A Gift

V A L E R I U S ' P O V :

Water splashes my face as Ellie's hand comes into contact with her bath water. I want to get mad but I can't, it's too hard to with her cute face.

Her lips curve to a smile as she watches the bubbles wave along with the water, I find myself echoing a smile of my own.

"Tilt your head back, piccolina." I conduct softly and she complies easily.

I take the cup of water and pour it down Ellie's soft brunette hair, watching the bubbles fall back to the water. While I kneel on my knees hovering over the tub, Ellie sits it the tub with her eyes looking into mine. A big smile warms her face as she stares at me tending to her beautiful hair.

"What are you looking at, ragazza matta." Crazy girl. My words were gentle, playful. My adoration is hopefully evident.

Her giggles bubble through the air and I plant a short kiss to her forehead.

"I love you, papà!"

My smile grows wider, "I love you, Ellie." My words are full of the love I have for her.

My work ceases when I finish bathing Ellie. Her hair is washed and her body is bathed. My work is done and I have her stand up so I can rid the tub of water. I grab the fluffiest black towel we have clean and wrap Ellie's shaking body in it quickly to stop her shivering.

I pull her close to me and peck the side of her face with kisses. Her giggles make my heart dance. I tug her wrapped body to me.

"Let's get you ready for bed, sì?"

All I receive in return is repeated nods and a dance of excitement.

I'll never get tired of this.

• • •

Ellie gazes up at me in hesitation. She lays in her silk sheets, all ready for bed time.

"But what if there's monsters?" Her voice wavers.

Her fingers start nervously playing with her bracelet. She twists the braided strings.

My hands reach over to her from my spot on the side of her bed and tuck her covers into her body, making it impossible for her to get out. Safe from all of the monsters.

"Now, they won't be able to get you." I send her a comforting smile and lay a kiss on her cheek. "You are safe, Ellie."

"Promise?" A sly smile slips on her face.

"Promise, baby."

I lean over and plant a kiss on her forehead for good measure and let her do the same to me. She's discovered recently that she likes to give forehead kisses just as much as she likes to receive them.

"Good night, Ellie. . ." I sing out, standing.

"Night, papà." She speaks softly back. Her eyes begin to flutter shut.

Slight panic slams at my heart. Leaving her is always hard. It sounds crazy. I'm still here and she's not leaving our home but it still hurts to be away from her.

Ellie decided recently that she wants to be a "big girl" now and sleep on her own, much to my dismay. It's good that she wants to be independent. I should be happy.

I just wish she would stop growing up so fast.

I already missed so much time.. now it just feels like it's flying.

My footsteps patter the dark wood floor as I walk downstairs to my home office. My mind swirls with urges to pull me back upstairs and cuddle with my Ellie for the night but work doesn't wait for anyone.

Deals need to be finalized and emails need to be sent. I need to look over drafts for new renovations in my company then decide what projects me and my company would profit most off of. Boring shit, but it's what keeps the money rolling so I can spend it all on my Ellie.

I step into my office with a deep sigh. My chair rolls slightly as I sit, my body weight pushes it forward and my elbows rest on my desk after I open my computer. My fingers lay on the keys and I get to work.

Just under an hour later, a knock brakes me out of my trance.

Ellie is my first thought. Is she okay?

"Entra", My voice ran deep and demanding, knowing it was one of my guards, my family doesn't know how to knock.

Just as I suspect one of my guards enter in the doorway, standing with a package. It is William, a guard that normally stands post by the front gate.

He nods his head in respect. "Don, a package was sent here with a label for an emergency. It was scanned and cleared." He sets it down.

I relax when I realize nothing is wrong with my daughter.

I examine the package from my desk and did notice the red rectangular sticker that expressed the package was urgent.

"Leave it and go." My tone is final.

"Yes, Don." He nods his head once more and dips out of the room, closing the door, after setting the small brown box down.

For just a moment I wonder what could be in the box, and how random it is for me to get a package like this. I eventually decide to get up and take the small rectangular box back to my desk.

My fingers brush against the box and slowly, I push the flap up. What I see is something unexpected. I can feel my heart drop but even then, I can still feel it thumping hard against my chest.

