Zayden's POV
"You're not lifting that."
I looked up from the crib I was assembling to see Elena holding a folded blanket.
"It's literally just a blanket," she deadpanned.
I dropped the screwdriver and practically lunged across the room. "That's not the point, Mrs. Wolfe. You're on princess status now. No lifting. No twisting. No bending. No breathing too deeply without my supervision."
She rolled her eyes, but I caught the tiny smile she tried to hide.
"Elena, you're carrying two humans. That makes you… like, royalty. No queen should have to fold blankets."
"Zay…"
I took the blanket from her gently and kissed her forehead. "Sit. Feet up. You're on strict pampering orders today."
"And who issued those?"
"Me. Your husband. Your overly qualified, overly invested, newly appointed Chief of Safety, Security, Snacks, and Snuggles."
She burst out laughing. "You're impossible."
I knelt in front of her, taking off her slippers and massaging her feet like it was the most sacred ritual in the world. "You're growing our babies. You get everything. You want cheesecake at 3 a.m.? Done. You want twelve pillows? I'll bring you fifteen."
She raised a brow. "So… if I want to walk around the block right now?"
"Absolutely not. Fresh air will be brought to you through the window in a filtered fan."
"Elena," I continued, "I've researched everything. Hydration, foot swelling, sleep angles, even weird twin dreams. So if you so much as yawn twice in a row, I'm calling the doctor."
She tilted her head. "You didn't even blink when I told you I used to sneak into art museums at night for inspiration, but now I can't fold a blanket?"
"That's because art museums don't weigh five pounds and risk triggering contractions!"
She laughed again and leaned forward, cupping my face. "I love you."
"I love you more. Which is why you'll now be escorted to the couch for rest, and I'll personally prepare your snack of choice while reading you chapter 5 of 'How to Survive Twin Parenthood Without Losing Your Mind'."
"Do I have a say in this?"
"None. You're my entire world now, Elena Wolfe. And I will protect you… even if that means installing padded walls and banning all sharp corners from the house."
I scooped her up bridal style—carefully—and walked her to the couch. She sighed contentedly as I tucked her in with three pillows and kissed her forehead.
She muttered, "You do realize you're completely insane, right?"
"Only about you."
And as I stood there, watching her drift off to sleep with her hands protectively resting over our twins, I promised myself: no matter what, I'll move heaven and earth to keep her safe.