of reward?"

She wiggled her eyebrows. "The kind that involves a lot of kissing."

I laughed, shaking my head before pressing my lips against hers. "You're impossible."

She smiled against my mouth. "Mmmm, that's fine"

Y/n chuckled, her lips trailing down my neck. "Then I guess I better make it worth it."

I let out a breathy laugh before pulling her fully against me, warmth settling deep in my chest.

God, I was so in love with her. We decided to head upstairs, getting the kids ready for bed before saying goodnight to them and heading into my room.

"You're a natural already," I smiled at Y/n as she got ready for bed. "Yeah but they aren't babies, it's easier." Y/n chuckled.

"I guess you have a point," I smiled. We got into bed and I couldn't wait to be so close to her.

I let Y/n pull me impossibly close, her arms wrapped around me, her lips pressing against mine with the kind of softness that undid me.

God, I loved her.

I slid my hands up her chest, over her shoulders, letting my fingers toy with the hairs at the nape of her neck. She was warm—comforting and familiar in a way that made my entire body relax against her.

"You're way too good at this," I murmured against her lips, breathless.

Y/n smirked, her hands running slowly down my back. "Good at what?"

I rolled my eyes. "Making me forget why I'm supposed to be mad at you."

She chuckled, leaning in to kiss my jaw, her lips lingering just beneath my ear. "Oh? Were you mad?"

I inhaled sharply as she bit down, just enough to send a very pleasant shiver down my spine. "No. But I could be."

Y/n hummed, her breath warm against my skin. "I'd rather you be something else."

I pulled back slightly to give her an amused look. "Like what?" She grinned, her hands settling on my hips. "Desperate."

Heat flashed through me. "You're annoying," I muttered, standing up and grabbing her hand.

Y/n laughed, her fingers laced with mine.

I swallowed, suddenly feeling the full force of her presence—the way she hovered over me just enough, the heat radiating off of her, the undeniable pull that always existed between us.

Y/n tilted her head, grinning. "I'm supposed to be the one in charge here, you know."

I smirked, reaching for the front of her hoodie and pulling her hard against me. "Then do something about it."

Her eyes darkened.

And then her lips were on me.

The kiss was slow at first—teasing and deliberate—like she was trying to see just how much I could take before I lost my patience. Her hands found my waist, fingers slipping beneath my sweater to press against my skin, warm and steady.

I let out a soft hum against her lips, dragging my nails up her arms. "You're stalling."

Y/n chuckled, dipping her head to press open-mouthed kisses down my throat. "Maybe I like watching you squirm."

I hated how much I loved that.  Y/n grinned, entertained, but before she could get another smartass remark out, I moved to straddle her lap, settling on her waist and pinning her arms above her head.

Her breath hitched.

"Oh?" she teased, lips curving. "Is this happening?"

I smirked, leaning down just enough to let my lips brush against hers—not kissing her, just teasing.

"I don't know," I murmured. "Are you desperate?" Y/n groaned. "That was low."

I grinned. "Karma." She exhaled, her eyes locked on mine. "You're gonna pay for that."

I dragged my nails down her arms, watching the way she shivered under my touch. "I'd love to see you try."

Her jaw clenched, and before I knew what was happening, she had flipped us, pressing me into the mattress with her body.

"Got you," she whispered against my skin. I hated how weak my voice sounded when I whispered back, "Shut up."

Y/n grinned, ducking her head and pressing slow, devastating kisses along my collarbone, her hands slipping beneath my shirt, tracing up my ribs.

"You're blushing," she murmured against my skin.

I let out a breathy laugh. "You're annoying."

She chuckled, dragging her teeth over my pulse point. "And yet, you love me anyway."

I sighed, threading my fingers through her hair. "It's exhausting."

Y/n nipped at my skin in response, making me gasp slightly. "Then I guess I better make it worth it."

I exhaled shakily as she trailed her lips down my neck, her hands tightening their grip on my hips.

God, I really loved her. She came back up, her lips meeting mine for a slow passionate kiss. "I'm right where I belong." Y/n whispered to me. "Good. Stay." I replied softly as I ran my fingers through her hair.