ARIS' POV

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"Did you see your father yesterday?" Luca asks as he froths up some milk in a metal jug.

I hum as I move cutlery onto a tray. "Yeah, I did."

"How is he?"

My mind grimaces at the question. "As usual. Doesn't recognise me but the nurses don't want me to confuse him further so I just pretend that we don't know each other and I'm just being friendly. It's awful."

Luca flashes me a sympathetic smile. "I couldn't imagine how hard that is, Aris. But you're so strong and an amazing son."

"Yeah..." I trail off and turn my attention back to my duties before it makes me break down.

"How has Nick been?"

I hum softly. "Yeah, alright. Ever since my little blip with the ambulance he's been surprisingly kinder with me."

"Good," Luca nods and places down a cappuccino on the tray. "As he should."

"It's kind of sweet," I admit. "It's like he actually cares about me."

Luca blinks once, then twice. "He does care about you, Aris. It's so obvious, he just has to get out of his head first and he needs to see what else there is in life apart from his job and being grumpy."

His statement makes me laugh. "He's a struggling man, I fully support him."

"Of course you would," he rolls his eyes with a playful smile. "Are you actually okay to go back to work after your fainting episode?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm fine," I grumble. "I don't need babying. I promise. It was a mistake and I feel fine now. I need to get back to work otherwise I'll drown in boredom. The doctor said it's good to keep my body moving and I believe that."

Luca hums. "Okay, fine. But if you need a break or a morning in, you can just let me know. I won't be angry."

"You sound like Nick," I comment.

"Because we care about you, Aris. More than you care about yourself clearly."

My phone vibrates in my pocket after I place down the tray on the furthest table in the cafe. Once I get back to the counter I pull it from my pocket and glance at the number but it's one that I don't recognise. I furrow my brows and answer the call. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Aris Breaker?"

"Uh, yeah. Speaking."

"Hi, there. This is Pam from New Hales Primary School. Unfortunately there has been an accident at school involving Elodie. We've tried to get through to Nick but he's not answering his phone and you're down for her emergency contact. Would it be possible for you to come by the school to collect her?"

I blink at the wall repeatedly. "An accident? Is she okay?"

Luca whips his head to the tone of my voice. "She's a little upset and scraped up but she needs someone to come and collect her to take her home. Are you available to do that?"

"Yes," I nod immediately. "I'll be there right away."

"Thank you, Mr Breaker. I'll see you soon."

I press my thumb to the screen and jam my phone into my pocket. "What's happened?" Luca demands.

My hands slide into my apron and I tear it from my body before rushing to hook it up. "Something has happened at Elodie's school, they've asked for me to pick her up because they can't get through to Nick. Is it okay if I go? I'm really worried."

"Yeah," he says. "Of course. Text me when you know what's happened and that she's okay."

"Of course," I say a little breathlessly as I grab my coat and bag and rush out the door. "Thank you."

Once I'm outside and in my car I tell myself to breathe. Everything is okay. Elodie will be okay. I click on Nick's name and throw my phone down onto the passenger seat before pulling away from the curb but he doesn't answer, it goes straight to voicemail.

"Shit," I murmur to myself.

It doesn't take long to arrive at Elodie's school and when I do I try Nick again. This time he picks up. "Aris, I'm in a meeting. Can this wait until later?"

"No," I say as I slam my car door shut. "The school just called me. There's been an accident with Elodie and they've asked me to come in because they can't reach you."

The sound of something hitting the ground echoes through the receiver. "What? Is she hurt? Is she okay?"

"I don't know," I admit as I walk up to the school gates and ring the buzzer. "I'm here now. I'll let you know what's been going on, they were a little vague on the phone."

Nick curses under his breath. "Alright, I'll be there soon as."

"Bye," I say before cutting off the call.

Once the gates are opened and I walk through reception, I'm drawn towards a teacher kneeling down in front of a chair. Elodie sits beside her with her legs kicking but on the side of her face is a large scrape and bruising around her jaw. My heart stops in my chest at the thought of her being hurt–the evidence of tears leaking from her eyes.

"Els," I whisper as I make my way directly towards her. Those big green eyes that now have red rings around them are staring back at me. "Oh my God. What happened?"

I bundle her into my arms in a tight hug as the teacher gives me a supportive smile. "There was an accident in the playground. Elodie fell and hit her face on the floor. But she's been a brave girl. We had someone from first-aid come and clean up her little scrape."

"How did you fall, sweetheart?" I ask searching her face for answers.

"W-We were playing," her voice is a lot quieter than usual and it fucking breaks me. "And I wanted a go on the monkey bars but I was pushed and I fell."

My eyes flick between hers rapidly. "Someone pushed you?"

"I-I didn't see who it was. There were a lot of us playing."

