“Busy work days tend to fly by,” he says, eyes lit with amusement and wearing the smuggest expression.
I shrug, glancing back down to the four-year-old who’s quickly become one of my favorite people. “Yeah, well, we just had a fun day. It doesn’t really feel like work watching her.”
His teasing look vanishes instantly. His expression softens a touch, then he looks back down at Delilah when she starts to speak.
“These are the pine cone families,” Delilah spreads her arms wide, showing us all her hard work. “But this one is ours. This one’s me,” she points to a cute, tiny pine cone she found by the pond. “This one is Daddy, because it’s giant,” she rattles on.
“Thanks,” Wesley mutters under his breath, and I snort, biting back a smile.
“This is Nana and Papa, and this is Iby.” She beams up at us, proud of herself.
I freeze.
I quickly slice my gaze to Wesley to gauge his reaction. I have no idea what to say. Wesley doesn’t seem fazed. He just gives his daughter a warm smile and replies, “That’s awesome, Lilah. I love it.”
My eyes sting a little, and I take a steadying breath through my nose, willing it to pass. It’s stupid. They’re fucking pine cones. Arranged by a toddler I’ve known for a little over a week.
But she picked one for me.
I haven’t had a family in the eight years since my parents passed. Even with Daniel, I was always just “Daniel’s girlfriend” to his family. We had been together for years, yet I still didn’t make the cut for a fucking family photo. But now I have Sophie, and Rose… but this just feels different. Her declaring I’m a part of them, even as her nanny, even through a damned wooden pretend family, means everything to me.
9
Wes
“That’s super awesome, babe,” Ivy agrees with me, nodding. I look over to judge her reaction. I hope that didn’t scare her. I know how much Lilah cares for Ivy, so I’m not surprised in the slightest at her declaration. Ivy doesn’t miss a beat, and high fives Lilah.
It makes my chest tighten the way it always does when these two interact.
“Dinner’s in a few. Go wash up, Lilah,” I say.
“Can Iby come?”
“Yes, she’s coming with us.”
“Hell yeah!” she shouts, already running into the house.
I close my eyes, and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Language, Delilah Mae!”
“Sorry, Daddy!” she calls back, sounding much further away, hopefully doing what I asked.
I open my eyes, and see Ivy’s hand clasped over mouth trying to stifle a laugh.
“Oh, that’s funny? My daughter having a potty mouth is amusing?” I ask, feigning sternness, when I know, it’s actually very funny.
She removes her hand from her mouth. “Yeah, it is.”
She’s smiling, and it’s like looking into the fucking sun.
My eyes rake over her face. Her bright green eyes are glassy from withheld laughter, freckles standing out a little more than normal, like the girls got a lot of sun today. Her dark hair falls around her shoulders nearly to her waist. She’s perfect.
“Yeah, it is,” I relent, which earns me a full, clear laugh from her.
“She doesn’t use that language with me, I swear. If she did, I’d correct it,” she adds, her tone shifting slightly, more serious now.
I wave her off. “She only does it around me or her uncles. Mav’s the one who taught her to sayshitas one of her first words.” I roll my eyes. “He said it was a prank.”
She shakes her head, still laughing softly. “That actually doesn’t surprise me. I’ve met the man.”