I try to force my mind to something happy, but I can't stop the memories of her flooding to my brain.

Katerina Watson.

My breath catches in my throat.

My finger traces the shiny metal for a moment before snatching it back upon realization. It is her necklace. She wore it everyday, how could I forget it? It's plain silver, her name.

A necklace doesn't hurt but it's her necklace with a deep crimson shade of blood that hurts.

Trying to hold myself back from tearing myself apart and falling down a rabbit hole of causes, I close the box quickly. I take a deep breath with my eyes twisted shut.

Breathe in and out. In and out.

That's what I did until the pit in my stomach started to finally shrink.

Once my thoughts are collected, I jump fast out of my chair but continue out of the room calmly along with a cold demeanor.

The only thing that is keeping me anchored now is my.. our little girl just a few steps away. Seeing her smile. Knowing that she'd be excited to see me.

"John." I call out strictly.

His eyes snap to me. "Yes, Don?"

I hold the box out and John lifts his hands to take it. It's held between both our grips, our eyes are locked.

"You're relieved of your duty today. Take this to the lab and have the blood tested for any match in our system. After, go home. See your girls, but as soon as the results come back, you report to me."

"Yes, Don." His head nods in respect and so does mine. "Thank you." I let go of the box and turn to walk away.

"Family is important, John. Time is precious."

He agrees with a small smile and a nod before walking outside to complete his tasks.

Once I hear the click of the lock to my front door, I practically run through my house to get upstairs and enter my Ellie's room. I know she'll be sleeping but is it really so bad that right now, I only want the comfort of my daughter.

Images of what that bastard did to Katerina consumes my head. I don't want to think about it.

I can't think about it. I might just lose it.

Before I know it, my feet carry me to my little girl who lays soundly in her bed. My eyes trail every detail of her sleeping state. Her hair is sprawled out loosely, her lips parted slightly. Her hand is barely keeping her elephant stuffed animal sturdy as it's half way past falling from her grip. She's such a messy sleeper.

I smile at the sight.

I walk forward and as if she feels my presence, her blue eyes softly flutter open, just barely squinting.

"Papà. . .", she yawns out and I kneel down beside her bed.

"Hi, baby", I smile at her. Her lips lift tiredly.

"What's wrong?" She asks in her tired baby voice, one that could continuously make my heart melt.

I brush some hairs away from her face with a sad smile, trying to hold my tears back "Papà is just a little upset." I don't lie. She might be the only person I'm okay with seeing me on my bad days.

The pout is evident on her face.

"No sad, papà." She replies with her eyes opening up more.

I can't help but sniffle to keep my tears in. God, I feel so pathetic right now. I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't want her to be sad just because I am.

Ellie sits up with tears in her own eyes. Her eyes lock with mine. She cups my face with her tiny hands and places a kiss on my forehead like I do to her when she's upset.

I can't help the tear that falls from my eye.

I am so lucky to have her.

"Hug, papà." She demands. So bossy. I'm quick to oblige to my princess.

My arms wrap tightly around her and squeeze tightly, as if I'm releasing all the anger I need a detox from.

Her head lays immediately in the crook of my neck, my head on top of hers. My eyes close and a few silent tears roll down my cheeks. I silently curse at myself before wiping them without Ellie seeing.

I will always be conflicted of my feelings for Katerina. Though, I will always know that I did love her. Pain and all.

"Stay. . ," was the last thing I hear come from Ellie's mouth before her body falls loose. I'm sure she's fallen asleep.

So I do. I stay. The whole night.

I pick her out of her bed and hold her tightly in her arms. I bend down slightly to grab her stuffed animal before heading out of her room and into mine.

I lay her down before changing into pajamas and splashing cold water on my face to pull myself together.

Somehow after having a kid I can understand how vulnerable they let themselves be and how happy they are when they have a support system. Maybe it's selfish of me to let my five-year-old daughter be my support system but sometimes you just need someone and no matter what, I know my little girl will always be on my side.

The bed shifts as I lay down, curling close to my girl. Her body instinctively rolls closer to mine. We meet in the center of our bed. Her soft breathing is soothing. I brush her hair with my fingers to calm myself.

Eventually, my eyelids go heavy and I feel myself fall into another stressless sleep.

