Page 6 of Curvy Wives of Willow Creek 5-8

Lucy's hand stretches towards me then. I'm taken aback by her boldness, but I manage to shake it, feeling the tiny fingers curl around mine.

Lucy is grinning now, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"That's how adults do it. And I’m an adult too!"

The innocent declaration brings a chuckle to my lips, the tension easing. Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought.

Maybe, just maybe, I can show him that I'm more than just a curvy small-town girl - that I can be an excellent nanny to Lucy, a good neighbor, and maybe something more. One day. One very distant day.

But for now, Lucy and I, we are going to have a wonderful time. A faint fluttering in my heart tells me so.

As Lucy bounces up and down on the spot, exclaiming about her newfound adulthood, Damien’s eyes soften. They're gleaming, his gaze flickering between his daughter and me.

"Yes, you are," he affirms, laughing.

Lucy beams, turning to me.

"See? I told you I’m an adult!” she says before pausing and placing her fist under her chin, “Hm, are you less tired now?”

I nod, anxiously returning her smile.

"Yes, I am. I just needed a few minutes to rest. Thank you. We're going to have lots of fun together now, right?"

She looks back at Damien, a satisfied expression on her little face.

"I like her," she says, her voice ringing with confidence.

He smiles, a genuine smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes.

"I like Sophie too. She seems like the right person for the job."

My cheeks burn at the compliment. I know he's just being nice, just reassuring his daughter, but a part of me - a foolish, romantic part - can't help but dream.

I imagine a life where he'd return home after a long day at work, his uniform hugging his chiseled body, his broad shoulders straining against the fabric. I'd be at home, snuggling with Lucy, both of us waiting for him. But for now, it's just that - a dream.

He hands me a piece of paper, explaining that it's a list of everything I might need - emergency numbers, including his own, Lucy's favorite movies, and even gives me some money for pizza.

"I really need to go now," he says, the urgency in his voice mirroring the tension in his stance. "Not a good look to be late in my first week at Willow Creek."

With a gentle kiss on Lucy's forehead and a final "good luck" thrown my way, Damien heads out the door. I watch as he leaves, fully aware that this image of him in his uniform is now seared into my memory.

As the door closes behind him, I turn to Lucy, my mind returning to the task at hand. No matter what, I'm going to do my best. I owe that much to myself - and to the handsome single dad who just left me in charge of his most precious possession.

I suggest a movie, and Lucy, in her most dramatic fashion, arches an eyebrow at me.

"Only if I can choose," she declares, making me stifle a laugh.

"Of course, you choose."

Settling on the couch, Lucy shows me just how 'adult' she really is. She grabs the remote, turns on the television, navigates to a streaming site, and selects a movie all on her own.

She takes her duties very seriously, and seeing her so self-sufficient at such a young age is both adorable and disheartening.

Unable to quell my curiosity, I ask, "Lucy, is this a normal night for you?"

She glances at me, her eyes twinkling, but there's something fragile there. A hidden sadness.

"I like watching movies. It's... it's a good distraction. Dad is usually too tired when he comes home. So, we don't get much time together. Television is my best friend."

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