The more Copia thinks about it, the more he regrets not taking this day off to spend with his daughter and partner. And the more he curses at his past self for having poor time management skills. Had he finished this paperwork Sister assigned him days ago, he'd be free to do whatever he pleased. He would have been able to take his loves out for the day, to make the most of the sun.

For now, he suffers in his chair as he signs another document talking about Ghoul wardrobe budgets.

The sunshine had brought in the warmth though, which wasn't good for Copia's worn out mind. The room had become the perfect temperature to relax in. He feels as if he could be lounging on the balcony upstairs. It's making him sleepy.

As he scribbles his signature on another random document, he debates resting his eyes just for five minutes. His signatures are resembling squiggles similar to his daughters doodles rather than his own name. A rest would do him good.

Copia sighs, giving up on his pen by rolling it aside. It would be a short nap, he decided. He'd tuck his head in his arms, doze just long enough to get his energy back up and running. He'd be able to finish in time then-

The office door swings open in a flash, wood slamming into the wall, the commotion yanks Papa out of his drifting daze. He goes right-straight, eyes wide as saucers, staring in terror as he can expect only one person at his door. Most likely Sister Imperator, ready to berate him for slacking off.

His terror quickly ebbs away, it isn't Sister. He softly exhales in relief, seeing it’s only his daughter at the door. His sunshine, smiling ear to ear, frills and sequins of her summer dress a welcomed splash of colour in his dull office. You appear not far behind her, matching her smile, although it's more slyer in demeanor, Copia notices. Like something is up your sleeve.

"What did I tell you about knocking, dolce mia? You scare your Papa!" Copia tries to be chiding at his daughter but he falls short. He's already smiling, just at the sight of you two; how Sofie skips up to his desk in an unbalanced wobble, how you watch her with such a fondness in your eyes as she giggles.

"I tried to tell her," You reply, rolling your eyes, "You know she doesn't listen."

Copia goes to add something about staying up past bedtimes and sneaking a late night stack with Terzo one too many times-

"We have a present for you!" Sofie beams at the end of his desk. She's just tall enough so her eyes can see over the edge of it. Copia tilts his head, smile quirking into a suspicious smirk, glancing between you and his daughter. He stares at you for a second, eyes drilling you for answers, but your lips stay sealed. You aren't gonna spoil a thing. He just now notices how his daughter has her arms behind her back. It turns out she is the one with something up her sleeve.

"Hold out your hands!" Sofie demands, tip of her nose raised with a small pout, waiting for her dad to listen. She really does get her stern face from her Papa.

Copia obeys hesitantly, slowly peeling his gloved hands off the surface of his desk and holding them in a cupped palms. He raises his brows expectantly. But Sofie's not satisfied. "Close your eyes."

He does, scoffing quietly. The next second he feels a tickling, scratchy thing in his hands. "Open!"

Before he does, Copia doesn't really know to expect. He would guess it's a baby rat, but he knows he already has far too many. Also, it's not wiggling in his hands. Whatever it is, Copia will accept it with joy, knowing the gift came from his baby girl. And he certainly does.

He finds himself lost for words at the gift in his palms, he feels more than joy. He looks down at the flower crown in his hands. A delicate, little adornment made of daisies and pink and yellow carnations. It's a sweet, heart-made and hand-crafted gift.

Copia's lips part in an audible pop, brows raised as he takes in his daughter's piece of art. Sofie makes a garbled noise of joy, at seeing her father’s face light up with her own eyes.

"Oh dolce, you are very talented!" Copia examines all the bits and pieces, spinning around the crown in his palm to get a closer look. "And creative! Look at these nice colours."

"Papa Pweemo helped me pick them!" Sofie jumps up and down. She can barely contain her excitement. "He told me the best to go together!"

"He has very good taste." Without needing to be asked, Copia puts the crown right atop his head. It scuffles his hair a bit and causes a few wisps to stick out, but it suits him entirely and isn't too big or small. You got the dimensions just right.

