Temporary Nanny

Chapter 14

I sit quietly on the couch, arms crossed over my chest, head resting lazily against the overly cushioned back. Mickey Mouse is on the screen though Stella's attention bounces around.

She stands against the back of the couch so she's facing the kitchen rather than the TV but she turns and watches with big eyes every now and again.

Daryl's sat on the other side of her, Karen in the kitchen humming along to a classic oldies station. Michael's gone for the night, Karen said it was work related but I suspect otherwise.

We still haven't spoken, not since our argument and that was nearly a week ago now. Karen's been over a lot more, taking over for me and I'm thankful she doesn't pry for details. She even scolded Daryl for bringing it up when I arrived earlier.

I had a night to myself planned but Karen came and got me about an hour ago now, promising Michael wasn't going to be in.

I've gotten closer to Karen. With all the Cliffords really. I'm glad it's my side they've both taken in the argument.

Admittedly, I was a bit worried they'd be angry with me and think I was being dramatic or something so truthfully, I was kind of avoiding them along with Michael.

That lasted about a day before Karen caught me in the nursery and confronted me about the shift between us. I sheepishly admitted to her what I thought might be the case with them and she assured me that wasn't it at all.

It was a breath of fresh air as I'm starting to realize they're really the only family I have. Or at least the only ones I have close. I'm sure what I would have done if they had chosen Michael's side.

I tilt my head to the right, just enough to be able to watch Stella. She's standing on her own now, a lot more than usual, and I know she'll be walking any day now. It's amazing how big she's gotten.

How she's gone from formula to real food, from throwing herself, to actually crawling. She still hasn't said her first word yet, I'm trying to get her to say Charlie just to piss Michael off but still nothing.

She does however, wave hi and bye and she's getting better with the separation anxiety. I can actually leave the room without her wailing now but that's probably just because she's figured out she can follow me.

I smile at the baby that moves closer to me, grabbing at my nose. "I'm afraid you can't have that." I chuckle, moving her hand from my face. She giggles, trying again before letting out a sigh and dropping into my lap.

"Sorry tiny, if I could I'd give it to you." I offer up my hand as she claps her little one against my palm and brush her hair to the side before fixing my eyes back on the TV.

"He's gonna realize you know," Daryl mutters, sparing me a glance. "What?" My eyebrows pulling together. "Michael." He clarifies. "He's gonna realize what he's missing." I let out a sigh and trace my finger down the bridge of Stella's perfect button nose as she turns herself in my lap to face me.

"Yeah? And what's that?" I mumble miserably. "You." He hums like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "And Stella. And what you two have here," he adds. My heart stops in my chest and a knot ties in my stomach. "We don't..it's not like that." I breathe, shaking my head.

"Charlie, you've done more for my son and granddaughter in months than Stel's mum ever did in years." Daryl says genuine and sincere. "I've never seen either of them happier than with you, and maybe you and Michael don't want to acknowledge that - for whatever reason, but it's the truth and maybe you ought to stop dancing around it."

My heart warms and butterflies replace the knot in my stomach that was making me feel a bit sick.

I don't even have time to think of a response before he's patting me on the knee and walking away into the kitchen.