Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Six

NICK'S POV

✲

"Come on, Els," I call over to my daughter as she colours in her drawing book whilst watching something on kids TV. My mind is numb to all the different characters and creations these productions make. The songs. The goddamn songs that drive me up the wall. "Dinner is ready."

She jumps up onto her two feet and runs towards the kitchen. "Don't run," I say as she reaches the step. "You will fall. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Her bright green eyes flash up at me as she huffs out a breath. "I wasn't running fast."

"I beg to differ," I say with raised eyebrows.

I turn my back to the stove and begin pouring the spaghetti in a bowl along with the minced bolognese. Dinners in this house are fairly quick and easy considering I barely have time to even feed myself.

Elodie hops up onto the chair as I set down her bowl on the place mat. Her brows clench together, lips forming a pout. "I don't want this," she grumbles, throwing her arms over her chest.

Oh God. Not now. Please, not now.

"You're not getting anything else," I say as I begin to fill up the dishwasher. "You love spag bol, I've never heard you complain about it before."

When Elodie says nothing more, I peek my eyes over my shoulder to see that she's still throwing a silent tantrum. Arms over her chest tightly and her nose and lips scrunched together. I hate to admit that she's adorable but at this age, she will throw fits over absolutely nothing.

"Come on, pumpkin." I sigh and lean onto the counter beside her with my elbows. "We have someone coming over soon and I need you to eat before they get here."

Her hand shoves the bowl and shakes her head once fiercely. Those brown curls around her face shake along with her ponytail that swishes. "No."

"Elodie–" I warn.

She exhales a dramatic breath. "Sienna's going to TGIFriday's tonight. I want that."

My eyes almost roll but I keep them neutral. Sienna... who is she again? All of Elodie's friends roll into one. I've heard that's something dad's do. Forget all their daughters' friends because they're practically the same.

"We're not having TGIFriday's, Els. And besides it's Wednesday." I push up from the counter and wash my hands in the sink.

That's when Elodie starts grumbling something under her breath. She knows better than to scream the house down when she doesn't get her way. It's only recently that she actually listened to me and stopped–I couldn't bear the sound of it. It made me feel guilty because it sounded like she was in pain.

"What was that?" I look over my shoulder.

Arms are crossed over her chest again, shoulders raised up to her ears. I'll give it to her, she's a stubborn little thing. "I want TGIFriday's."

"You don't even know what they sell, we've never been there." I sigh and run a hand down my face. "Eat your food, please."

I glance at the clock. Ten minutes until Aris gets here. The last thing I want is for him to see her in this mood–that way I'll be able to tell that he definitely can't handle her. I know her sneaky little ways, she'll probably end up twisting his arm in an attempt at getting what she wants.

"No."

"Elodie."

She slams her hands onto the table. "I said no!"