we made it this far

Aislin chewed on her lip when she heard Katia's question. "I'm not sure, sweetie. Luke is a busy man," she said gently, stroking through Katia's hair gently, though she listened to Luke quietly, tense, worried, until she heard him say that it was incredible. Lifting her gaze to him, she watched him, blinking at the sight of the tears in his eyes, and she smiled weakly. "Yeah, really." She nodded slightly and chewed on her lip for a moment, "She is. She's just... God, she's amazing, Luke. Every day, she does something new that reminds me of you, or even her personality is frighteningly close to yours." She laughed quietly with the thought, ducking her head as she toyed with her daughter's fingers. She shook her head, though, her expression dropping a bit. "I wouldn't have wanted that. I wouldn't have wanted things just to work out because of my pregnancy at the time. That wouldn't have been fair to either of us, especially with your career taking off. And it definitely wouldn't have been fair to her."

Rosie grinned slightly to her Mama's words, watching for a moment before she shifted a bit. "Can Michael come home with us so you can put the polka dot bow on him, Mama?" she asked with curiosity.

Michael swore, in that moment, he'd never felt so much joy, so much excitement and wonder and amazement in his life. His chest felt like it was overflowing with love for their daughter already, and it wasn't even surprising, because she was such an adorable and amazing little girl. "I'm still in shock," he said quietly, his grin never leaving though, his eyes wide with excitement as he dropped his gaze to their daughter, taking her in, amazed by her very existence. He chewed on his lip, though, looking to Enaia, his expression softening. "God, Enaia, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through all of this alone. That you had to raise her on your own, that I wasn't there. I wish, more than anything, that I'd fought for you, for us, back then. I should have and I know that and, da -" He made a face but refocused. "I've never regretted anything more in my life than letting you go." Especially now, with knowing this. His expression lifted, though, his grin returning. "Yeah?" He felt his heart swelling with the thought. "I'm betting she's a troublemaker, then." He grinned teasingly. "She probably gets all her amazing personality traits from her Mom."

Katia pouted slightly, but shifted to turn her attention onto Luke. "Pleeeeeeease?" She begged, using puppy dog eyes that reminded Luke of himself, and knowing what he knew now, Luke was sure that he'd never be able to say no to his beautiful daughter.

Luke heard Katia's question and smiled. "I'd love to, Katia, if your Mommy would let me." He looked to Aislin hopefully, just wanting to spend time with them, get to know the little girl he wished he'd known from the start. "I can make time." Although listening to Aislin's words, Luke's smile broadened, excited by the fact he had a family of his own. "Aislin," he started softly. "She's perfect. You're perfect. My feelings never went away, you have to understand that." He told her gently. "But if you let me, I'd love to be a part of her life. Of your life." He stayed honest, wanting Aislin to hear everything he'd wanted to say for so long. "I can't walk out of here today without doing what's right, and what I've wanted to do for so long. I hate that I was so immature, and I hate that I didn't fight for you. Even now, there's nothing more I want in my life than you. And now, Katia."

Katia turned to her Mama once more, pulling the best puppy dog eyes she could master. "Mama, please?"

Enaia toyed with her lip nervously at Rosie's question, exhaling. "Rosie, baby, Michael's really busy, he might not be able to." She told her daughter gently, afraid of saying yes in case Michael couldn't come. "Maybe some other time?" She offered, cupping her daughter's cheek gently and running her thumb along the apple of her cheek, so absolutely in love with the little girl, never wanting her to feel hurt or let down by Michael. Hearing Michael apologise, Enaia looked to him, studying his face and realising just how much she missed him. "Don't." She told him quietly. "You have to understand Michael, it's only been us for so long. It's going to take time." She told him, although Enaia loved how fondly Michael looked at their daughter already, knowing he'd make an amazing Dad.

Aislin chewed on her lip, nervous about the idea, because she didn't want Katia to get used to Luke being around then for him to get too busy. And, as much as Luke might want to be a part of Katia's life now, there was the chance that, once he saw the bad days that came with toddlers rather than the cute, sweet day that Katia was having today, he might decide it was too much. "Luke, I wouldn't dream of not letting you be a part of her life, but if you're going to be a part of her life, then you can't just... Come in one day and then disappear from her life completely later on when you decide it's too hard," she told him quietly before she looked to Katia, running her fingers through her hair, pouting back at Katia. "Oh, right in the heart!" she teased, leaning to kiss Katia's forehead. "Fine, fine, you win, sweetie."

Rosie pouted slightly when she heard her Mama's words before she looked over at Michael. "You can come, right? Just for a bit?" she questioned as she watched him, her pout deepening in a way that tugged at Michael's heartstrings. "Pretty, pretty please?"

