N suddenly recalled the strange questions Vrie had been asking her a few days ago.


    At the time, she''d been confused, but now she had a feeling they were connected to the surprise Damon had mentioned.


    "Alright, I won''t ask any more. We''ll talk about the surpriseter. But you can''t keep leaving early anding home sote. It makes me uneasy," she said.


    Damon nodded. "Understood! So... can I hug you now, wifey?"


    The corners of his eyes crinkled slightly, his gaze warm with affection.


    N reached out first and hugged him. "Yes."


    Just as Damon wrapped his arms around her, Mason''s voice interrupted them.


    "Daddy, Mommy, if you''re going to hug, can you do it in your room? This is the living room—a public space! Not the ce for PDA," he said, unimpressed.


    Damon pulled away from N and looked at Mason. "Why are you still up sote?"


    "I woke up thirsty, so I came down for some water," Mason said, walking toward the kitchen.


    N instinctively moved to follow him, but Damon gently held her back. "N, Buddy is five now. He can handle things on his own. Let''s see if he needs help, and we''ll step in if he does."


    Mason looked confident, clearly used to getting his own water. He probably had it all figured out.


    "Alright," N said.


    A momentter, Mason returned with a ss of water.


    Seeing his parents still standing there, he frowned. "Why are you two still here?"


    "We were waiting for you," they said in unison.


    The three of them headed upstairs together.


    When they reached Mason''s door, he turned back to them. "Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Mommy."


    They watched him walk into his room before heading back to theirs.


    After showering, Damon emerged from the bathroom to find N already bed He lifted the covers and slid in beside her, pulling her into his arms.


    "It''s been days since I''ve held you like this," he murmured.


    Lately, whenever he came home, she was already asleep. Even when he got into bed, he made sure not to wake her, let alone hold her.


    N looked up at him. "Well, that''s because you''ve beening home toote."


    "Yeah, that''s on me. From now on, no matter how busy I am, I''ll make sure to be home for dinner with you and Buddy," Damon promised.


    "You said it!" N reminded him.


    "I did. Now, get some sleep," Damon said.


    They fell asleep in each other''s arms.


    The moonlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a soft glow.


    The next morning, N woke up and instinctively turned to face Damon.


    He was still asleep. A small smile tugged at her lips as she reached out to touch his face.


    Just as her fingers were about to brush his skin, his eyes suddenly opened.


    She froze, her hand suspended midair. Before she could pull back, he grabbed it. "Why''d you stop?" he teased.


    She shot him an annoyed look. "Let go."


    Damon chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "N, if you ever want to touch me you don''t have to walt until I''m asleep. You can do anytime."


    N''s face turned red. "W-Who said I wanted to touch you?! Don''t be


    Waker


    ridiculous. I was just trying to wake you up so you wouldn''t bete for work!"


    Damon raised an eyebrow. "N, today is Saturday."