• • •

This morning, I had the pleasure of waking up before Ellie, her cuddled into my arms. I was graced with the sight of her stress free face. I can't help the bliss I feel.

Peace comes to me in the form of tired eyes and messy hair. Ellie's eyes open. My thumb brushes her cheek over and over again. So beautiful. Her soft smooth face scrunches up. Ellie shoves her face into her pillow, whining at the morning light.

A silent laugh escapes me, my mouth turning upwards.

"Good morning Ellie." I whisper, her body stays still. My fingers brush through her hair. "Time to get breakfast."

"Nuh-uh." She mumbles in a pout.

She's never been a morning person.

"Yeah-huh." I taunt back just to hear her little whine that follows. My lips coil into a smile, "I guess I'll just tell Summer's mom that she shouldn't come over later because you're too tired to get up."

Ellie's head snaps up, hitting my chin in the process. Ouch. "Winter?" She smiles and I nod. In a matter of a seconds I have to grab her before she jumps off the bed. "Come on, papà! Breakfast!" She shouts hazily and my smile never leaves my face.

• • •

"Hi, Mrs. Lane." I greet with my hand out.

Sheila's hand meets mine. "Hi, Mr. Armani! Thank you for having Summer over." She lays a smile on her face and I return it tightly. "I'll text you around five to get Summer. Is that alright?"

"Perfect."

I can't believe I'm doing the whole parent thing where you talk to the parents of your kid's friends. I am hosting a play date right now. That's weird.

Sheila bends down and kisses Summer who was just about bouncing up and down waiting to come inside. Her bright pink, sparkly, book bag is hanging down her back. Her very pink outfit matches, monochrome.

"Be good and let me know if you need anything. Alright, baby?" Summer quickly said yes. While they finish their talk I turn and call Ellie downstairs to tell her Summer arrived.

Footsteps rumble the ground, running towards the front door. When Summer and Ellie's eyes lock, smiles light both of their faces up. They relinquish in a tight hug, running off together.

"Can't even say bye to her mama." Sheila's head shakes as she jokes and my mouth quirked up for courtesy. "They get friends and suddenly forget how to hug their parents goodbye!" Her mouth curls up, probably thinking about Summer.

My mind travels to all the years I missed. My heart aches. I swallow what I have left in my dry throat.

"Well, my wife, Serena, should be here to pick Summer up."

Sheila. Serena. Summer.

I guess everyone has their own thing.

"I'll be at work but please cal me if anything happens."

"Of course." I reassure her and we say our goodbyes.

Sheila's car drives off and my guards slowly come back to their position. They weren't far away but hidden so I didn't scare off Sheila and Summer. I won't ruin my daughter's first school friendship.

I shut the door and make my way upstairs to the giggling coming from Ellie's room.

I knock and the giggles get quiet abruptly.

"Can I come in, Ellie?"

Tiny pats tap the floor, her door creeks open just enough so Ellie can peak her head out, not letting me see into her room.

"Yes, papà?" Her blue doe-eyes look up at me and I raise my eyebrow at the closed door.

"I just want to know if you or Summer want anything to eat while you play."

"One moment." Her fake posh accent makes a smile want to reach my face in shock. She closes the door and my eyebrows jump in surprise. The door opens again with her head peaking out, her ears touch the wall and door, leaving no space for me to see inside. "Nope." Ellie quirks.

"Well," I suck in a breath, "don't let me keep you from your playing. I'll bring something up later."

"No, papà." I eye her oddly, where is this attitude coming from? "Me and Winter are playing queen princesses not princes. No boys allowed."

I press my lips together. I'm definitely okay with no boys. "Okay," was all I could drag out before the door shut again.

That little devil.

I would love to be angry but I'm afraid she got that attitude from me.

I turn around and start walking back down the stairs, completely baffled. No one has ever shut the door on me before and I wasn't expecting the first person to do it to be my own daughter.

I shake my head slightly, lost in my mind before I hear footsteps coming towards me. I turn to see John walking towards me.

"Don." John bows his head in respect and I halt myself. I quickly understand the reasoning for him coming to me.

"The lab results came back."

The air in my lungs gets stuck.

• • •