Page 22 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

She pushes herself up. "What about now? Would you accept the job now that the nanny's been fired?"

"I've been thinking about it. I mean, for Ethan's sake. But Connor doesn't want me. There isn't much I can do about it.”

On Saturday, I'm up as early as 7 a.m., making one of Ethan's favorite dishes. My homemade chicken noodle soup. I'm going to see him today, and Amy told me he’s allowed to eat solid food now and is no longer on oxygen, I thought the warm soup might help soothe his throat. I meet Connor in the hallway when I arrive and we go into the room together. When Ethan sees me, he wants to leap out of bed, but I hold my hand out to stop him.

"Aria!" he says feebly.

"How're you, my boy?"

"Fine." He looks at the thermos in my hand. "You brought something for me?"

"Oh yes, your favorite."

His eyes brighten again. "Let me see."

I sit beside him on the bed and put my bag on my lap. I open the thermos and his eyes widen.

"Daddy, look. My favorite."

His dad smiles at him and helps him sit up as I bring out a spoon to feed him.

When I give him the first taste, he says, "Yummy. Can you bring it for me every day?"

"I'll do that just for you," I say, and offer another spoonful.

His dad is sitting on the chair, staring at us. When Ethan is done eating, the doctor comes in.

"Oh, I see you're doing better today, Ethan."

"I am. I ate big food today. Aria brought my favorite."

"Oh, thanks Aria,” he says to me, then turns back to Ethan. “You must be stronger now.”

He brings one hand up to flex his tiny muscles. “I am.”

We all laugh.

When Ethan has been checked over and the doctor has left, Connor asks to talk to me outside. Here we go again, I think to myself.Aria, thank you for all you've done, but I'd prefer if you stay away from my child.I say to myself, mimicking Connor's deep voice.

When we're in the hallway, he doesn't take his hand off the doorknob. "Aria, thank you for all you've done…”

I chuckle silently to myself. So predictable.

"…I was wondering if you'd like to take the nanny job," he finishes.

"What? You mean you want me to be Ethan's nanny?"

He nods. And looks at me with pleading in his eyes.

I stare at him in disbelief, waiting for him to say, "Just kidding."

But he doesn't say it. He's actually serious.

"He did that? I told you he isn't all that bad."

I shake my head.

"What did you say? I hope you didn't get petty and say no," Bria asks.

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