Harper

The beach was almost empty when the two of you arrived.

Soft waves rolled against the shore while warm sunlight reflected across the water. Your husband carried almost everything himself — towels, snacks, sunscreen, drinks — refusing to let you hold anything heavier than your phone.

“I can carry one bag,” you complained.

“No.”

“You’re acting like I’ll explode.”

“You’re carrying my children. Close enough.”

You rolled your eyes while he smirked slightly, black tail swaying behind him.

The second he spread the towels across the sand, he noticed you staring longingly at the people laying comfortably on their stomachs nearby.

Your husband tilted his head.

“…You miss doing that?”

You sighed dramatically while rubbing your pregnant stomach.

“Very much.”

His ears twitched thoughtfully.

Without another word, he suddenly crouched down into the sand.

Then started digging.

You blinked.

“…What are you doing?”

“Problem solving.”

Within minutes, your cat hybrid husband had somehow created a perfectly shaped dip in the sand right where your stomach would rest.

You stared at the hole.

Then at him.

Then back at the hole.

“…Did you just dig me a pregnancy belly nest?”

“Yes.”

He looked extremely proud of himself too.

His black ears perked up while his tail flicked happily behind him.

“Try it.”

Laughing softly, you carefully laid down onto the towel.

And immediately froze.

“…Oh my god.”

Your stomach fit perfectly into the space he made, finally letting you comfortably lay on your stomach for the first time in months.

You nearly melted into the towel from relief.

“This is amazing.”

Your husband’s entire face lit up.

“Really?”

“I could cry right now.”

That seemed to make him ridiculously happy.

He instantly laid beside you, resting on one elbow while his tail curled lazily across your legs.

“See? I’m useful.”

“You dug a hole.”

“A very important hole.”

You laughed while he leaned over to press a quick kiss against your cheek.

The kittens kicked softly beneath you a moment later.

Your husband immediately rested his hand gently against the side of your stomach through.

Even at the beach surrounded by noise and people, he only looked at you like the rest of the world disappeared.

“…Do you think they’ll like the ocean?” he asked quietly.

“Probably.”

“I’m teaching them how to swim before they can walk.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“It builds character.”

You snorted while he grinned faintly.

A few minutes later, you had nearly fallen asleep beneath the warm sun while your husband absentmindedly played with your fingers beside you.