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When Rain texted him asking if he could babysit again, Jude was in the middle of a lecture. A lecture he had taken as an extra class with his friends because it was about investing. 

That's why he was so intrigued when Rain mentioned he had built everything through investing. It was something Jude wanted to learn more about, maybe even try someday—though he hadn't yet, knowing full well he'd probably just lose all his money.

As his phone lit up with the message, both of his friends leaned over his shoulder. Luna did so purely out of curiosity, while Robin was motivated by revenge; Jude had once peeked at Robin's phone and discovered his secret girlfriend earlier than planned. Since then, Robin had made it his mission to catch Jude in a similar way.

Not that Jude's romantic life was worth investigating. It was as tragic as he was. The last time he had a boyfriend was over two years ago; they were together for just six months, and since then, he hadn't so much as kissed anyone.

"What? You babysit? Since when?" Luna asked, confused, leaning closer to confirm she was reading Rain's message correctly. Her afro immediately brushed against Jude's face. Luna had exactly the kind of hair Jude imagined when he thought of an African woman—and he completely envied her for it.

"I don't babysit," he snapped. "This was... a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" Robin echoed. "It looks like you're babysitting again. That doesn't seem like a misunderstanding. Who's Mr. Carter?"

Jude had saved Rain's number that evening after watching Aura, even though he wasn't sure he'd ever need it. He had deliberately labeled it Mr. Carter because he still couldn't get over everything that had happened that day.

So, he told Luna and Robin the whole story. Initially, he hadn't planned on sharing it, knowing they'd tease him forever about thinking he'd be babysitting a Chihuahua and even bringing treats for it. (And he was right—they teased him about it for a long time afterward.)

He ended the tale with the note he had left for Rain. That was also why he said firmly, "I can't babysit for him again. It's probably a trap, and he's planning to kill me for what I wrote."

"Honestly, someone like him—by that, I mean rich—probably could get rid of your body without any trouble. You'd just disappear," Robin remarked.

"I wouldn't disappear," Jude scoffed. "You two would do something about it."

"If he bribed us well enough?" Luna chimed in. "Hey, who knows. I might take the bribe."

"Fake friends, really," Jude muttered, offended.

But the message stayed on his mind all day. And since he figured he should respond before going to bed, giving Rain enough time to find another babysitter if needed, he finally replied:

What time should I come?

The money was just too good to let Rain intimidate him. Besides, he'd only suggested Rain improve Aura's room. Nothing wrong with that—it was probably ignored or thrown away.

However, when he arrived at Rain's place two days later (this time greeting the receptionist politely and announcing he was there to see Mr. Carter), he was stunned.

Aura's room was completely transformed. Two walls were painted pastel pink, with a giant pink-toned rainbow on one of the white walls. She had a new bed with an oversized frame draped in princess-like curtains, yet it somehow still fit Rain's minimalist style—even with all the pink. Fairy lights adorned the walls.

Aura, playing with a massive dollhouse by her bed, ran up to him. "Jude! Jude!" she squealed. "I have a new room!"

"I see that," Jude laughed. Then Aura barreled into him, and only then did he realize she was hugging him.

It surprised him. Apparently, it surprised Rain, too. Jude glanced at him but couldn't read his expression at all.

When Aura let go, Rain cleared his throat. "Her bedtime is still at eight-thirty tonight," he began. "I probably won't make it back early, so I'd feel better if you stayed over in the living room in case she wakes up and comes looking for someone."

Jude nodded. Rain gave him a quick demo on brushing Aura's teeth, which involved three steps, including flossing—which she supposedly hated.

"Tomorrow's the weekend, so no preschool. She might not let you sleep much; she clearly likes you. Just something to consider," Rain said before leaving. Aura followed them everywhere during the instructions, holding her dad's hand. Jude could tell she was in a playful mood. He fully expected to end up wearing a crown as soon as Rain left.

But he was wrong. The moment Rain left, Aura pulled him into her new room, declaring she wanted to build a fort.

"A fort?" Jude asked, puzzled.

"Yeah! A fort, a fort!"

He quickly learned that once Aura started chanting something, there was no changing her mind. So, they began constructing a fort next to her bed. Jude moved her little chair closer to the bed and draped a blanket over both. He used a cabinet by the wall as another support.

Aura brought in pillows from the living room, which they piled on the floor. Jude grew a bit nervous—those pillows didn't seem like something meant for fort building. He compromised by laying a blanket underneath them.

He also took some fairy lights from the wall and strung them inside. Aura had an important job too: moving all her favorite stuffed animals into the fort.

"There," Jude sighed as they finally sat inside. He checked his watch. "You've got an hour until bedtime. We really need to stick to it tonight so your dad doesn't get mad, okay?"

Aura ignored him entirely, rummaging through her stuffed animals before pulling out a children's book and handing it to him. "Please, please!"

It was about a bunny lost in a supermarket, asking other animals where its parents were. Jude thought it was a sad premise for learning about animals but didn't comment.

They struck a deal: they'd leave the fort first to brush her teeth, just in case she fell asleep while he was reading. To his surprise, she agreed easily.

Flossing, however, was a battle. Jude struggled more with it than Aura would have if she had done it herself. He didn't even use floss himself—twice-a-week interdental brushes were his best effort. Convincing Aura to stay still took all his patience.

Finally, they returned to the fort. Aura snuggled into the pillows, clutching one of her stuffed animals. Jude lay down too, positioning himself so the fairy lights illuminated the book. Clearing his throat, he prepared to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance.

He didn't notice when Aura fell asleep—his own eyes were drooping. He'd been up since five that morning, finishing an essay. Not his best decision-making.

So, he ended up falling asleep too, the book resting on his chest, Aura holding her stuffed animal beside him. They stayed that way until one in the morning, when he woke to someone gently shaking him.

"Jude."

It was Rain, crouched at the fort's entrance. "Jude, wake up."

Jude opened his eyes fully. Rain put a finger to his lips, signaling him to stay quiet. "Come on out. You can't both sleep on the floor all night."

Rain stepped back, making room for Jude to carefully crawl out. Aura was still fast asleep. As Jude stood, he watched Rain gently lift his daughter out of the fort without waking her. He couldn't help but smile.

He walked to the living room, stretching out his stiff back.

Rain followed a moment later. Jude turned quickly. "Sorry, I didn't mean for her to sleep on the floor, I just—"

"I'm not blaming you, Jude," Rain interrupted. "She's slept in forts plenty of times."

Jude nodded, though he still felt awkward about being caught.

"You can head to the guest room now," Rain offered.

Jude wished him good night and hurried off, missing the faint smile Rain had as he left.

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