"I think it fits me well, eh." Sofie's eyes shine like the stars, a proud, mismatched gaze just like her Papa's. She makes a small squeal of delight, then rounds the desk. Copia takes her up into his arms and onto his lap, holding her against his side. Despite her tiny arms, Sofie gives her Papa a strong bear hug.

"I got help tying them together though." Sofie explains, pointing to you standing across the desk, sly smile now softened into a genuine one. You give her a wink for actually crediting you, thankful she listened to atleast one of the things you said prior to entering the office.

Copia smirks at you, "Ah I see, thank you very much, you both. And I will make sure to thank Papa Primo for his hard work as well."

"So, do you like it?" You ask from across the desk.

“I love it. I will wear it for the rest of the day.” Copia decides, making sure his crown doesn’t fall off as he lifts his chin up, posing for his little girl. She laughs at the goofy display, while Copia adds, “Now, we just need one for you, piccola mia. Then you’ll match with your Papa!” Next, he’s dotting kisses all over her chubby cheeks, turning her laughter into giddy squeals.

Your smile only brightens further at this scene, witness to another sweet memory of your little family. Before Sofie, Copia never considered such a life like this, as work and the title of Papa always made it seem like it was impossible. Although both is still in the mix, you still find time for these little moments. On days he's chained to the office, you and Sofie can always find a way, just like today. With Primo's help it was much easier too.

As Sofie plays with his crown, it falls crooked, Copia makes a noise of offence. He says in sharp Italian something along the lines of "Be careful not to break it!", and you know then and there. You know even after he takes it off later tonight, he'll have it on his bedside for a very long time.

And when Sofie gets her own, you know he'll always wear it alongside her. He won't care for the odd looks he'll get around the Abbey, because making his daughter smile is worth it entirely.

Copia rushes to the cafe with his daughter, Greta, cursing in his mind. He is late again and he knows his boss won't be happy, but he still hopes he can keep his job.

When he gets inside from the back door that's meant for staff, he turns to his daughter and smooths her hair before poking her nose. The girl lets out a little laugh and Copia smiles at her tiredly.

"You know what to do, piccina," Copia says and Greta nods. She is used to this - becoming there and spending time alone in the staff's space while Copia worked. Not ideal situation at all but Copia has no other choises as the nanny has gotten sick again and his brothers lived too far to take Greta.

Copia gently nudges her and Greta understands the message, turning and disappearing to the small kitchen, probably going to look for some snacks.

"Copia..."

The voice of his boss, Aurora, is enough to make Copia sigh as he finally straightens himself up, meeting the woman's gaze.

"I know, I'm sorry. Her nanny got sick and I had no other place where to take her and..." Copia trails off, offering Aurora an apologetic look.

Aurora shakes her head as she steps closer to Copia, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I know this is hard for you..." Aurora starts and Copia bites his lower lip, knowing what she means.

"Maybe you should take some time off," Aurora suggests, her voice soft. "You really seem like you need a break."

Copia sighs again, his shoulders sagging, and he blinks rapidly as his eyes start to feel moist.

"I can't..."

"Think about Greta. You've been working so much and you're clearly tired. Please, take some time off and focus on yourself and her."

The look in Aurora's eyes is empathetic and Copia's heart clenches in his chest. He ponders her words for a while, knows he hasn't much other options.

"Okay, I'll do it," Copia agrees and Aurora smiles at him.

"Great."

"Daddy, look!" Greta says excited and points at the cage where two rats are eating their food. Copia smiles, and crouches down beside Greta.

"They are cute, aren't they?" Copia asks and gets very eager nods as an answer.

Now that he has been having some off time from work, he has spent more time with Greta. They have visited different places in the city, layed on the couch while watching kids' movies and played inside and outside. It has been so lovely and for the first time in months Copia has felt he is starting to enjoy life.

Being a single parent hasn't been easy but now it's starting to feel that he actually can handle it.

Copia feels a light nudge on his arm and it tears him out of his thoughts. He meets Greta's gaze - it's soft yet a bit worried.

"What is it, sweetie?" Copia softly asks, lifting his hand to brush her cheek with his thumb.

