Please, Harry

Ruth snuggled against Harry's chest, pressing soft kisses into the coarse hairs, drawing abstract patterns with her fingers. "Please, Harry," she murmured against his skin.

A chuckle rumbled through his body as he stroked her bare back. "I expected you to be cleverer than this, Ruth. I'm not going to change my mind just because..."

"Because we're basking in post-coital bliss?" she interjected.

Harry grinned proudly and kissed her forehead. "Yes, we are. But the answer is still no."

"Please, Harry?" she whined. She'd been bothering him for a week, and she knew she was being petulant, but she couldn't help it. He hadn't given her a reason for saying no. And Ruth was not a woman who appreciated anything at face value.

"No," he insisted.

She sighed and rolled over to face away from him. She didn't want to fight over this. But she wasn't really in the mood to cuddle with him anymore either.

"Oh are you pouting now?"

Ruth just grumbled incoherently. If he didn't have to give a reason for his feelings, neither did she.

Harry threw off the covers and angrily put on his dressing gown. "Fine. Just fine."

She scrambled on the bed, her eyes wide. "Wait, what? Where are you going?"

"Stay here," he growled.

Ruth sat up, pulling the sheet up over her. "Harry?" she called out in a quiet voice.

She heard his voice come closer before he reentered the room. "It is absolutely impossible to surprise you, you know that? I know that's what I get for marrying a genius analyst, but Christ, Ruth, a husband can only do so much."

Biting her bottom lip to keep from laughing, Ruth remained patient and quiet. That was a tone of voice she was more familiar with. He was about to do something very sweet, she could just tell.

Harry walked in with a bundle in his arms. "Here. Happy bloody birthday." He dropped a small kitten in her lap.

Ruth practically squealed in delight. Not a very appealing sound, but she couldn't help it. "Oh, Harry! This is why you kept saying no when I asked if we could get another cat!" she gushed. She picked up the little calico cat and snuggled it. She noticed the collar. "You named him?"

"I thought you'd approve," he replied gruffly, trying to remain annoyed at her but bursting with pride to see her so happy.

"Welcome to the family, Sophocles," Ruth cooed to the kitten. "You already know you've got the sweetest man as your new dad. I know he sounds grumpy, but he's a softie at heart."

Harry couldn't hide his grin anymore. "Happy birthday, Ruth," he murmured as she beamed with joy. He gave the little kitten a scratch on the top of the head as he leaned in and gave his wife a gentle kiss on her smiling lips.