“Beautiful,” I tell her, my heart tripping in my chest when the blue of her eyes lights up at my praise.
“Really?”
“Of course.” Picking her up to settle her on my hip once more, I fix my expression into serious lines. “Daddies aren’t allowed to tell lies. It’s against the law.”
Her laugh rings out in the room, a delighted giggle that seems to reach right down into my chest and squeeze my heart as we detour past her crib to grab Cobalt. “That’s silly, Daddy.”
“Tell that to your Uncle Max.”
“Oh, well, that’s different. Uncle Max would definitely make it a law that nobody is allowed to lie.”
Our banter distracts her from the upcoming confrontation, at least until the doorbell rings. As soon as the chime echoes through the house, her expression closes off, and my bubbly Little girl disappears into a shell of herself.
Biting back a sigh, I lower her into the playpen in my office and press her dragon into her hands. “Daddy will be right back. Cobalt will be right here with you so you don’t get lonely.”
Cradling the dragon, she looks down at him and then back up at me. A frown tugs at her lips as she holds the stuffie up to her ear and even though I need to go answer the door, I’m too fascinated by the scene playing out in front of me to move. “Are you sure?” she asks, her expression so serious I am almost convinced the dragon isactuallyspeaking to her.
“What’s Cobalt saying, little one?”
Her eyes are wide and solemn as she stares up at me. “He says… He says you can call him Cobie, if you want to.”
My heart twists in my chest as the doorbell rings yet again. Goddammit. This is an important moment, and one I don’t want to rush, but I can’t keep our guests waiting either.
But my Little one is more important than etiquette at the moment, so I bend down and grip the tiny, furry paw between my fingers. “Nice to meet you, Cobie. Will you watch over my Little girl while I go answer the door?”
“He says he will. We’ll stay right here until you get back.”
“Thank you, Cobie. You’re a good friend.”
Trusting she’ll stay where I put her, I make my way out to the main entryway and to the front door. Maxwell is on the other side, a teary-eyed Victoria in his arms.
“Thank you for having us, Doctor D. Victoria has something she’d like to say to your Little girl.”
“I appreciate that. But just so you know, Camilla’s feelings were very hurt this morning. I’m not sure she’s ready to accept any apologies.”
“That’s perfectly fine. She can accept when she’s ready, but my Little Victoria knows she acted cruelly, and she’d like a chance to make it right. Isn’t that so, little thief?”
Sniffling, Victoria nods. “Yes, Daddy. I feel really bad about how we acted.”
Satisfied that Victoria’s remorse is genuine, I step aside and allow them in. I lead the way to my office, where Camilla is still playing in her playpen.
“Victoria is here, sunshine, and she has something to say to you.” Bending down, I lower my voice so only she can hear. “You will listen to her apology, and you will be polite, or Victoria and your Uncle Max will get to see what happens whenmyLittle girl is rude.”
Eyes wide, Camilla looks up and nods slowly. “Yes, Daddy.”
Straightening, I look over at Maxwell and gesture toward the playpen. Maxwell places Victoria on her feet in front of the enclosure, and for a long moment, our Little girls simply stare at each other.
Victoria shifts uncomfortably from one foot to another, reaching behind her to rub at her bottom through her diaper. “Um, I just wanted to say, I’m really, really sorry we were mean to you and we didn’t make you any bracelets. It wasn’t nice at all, and I know we really hurt your feelings and I’m sorry. And, um, if it’s not too late…” She cranes her neck to look back at Maxwell, who pulls a small beaded bracelet from his pocket to pass to her. “I made you a friendship bracelet, because I really do wanna be friends.”
Silence once again stretches between them as the girls watch each other warily. But then Camilla smiles, not the bright happy grin I’m used to, but it’s a smile all the same and holds her handout for the bracelet. “Thanks. It’s really pretty. Do you… Do you wanna play with me?”
Whipping around, Victoria looks up at Maxwell, her face twisted into a plea so dramatic I have to cough to hide my laughter. “Can I, Daddy,please?”
“If it’s all right with Doctor D then we can stay for a little bit.”
“I don’t mind at all. And I suppose under the circumstances you should call me Uncle Donovan.”
“Donovan!” Victoria slaps a palm against her forehead. “Isthatwhat the D stands for?”
