-Juliette-

I felt a little nervous as I walked into the little daycare center. It was brightly lit and extremely colorful.

"How may I help you?" An attractive young woman asked as she walked up to the front desk.

"Yes I'm here to pick up Grace Wylde."

"Well I've never seen you picking her up before." The girl sounded.

"Oh no I've never picked her up, this is my first time doing so."

"Well unless you're on her release card I can't let her go with you." She informed me.

I knew it was for the well being of the children, and call me crazy but I'd say this girl was ENJOYING telling me no.

"If you call Dylan he will tell you that he's asked me to pick her up today...like an over the phone authorization perhaps?" I tried to offer

She shook her head. "That's not how things are done around here Princeton."

Did she seriously just try an insult me...that was rude.

As this was Graves daycare and I did t want to cause any trouble for Dylan and possibly have grace kicked out I held my composure, pulled out my phone, and called Diane...since I definitely didn't want to alarm Dylan. "Can you please come inside and help me out."

Soon Diane was inside, she wore a stern face like I had never seen before.

"What seems to be the problem here?"

"Luna Supreme." The girl sounded a little
Shocked.

I wasn't one hundred percent sure what the 'Luna Supreme' title was but now wasn't the time.

"I was just telling miss...uh...-"

"I believe you called me Princeton." I sounded snidely.

The girl blushed deeply. "My apologies, but if she isn't on the list I can't let her take a child from the facility."

"To which I understand completely...and for future purposes please try and refrain from belittling those not on a pickup card...you never know when the shoe will be on the other foot." Diane sounded. "Now then, I know that I AM on my great nieces pick-up card and if you'd like I can fill out a pick-up card for Juliette as well seeing as she will be most likely dropping her off and picking her up from here on out."

"I have to ask Luna Supreme But is this something Mr Wylde would want?"

Diane smiled, "Juliette is Dylan's special friend."

I blushed, she had made it seem like we were more than we really were. But the girl handed me a form and I quickly jotted down my information and slid the card back over to the lady, "may we please have Grace now."

She nodded and in less than two minutes Grace came running over to us, her blonde hair down loose and bouncy with every footfall.

"Juliette!" She sounded happily.

I crouched down and took her in my arms, "hello Gracie...ready to go to Diane's?"

"Where's daddy?"

"Oh sweetheart Daddy will join us later, he's still working."

"Okay then." She pouted cutely.

I carried her out and Diane joined us, I strapped her into her car seat. We stopped by a market and picked up some stuff for dinner and then when we got to the house I helped Grace remove her shoes before I text Dylan.

[Juliette: Just arrived at Diane's, stopped at the market otherwise we would've been here sooner.]

Grace and I followed into kitchen, I set her down at the table and handed her the peas to be taken out of their pods. I was just about to help her when I got a text.

[Dylan: glad to hear it, don't forget to take Grace to the restroom every so often, she forgets to tell people she has to go.]

My eyes went wide, of course her tiny bladder would have to go to the restroom more often. I scooped her up from the chair and walked us into the restroom.

"So I'm not totally sure about the proper protocol with this Miss Grace, but I'm going to leave the door cracked a little so you don't lock yourself in, and I'll be just on the other side of the door in case you need help or anything."

It was probably the most uncomfortably awkward conversation I have ever had with a three year old.

She finished on her own and even cleaned herself up and washed her hands before we got back to the table and finished with the peas. Afterward we played with her toys for a while before she tired of them.

"Can we watch a movie Juliette?"

I looked down at her, "of course." We went into the den and she picked out a movie to watch and together we sat and watched a Barbie movie until we were called for dinner.

Grace had a healthy appetite but I kept stopping her to wipe her mouth and remind her to slow down or take smaller bites so as not to choke.

"I'll take her up for a bath." Diane said happily.

For that I was grateful, I wasn't sure how Dylan would feel about me seeing his daughter fully naked. I helped wash the dishes and took my own quick shower.

I was combing my hair out when a light knock sounded on the bedroom door.

She let herself in and walked over to the bed that I was sitting on. I picked her up and sat her in front of me. I carefully ran the comb through her golden locks and unknowingly smiled as I did so.

Her baby shampoo filled my nose and I closed my eyes as I inhaled her lovely light fragrance.

"Can we sleep Juliette."

"How about we call daddy first?" I offered.

She nodded excitedly and I found his number to call, I immediately put it on speaker phone.

"Hello?" He answered, his deep voice made me smile.

"Hi Daddy, it's me Grace."

I held back a laugh at her cuteness.

"Hello beautiful, did you have a good day today?" He asked.

Okay so I had to admit that listening to Dylan talk to his daughter was kind of a big turn on. I like getting to know that he was a genuinely good guy all around.

They talked a little while more, Grace told him about her day at "school," playing with toys and watching a movie with me, and how her great aunt had given her a bubble bath.

"I'm going to sleep now daddy."

"Alright beautiful, you sleep well... goodnight, I love you...let me talk to Juliette."

"I'm here." I finally admitted.

"Not to nit-pick but...I believe you said you would text me after dinner."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Well I decided to have a shower after dinner, since I had some alone time."

He chuckled handsomely, "I'm just messing with you Jules...And thanks again, you really don't know how much of a help this is."

"It's nothing Dylan."

Silence.

"Anyways I think I really should get little miss Gracie to bed, she rubbing her eyes and I don't want to keep her up too late...especially if she has to get up early for daycare."

"Alright I'll let you go then."

"Daddy." Grace groaned, "you have to tell Juliette goodnight."

"Good night Jules."

My cheeks flamed, "goodnight Dylan."

__________

I don't know what time it was when Dylan finally arrived, Grace fell asleep in my bed and I didn't mind as she wasn't a restless sleeper.

I heard when the door to the room opened.

"They've been inseparable those two." Diane sounded sweetly.

I held my eyes shut, only leaving a small slit open so I could see through my lashes.

Dylan walked over, it was hard to make out his features. He sat on the edge of the bed and bent down to kiss his daughter.

"Wake up Sleeping Beauty." He sounded gently.

She began to stir as he rubbed her back gently, "it's time to go to 'school' beautiful."

I fought back my smile.

I imagined being woken up like that...I would even be mad about it, and I hate being woken up.

"Good morning daddy." Grace whispered in return before she turned to face me, she crawled over to me and kissed my cheek. "Wake up sleeping beauty."

Dylan chuckled and grabbed his daughter, "no beautiful." He said before he placed a hand on my hip. "Let's let Juliette rest, I promise you will see her later."

The warmth of his touch had ignited something deep inside of me.

Soon they were gone and I rolled over from my side to my back, I opened my eyes as I realized that even though I wasn't ready (emotionally) to be in a relationship with anyone just yet...I could no longer hide the way Dylan Wylde was beginning to make me feel.