Daniel's P.O.V

Eunice leaves us alone and she looks like she's scared of me...

I get it. Scared of what I'll say to her. Maybe I'm a little harsh on her.

I walk closer to her. Walking toward her, gives me hope, the hope to care for another woman.

The hope to love again.

A year and some months ago, I thought I will never find any woman attractive...

Let alone, love her.

I have spent two months fighting what I feel for her and I'm not giving up on the fight.

This is so wrong. To love this innocent young girl, is so wrong. Probably she doesn't know what she wants. I might be her first and then what?

What is her age? Twenty, twenty one, or twenty two?

She looks quietly at me while I swim in my thoughts. I can smell her from miles away. She smells like strawberry.

I want to move on...for Mia and for myself. And also for Jennifer, because I know if she were here, she'll wish same for me.

But I certainly don't want to move on with Chloe. She might get tired and leave me. And the last thing I need is another heart break.

"Did you ask her to leave, only to stare at me? Or are you thinking of more insults to rain on me?"

She politely remarks. Wow.

"How old are you?"

"Age is just a number," she murmurs. That isn't the answer I wanted to hear.

I raise an eyebrow at her which she clears her throat and answers,

"I'll be twenty one very soon."

I thought as much. She's a little girl.

"And do you know my age?" I ask, hoping I'll let her realize so many reasons...why she shouldn't love me.

"Probably in your late twenties."

"Yes you are right. I'm twenty nine. I'm older than you."

"But not much. You talk as if you are twice my age. Not as if I would've cared," her mind has already been set and at her age, nothing will seem to go wrong and she'd like to go with the flow but I'm not as young as she is.

"See, don't let Eunice brainwash you!" My frustration grows more. "Don't do as she says. We are two different people. I'm older, I might not do things you'd like to do with me."

"Nobody is brainwashing me. I asked her for help. To push me to you. I asked her to."

"So she's your mama now? Are you always going to run to her for help? You are a baby... Accept it."

Since seriousness can't change her mind, then a little teasing will...I guess and hope.

"Teasing me isn't going to change my mind. Give me a chance. I'm sure you'll care for me later."

I quickly remember Jennifer. When I used to tell her I wouldn't love her. She pleaded for a chance, hoping I'll at least one day care for her.

If I tell her that day will never come, then I'll be treating her exactly as I did with Jenny.

So what do I tell her? Why is she being stubborn?

This is crazy. Where is she from? I'm only entertaining this because I feel something too.

If not...

I sigh and watch her closely.

"You shouldn't do this. Right now I see you as the younger sister I never had."

She quickly raises her eyes from the floor and set them on mine.

"I don't want you to waste your time over a guy who will never want you. I don't want you," this time, my words came as a plea.

I need you. I want to say that aloud...but it isn't necessary. I don't have to destroy her life, by telling her I need her.

Mia needs a mother. A mother to cherish her. A mother to love her. A mother to hold her in times when she falls. A mother who will advise her. A mother who will always be there for her. A mother who will make her feel like she's her world.

A mother who will correct her with love. A mother who will whisper into her ears until she falls asleep. A mother who will support her.

A mother who will be a mother...A woman with a mother's heart.

That is what Mia needs.

I walk away without saying another word.

If she continues like this, I might lose control.

****

Chloe's P.O.V.

After talking to Daniel, he made it clear he wants nothing to do with me. He sees me like a little girl. I started schooling at a very younger age and with a blink of an eye, i was doing my internship. And here I am.

Working! And falling in love with Mr impossible.

I want to give up but Eunice and Elvis wouldn't let me. I don't even think I can face him when we have meetings or our paths cross each other's.

I feel like I can be that missing piece in their lives. All I asked was for a chance and if he's still not convinced then I'll leave their lives...but he's still not changing his mind. It's already been more than months.

My phone rings, as I see my aunt's name registering on the screen.

"Hey aunt!" I scream, glad to hear voice again.

"How is my favorite niece doing? The prettiest. The boldest. The loving. The ..."

She only does this when she needs help.

"I know you want something. Tell me. I'm not in the mood for your praises," disappointment kicks in, dropping my shoulders along with with joy.

