#fontaines

Carlos' little ray of sunshine was half sprawled out on her kitchen table half sat on her chair like any other adult would instruct her to. But she just let her be a child. Carefree and bound to no rules of etiquette.

For the time that both, him and Josephine, were busy, they always fell back on her agreement. Arranging a babysitter in the form of one of their best friends. It was easier that way, the trust came stronger and effortless. The little girl already comfortable around the place when they dropped her off for the first time. Grian kissing her temple and saying good bye to the two girls as he used the convenience in his advantage and caught a ride with Carlos to the studio.

Her laptop sat on the edge of the table while she waited for the emails to reach her. Laughing with the little girl, neither paying attention to the Mickey Mouse Christmas special that played in the background. Instead, they put their whole focus on the stars cut out and littered across the wooden surface. A project they assigned them in elementary school to decorate the class room.

Halfway through, the little one decided that enough was enough. Letting her crayons and the paper fall on the table with an exaggerated attitude, she probably had from spending to much time with Grian, she wandered over to the sofa. Falling into the cushion and drifting off into a dream world of her own.

One way more innocent than the one she was stuck in. Having to accept that arts and craft were only fun with nonsensical drabble in the background or music to keep her head moving and her shoulders from sacking into themselves.

Abandoning the work station, she pulled the laptop closer. Going back to answering emails and writing when it was necessary. One ear always appointed to the other side of the room in case the little one would wake up and mumble something she wouldn't catch if she wasn't actively listening.

It felt safe, having someone to care for and love, even when it wasn't her own.

While the hours passed, that's where her mind drifted off to over and over again. The thought that the kid sleeping peacefully wasn't her friend's child she was babysitting but her own spouse she was spending time with.

They'd never talked about it explicitly, her and Grian. It was a mention over dinner at home while watching a movie or a joke across the table from one of their parents, though neither explicitly said their like or dislike on the topic. All she ever received was a nudge of his shoulder in the dark and a small smile that she could only barely make out beneath the low lights of the TV. Or how he pulled her closer at the family dinner and nuzzled his head in her hair when the topic moved one to something more innocent.

When truly, living like this, with a child that — hopefully — inherited his eyes and smile and her charm and hair was the most innocent she could picture.

With the thoughts clouding her mind, she barely registered the time until the door opened and two male voices cut through the silence. Neither too loud to disturb but loud enough to have the little one perk up at the recognition of her dad's voice. Standing with too much force and almost falling into the coffee table.

Not taking notice of the wide eyed woman who was already halfway up from her seating position to take care of what she presumed would lead to a crying and screaming child. Running and throwing her little body against Carlos' leg before Grian could even close the door fully. Jumping impatiently up and down to be picked up.

Laughing at the scene, shaking his head, Grian walked past the family, high fiving the girl for behaving well before going over to his own girl.

Kissing her head. "Everything alright? She let you get your work done?" Raising his eyebrows as he looked at the kid who was talking with Carlos like she had just been on the most exciting adventure of her life.

"She was an angel," she answered, assuring Grian with a squeeze of his hand that rested comfortably on her shoulder that she wasn't just saying it out of politeness. Gently stroking her cheek to get the last bit of her attention for a proper goodbye.

"Again, thank you so much for taking care of her. We really don't know what we'd do without you." With a hug and another thank you, they were out of their place.

Grian collapsing on the sofa, legs and arms outstretched in different directions. Sighing as if he'd just climbed the Mount Everest. Expecting her to join him not even a second after he settled in the comfort of their home. His eyebrows knitting and his whole body twisting in his seat to see where she was held up.

With her focus back on the last bits of the school project, she didn't notice his gaze lingering on how effortlessly she did it. How no complaints left her at the task when it wasn't even hers to do.

Slumping into the seat opposite her, head on the table, his fingers tapped on the surface within her vision. Making her look up at him, the ever steady grin he seemed to wear around her already waiting to be admired.

"Why are you doing this? It's not even our kid," he mused, lifting the garland and watching the light etch through the paper.

"I pick her up on Wednesday, the day when they need it. Besides I have nothing else to do, it gives me something to dream about," she said. Shrugging to make it seem casual when both knew it was meant the least bit casual.

Her words held a weight that only hope and the future could replicate.

"Something to dream about, huh?" Grian pushed her further. "Like what?"

Shrugging again, she laughed because she genuinely did not know. There were too many fantasies that she barely could tell which ones were truly what she wanted.

"A family of our own. Kids running around, sleeping on the sofa halfway through a school project because it got too boring for them to stay motivated. Us sitting here, when they're already sleeping, cleaning after them and helping them out when we'd just called them out because we care too much to see them fail if we can't help it. Something of our own. Just us."

"Sounds nice." Leaning over the table, closer to her, she followed his movement. Meeting him halfway to his lips, the world feeling warm and comforting. No fear or doubt that her dreams wouldn't involve him. "It's a good dream, one that's nicer once it's reality."

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Bonus:

The following year, when the garlands were packed out again and the night came sooner than anticipated, she laid with her legs thrown over his lap. The little girl of their own silently sleeping in Grian's arms while neither dared to move or push away the moment.

His head moving, lips softly moving over her hair. Telling her, that it was alright after he caught her eyes fluttering shut one too many times.

"Go to sleep, love. You deserve it. I've got her. I've got you. Both of you."