"I’m fine, seriously! Come here and lie down with me, keep me company while I sleep." Ivy patted the spot next to her, inviting him to rest.
"No way!" Trey Bloom shot back, face set in stubborn lines. "The midwives said something’s off with you—there’s a risk of early labor, so someone has to watch you every single second!"
Ivy Shen sighed helplessly. "Don’t listen to those midwives and their endless nagging. They’re just trying to scare you guys. I know my own body better than anyone."
Off to the side, Caleb Miles really wanted to argue and tell her to behave, but thanks to Ivy’s earlier rule—whoever’s on sleep duty can’t talk or open their eyes—he had no choice but to lie there, eyes squeezed shut, pretending to sleep even though he was dying to say something.
But since he wasn’t actually sleeping, his fake nap looked about as stiff and awkward as a zombie in rigor mortis.
"Hey, they’re back!" Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside, then faded away. Ivy instantly knew her husbands must’ve returned.
"Wife, what are you doing?" Trey Bloom hurried to steady Ivy as she threw off the blanket and stood up. Caleb Miles, still stuck inside, kept furrowing his brows—he clearly wanted to open his eyes so badly.
"I’ve been resting all day. I want to go outside and walk around."
"It’s already winter, it’s freezing out." Trey Bloom hurriedly grabbed a thick fuzzy cloak and wrapped Ivy up inside it.
"Don’t worry about it. I’ve been stuck indoors all day, and I’m tired of lying down." Ivy pouted at him, full-on spoiled princess mode.
Trey Bloom made a face like he’d just bitten a bitter melon. "Don’t look at me like that! If I let you go outside, the others will absolutely murder me!"
"Relax, I’ve got your back." With that, Ivy marched straight for the door.
"Wait for me, wife! I’ll help you." Butterfly Rogue hurried after her.
Meanwhile, Caleb Miles lay on the floor, gripping his hands tight and looking absolutely miserable. Why did he have to be the one on sleep duty? He didn’t want it, nope, not at all!
At the tent door, Ivy curled her lips into a sly smile. "Hey, fake sleeper—you come too!"
As soon as she finished, the 'zombie' on the floor sprang up, grinning sheepishly. "Madam, I’ll support you!"
Ivy Shen lifted the tent flap. At the entrance of the neighboring tent, everyone was standing together, chatting and laughing.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about? Why so happy?" Ivy waddled over, belly out, annoyed that they were telling jokes without her.
Seeing her approach, everyone quickly rushed over.
"Big Sis!"