"I really want you to replace me at work. Please. Tomorrow is Saturday and I'm sure you don't have plans. But I do. I'm visiting your grand pa with your mum. He's celebrating his birthday."

How can I forget? He'll kill me.

"Don't worry, I told him you have a lot to do in the office. He bought it. But he said he wants your gift to be the biggest. Please. You know I have to leave early in the morning, since I have to meet your mum and if I don't leave early, the bus will take off and I'll have to wait for another four hours."

"OK, text me the address immediately you hang up."

"Thanks. Who is the prettiest of all? My niece!"

I roll my eyes.

It turns out she already texted me the address even before she called me. Such an aunt I have.

****

I'm supposed to be at the house before seven. Her boss goes for jogging at that time. I'm told every employee in the house goes away on Friday evening...except my aunt.

I ring the bell. The door opens only for me to meet my aunt standing there with her little bag.

"Aunt, you are still here. So what do I do?"

"Yeah i needed to wait till you arrive. You'll find the menu in the kitchen. Please take good care of the house and the little baby," she mentions, putting on her wrist watch.

"What little baby? Hope you took her bath."

My aunt keeps quiet.

"Christ, aunt you know, I can't bathe a baby." I don't know where she got that idea from.

"You'll do just great. I know the house is big. You'll lose your way if you absently walk. I know you are a smart girl. You'll know your way out. Text me when you need any assistance."

I intend to. I feel attached already.

****

I walk to the little girl's room. She's sleeping soundly. She's so cute. I did realize i almost had tears in my eyes.

I wish I had a daughter as gorgeous as she is. I'm in love...twice.

I'll ask my aunt for a picture of her and some day ask my husband for a baby as beautiful as this one...

I hope that husband is...

Suddenly the baby stirs in her sleep. Letting out a louder cry later. I quickly pick her up.

She feels so right in my arms and I feel like crying.

I love children especially when they are little.

She opens her eyes slowly.

She cries as the light blinds her eye. I quickly put out the lights.

I was so into her sleeping figure, I forgot to look around.

How on earth do an almost two years old baby wake up this early? I find it...disturbing.

Is she even more than two years old? I just guessed.

I give her water to drink.

****

If there were a third party, that person would've laughed throughout. The baby wouldn't allow me to bathe her. She holds me tighter the moment I try to put her into the water. The water isn't cold. It is hot ...not too hot...it's just OK, warm.

She keeps laughing anytime I frown at her. What sort of a child is this?

She bites my nose while I pick her up. And she wouldn't allow me to bathe her.

What now? Does she want us to bath together? If that's what she wants then I won't be bathing her till my aunt arrives on Sunday.

"Little one, please have pity on me and let me bath you. OK?"

She keeps laughing. I can't help but laugh too. She's so lovely.

Finally she gives up and I bathe her. I thought it will be difficult but I did bath her.

I wrap a towel around her tiny body while we walk into her room.

"What should we wear, little one?"

She shakes her head to every dress I choose.

Am I sure she's less than two?

I sigh and tickle her for a bit. While I turn to leave, she holds my hand with her arms. Indicating I tickle her more.

Her loud screams sound like music in my head. I love hearing her scream.

She crawls over to the head of the bed and sits. The bed is big. Even bigger than what i sleep in. It's good, so she wouldn't fall when she's sleeping. I join her and before I can tickle her some more, a voice stops me.

That voice.

"Your aunt told me you'll be replacing her. I didn't agree at first because she told me you were young, but I can see you are doing a great job."

I smile. He's never going to say positive things once he realizes it's me.

"I'll be in my room. Let me know when you need something."

He sounds so serious. I prefer the voice he spoke to me with last week, when he was advising me at Eunice's apartment.

He sounded sweet.

The little girl tries to reach for her dad behind me.

And that got him racing to the bed. He turns on the light and when he sees me, his eyes widens.

Heaven will break loose.

"You?"

*****

Wow, very long.

Hope you enjoyed it.

"You?"

What do you think will happen next? Let me know what you are all thinking about.

Please follow me on IG: @chrissieswift

Love you all