"Do you want a pet?"

It may seem like a innocent question but Copia knows it has a hidden message - Greta is a smart girl, after all.

"Well, I'm not sure this is the best time to take a pet," Copia says and disappointment settles on Greta's face.

"But they could make you happy," Greta tries, her little hand grabbing Copia's shirt right where his heart is. Copia's heart swells of warmth and he quickly kisses her forehead, runs his hand through her light brunette hair.

Greta does have a point. Copia remembers the time when he has had pet rats and how much joy they have brought his life. It is kind of sweet that Greta thinks that they can bring him happiness now, too, though it is also a bit sad. He has been a mess and clearly not the best dad after Greta's mother took and left, leaving him dealing with everything alone.

"Papà..."

Copia shakes the thoughts out of his mind and sighs. Maybe it will not be that bad if they take a few rats. And if it makes Greta happy, then he has no heart to refuse.

"Okay, we can take them if you want but only on one condition," Copia says and Greta's face light up, her toothy grin melting his heart. "You have to promise me you will take very good care of them."

"I promise," Greta says happily and suddenly wraps her small arms around Copia's neck. Copia closes his eyes, hugging her back and feels a tiny piece of weight leaving from his shoulders.

Copia scribbles his signature on the document before him, the paper moving slightly, causing the V in IV to skew crookedly across the signature line. He chuckles softly to himself and then looks down at the little bundle wrapped in his left arm.

"A little harder to write, but entirely worth it, eh, bambina?"

He sets down his pen to adjust the blanket, pulling it down slightly so his baby girl's face is clear. Copia grins, joy in his eyes as he watches her little mouth pucker, searching for a pacifier or a bottle even in her slumber. Her eyelashes are such a light brown, delicately dusting her cheeks. He gently smooths a hand over the fuzzy hair on her head, and Copia idly wonders if she'll have curls when she's older.

“My little sunshine baby," he coos at her, leaning back in his chair to hold her closer. Paperwork can wait when his very life rests in his arms.

For a man above 50, alone most of his life, this baby is his miracle. He can never thank his Prime Mover enough for showing him he deserves to be loved and to give love. For accepting him as their husband, and now the father of their child. Copia loves his little family with every fiber of his being and could burst into tears from just the very thought of what the Dark Lord has blessed him with.

The baby squirms and makes a disgruntled noise, her little hand coming up, fingers moving in reflex against her face. Copia gently cups her hand, letting the small digits wrap around his finger to pull it softly away from her cheek. Newborn nails, to his surprise, are awfully sharp, and he nearly had a panic attack the first time he saw a small cut on her sweet face.

"We'll have to clip these again, piccolina," he tsks.

She stretches, slowly coming out of her doze, those precious little newborn grunts escaping her lips as she opens her eyes, blinking heavily against the light. Copia sighs softly, entirely in love with his baby. He strokes her warm cheek with a finger, gently tapping the tip of her nose.

"Buongiorno, my love. Did you sleep well?" The baby's tiny mouth opens wide as she yawns, and he laughs in delight. "Oh, si, mio dolce bambina, hai dormito così bene mentre Papa lavorava."

She looks toward his voice with sleepy eyes, her pink lips stretching into a smile, and although Copia has been told it is a reflex at this stage, he chooses to believe that she is smiling at her Papa. It never fails to make tears spring to his eyes, and he wipes them away, his shoulders shaking with quiet laughter.

"Look at your Papa, bambina. Such a mess. You have me wrapped around your little finger, you know this, huh?" He uses a single finger to tickle at her belly. "Are you laughing at your sciocco vechio Papa?"

Another smile stretches across her small face, and she moves in his arms, fingers opening and closing, legs kicking under the little embroidered rat blanket she is wrapped in. Copia leans his head against the back of his chair, staring up at the ceiling for a moment while a rush of emotion flows through his chest. He swallows and looks back down at her, a watery smile on his lips.

“I love you so much,” he whispers. “My precious little miracle. This is my paradise. This is my home.”