I turn to the teacher because this is unacceptable. "We're going to figure out who it was," she reassures me but the look on her face tells me otherwise. "And we're going to make sure that they're disciplined in the right way."

"I should hope so." My voice is calm but the words are sharp.

"Where's daddy?" Elodie tugs on my arm.

My attention is drawn back to her and I flash her a soft smile, cupping the side of her face gently. "He's going to be here any moment. And then you can go home and he can give you all the love, cuddles and attention that you need. How does that sound?"

"It still hurts," her lips begin to tremble.

"I know, sweetheart. But you're strong and so incredibly brave. It will hurt for a bit now but later it will feel a lot better. Okay?" I stroke back her hair as she pouts her lips.

Elodie moves forward to hug me again and I clutch her close. "I wanna go home."

"You will, very soon," I nod. "Your dad is almost here and then you can go home. I promise."

"Okay," she whimpers.

We sit for another five minutes and I attempt to take her mind off what happened earlier. I want to put a smile on her face–I always do. Seeing her sad is like a sledgehammer to the chest.

"Els?" Nick's voice echoes down the hall as he rushes towards us as she sits on my lap. "Baby, are you okay? What happened?"

The teacher stands as Nick rushes towards her, extending his arms to collect her from my hold. She practically falls into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him tight. "Daddy," she whispers and my heart strings tug.

Nick perches on the seat beside me and strokes the back of her head. When he pulls away he examines the scrape on her face and the slight bruising on the edge of her jaw, he frowns immediately and is attempting to calm his breathing.

I couldn't even imagine how hard it must be to see your own flesh and blood hurt. It would fucking destroy me into a million tiny pieces. I'm already struggling as it is.

When the teacher begins to explain what happened in the playground, Nick has the same reaction as mine. Demanding to know who pushed her and what they're going to do about it because it will not be happening again.

Nick signs Elodie out after giving them a grilling about doing better. I wince because I've definitely been on the receiving end of that tone of voice but it's necessary. Although when I think about it there is a rock that sinks in my stomach because I hate to believe the perpetrator that keeps popping up in my mind. School should be a safe space not a place that children fear.

As soon as we exit the school Nick turns to me, his eyes glimmering with gratefulness. "Thank you, Aris," he exhales slowly. "For getting here so quickly and for calling me again. Honestly, I'm really appreciative of it."

I offer him a small smile and I lean up to cup the side of Elodie's face. "Of course. You're incredibly important to me, Els. I would drop everything for you."

My eyes cut back to Nick who is staring at me intensely. I've never seen this look before and it makes my heart beat out of time. A soft wave of emotions simmers behind those beautiful eyes of his and his entire expression relaxes–if anything it's slightly terrifying because he looks empathetic.

"I'm just glad you're okay," I glance back at Elodie before her father makes my knees crack. "And I promise it'll get better. You're a big girl, aren't you?"

She nods. "Yeah, I am."

My face bursts into a grin. "Glad you agree because it's true." Elodie tucks her head back into Nick's neck. "But anyway, uh. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

I meet Nick's eyes once more and hate that he's still looking at me like he was before. What is up with his face? My hand raises to give them a slow wave and I step back. "Aris," he calls out for me and I stop. "Do you want to have dinner with us?"

"Please?" Elodie's voice is exaggerated and pleading. I twist back towards them and look at the way she's doing her best puppy dog eyes. "It will make me feel better."

My throat clears. "You sure?" I direct at Nick.

"Yes," he nods. "She wants you there. I want you there. I think it's time I cook dinner for once, it seems that I might have forgotten."

A small laugh rumbles through the air. "Forgotten?" I repeat. "I can cook dinner, I don't mind."

Nick moves his head with a thorough shake. "No way. You've done way too much for us. I'm making dinner because I need to prove to you that I can cook and I'm not an absolute fluke of a father."

"I'd never think that," I shrug. "But okay, sure. I'd love to come for dinner."

"Yay!" Elodie shuffles in Nick's hold and flashes me a tired smile.

I pull my keys from my pocket. "I'll meet you guys back at yours."

Nick nods. "See you in a bit, Aris."

As soon as I get in my car so much warmth floods my chest and I press my head back into the rest behind me. Of course I'm going for Elodie because she said it would make her feel better but another part of me knows I'm going because I want to spend more time with Nick–even if my mind doesn't want to admit it.

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Author's Note

Let's get this chapter to 350 votes and 150 comments for an early update! I love reading your comments🥹🥹🥹 PLEASE NO SPAMMING!!!

Aris to the rescue!!🥰

We all know Nick is staring at Aris wondering where he's been all of Nick's life hahah😍

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I love them all being together, they'd make the most perfect little family

Love Savanna x

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