i see my future in your eyes

Michael grinned slightly as he listened to Nora before he made his way further into the room. "Well, he can't have a tag without a name, can he?" he asked, arching a brow as he watched her before he moved to set the pup's things down and made his way over, kneeling down by her to kiss her temple. "You like him?"

Anette smiled as she watched Nora, amused with the attention she was giving the pup, though her attention went to Luke when she heard his voice. "Luke!" she chimed happily, grinning broadly before she stood and made her way over, hugging him. "How are you here so early?"

Nora grinned at Michael’s presence, feeling her heart swell with love. “Hey,” she smiled, pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek in a greeting. “You’re home early. I missed you.” She rubbed the pups tummy, but gasped as Michael’s words set in. “He’s ours?”

Luke grinned, wrapping his arms securely around Anette, kissing the top of her head as he just relished in having her in his arms. “We left Ashton and Calum to argue amongst themselves.” He grinned broadly, gently stroking through Anette’s hair. “Hey, I gotta show you something.” He spoke softly. “C’mon...” He led her to the hallway. “Close your eyes.”

"Hey," Michael said with a broad grin, leaning to kiss her for a moment, so happy to see her happy. "I missed you, too. We managed to bail out on Ashton and Calum. They're probably still going on about who's gonna be the best Uncle." He laughed, then softened, grinning broadly as he nodded. "Yeah. I figured he could give you company when I'm busy. It's not a perfect fix but at least you won't be alone."

Anette grinned with the feeling, burying her face against him, taking in his scent while she could, though she laughed. "I can only imagine how that's going," she joked, though when blinked, watching him, and nodded. "Um, okay, that's not foreboding at all." She offered an amused look and followed him quietly, though she arched a brow but closed her eyes. "Definitely feels like I'm stepping into a trap here." She grinned, though, to show that she was joking.

Nora beamed, kissing Michael again, and again; and again. “He’s perfect, Michael, thank you.” She rubbed the pups tummy once more, clearly over the moon, before turning her attention completely onto Michael. “I love him. I love you.” She smiled, pressing another kiss to Michael’s lips, unable to stop herself.

Luke grinned at Anette, despite her closed eyes. “Just don’t step to the left otherwise you’ll fall into the trapdoor.” He joked lightly, grabbing the teddy bear from the table and stepping away from Anette reluctantly. “Alright, open your arms.” He watched her for a long moment, appreciating how beautiful she was, how relaxed she seemed, and Luke couldn’t stop his grin from broadening even further, if possible.

Michael grinned with the feeling, shifting to tug her close to kiss her in return, rubbing her back gently. "I'm glad," he told her honestly when he pulled back, grinning still as he pressed his forehead to hers, lifting a hand to cup her face, his thumb stroking over her cheek gently. "Any idea what you want to name him?"

"Makes me almost want to step to the left," Anette joked lightly, grinning slightly, her eyes still closed, though she chewed on her lip nervously when Luke pulled away. "Luke, I swear, if it's a snake, I'm throwing it on you and running before I have a heart attack," she warned him with a pout, though she shifted and held her arms out, curious.

Nora smiled as she kissed Michael once more, happy he was home early. Hearing Michael’s question though, Nora bit her lip and turned to look at the pup, who was chasing his tail. Laughing, Nora looked to Michael again. “I’m thinking Buddy. What do you think?”

Luke laughed. “Throw it on me?!” He asked, clearly amused by Anette’s fear. “Not quite.” He placed the bear in her arms with a grin. “Open. And uh, give it a squeeze.” He smiled, stepping closer to Anette once more and kissing the top of her head, still amused by the snake comment.

Michael grinned, sliding his arms around her to hold her close to himself. "I think Buddy is an amazing name," he assured her quietly, "And it suits him so well." His grin broadening, he leaned to kiss the side of her head, just loving having her in his arms and so glad he got to come home earlier to be with her and spend extra time with her. He grinned as he watched her, leaning to kiss her again. "I'm glad you seen to like him so much, I was hoping you would."

"Yes, throw it on you!" Anette said with a laugh, grinning broadly to herself, her eyes still closed, though she blinked her eyes open when she was told to, feeling the fluff of the teddy bear, and her eyes widened. "Oh, my God, Luke, it's adorable!" she said with surprise but blinked when she realized his later instructions and she squeezed it. When she heard Luke's voice singing, she gave a happy squeal, though her eyes watered with her happiness.

Nora kissed Michael as he pulled her closer, resting her head on his shoulder, watching the little ball of mischief as he lay down beside them. “He’s so cute,” she gushed happily. “Like isn’t a word in this house, I love him.” She beamed, looking up to Michael. “God, you’re so perfect. I love you.” She held around Michael. “Best gift ever.”

