The babysitter

Wholesome time

The early morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of the guest room, bathing everything in a soft, golden glow. The Bradford household was still quiet, save for the faint sounds of movement down the hallway. It wasn't long before the delicate rustle of little feet could be heard coming closer to the guest room, followed by the familiar creak of the door opening.

"Lucie?" The small, hesitant voice was soft but clear, filled with a quiet, innocent curiosity.

Lucy stirred from her sleep, blinking her eyes as she adjusted to the dim light filtering in. It took a moment for her to register the familiar face standing in the doorway. Emma, her golden curls sticking out in every direction, stood there in her pink pajamas, holding her stuffed bunny tightly to her chest.

"Good morning, Em," Lucy said with a smile, her voice thick with sleep. "What's going on this early?"

Emma shuffled closer, her bright blue eyes glinting with anticipation. "Can we make pancakes? Daddy says you make the best ones ever."

Lucy couldn't help but chuckle softly as she swung her legs off the side of the bed and stood up. "Oh, he did, did he? Well, if the princess of the house wants pancakes, pancakes it is."

Emma's face lit up with a wide smile, and she eagerly grabbed Lucy's hand, leading her toward the kitchen, her bunny trailing behind her.

The scent of melted butter and sizzling batter soon filled the air, wrapping around the kitchen like a warm embrace. Lucy was at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes with ease while Emma stood at the counter, her feet swinging from a high stool as she hummed an upbeat, yet chaotic, tune.

"Look, Lucie!" Emma suddenly shouted, her small hands clutching a spoon like a microphone. "This one's shaped like a heart!"

Lucy's eyes lifted from the griddle, smiling at the sight of Emma's enthusiasm. "That's perfect, Em," she said. "Just for you."

With a flourish, Lucy flipped the pancake onto Emma's plate. Emma gasped, holding it up as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed.

Just then, the door to the kitchen swung open, and Tim stepped in, his dark hair still tousled from sleep and his broad frame cutting a shadow across the room. He made a beeline for the coffee pot, clearly still half-dazed.

"Morning," he muttered, his voice low and groggy, his eyes barely open as he reached for his usual mug.

"Good morning," Lucy replied, her smile warm and teasing as she slid a plate of pancakes in front of Emma. She nudged the syrup toward the little girl. "Dig in, Em."

Emma took the syrup, immediately dousing her pancakes with it. As she did, she looked over at Tim and giggled. "Daddy, look! It's a heart! Lucie made it just for me."

Tim's smile was faint but real as he took a sip of his coffee. "I'm starting to think I'll never get my pancakes now," he muttered, though his tone was affectionate.

Lucy raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Maybe you should have asked for a heart-shaped one too."

"Next time," Tim said, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle as he sat at the table across from Lucy. His eyes flickered to her, lingering there for just a second longer than usual. There was something about watching her interact with Emma that hit him harder than he expected. She was patient, kind, and—though he would never admit it aloud—she was quickly becoming someone he couldn't imagine not having around.

"These pancakes are the best ever, Lucie!" Emma piped up, her voice filled with pure, unbridled joy. "I think I'm going to eat all of them!"

"You might want to leave a few for later, sweetheart," Lucy teased, glancing at Tim.