TeenDad2: You’re welcome :)
xVerity: Are there going to be more fight scenes in season four and five? Nikki and I just got to the part with Brent and that Celestial guy. I forget what his name is.
LoveHarley: You should be good until the season four finale. Idk though xV. I recommend you watch it first in secret and decide whether it’s too intense. It’s hard to tell. I really think the show should be rated 13+ but the guidelines these days are all kinds of messed up. Hope this helps. Sorry I can’t give you a better answer.
xVerity: No, it helps a ton. Thanks.
While the fight scene concluded—with Leah escaping to safety, of course, betrayed and injured, but not having given up hope—Vincent set his phone down and drew Nikki into his lap. She cuddled against his chest, captivated by what was happening, but wide-eyed from the content. When the screen went dark and the credits started to roll, Vincent took his chance and spoke. “That was a really scary episode, wasn’t it?”
Nikki nodded.
“Let’s talk about what happened. That really wasn’t a nice thing that Brent did to Leah, was it?”
“He wasn’t her friend,” Nikki whispered, distressed. “Hehurther.”
“Sometimes, our friends can do hurtful things,” Vincent agreed. He ran a hand through Nikki’s hair to comfort her. “What do you think is going to happen because of that?”
“Leah’s not going to be his friend anymore.” Nikki slumped against his chest.
“What do you think Leah feels since that happened?”
“Sad.” Nikki sighed. “Very sad.”
“I think so, too.” Vincent reached for the remote and turned off the television. “But I think that Leah is still going to keep her heart open. She’ll still have faith in others, even though one person hurt her. It might take her some time to feel better, but I think Leah knows that love is important.”
“Yeah.” Nikki swallowed, then squirmed off Vincent’s lap so she sat beside him. “Brent…”
“I think it’s an important lesson, isn’t it?” Vincent watched her, making sure that she was okay. “We always want to treat our friends like Leah does—with kindness and love. When we treat our friends like Brent treated Leah, then we hurt them. We hurt them a lot.”
“I don’t want that.” Nikki grabbed a throw pillow from the corner of the couch and clutched it to her chest. “I wanna be a good friend.”
“And youaregoing to be a good friend. Can you imagine all the friends you’re going to make when you start school? You’ll have a whole classroom full of friends, and I know you’re going to be good and treat them all like Leah would.”
Nikki nodded. Something seemed to have clicked with her, because she threw the pillow aside and hopped off the couch with tremendous energy. “I’m going to be just like Leah!”
“You already are just like Leah, sweet stuff. You fight for what’s right, and I think that’s very admirable.”
“Amirable,” Nikki declared, setting her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest. Vincent was certain she had no idea what that word meant.
“But all growing demons need a good night’s sleep, and it’s bedtime.”
Nikki deflated. She looked at Vincent with the saddest eyes any human being had ever possessed. “Please, one more episode?”
“Sorry, sweet stuff. You need your sleep, and so do I.” By that, Vincent meant that he needed Nikki to go to sleep, too. In the hour or two between when she went to bed and when he called it a night, he was able to be Vincent the man instead of Vincent the doctor and single dad. That elusive window of time, he’d discovered over the last few years, was precious. It helped him keep sane even when times were hard. “Let’s go to the bathroom to get your bedtime routine out of the way.”
Nikki pouted, but she listened, heading for the stairs. She trudged her way to the second floor, each step a silent protest. One day, when she was older, Vincent had hopes she’d put her strong will and good nature to use in a career that would help her change the world. Until then, he’d continue to foster her sense of self without letting her get too out of hand.
Before he could leave the room to join her, his phone buzzed. More than likely, it was a tag from the Single Dads, who were probably now planning his funeral, as they’d once planned Gwynn’s. Vincent let it be and went to join his daughter upstairs to help her get ready for bed. His friends could wait. The most important person in his world needed him to say goodnight, and he wouldn’t let her down.
* * *
It wasn’tthe Single Dads who’d sent him a message—it was Mal. Vincent brought up their conversation and saw that the text had been sent fifteen minutes ago.
Hey. Sorry I’ve been so sporadic in my replies. I’m trying to get some chores done before crashing tonight. I’m slick again, and it’s making it hard to focus.
Vincent glanced toward the stairs suspiciously, almost sure that he’d find Nikki spying on him from between the gaps in the balusters. When he saw no curious eyes peering his way, Vincent eased himself off the couch and migrated to the stairs. Most of the time, he stayed out in the living room for an hour or two after Nikki went to bed just in case she woke up and tried to creep downstairs, but tonight, with Mal texting him, he needed more privacy than that. Keeping his footfalls light, he ascended to the second floor and enclosed himself in his bedroom.
He locked the door.
