35

Alaric’s POV
Francesca was bouncing around with excitement, her little voice full of determination as she clutched Emilia’s hand. I hadn’t planned on anyone else joining us for this trip to the park, but once Francesca had her mind set, it was near impossible to talk her out of it. She’d insisted that Emilia come along, pulling on her hand with wide, pleading eyes that somehow even I wasn’t immune to. I didn’t love it, but I wasn’t about to turn the day into an argument. If Francesca wanted Emilia there, then that was the way it was going to be.
Emilia stayed quiet, seeming to be just as uncomfortable as I was. It was as if we had both came to an agreement to keep our distance from each other, but we tried as much as we can to act normal in front of Francesca. And while our distance bothered me at first, it didn’t anymore. She was Francesca’s nanny, nothing more, and it was about time I set some boundaries with myself. Distractions will only cost me more than necessary.
Once we reached the park, Francesca was off like a shot, her laughter trailing behind her as she darted toward the swings. I followed at a slower pace, hands in my pockets, glancing at Emilia only briefly. She hovered nearby, watching Francesca with a soft smile, her attention fully on her. She had a way with Francesca-gentle and attentive, making her feel safe and loved. It was part of the reason I’d hired her, but lately, seeing it firsthand had stirred something else in me.
I dismissed the thought and walked over to one of the benches, nodding for her to sit as well. The playground was busy with families and children running around, filling the air with laughter and shouts. Emilia sat down on the far end of the bench, leaving a respectful distance between us. We didn’t exchange words. There was nothing to say that wouldn’t tread into dangerous territory, and I’d rather keep things simple.
My eyes followed Francesca as she climbed onto the jungle gym, her small figure determined as she made her way across the bars. She waved to us from the top, her face lit up with pride. I gave her a nod, a small smile tugging at my mouth despite myself. Emilia’s reaction was warmer-she waved back enthusiastically, her expression lighting up in a way I didn’t often see from her.
“She’s really getting brave,” Emilia commented softly, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the park.
I didn’t respond, just kept my gaze trained on Francesca. It wasn’t that I didn’t agree, but any conversation felt like a step too close, like the start of something that I didn’t want to entertain. Emilia seemed to understand, because she fell silent again, her attention shifting back to Francesca as well.
Francesca came running over a few minutes later, breathless and grinning. She threw herself onto the bench between us, leaning against me with that unrestrained affection only kids seemed capable of. “Daddy, did you see me up there? I was the highest one!”
“I saw, sweetheart,” I replied, ruffling her hair. “You’re getting stronger every day.”
She looked over at Emilia, her eyes sparkling. “Did you see, Emilia?”
Emilia leaned in, her smile warm. “I did! You looked like a real explorer up there.”
Francesca giggled, clearly pleased with herself. For a moment, she sat there between us, swinging her legs and looking from me to Emilia as if she were trying to bridge the gap in her own way. I wondered if she could sense the tension, if she noticed the distance that had crept in.
“Can we all go to the swings now?” she asked, tugging on my hand and then Emilia’s.
I hesitated, not entirely comfortable with the idea of us as some sort of unit, even if it was just for Francesca’s sake. But when I looked down at her expectant face, I felt my resolve slip. She had this way of making me want to do whatever it took to see her happy, and if that meant letting Emilia join us, then so be it.
“Alright,” I said, standing up. “Let’s go.”
Francesca practically skipped ahead, calling out to us to hurry up as she raced to the swings. Emilia followed, her steps light, but she kept a respectful distance from me. When we reached the swings, Francesca was already climbing onto one, her hands gripping the chains tightly.
“Push me!” she called, looking at me, then at Emilia, as if she couldn’t decide who she wanted more.
I stepped forward and took the spot behind her, giving her a gentle push. She laughed as she swung forward, her hair flying back with the wind. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Emilia watching us, her expression soft, almost wistful.
“You know,” Francesca said as she swung back toward me, “it’d be even more fun if you both pushed me. You’d have to work together!”
Emilia’s gaze flicked to mine, uncertain, waiting for my reaction. I let out a quiet sigh, my guard lowering just enough for the sake of my daughter’s happiness.
“Alright, come on then,” I said to Emilia, nodding toward the other side of the swing.
She moved beside me, her hands reaching for the other chain, and for a moment, we pushed Francesca together in silence. It felt strange, a little too close for comfort, but I couldn’t deny that Francesca’s laughter made it worth it. She was caught up in her own joy, completely oblivious to the silence between Emilia and I.
After a while, Francesca was ready for something else, and she raced off to the slides, leaving Emilia and me standing there by the swings, hands empty, and silence settling back in. Emilia shifted, folding her arms as she watched Francesca.
“She really loves these little outings,” she said quietly, more to herself than to me.
I simply nodded. “She does,” I agreed. It was clear that Francesca adored her, and in moments like this, I could see why. Emilia had a warmth, a gentleness that I struggled to give freely. She was the kind of person Francesca needed around, someone to balance out my harsher edges.
After what felt like an eternity, Francesca came running back, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright. She looked between us, grinning as if everything was just as it should be.
“Can we come back tomorrow?” she asked, looking up at me with those big, hopeful eyes.
“Maybe,” I replied, managing a small smile. “We’ll see.”
Francesca turned to Emilia, tugging at her hand. “You’ll come too, right?”
Emilia’s eyes flicked to mine briefly before she responded, her voice gentle. “If your daddy says it’s okay, then of course I’ll come.”
On the way back, Francesca held both our hands, swinging between us as she chattered about her day. Emilia laughed along with her, her tone light and easy, as if the tension between us didn’t exist. And maybe, for Francesca’s sake, that was how it had to be.
When we reached home, Francesca let go of our hands and darted inside, already calling for her favorite toy. Emilia lingered by the door, giving me a quick, polite nod before she headed inside after Francesca.
And I stood there for a moment, hands in my pockets, wondering how I could feel so close and so far from someone at the same time.