La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au

XXVII

It was a quiet night in the house, and the soft hum of the air conditioner filled the living room as Ariah and Mac sat on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms. The long day had finally slowed down, and for a rare moment, the couple found time to cuddle, enjoying each other’s company in peaceful silence. Ariah rested her head on Mac’s chest, and her arm was gently draped around her, holding her close.

Suddenly, a small figure appeared at the entrance to the living room it was Iyah, her eyes wide with curiosity. She had woken up and, seeing her parents snuggled up, a little wave of jealousy swept over her. Without a second thought, she trotted over to them, her face pouting slightly.

“Mommy, Mama, what are you doing?” Iyah asked, her voice innocent but clearly wanting to be part of the moment.

Ariah smiled warmly at her daughter. “Just cuddling, sweetie,” she replied softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “It’s late, though. Why aren’t you in bed?”

Iyah pouted even more, looking from her mother to her Mama. “I want to cuddle too!” she declared, climbing up onto the couch and squeezing herself between them, pushing Mac’s arm aside to make room for herself.

Mac chuckled, amused by her daughter’s boldness. “Iyah, baby, there’s not much space here,” she said with a grin, but Iyah was determined, nestling between them like she belonged there all along.

Ariah couldn’t help but laugh softly, but she knew it was way past Iyah’s bedtime. “Iyah, it’s time for bed, love. You need your sleep,” she said gently, trying to guide her daughter off the couch.

“But Mommy, you and Mama get to cuddle,” Iyah protested, her small arms wrapped around her mother’s waist. “I want to stay with you!”

Ariah shared a knowing look with Mac, who smiled but raised her  hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, how about this one quick hug, and then it’s off to bed, okay?” Ariah said, pulling Iyah into her arms for a tight squeeze.

Iyah giggled, feeling satisfied with the hug, but still tried to wriggle her way into staying longer. “Just a little bit longer?” she pleaded, looking up at her mom with her big, hopeful eyes.

Ariah shook her head, giving her a playful nudge. “No more tricks, little one. It’s late. Go on, back to bed,” she said, her voice soft but firm.

With a dramatic sigh, Iyah finally relented, sliding off the couch. “Okay… but only because you said so, Mommy.”

Ariah leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. “That’s my girl. Now, sleep tight, okay?”

Iyah smiled sleepily, hugging both her parents one last time before shuffling off to her room. As she disappeared down the hallway, Mac pulled Ariah back into her arms, chuckling softly. “Looks like we’ve got some competition,” she teased.

Ariah smiled, resting her head on her shoulder. “She’s just like you always wanting to win,” she whispered with a grin, the warmth of the moment wrapping around them once again.

Just as Iyah was reluctantly making her way back to her room, Mairwen appeared at the top of the stairs, having heard the commotion. With a playful grin, she leaned over the railing, watching her younger sister’s pouty retreat.

“Well, well, what’s going on here?” Mairwen called out, teasingly. “Trying to steal all the cuddles, Iyah?”

Iyah stopped and looked up at her older sister, crossing her arms. “I wanted to cuddle with Mommy and Mama, but they said it’s time for bed,” she huffed, clearly not ready to let go of the attention.

Mairwen laughed softly, descending the stairs and ruffling Iyah’s hair as she passed by. “You do realize I’m the firstborn, right?” she teased. “I was the first one to get all the cuddles from Mom and Mama. So technically, I’m the first baby of the house.”

Iyah’s eyes widened, and she scowled playfully, puffing her cheeks. “That’s not fair! I’m still the baby now!” she protested, stomping her foot a little for dramatic effect.

Mairwen grinned, kneeling down to Iyah’s level. “Sure, sure. But just remember, I’ve been around longer. I got all the special treatment before you even came along.”

Ariah and Mac exchanged amused glances from the couch, watching their two daughters banter.

Iyah wasn’t one to back down, though. She scrunched her nose and puffed out her chest. “But I’m the baby now, so I get the cuddles now!”

Mairwen chuckled, pulling Iyah into a quick, teasing hug. “Alright, alright, you win this round, little one. But don’t forget, I’m still the first,” she said, giving Iyah a wink.

Iyah smiled, feeling slightly triumphant, but Mairwen’s teasing still lingered in her mind. “Okay, but tomorrow, I’m going to get all the cuddles!” she declared.

Mairwen stood up, ruffling her hair again. “We’ll see about that,” she teased, watching as Iyah finally headed off to bed, satisfied for now.

As Mairwen turned back toward the living room, she caught the eye of her parents, who were both smiling at the playful exchange. “You guys owe me for keeping her from taking over your couch,” Mairwen joked, flopping down onto the opposite end.

Mac chuckled. “We’ll add it to your ‘firstborn privileges,’” she teased, pulling Ariah closer as the family’s laughter filled the room.