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Thirty

"You're my favorite person in the world right now." I smile through the phone sweetly as Tara stares blankly back at me.

"Whatever, bitch." She sighs and rolls her eyes.

"Look, if you really don't want to watch Aurelia tonight I understand. I know it's last minute." I say, worried that she feels like she has no choice.

"Of course I want to, dummy. I'm just giving you a hard time." Tara finally cracks a smile and a wave of relief washes over me.

"Thank God. Sebastian is practically dragging me out tonight." I sigh. Tara's mouth turns up into a smile so slightly I almost miss it before she clears her throat and changes her expression.

"Do you know where you're going yet?" Tara asks as she stands from her bed and walks through her apartment to her kitchen. I was just going to call her but she insisted on a video call so she could help me pick an outfit for tonight.

"No. He won't tell me anything other than it's a surprise but that I should dress to be outside. I think he may wanting to go to a new restaurant that just opened up a few blocks over. They have outdoor seating." I tell her as I hold the phone in one hand and search through my closet with the other.

"Wear that white long sleeve shirt and your black jeans." Tara suggests before biting into an apple.

"The one with the loose sleeves?" My eyes find it hanging next to the wall.

"Yes! I love that one." She smiles.

"Okay. It shouldn't be very cold tonight so this should be fine." I agree.

Tara and I make plans for tonight before ending the call. She plans to get to our apartment with Chris around 6:30. I don't know what Sebastian has planned and I would like to be back in time to put Aurelia to bed. She hasn't been terribly happy lately since we told her she was going to pre-school later this year. A mini drama queen at her finest.

Sebastian, on the other hand, has been acting a bit off since I agreed to go out tonight. He is fidgeting more than usual. His mind seems to be running a million miles a minute. He's been playing with Aurelia for the past hour so I could start getting ready, but I haven't even started.

I've been catching up on some student paperwork for my own schooling. I start next month and the closer I get, the more excited I am. Well, excited and stressed. We have to find someone trustworthy to keep Aurelia while I'm in school since Sebastian is going to be filming again soon.

He accepted a role in something for Hulu. He hasn't told me all the details just yet but I've noticed a shift in his eating habits in preparation for what he's doing. He seems nervous to tell me and I'm wondering what could have him so worked up. The thought creeps into my mind that tonight could be when he plans to finally explain it all. Maybe that's why he seems so worked up now.

After I curl my hair and slip on the outfit that Tara helped me pick, I do some light makeup and leave the bathroom. Glancing to the clock, I smile. I still have a few minutes to play with Aurelia before we leave.

The sound of Aurelia laughing with her daddy draws me toward her room like a magnet, eager to see the smiles on their faces. The door is cracked open and I push it open to see Sebastian holding his little girl over his head while he sits on the floor. Aurelia's hair dangles down, covering her face and the tips brush just at Sebastian's elbows. I quickly pull my phone out and snap a picture of the moment, smiling as Aurelia lets out another squeal.

God, I love hearing her happy.

"Put me down!" She laughs.

"Are you going to say that the Winter Soldier is better than Falcon?" Sebastian laughs as he continues to hold her over his head.