Michael's expression softened as he watched Rosie and he smiled slightly as he examined her. "Of course I can come, as long as your Mom's okay with it," he assured her quietly, already knowing that there was no way he'd be able to say no to or disappoint their daughter. All he wanted to do was to make her smile, make her happy. His attention turned to Enaia, though, and his expression softened. "No, I know that, I do, Enaia, I swear," he told her gently as he watched her. "But, I've already gone all this time, regretting not fighting for you, wishing I had, and wanting to tell you how much you still mean to me, how much you've always meant to me - I was even sitting here, contemplating contacting old friends to look for you, to see if they still kept in touch with you. All I've wanted to do the past few years was to apologize and make up for how much of an idiot I was, and I don't want to have any more regrets when it comes to you, Enaia - or our daughter. So, I mean, I know that it's going to take time, but I just... Needed to say all of that. I needed you to know all of that."

Rosie listened to the two, not really understanding it all, too focused on trying to get Michael to come to their home, and she looked to her Mama, her pout deepening, her eyes widened in a pleading manner. "Pretty, pretty please, Mama?" she pleased.

Katia smiled happily, giggling as she looked up at her Mama. "Thank you, Mama!" She looked to Luke happily.

Luke laughed happily, cupping Katia's cheek gently, absolutely adoring her already, feeling so much love for the daughter he didn't even know existed. Luke wondered just how much 'firsts' he missed out on, first steps, first word, he wished he was there to live through it all with Aislin by his side. Looking to Aislin with her words though, Luke nodded. "I'm in this for the long haul, Aislin. I don't want to miss another day." He told her honestly. "I promise that I'm going to love her with everything I have in me." He looked to Katia with adoration. "I already do..." He smiled. "I can't wait to get my nails painted pink." He chuckled. "Will you tie back my hair, too?"

Katia gasped at the idea. "Pigtails!" She giggled, still holding onto Luke's hand.

Enaia exhaled, looking to Rosie, stroking her cheek gently with a smile. Leaning to kiss her forehead, Enaia heaved out an over exaggerated sigh. "Fine, fine, fine." She teased her daughter, kissing all over her face. "Only because you asked so nicely." She handed Michael's hat back to Rosie to keep her occupied so she wouldn't hear what Enaia had to say to Michael. Looking at the man beside her, Enaia sighed. "If you hurt her, Michael, I swear to God. If you make any tears fall from that girl's eyes, you will be sorry, do I make myself clear?" She asked. "What's more, you have to realise, she's going to have days where she feels sick, or she feels cranky, or she cries all the time. If you disappear on us now, I will never forgive you, ever." She warned, knowing she sounded overprotective but not really caring. "This girl has been my life for the past two and a half years, and that's not going to stop just because you're home."

Aislin smiled, seeing Katia so happy, but the worry remained settled in her chest, even after hearing Luke's assurances. Looking to him for a moment, she held Katia closer, trying to ignore it. "I mean it, Luke," she told him quietly, keeping her voice calm despite her anxieties. "If you hurt her, if you break her little heart, you better put as much distance between yourself and me as possible, because, while I may not normally be a violent person, I will go to war for this girl. Do you understand?" She watched him firmly, frowning deeply.

Michael watched Enaia interact with Rosie, watched how she distracted Rosie so that they could talk without worrying Rosie, and he felt his heart swell with seeing how amazing she was as a mother. He wished he'd been there to see everything between both of them - all of Rosie's firsts and all of Enaia's reactions, all of the milestones during Enaia's pregnancy, every doctor's visit, the birth, all of Rosie's birthdays, just all of it. And, in that moment, he swore he'd never miss another. "I won't," he promised Enaia quietly, "Enaia, I swear to you, considering everything else I've already missed of Rosie's life, I never want to miss another important thing - and that includes the bad days. I want to see it all. I want to be there for it all. I already adore her, I'm already wrapped around her little finger." He grinned slightly despite himself. "So, I want this, Enaia. More than anything. I want to be a part of her life, of yours, and I swear I'm not going to squander it."

Rosie fiddled with the hat for a while, tempted to put the hat on, but she didn't want to mess up her pretty bow. Eventually, though, she peered up at her Mama. "Can we all go home now, Mama, so you can put the polka dot bow in Michael's hair?" she asked eagerly.

Luke nodded, not minding the warning at all, knowing that Aislin was just doing her part as a Mother. It made Luke love how fantastic Aislin was with Katia, and he wished he'd been there to experience everything from the beginning. Luke regretted the fact that he ever let Aislin go. Still, he stroked through Katia's hair still, already wrapped around his daughter's little finger, already feeling so much love for her. "I understand. But I hope you know, I don't intend to hurt her, and I'm in this for good." He told Aislin honestly, looking to his ex girlfriend and realising there and then just how much he'd missed seeing her, how beautiful she was and how she'd changed so much, and yet so little, over the years.

Katia squeezed Luke's hand, grinning when he squeezed back gently. "Mama," she looked up to Aislin happily. "Can we go home now? You can paint Luke's nails pink!" She gasped, giggling happily as she snuggled into her mama's chest.