Luke grinned at Anette’s reaction. Luke loved it whenever she was this happy, it put his soul at rest knowing that he had made her this happy. “It’s just something for those days where I can’t be with you.” He told her softly, leaning to kiss her forehead, wrapping his arms around Anette, the bear between them. “Figured that we could pass it down to Baby Hemmings, too.” He shifted to cup Anette’s face within his hands gently, stroking her tears away. “I love you.”

Michael grinned as he held her close to himself, rubbing her back gently as he watched her. "Well, I'm glad you love him, then," he teased lightly, kissing the top of her head gently. "I love you, too. More than anything." He took her in, so glad that she was so happy. "And, by the way, you're the perfect one."

Anette laughed quietly, holding the teddy bear tightly to herself as she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. "No promises I'll give it up that easily," she joked lightly, though she knew she would. She'd do anything for Baby Hemmings, she just knew it. "I love you, too, Luke. This is just... Amazing."

Nora smiled and shook her head in amusement. “Shut up, dork.” She teased, pressing another sweet kiss to his lips, unable to stop herself. “Buddy and the baby can be best friends, it’ll be perfect.” Nora gushed happily, suddenly remembering. “Oh! I uh, I thought of a name. If we have a girl.”

Luke smiled at Anette’s happiness. “I’m really glad you like it, babe.” He told her gently, kissing the top of her head once more. Luke grinned though, at her words, indicating to him just how much she did love the bear. “Now a little part of me is with you both, always.” He ran his thumbs along the apple of Anette’s cheeks with a smile.

Michael chuckled. "I'm still perfectly fine with being a dork," he teased with a grin, rubbing her back after receiving her kiss, and he pressed his lips to her forehead gently. "They'll love each other. Buddy will be Baby Clifford's little protector, next to us." He grinned as he watched her, happy with the thought, though he perked up even more with her words. "Yeah? What's the name?"

Anette grinned, shaking her head slightly. "I love it, Luke," she murmured, "It's so thoughtful and sweet and just all-around amazing." She grinned, leaning into his touch as she watched him, though she offered an amused look. "Oh? Isn't Baby Hemmings technically a part of you?" she teased, winking playfully, but she leaned up to kiss him for a moment. "I love you, I love this. I'm really lucky."

Nora laughed, her forehead leaning against Michael’s as Buddy fell asleep beside them both. “Yep, he’s already such a great guard dog.” She teased, tickling the dogs belly before focusing once more on Michael. “Daisy.” She told him softly. “Daisy Clifford.”

Luke laughed. “I mean, technically, but only a tiny part of me! You’re the one who’s being amazing and helping Baby Hemmings grow.” He smiled at the thought, excited to see Anette grow the little miracle they created together. Pressing another kiss to Anette’s lips, Luke smiled. “I’m luckier. So there.” He teased, enveloping Anette in a hug once more. “I love you.”

Michael laughed. "Hey, give him a break, he's worn himself out with excitement to meet you," he teased, holding her close as he rubbed her back, though he grinned broadly upon hearing the name. "Daisy?" Leaning, he kissed her again, finding the name absolutely adorable. "I think that's a perfect name, babe!" He grinned, kissing her forehead, then her lips again. "It's amazing."

Anette grinned with the mention of it, amused. "You're adorable," she teased lightly, grinning with his kiss, though she laughed quietly. "That's not how it works! You can't just declare that you're luckier!" She grinned, though, feeling at ease once she was fully in Luke's arms. "I love you, too. You guys almost gave me a heart attack sneaking in here, though."

Nora smiled as Michael held her tightly, loving being in his embrace. “You like it?” Nora’s face lit up as she heard Michael’s approval for the name. “She’d be so beautiful, and a total Daddy’s girl.” She teased, kissing Michael’s lips gently. “I better get dinner back on.” She kissed Michael once more. “You coming to help, or are you gonna be lazy?”

Luke laughed, biting his lip. “That is definitely how it works. My rules.” He kissed the top of Anette’s head with a smile. “Sorry about the heart attack though, babe. We wanted to surprise you.” He told her softly, running his fingers through Anette’s hair. “It feels good coming home and it’s still light outside.” He told her honestly, knowing that as Anette’s pregnancy progressed, he would try to get home from whatever he had going on earlier each time.

