A ghost from the past

Water cascaded over Xavier's chiseled frame, the steam obscuring the bathroom in a hot mist. He shut off the shower with a decisive turn, droplets trailing down his skin as he wrapped a towel around his waist and padded across the cool tile floor. The early morning silence was punctuated only by the subtle sounds of his movements.

He approached the bed where Cathleen lay, her chest rising and falling with the deep breaths of sleep. Xavier bent over, his shadow enveloping her form. "Cat," his voice was low but firm, resonating through the quiet room. "I notice it is hard for you to bathe since the baby is quite big. Let me bathe you before I leave for the office."

Cathleen's eyes fluttered open, and her frown creased the sleep from her face. The offer hung in the air, an unspoken command that tempted resistance. Yet, the memory of yesterday's struggle in the shower tugged at her pride. "Okay," she relented, her voice barely above a whisper.

With careful hands, Xavier lifted her, suppor