I blink at him. “About what?”
He smirks. “About the fact that she wants to call you mum.”
I let out a breathy laugh. “I mean, yeah.” I turn onto my side to face him, my hand slipping over his chest. “You realise this means Lucy and I officially outnumber you now?”
Theo groans dramatically, flopping onto his back. “God help me.”
I grin, shifting closer, resting my head against his shoulder. “But honestly, yeah. I can’t stop thinking about it.”
His fingers trail absently along my spine. “I figured.”
I smile against his skin. “It’s just… kind of a big deal.”
“It is a big deal.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head, his voice softer now. “And I’m so bloody happy for you. For us.”
I exhale, feeling my heart swell. “Me too.”
There’s a beat of silence, warm and full.
Then, Theo hums. “You do realise, though… this also means Lucy is going to be angry with you at some point.”
I pull back slightly, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”
He raises a brow. “Because you have to start saying no.”
I scoff. “I do say no.”
Theo chuckles. “Babe, you just let her eat ice cream before bed and encouraged her pony agenda.”
I huff. “Okay, fine, but in my defence, she’s adorable.”
Theo smirks. “She is adorable. But trust me, one day you’re going to tell her she can’t do something, and she’s going to storm off and slam her bedroom door and declare that you’re ruining her life.”
I snort. “I doubt that.”
He shakes his head, looking far too amused. “You won’t doubt it the first time she glares at you like you’re her mortal enemy because you didn’t let her stay up late to watch a film.”
I pause, narrowing my eyes. “She’s never going to glare at me like I’m her mortal enemy.”
Theo sighs, rolling onto his back, draping an arm over his forehead like he’s mourning my innocence. “Oh, Ivy,” he says dramatically. “You sweet, naive woman.”
I laugh, slapping his chest lightly. “Oh, shut up.”
He grins, catching my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Just remember this conversation when it happens.”
I roll my eyes, but I am smiling.
I shift back into his arms, letting his warmth wrap around me as I nestle into his chest.
I know he’s right. One day, Lucy will get mad at me. She will slam doors, she will give me attitude, and she will push my patience.
But she’ll also come running to me when she’s excited, when she’s scared, when she needs a hug.
She’ll curl up next to me on the sofa, she’ll hold my hand when she’s nervous, and she’ll ask me for help when she’s struggling.
She chose me to be her mum.
I’m still wrapped in that thought, feeling its warmth settle deep in my bones, when Theo shifts beside me.
