With Love, Étienne | ✓

Part II: Chapter Five

"WHICH FLAVOR WOULD YOU LIKE?"

Caia  had her face pressed up against the glass counter while a pink  lollipop  hung out of her lips. Her mouth was stained pink, but she  didn't seem to notice, sucking on her sweet without a care. A soft smile  played on my lips as I watched her -- she seemed so lost in her own  world, and I wished I could see I hadn't realized I was staring until  Étienne leaned closer to me to whisper in my ear, "She's always been a  messy eater."

For  some reason, the close proximity sent a shiver down my spine and I  prayed he hadn't noticed, but the low rumbling of his words ignited  something in my stomach. I hated that it did because that was only going  to complicate things. I wasn't here to do that.

It took me a moment to pull myself together but I managed to let out a hoarse squeak. "I think I have some tissues in my bag --"

Étienne  shook his head when I went to reach over, and gently placed his hands  over mine. It made me freeze on the spot, while he didn't seem to even  realize what he was doing to me. I glanced down, his fingers almost  curling around mine. I wondered what his reaction would be if I  interlaced our fingers together, but he pulled away then, leaving a cold  draft to waft over my hand.

"She's  only going to make a bigger mess after the ice-cream." He rolled his  eyes.  "Somehow, she manages to get it everywhere besides her mouth."

Caia  pressed her sticky fingers against the glass and pointed towards the   tub of strawberry. A small dribble of drool splattered down her chin  and  on to her shirt.

"That one!"

Étienne  diverted his attention back to his daughter and gave her hip a small   squeeze. "You always go for strawberry, hun. Don't you want to try   something different?"

Caia jutted her bottom lip out. "But strawberry. . ."

Étienne's  eyes creased when he smiled, unable to say no to her. I watched him   move, and there was something of gentleness that made my heart reach  out. They were adorable together and it tugged at the strings of my  heart,  yet I wasn't sure if it was a sense of longing or nostalgia. I  listened, feeling a pang of envy and sadness. I had always wanted  children of her  own, but the trauma of the trial had made it difficult  for me to even  consider the possibility. It reminded me of my own  relationship I had with my father. Holding one hand and one foot, my  father would spin me around real fast upon the grass and daisies. He  called it an "airplane" ride. He'd get giddy and I would too.

"Alright, alright. One strawberry ice-cream, please."

Then   in that instant he turned and caught my eye; before I could turn away   with shyness a genuine grin spread across his face, turning it from  handsome into divine. It was embarrassing to admit that I felt like I  was a teenager again while my breath caught in my throat. I was an   adult, yet here he was, still bringing out those old emotions within me.

"Hey Daddy, guess what?" Caia said, looking up at Étienne with a big grin.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Étienne replied.

"I made a new friend at school today! Her name is Olivia and she has a pink backpack," Caia said, her enthusiasm palpable.

"That's great, Lila! I'm so happy for you. What did you and Olivia do together?" Étienne asked, genuinely interested.

"We   played dress-up and she let me wear her tiara. And then we drew  pictures of unicorns and rainbows." Caia said, her face lighting up at   the memory.

Étienne  smiled, and I could tell he felt a wave of pride and happiness wash over  him. "That sounds like so much fun, Caia. I'm glad you had a good day   at school." Étienne said, ruffling her hair affectionately.