Page 28 of The Nanny and the Grump

“Yeah, baby, I’m letting Madison tutor you. You did say it was she you wanted, right?”

June nodded excitedly, then continued with her food.

Hudson

Igrabbed June’s schoolbag, and we left the house for her school. While I drove her to school, she threw an unexpected question at me.

“Daddy?” she began.

“Yes, sweetie?” was my unsuspecting response.

“Will you marry Madison?”

“What? Where did you get that from? Did she say that?”

“No, she didn’t say anything. But she slept in your room last night. I know that only married couples and people in a relationship share a room together, as long as they’re not family.”

“Are you upset about that?”

“I’m not upset. I like Madison. She takes care of me and buys me lots of ice cream.”

I laughed. “Okay, dear. But Madison and I aren’t getting married. We’re not thinking of that yet.”

June just smiled and kept quiet, almost like she could read my mind. I shook my head and laughed. I dropped her off at school and headed to my workplace. I picked up my phone and sent a text to Madison, still worried about her migraine.

“How do you feel now?” I inquired.

“I’m good now. I just miss you,” she replied almost immediately, making my heart leap in ecstasy.

“I miss you too, especially your sweet cherry lips,” I responded, biting my lips gently.

“You should come home to it soon, then,” she said.

I grinned while shaking my head. “So naughty. I’ll try to round off here early. Do take care of yourself and rest well,” I said.

With every night we spent together, my desire for her grew. It was too evident to deny now. I had fallen for my child’s beautiful nanny.

Chapter 11

Hudson

I finally made up my mind to make things between Madison and myself official. As the days went by, it became harder to conceal how I felt about her. Madison had conveniently filled the gap Olivia’s demise had left in my heart in such a short time. I had gotten so fond of her. June also literally depended on her for everything.

I thought of the best way to ask Madison to be my girlfriend. It almost felt like I had lost touch, like I couldn’t even remember how these things were done. I decided that I was just going to say it.

It was the weekend again, and I had driven June to go see my parents. She had missed my mom the most and wouldn’t stop bugging me to visit.

I had just started to introduce Madison when Mom started bombarding me with questions. Dad, on the other hand, couldn’t have been less interested. That’s just how they were. However, with our absence and Mom’s career now dwindling, there wasn’t much else for her to focus on besides Amy and me.

The reverse was the case while we grew up. She barely had the time.

“She’s a friend” was all the reply I could give. I wasn’t about to bare my feelings to her. Amy didn’t even know anything just yet.

“Good to see that you’re making friends again. I don’t have to worry so much about you anymore.” She heaved a deep sigh and went on to chat with Madison.

Madison got the opportunity to have a real taste of my mom’s apple pie recipe. She wouldn’t stop teasing me about how what I made was a caricature in comparison.

June was lying on her lap in the back seat. She had dozed off just before we left the house.

---