The Everlasting Effect 💖

Chapter TwentyTwo: Arawn

When Denara asked me to fetch Rhys from school, I wasn't expecting it, but I'm excited, nonetheless. This is the first time that I'm spending time with Rhys without being monitored and having another being in the room.

I'm feeling grateful and I know Denara has a lot of options but this is her way of saying ' I trust you'. I know she has a lot on her plate and after she took leave to look after Rhys, I can imagine the whirlwind of crazy she must be experiencing going back to work.

Which is how we ended at the restaurant that I sometimes frequent at and take shifts at. At this rate, I've become an all rounder and don't want to go back to the job Denara offered because it would be a pity case offer. I want to provide for my daughter with my doings and not a hand-me-down.

Watching Rhys stuff her face with cheesecake, getting the cream all over face and some on her nose. Her eyes lightening up with glee, devouring her food. For a kid that goes to those fancy, rich and pretentious schools, she has an appetite. Nothing elegant with the way she eats or, mildly, anything close to her mother when she eats. The sight is almost baffling.

My lips pull into a smirk and the corners of my lips pulling upwards. Denara said to make sure she eats and have a proper meal but the way she stuffed that cheesecake and some pancakes with ice cream down, I doubt she will eat anything healthy.

"Pinky promise that you won't tell your mom."

Rhys reaches over the table and wraps her tiny pinky around my own larger one. If her mother finds out, she might never let me be alone with Rhys. I order Rhys a plate of chicken nuggets, best shot I got at real food and Rhys has the biggest smile ever seen. If its this easy to please her, food might be the solution to all my problems with her and easy way to pacify her.

"Promise."

There's a certain type of warmth that fills me when her open wide like saucers and she lets out a quick 'Thank you'. I can't help but raffle her hair affectionately, much to her annoyance.

"Mommy, let me eat takeout." She mumbles quietly, face still concentrated on the chicken. That immediately tells me that if Denara finds out, Ill be in the doggy box.

"If you have to keep this a secret, bud. If you do, I might take you out to get more."

Bargaining with my daughter to keep secrets. The conversation is light and after we finished eat. I help Rhys with homework, figuring Denara would be too tired. My mind concentrated on some maths problems that I don't even hear Rhys speak.

"Daddy, are you listening?!"

Every time she calls me dad, it feels like my heart stops for a minute and I'm imagining it. I feel like it's a fluke and that at any moment she will stop and acknowledge Danny as her father. It's a constant fear of mine. Her tiny hand gripping and tugging onto the fabric of my coat, captured my attention. She has a pout on her lips but her expression is serious, arms folded angrily. Now this reminds me of her mother.

"You're not going to leave us, right? Mommy is happy with you around and she doesn't cry anymore."

Her statement catches me off guard and realize what this is about. Denara may think Rhys is a naïve little girl, but with the way she's standing right now, I think she's trying to intimate me. Protective of her mother. Also, she's scared that I might up and leave.

I gather her in my arms and sitting her on my lap. I try to reassure her and be soothing. This is scary new boundaries for all of us. She's our focus.

"Listen sunshine, I promise I would never leave you and your mother. I love you both a lot, but you need to know that you have many people who love and support you, like Aunt Jamie and my brothers. Dano too. Dano is still your father and now you have two dads. Only angels have so many guardians." I say gently.