The Billionaire's Nanny

Chapter Ten

I kicked the garage door shut, throwing my hat on top into the basket on Abby's stroller.

"Well Gracie," I smiled, loosening my hair from it's ponytail, "I'd say you did pretty well tonight in trick or treating."

"Yeah I did!"

I laughed, scooping a sleepy Abby out of her stroller, "Come on sweet girl," I called over my shoulder, "Let's get you cleaned up!"

Gently placing Abby on my bed, I laid a blanket on the floor, and placed Abby on that, before going and getting the water running for Gracie to take a bath.

As I sat watching Gracie play in the water after cleaning her face and washing her hair, I was transported to a different Halloween a long long time ago...


*******
"Come on Ellie! We're going to miss the Truman's magic show!"

I laughed then at the little girl dressed as a pirate princess, who was pulling on my arm to the house at the end of the street.

The Truman magic show was highly anticipated every Halloween. The final trick of the night was always a showstopper, and usually with pretty decent sized candy bars for everyone who came, teenagers and adults included. So, holding on to the witch's hat I was wearing I ran alongside her to make sure we didn't miss the show.

"Katie slow down! We are going to be early at this rate," I laughed slowing her down, "I promise we aren't anywhere near missing out on the show."

"Promise?"

I hooked my pinky with hers, bending down so she could see my eyes and smile. "Pinky promise."

She smiled then, taking hold of my hand then and swinging it back and forth all the way to that house.

Sure enough, the magic did not disappoint, even included a couple of fireworks that year. And candy bars that definitely didn't disappoint.

"Well Katie, I'd say you made out pretty good."

"And the show was good."

"And the show was good," I agreed.

Katie smiled around the candy bar in her mouth, taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully."

"Thanks for taking me Ellie."

"What are big sisters for?"


*******
"Ellie?"

I shook my head and looked at the little girl in front of me now, who had a look on her face of concern.

"Yeah sweet girl?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, why wouldn't be?"

"You just had a...a look on your face."

"Oh, I'm.. I'm fine sweetheart."

"Does it haves to do with daddy?"

I looked at her curiously, "What makes you ask that?"

She sighed then, putting down the toy in her hand and watching it float. "I know he made you mad today."

"How do you know that?" I asked grabbing her towel.

"I was listening."

I grimaced slightly, pulling the plug and wrapping her in her towel. "He didn't make me mad, " I said rubbing her dry and squeezing the water out of her hair, "I was just a little frustrated."

"Fr..fuh...fuhrustrated?"

"Yep, fuhrustrated."

She was quiet then, lost in thought while I helped her get dressed.

"Why did he make you fuhrustrated?" She asked as I began to brush her hair.

"Well, he made you sad, and so that made me sad."

"Oh."

She sat quietly while I blow dried her hair, and followed me out of the bathroom, to Abby's room to lay her in her crib, then to her room, where she climbed under her covers as I tucked her in.

Good night sweet girl," I whispered kissing her forehead, "sweet dreams."

"Ellie?"

I turned back around. "Yeah?"

"Don't be too mad at daddy okay? Sometimes he makes decisions that make me sad, but I'll be okay."

I smiled and nodded in assurance. "Okay sweetheart. Good night."

"Goodnight."

I headed back downstairs, putting the stroller away, making sure I closed the garage, and set the security system. Nathan coming home wouldn't trip it, as he had a garage door opener that was linked to the system, so I wasn't worried it would wake the girls.

I finished tidying up the kitchen and front entryway when I heard the garage door open and close. Knowing full well how our last conversation ended, I decided to test my luck and see how fast I could make it up the stairs.

I took too long making that decision.

"Hey."

I stopped and looked over the banister to see Nathan looking up, his jacket in his hand, a slight smile on his face."

"Hey."

He shrugged his shoulders, glancing towards the kitchen. "Care for a drink?"

"Sure."

I took a few deep breaths before entering the kitchen. I smiled, disbelieving at what sat on the counter.

"You know, " I chuckled, "When you said a drink, this is not what I imagined."

Nathan grinned, taking a swig of his root beer. "I am a man of many surprises."

I lifted mine in agreement, "So I'm learning."

I took a sip, reading the label after. "Weinhard's?"

"In my opinion, one of the best."

"I can get behind that. My dad..."

I stopped, choosing my next words carefully. Tonight was proving to be a hard night to forget the past. "My dad used to drink these when I was a kid."

We sat in silence for a moment, each setting our bottles down at the same time.

"I'm sorry-"

"No, I'm sorry-"

We stopped, realizing both had a lot on our chests.

'You first," I whispered.

He nodded then, taking a sip of his drink. "Okay, I am sorry. I had no right to insinuate that I have you to be the parent step in. That's not what you are. You aren't a proxy, and if I in any way made you think that, I am sorry."

"I'm sorry too," I said taking a step towards him, "I overstepped. You do have me to help out, not to chew you out in making personal decisions. I was mad I was... I was wrong. You are nothing like..."

"Nothing like...who?"

I shook my head. "No one, it doesn't matter. The point is, You are a good man, and an incredible father. And I'm sorry."

He smiled then. "So are we good?"

"Yeah we're good."

We sat in silence a little longer, finishing off our drinks and then heading to bed.

I shut the door behind me, smiling knowing we were on good terms.

But for selfish reasons, I hoped his date sucked.