TIFFIN 3

88

The following week went as good as it possibly could have.

Hero and I had made it out of the treasurers office in the end without much detection, though Tawnee had given us some cheeky comments as we'd left. 

Eleanor was as happy as ever.

Though she did pitch fits every now and then, she seemed content with her world.  

All three of us were like a perfect little family. Hero was still his brooding and domineering self, but for most part it seemed that the part of him that used to lash out had disappeared. 

He willingly joined me on outings whether it was to simply visit the nearby park or take his daughter shopping for her cute rompers. 

Despite all this, however, things seemed a bit off. 

After Diedre popped up a week ago and announced her temporary freedom, I always had the hair at the nape of my neck stand at attention. 

Things went smoothly, but I expected someone to jump out of a bush and yell: Gotcha! 

It only made me more protective of Eleanor. 

Hero must have sensed this too because at the end of the week his temper had reared its ugly head. He was constantly rigid and tense as if he'd grown a terrible crick in the neck. 

I was busy strapping a squealing Eleanor into my body carrier when he snapped:

"Could you keep her quiet for one damn minute?" 

Our daughter was oblivious to his anger, still squeaking. 

"Hey," I reprimanded, "Easy with her. She's the sweetest thing and adores you. These years won't last forever." 

"Thank fuck." 

Once I managed to get her strapped in, I faced him, patting her on the back as she grinned up at me. 

"Hero, I don't know what's up with you lately, but ever since your grandmother paid us a visit-" 

His eyes grew dark. 

"She's not my fucking grandmother!" 

At this, Eleanor began sobbing. 

I sighed, doing my best to console her. 

"I know. I'm sorry. I just... I worry about you is all."

Jesus. What was eating at him? 

"I know." Hero grumbled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just stressed okay? We should go." 

I wanted to press him on this issue, but knew the response was better than nothing. The problem was due to the lack of therapy. 

We needed to get back on track.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter :)

Btw how cute is Eleanor?
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