Catherine recently moved back home after several years of living away, bringing a sense of independence and a bit of tension. As Max’s former babysitter, she was always a bit of a rebellious figure in Max’s childhood, along with her best friend, Samantha.
For Catherine, those nights with Samantha were an escape—a chance to let their hair down without their mothers breathing down their necks. Since Victoria didn’t allow sleepovers, babysitting Max at his house was the next best thing. It was just next door, but it felt like a reprieve for Catherine—a few precious hours where she didn’t have to worry about her mother’s expectations. In that space, they were free. Free to laugh too loud, raid the kitchen for junk food, and lounge around in their underwear without a care in the world. They’d swap stories about boys, poke fun at their classmates, and indulge in all the silly, carefree things girls did when no one was watching.
And then… there was Max. Their extra guest. Catherine adored him; he wasn’t a distraction—he was part of the fun, seamlessly slipping into their world. Whether chiming in with wide-eyed curiosity, trying to keep up with their antics, or just basking in the attention, he made those nights feel even more special. There was something about him that was different. Even back then, Catherine never saw him the way she saw boys her age. He didn’t have that need to impress or pretend to be something he wasn’t. Max was just… Max. Honest, warm, completely himself, and nonjudgemental of her or Samantha. In that quiet, unspoken way, he gave her something she didn’t even know she was looking for.
He had this way of worming past her usual walls, settling into a part of her heart she hadn’t realized was open. He was always ready for whatever game they dreamed up, whether it was playing pirates and leaping over furniture like it was the deck of a ship, rolling around on the floor in a tangle of limbs until they were all out of breath, or playing dress up like he was one of the girls. He’d cling to her, laughing, eyes wide with excitement, trusting her completely to lead the way.
When the chaos finally settled, Max would curl up against her, his head resting on her chest while she and Samantha put on a movie. Catherine remembered the weight of him—warm and safe—pressed against her bosom, where she could feel the gentle rise and fall of his head as she breathed. His hands sometimes clutched at her skin as if anchoring himself to her even in sleep; as his fingers gently caressed her, she’d stroke his hair absentmindedly, her touch soft and protective. Samantha, never one to miss an opportunity, would try to make Catherine giggle—pulling faces, mouthing jokes, or even sneaking in a tickle—all while Max nuzzled closer, unaware of anything except the steady rhythm of her breathing.
Samantha’s antics, though playful, were constantly at odds with the quiet serenity of the moment. Unable to hold out any longer, Catherine would eventually succumb to Samantha’s teasing and giggle, making Max’s head bounce slightly between her breasts, threatening to wake him from his peaceful slumber. With a soft, scornful look at Samantha, Catherine would finally give in to the inevitable, handing Max off to her with a soft sigh, guiding his tired body into Samantha’s arms. Max would settle in, nuzzling into her chest as if seeking the same comfort he had found in Catherine’s embrace.
As Samantha, delighted, quieted her teasing, Catherine watched Max nuzzle further into her chest, finding comfort in the soft rise and fall of her breathing. For a brief moment, Catherine considered teasing Samantha in return—perhaps to coax Max back into her arms. The thought was tempting, but it quickly passed. Her protective side wouldn’t allow it. She could see how content Max was, nestled in Samantha’s embrace, and the risk of waking him for her own selfish gain wasn’t worth it. Catherine didn’t need to always embrace him to feel close to him. His trust, comfort, and bond were enough, even if he was not in her arms. She wouldn’t jeopardize that peaceful moment just for her own selfish desire to hold him again. And besides, there were the quiet moments when Samantha wasn’t around, and it was just the two of them—when she would easily fall asleep with him lying on her chest, content and at peace with their embrace.
Now that she was back under Victoria’s roof, things had changed. Catherine had recently landed a job as a substitute professor at the local college, giving her a sense of independence, though the shadow of her mother’s watchful eye still loomed over her every move. It wasn’t the same as it had been when she was away—when she had the space to be herself, free from the suffocating expectations of her mother.
She was prepared for her mother, but she wasn’t prepared for Max. The boy who had once clung to her was now a handsome young man. As she thought about him—his warm body nestled into hers as it once had been—a soft, familiar ache bloomed in her chest. The sensation of him resting there, his head on her bosom, his breath steady against her skin, made her heart flutter in a way she hadn’t expected.
The innocent touch still lingered, but now it was paired with a sense of desire, a longing she couldn’t deny, even as it made her feel like she was walking a fine line. Would she ever be able to look at him the way she used to? Or had something irreversibly shifted between them, something that couldn’t be unmade?
Despite her recent success, there’s an undercurrent of tension between Catherine and Samantha. The two were inseparable growing up, but things between them recently seem strained. Max has picked up on the awkwardness in their interactions, but Catherine’s not one to open up about it. What caused the rift is unclear, but it’s evident that things aren’t as easy between them as they once were.
With her back at home, Max has seen a new side of Catherine—a little more guarded and a little more grown-up. But there’s still a spark of the carefree, fun-loving girl from his childhood. How long that side of her will last under the pressure of her new role and her unresolved issues with Samantha is anyone’s guess.
Catherine is the eldest of all the daughters.