"I love it," Michael corrected her gently, grinning broadly as he gently brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ear, taking her in for a long moment. "It's perfect, you're perfect." And he couldn't wait to see how everything turned out for them. Whether they had a daughter or a son, he knew they'd give that baby their hearts. "Oh, how can I turn down helping when I just wanna stick by your side?" He grinned, shifting a bit to stand up before he helped her up gently, being as careful with her as possible. "Although, I think I can handle the rest of dinner, babe."

Anette smiled with the feeling, pressing her face to his shirt for a moment. "Since when do we follow your rules?" she teased lightly, though she grinned up at him, holding the teddy bear close to herself as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I'm really glad you're home early. I really missed you." And, while she didn't want him to feel guilty for not being there, she did want him to know that she looked forward to him coming home each day, to relaxing with him and being in his arms.

Nora laughed as Michael helped her to her feet, cupping his face within her hands gently, leaning on her tip toes to kiss him. "I love you." She told him softly, smiling, watching as Buddy went to curl up on the rug, her heart swelling at the sight. "Oh god." She pouted. "He's so cute." She gushed. "Uh, no." She told Michael, being firm, but gentle. "I'll serve dinner. You've been at the studio all day, don't test me, Michael." She warned gently, leading him to the kitchen, knowing she didn't want to be away from him, either.

Luke rubbed Anette's back with a grin. "Since never." He answered with a laugh, kissing the top of Anette's head, smiling as he saw Anette hod the teddy bear close, knowing nearly instantly it could've been one of the best things he'd ever brought her. "I missed you too, baby." He told her gently, placing a hand on her tummy. "And I missed you too, troublemaker." He smiled. "I can't wait for you to get a bump." He told her honestly. "Have you eaten today?" He asked with concern. "Do you need extra? I can help cook some extra stuff if you need it."

Michael grinned with her kiss, enjoying every moment of it as he held her close, rubbing her back gently. "I love you, too," he told her quietly when the kiss ended. "You and our tyke. More than anything." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, but laughed to her words. "You think so?" He grinned but blinked, frowning. "What? No, let me do it, babe. It'll be easier on me."

Anette grinned slightly, amused. "That's what I thought," she teased lightly, watching him, though she relaxed with being in his arms, being close to him, and her grin softened to a fond smile when she felt his hand on her tummy. "I can't wait, either. Or to feel the baby kick." She chewed on her lip, though, making a slight face. "Not really. We've been kind of busy."

Nora smiled as Michael pulled her closer, relishing in the kiss he pressed to her forehead. "I love you." She told him, but she frowned when Micahel insisted to finish the meal. "Michael Gordon Clifford, I am perfectly capable." She told him with a firm look, crossing her arms over her chest. "Nothing has changed. When I get to like, six months, then you can do everything for me, I promise." She kissed his cheek as he frowned, going to the kitchen.

Luke laughed, glad that Anette was free to be herself around him. He would never dream of holding her down, or controlling her in any way. Rubbing her tummy as he saw her smile, Luke bit his lip. "I can't wait to feel a kick." He admitted, and he meant it. It meant their baby was okay, and doing well. "Alright, I'll go and help make some extra. But have you had a good day?" He used his free hand to gently brush Anette's hair from her face.

Michael grinned to her words, happy to hear them, always loving the way the words sounded coming from her. "I love you, too," he told her gently, honestly, his expression softening, though he pouted slightly. "But you said that the baby didn't think the food was good! I'm assuming that means the food makes you nauseous. So, wouldn't it be easier for me to deal with the food so you don't have to be as close to it for as long?" Pouting still, he followed after her quickly.

Anette's expression softened as she watched him and she smiled gently as she leaned up to kiss his nose for a moment. "Neither can I," she murmured quietly, taking him in for a moment, looking forward to every moment of the pregnancy. "I did. We had a lot of fun and loved joking about you two dorks." She grinned broadly, relaxing as she watched him for a moment, chewing on her lip. "Did you gave a good day, though? Did recording go well?"

Nora ignored Michael's pout, no matter how precious she found it, but still, she bit her lip in amusememt. "You're such a dork." She told him with fondness. "We have ginger ale, so I can always have some if I get sick." She promised, putting the food back on to heat up, satisfied with a job well done. "How was your day at the studio anyway?" She asked to distract him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm surprised you didn't knock Ashton and Calum's heads together."

Luke scrunched up his face as Anette pressed a kiss to his nose, but he smiled nonetheless, loving her affection and that he was the center of it. Leaning down to press a sweet kiss to Anette's lips, Luke chuckled as Anette told him about her day. "Oh great, Michael and I are the butt of the jokes, huh?" He teased, kissing her again when he noticed her chewing on her lip, finding the sight attractive. "Recording was great." Luke confirmed, pouting slightly. "I missed you though."