Taming the Bitch (COMPLETED)

Chapter LIV - NURSERY

"And they lived happily ever after..."

Reading to Veronica every night had become one of Gabrielle's favorite things to do with her daughter. Holding the hardbound, colorful book, Gabrielle lay against the pillows, her back resting on the headboard. She peeked at the little angel next to her, whose eyes were fixed on the illustrations. Sometimes, Veronica even mouthed the words aloud. At twenty-one months, Nic already knew most of the letters and had memorized much of the text.

Tonight, however, she wasn't mouthing any words. Instead, she peppered Gabrielle with questions, curious about certain words and the story of Sleeping Beauty.

"Mommy...?" Nic called softly, looking up at her mother's face. Slowly, she knelt beside Gabrielle, staring intently as if weighing the perfect moment to ask her question.

"Hmm...?" Gabrielle reached for her daughter's curly hair framing her face, tucking it behind her ear before brushing her thumb against her warm rosy cheek.

"Mom... does Dada love us...?"

Gabrielle froze, staring into Veronica's blue eyes. In that instant, she could see traces of Vincent's features on her daughter—blue eyes, curious, innocent, but with a spark of mischief. A sad smile tugged at her lips.

"W-why are you asking that, love?" she asked softly.

Nic pouted, fiddling with her tiny fingers. Gabrielle lifted her chin, sensing the little girl's anxiety.

"Because... Dada wasn't with us until now... is Dada mad at us, Mommy?"

Gabrielle sighed, pulling her daughter into her arms. Nic lay on her tummy across her chest, her head nestled into Gabrielle's shoulder. Gabrielle kissed the top of her daughter's head before speaking.

"There are things you won't understand now... but someday you will know the reasons why," she said gently. Nic's tiny eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Gabrielle smiled, touching her little nose.

"As for your question... I think you'll feel the answer here," she murmured, placing her palm over Nic's chest, where her tiny heart beat steadily.

Nic smiled, hugging her mother tighter. "I think Dada woves us... he wouldn't come if he didn't... and he cooked for us... he pwayed wif me too..."

Gabrielle blinked back tears. She didn't want to spoil the moment—or her daughter's innocence. She wanted to be fair to Vincent. His past with her was dark and painful, but for Nic, he was simply her Dada.

"Moh-mmey...?" Nic's little voice sounded endearingly British as she sought more reassurance.

"Hmm..." Gabrielle closed her eyes, stroking her daughter's head.

"Will we have a happily ever after too... like the pwincess and the pwince charming?"

Gabrielle's heart skipped a beat. How could she answer that? But before she could reply, a deep voice interrupted:

"We will... only if the princess helps the prince save her from the spell that cages her away..."

Gabrielle blinked in surprise. Vincent, in purple pajamas dotted with pink hearts, was standing at the door. She couldn't help but notice how the tight pajama pants barely reached below his knees, the loose shirt still from when she was pregnant with Nic. For a moment, she forgot her words, focusing instead on his ridiculous attire.

"Dada!!!" Veronica leapt from the bed into Vincent's arms before Gabrielle could react. He caught her with ease, tossing her up and down, eliciting gleeful squeals from Nic.

"One moooooore!!!" she begged. Vincent smiled, though the bite on his cheek still throbbed painfully.

"Enough..." Gabrielle said, rising and squeezing his arm. "She'll get hyped up again. She won't sleep."

Vincent pouted apologetically, kissing Nic's cheeks. "Tomorrow, Dada and Nic will play all day. You can fly as high as you want, okay?"

"Pwamis???" Nic asked, linking her pinky with his. Gabrielle watched silently, a bittersweet smile on her face.

"Now be a good girl and do what Mommy says," Vincent said, kissing her forehead before laying her back in bed.

"Goodnight, love..." he whispered.

"G'night, Dada..." Nic yawned, reaching for Gabrielle, who immediately pulled her into the bed.

"Mmy mmy... miwk," she requested, settling her head on Gabrielle's shoulder. Gabrielle adjusted her, sliding her arm under Nic to serve as a pillow.

Vincent watched, smiling softly at the mother-daughter bond. Gabrielle gave him a small wave to shoo him away.

"I'm nursing her... shoooo," she whispered. Vincent formed an "O" with his mouth, silently conceding.

Later, Vincent couldn't sleep. Wearing the short pajamas Nic had picked for him, he went for water and noticed the dim lamp still on in the nursery. Walking on tiptoe, he peered inside and saw Gabrielle and Nic in an awkward, intimate position. Nic was asleep, mouth latched onto Gabrielle's breast, while Gabrielle rested on the pillow with a stiff neck looming.

Unable to resist, Vincent entered quietly. Smiling at the scene, he gently lifted Nic down, repositioned Gabrielle, and settled her comfortably without waking her.

Gabrielle murmured sleepily, "You... look funny in that pyjama..."

Vincent chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss her nose.

"Put...ointment...bite..." she muttered in her sleep. Vincent paused, realizing she meant her cheek. "I'll take your word for it..." he whispered, kissing her forehead before leaving a final kiss on Nic's head.

He lingered, soaking in the peaceful sight of the two most important people in his life. For now, he gave them space—until a day came when there would be room for him in their hearts, bigger than the nursery.