Page 43 of Nico
She angled her head to look at him. "And you're remarkably calm. Do you approve of her?"
He shrugged and sipped. "I am waiting to form an opinion. And trusting Nico's judgment. He's an adult and pretty much determined to do his own thing."
*****
He had been worried for nothing.
As soon as he introduced his daughter to Sadie, they took to each other. The introductions were merely made before the little girl was dragging her upstairs to see her room.
"I'll be there shortly," he called after them and walked to the base of the steps to watch.
"No hurry." Sadie's smile had him grinning at her.
He went to his workshop and made a few phone calls. His agent had been breathing down his neck for the past two weeks and he needed some time off to be with his two girls. Smiling at how easy the term came to mind, he picked up the half finished bust and studied it critically. It was a commission from a wealthy widow who had nothing to do with her money but spend frivolously. He had created a likeness of her Pomeranian a month ago and she had wept tears of gratitude at the incredible likeness. Next she had paid for a bust of her beloved father who had died fighting in the Crimean war and now she wanted one of her husband.
"He was a son of a bitch, but he left me loaded. It's the least I can do." She had announced grandly. She was willing to part withher husband's hard earned money and Nico had no objections at all.
What he objected to was her constant flirtation. The woman was older than his own mother by twenty years, but that did not stop her from hinting at a liaison. She had actually used that word. And he had barely stopped himself from laughing. His rejection was polite and friendly. Which was probably a mistake, since she took that to mean she could continue to press the issue.
Shaking his head, he put aside the bust and reached for the phone to call his agent.
*****
Leaning against the jamb of the room he had decorated for his daughter, half an hour later, had his heart doing a slow dive before shuddering to a stop. They were on the floor, sitting Indian fashion and were so wrapped up in the task of putting the doll house together, they did not notice him. Blonde curls were nestled against dark brown hair as they put their heads together to decorate the house.
Dainty cups and saucers littered the space around them and the usually elegant and sophisticated Sadie had taken off her shoes to get more comfortable. His anxiety about them not taking to each other, died a slow and grateful death.
Gracie was enchanted with her and was chattering away as they worked. It was the first time he had ever seen her interacting with a child, and it humbled him.
She smiled and listened, head angled towards the little girl and did not seem to mind the tons of questions launched at her.
His heart was so full, he felt as if any moment it was going to burst out of his chest.
She looked up then and saw him framed inside the doorway. The smile faded at the look on his face and went absolutely still.
"Daddy! Look!"
Without taking his eyes off Sadie, he reached out a hand for the little girl who scrambled towards him.
Hunkering down, he held his daughter in one hand and used the other to slide at the back of Sadie's head.
She could not speak. Her breath was caught inside her throat, and she was trembling. When he bent his head towards hers, she did not protest. As if the child realized how profound the moment was, she wriggled away and went to get her stuffed elephant, inadvertently giving them some privacy.
"I love you." He whispered hoarsely. Without waiting for her response, he crushed her mouth with his and kissed her until she was a trembling and pliant mess in his arms.
Reluctantly ending the kiss, he pressed his forehead on hers and closed his eyes as he struggled to control his desire.
"Daddy?"
For a few seconds, he had forgotten his daughter was in the room.
"Yes sweetheart?"
"I'm hungry."
He laughed shakily at the normalcy the little girl injected into the tension filled room.
"I'm sure you are." Taking her hand, he hoisted her up around his neck to her delight and had her squealing.
