(Cole P.O.V)
I found myself on my knees, desperately pleading with Nikki to forgive me.
“Nikki, baby, I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me,” I implored, my heart heavy with remorse.
"No," she responded, turning her gaze away from me, absorbed in licking her lollipop.
“Come on, princess. How about I get you some ice cream?” I attempted to bribe a two-year-old with ice cream, hitting an all-time low in my efforts to make things right.
“Trevor already gave me ice cream,” she informed me, bouncing happily on Trevor's lap, "and I was mad at you, Cole, and Ro too."
“Nikki, please, my princess. I'll give you anything you want,” I pleaded with desperation, willing to go to any lengths to earn her forgiveness.
Her mischievous expression remained unchanged, “Anything?”
Taken aback, I responded, “Anything...”
A devious glint sparkled in her eyes, a level of cunning beyond her age. “Yay, I want a pet. Take me to a pet shop now!” she demanded. I reached out my hands to lift her, but she adamantly stayed in Trevor’s lap.
"No, I won't come until you get me a pet," she declared, burying her face in Trevor's neck.
"Alright," I agreed, defeated. We walked to my car, Nikki still perched on Trevor’s lap, and I drove to the pet shop.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Nikki cheered, cradling her new kitten to her face as we left the shop.
"I did promise you anything, didn't I?" I said, my expression neutral despite my inner turmoil. I. REALLY. DISLIKE. CATS.
"You probably didn't think 'anything' would involve a cat," Trevor smirked, enjoying my discomfort.
"I named him Madol!" Nikki proudly announced, showering the poor creature with excessive affection.
"Be gentle with him, Nikki. He's just a baby," I advised, bending down to kiss her forehead, relieved that she had forgiven me.
"Can he sleep in my room?" she inquired hopefully.
"Of course he can sleep in your room. He's your kitten."
"I'm going to feed him, give him baths, and take him for walks!"
"He's a cat, not a dog," Trevor chuckled, earning a pout from Nikki.
"Cats play outside too!"
"Absolutely, little princess," I glanced at the clock – 9 pm, well past Nikki's bedtime. "Now, it's bath time." I set the kitten down and lifted Nikki, carrying her to the bathroom, the kitten following.
As I undressed Nikki for her bath, she suddenly asked, "Why does my belly button look different?"
"Because you're a baby, and babies often have 'outies.' It might change to look like mine when you're older," I explained, rinsing her hair.
Roy chimed in with a smirking thought, Roy-No! I'll behave, I promise! I enjoy being with our little mate.
I chided Roy mentally, She's just a baby. This is why we never handle her baths. I should've let Courtney do it like usual.
"I'm two, Roy! I use the big kid potty now!" Nikki asserted, defending her growing independence.
"Okay, Nikki, maybe you do have an 'outie' then," I conceded, recognizing the futility of reasoning with a determined two-year-old.
After finishing the bath, Nikki asked about her new kitten. "Where's Mellow?"
"He's waiting for you in your bed, sweetheart. Let's join him," I dried her off, helped her into pink footie pyjamas, and carried her to her toddler bed, where she snuggled up with her new feline friend, Bubbles.
"Do you need to use the potty before bed?" I inquired, tucking her in.
"No, I went before the bath," Nikki replied, patting my cheek before leaning in for a goodnight kiss. "I love you, Cole. I'm not mad anymore. Thank you for my kitty."
"Anything for you, my precious princess. Sleep well," I kissed her forehead, turned on her night light, and left the room, whispering, "I love you, Nikki," as I closed the door.
After handling some tasks, I returned to my room to sleep with my little mate. I settled Nikki and Meadow beside me and drifted into slumber.
A while later, I awoke with a start, feeling pressure on my face. It was Meadow, attempting to smother me. I lifted her off and she scratched my face before curling up on the couch and falling asleep.
Groaning, I got up and wiped the blood from my face. This is exactly why I despise cats – they're wild and unpredictable. Returning to bed, I found my face miraculously healed thanks to my werewolf abilities. Cradling Nikki in my arms, I fell asleep peacefully with my adorable little mate by my side.