i told you it wouldn't take me long. don't you trust me? (playfully glaring, hands on her hips.)

how is my brain silly.

that is. not what that means, but sure.

you want anything else from me?

now what does that mean.

here i thought you were calling me a yapper.

hey!

you already have it. (eyelashes fluttering. soft smile finding her lips.) can't hardly take my eyes off of you.

(a flush spreads from her nose to her ears, arms circling gen's waist.) no, no. that would be me, actually.

baby? (eyebrows raising. not like it's the first time gen's used pet names for her, but it feels. . . different, somehow.) you wanna hang out around me and kiss me and share my space. i'd call that pretty lucky.

very. (a nod, blush darkening on her cheeks.) funny, 'cause i ( * like ) like you, too. and, magically, i haven't totally blown one of our dates yet.

please do. (a thoughtful pause.) but if you call me baby, can i call you mine? (gently squeezing gen's sides, awaiting her answer.) you'd be surprised, genny.

then. . . you're mine. (pulling her closer, pressing a gentle kiss between her eyes.) nothin' bad. i just. . . y'know. have bad luck.

you promise? (barely containing a huge grin, already dragging her off to bed for a more proper cuddling session.) maybe my bad luck will be funny.

so what's that make us? (arm around her midsection, gaze soft and warm. she's happy to curl up here, content in her company.) i just don't wanna ruin this.

your girlfriend, (she says, not missing a beat. pink spreads across her cheeks as soon as her words sink in, though.) but i come with a lot of. . . stuff. with the baby, y'know. i'd understand if you didn't want to commit to all of that.

(eyes shine, misty with tears. they never fall, and the smile that creeps up is more than enough indication that she's okay. these aren't bad tears. she pulls gen closer until their noses bump, hand shifting to rest on her cheek.) i'd love to be your girlfriend, genny.

stay the night? (a quiet request, sparing a glance at her sleeping baby not so far away. they haven't woken her with their giggling. good.) i'd like to spend a little more time with my girlfriend, y'know? (leaning forward to press a short kiss to her lips, giddy all over again.)