Page 15 of Protecting My Nanny

Shane

It's Saturday, and it's my first time going to the park with Jaime. Despite it being her day off, Nicole offers to join us. I accept and offer to pay her, but she refuses. I make a mental note to add it to a bonus in the future. "Look how excited he is," Nicole whispers to me. We watch as Jaime aims and shoots his bubble gun across the sandbox. The younger children chase and pop the bubbles.

"I love how happy he gets just bringing joy to others," Nicole says warmly, adoringly.

"It's humbling," I respond. Only an hour since we left the estate, and I'm already realizing how much I've missed in Jaime's life. His interests, opinions, likes, and wants—there's a whole personin front of me I never fully saw. In my eyes, he was always my cute, innocent little nephew who needed protection and guidance. I see now how little he actually needs those things, and how much he resembles Claire.

It's just half an hour after we've arrived. Jaime's friend Alex and his mom, Annette, join us. It seems like this happens often on Saturdays, because Nicole and Annette have become good friends. As the kids play, we all chat. Annette comments on the beautiful day and complains about the increasing traffic as she subtly smiles and exchanges signals with Nicole. I can't help but wonder if she suspects a romantic connection between us and is discreetly encouraging Nicole. I play along and pretend to be oblivious to their secret communications.

Jaime and Alex play monster hunters and invite me to join; I agree to play the monster. I yelp and holler in pain as they tap me with their plastic swords, falling to the ground and rolling around until I'm covered in loose grass and debris.

"I just can't watch this anymore," Annette shouts, covering her eyes as she and Nicole watch on with smiles on their faces. "What you're doing to that Balenciaga is breaking my heart," Annette jests, referring to my soiled shirt. The boys are happy, and so am I, and the bright smile across Nicole's face is the cherry on top.

We play for about an hour before Annette and Alex have to leave. The boys say their goodbyes, as do Annette and Nicole. Both parties encourage us to do it again, with me included. I feel warm and welcomed into the group despite my previous absence.

After they're gone, Jaime requests we walk to the dog park just across the road. As we enter, he points to a brown cocker spaniel with a white nose covered in tan spots.

"Our neighbor Jack, at my mom's house, had a dog just like that one," he says. Memories of the old house and boxes filled with videos of Claire and Jaime flood my mind. "Jack's dog was a rescue dog," Jaime adds. "Mom said if we ever get one, we should get a rescue dog too." Nicole glances at me, urging me to say something. She had previously mentioned his desire for a dog, but my response has always been that it wasn't the right time.

"We'll need to do some planning, buddy," I say. "But it's definitely something I'll think about. Would you be willing to wait a week or two, let me check on something, and then we can talk about it afterward?"

His face lights up. "Sure. Thanks, Uncle Shane!"

As he finishes speaking, he spots an enormous black Doberman nearby and rushes over to pet it. The owner, an older woman, gives a loving smile as he approaches.

"Hey, Jaime," the woman says, her voice warm and familiar.

"Hi, Mrs. Dugan," he replies, placing his hands gently on the Doberman's head. "Hey, JoJo," he says to the dog.

"Woah," Nicole says, catching my attention. Her green eyes are fixed on me, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Areyou sure you're the same Shane Matthews who hired me?" she teases.

"No, he's taking a break for a little while. You get me just temporarily."

"And how long is 'a little while'?" Nicole asks.

"Just until he rises from his coffin, down in the crypts below the manor," I joke.

"Aww, that's too bad," she says. Her smile, voice, and stare all at once send my heart fluttering.

"You've got such beautiful... eyes. I mean... they really complement your dress today." I fumble through the sentence like a middle school kid asking for a date.

Damnit, Shane, you had to make things awkward. You should be focused on Jaime, not this,I think to myself.

She smiles. "Thanks, Shane," she says before turning her attention back to Jaime. I decide not to talk for a while after that.

"This is really helpful to him," she says, gesturing toward Jaime as he strokes the dog's head. "He's usually excited to see Alex or JoJo, but today, there's just this extra spark in him, and I know it's because you're here."

"Thanks. I'm happy to be having some effect. It should have been this way from the beginning."

"Hey," Nicole says, locking eyes with me. "This is still the beginning." She playfully pokes a finger into my shoulder. "And you still have all the time in the world to keep it going."

I smile.So much wisdom for someone so young. She'd be a great partner, be it in business, parenting, or life.

Our car arrives just after 5 p.m., and Nicole and Jaime decide it's time I try Bricktop's Burgers, their favorite stop on Saturdays after the park. We decide to take the drive-thru and eat at home, but they can hardly wait to leave the parking lot before gobbling down their fries.

"These are so good," I say, stuffing a few into my mouth.

"Mom loved these, Uncle Shane. She's probably so happy to watch you eat them now," Jaime says.

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