Enaia nodded at Michael's words. "I trust you, Mikey." She told him softly, watching Rosie carefully. "Don't make me regret that decision." She watched Michael for a moment, wondering what he was thinking. Still, hearing his reassurances that he wanted to be there, it made Enaia so happy that Michael had taken to fatherhood almost instantly, making Enaia remember why she fell in love with Michael in the first place. Pushing that thought to the back of her head, Enaia perked up when Rosie spoke, laughing at her daughters words. "Okay, okay." She told her gently. "We can go home and put a bow in Michael's hair, but say bye to Katia and Auntie Aislin first." She told Rosie, squeezing her gently. "And say thank you for the nice day out."

Aislin watched Luke with Katia and chewed on her lip, wanting more than anything to believe him, to trust him, for her daughter's sake - their daughter's sake. She was afraid of letting Luke in again after what happened between them before, but she wanted Katia to have a relationship with her father, so long as Luke didn't actually hurt their daughter. Seeing how he was with her, though, she could feel her heart easing, especially with how gentle he was with Katia. “Okay,” she murmured to Katia, smiling as she kissed Katia's head. “Okay, we can go. Make sure to give your Aunt Enaia and Rosie hugs bye-bye, though, okay?”

Michael felt his grin broaden with Enaia's words and he nodded slightly. “Thank you,” he told her genuinely, his voice gentle, but he was clearly grateful for this chance to be a part of his daughter's life. He could see Enaia was concerned about how things would turn out, but he swore to himself that he would do everything he could to make sure that Enaia wouldn't have to worry about it. “I won't make you regret it, I promise.” And he swore he'd keep that promise with everything in him. He grinned as he watched Enaia, taking her in, so happy to see her again, and to possibly be in her life again. “I can't wait to have that bow put into my hair.” He grinned jokingly.

Rosie giggled with her Mama's squeeze and nodded eagerly. “Okay!” she chimed happily before she wiggled, climbing off her Mama's lap to go to the other side of the table to Katia and Aislin.

Luke watched Aislin carefully, taking her hand within his own as Katia climbed off her lap. “Aislin, you gotta trust me on this.” He told her quietly. “I’m so happy to be part of Katia’s life. I don’t want to miss anything else. I want to be a Dad.” He told her gently. Luke had, for so long, wanted to have Aislin back in his life, but Luke felt blessed to have Aislin and Katia in his life, and he swore silently in that moment he would never let any harm come to either of them.

Katia gasped and clapped happily, climbing off her Mama’s lap and going to Enaia, climbing onto her lap, showing just how close the girls still were, and always would be. ”Bye-bye, Auntie En!” She grinned happily.

Enaia smiled, wrapping her arms around Katia. “Bye bye, baby girl.” She smiled, brushing Katia’s blonde hair from her face. “Love you lots like jelly tots.” She pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Katia giggled, climbing down once more. “Love you lots like jelly tots.” She replied, waiting for Rosie to say goodbye to her Mama patiently, loving her ‘cousin’ more than anything.

Enaia looked to Michael. “Your hair is so much longer now, at least a bow will fit in it.” She teased softly, not wanting to get too close to him, but wanting there to be no tension between them, for Rosie’s sake.

Aislin turned her attention to Luke, listening to him quietly as she watched him, and she felt her heart both swell and ache with his hand taking hers. She watched him, staying quiet for a few moments, searching his eyes, her heart swelling at how genuine and honest he seemed, and she nodded slightly. “I believe you,” she told him quietly, though her attention got caught by Rosie when the girl came over and she smiled. “Hey, there, sweetie,” she chimed as she shifted to pick Rosie up.

Rosie grinned as she wrapped her arms around Aislin’s neck in a hug. “We’re gonna go home, Auntie Aislin,” she informed Aislin happily, “Thank you for all the fun today!”

Aislin grinned slightly, returning the hug gently. “Oh, you are so very welcome,” she said with a broad grin. “Auntie Aislin loves you very much.”

“And I love you, Auntie Aislin!” Rosie giggled before climbing off Aislin’s lap to quickly move to Katia, hugging her tightly. “And I love you, too, Katia!”

Michael watched Rosie disappear from Enaia’s lap, smiling as he watched his daughter go over to the others, though his gaze easily and naturally drifted back to Enaia as he examined her. “Yeah?” he asked with a small grin, “Well, then, I’ll trust you with my hair.” He grinned slightly as he took her in, just loving how beautiful she still was, how much more beautiful she’d gotten, and still upset with himself for ever letting her go. “Enaia, I just…” He paused as he watched her, debating, but he swallowed back the words he really wanted to say, worried about upsetting her or pushing her away, especially when she’d already talked about needing time. “I just want to thank you for letting me be a part of our daughter’s life.” He eyed her and offered a small smile. “She really is perfect.”

Luke's heart filled with relief as Aislin told him she believe him. All he wanted, which he never knew he wanted, was his daughter and Aislin in his life. Luke had never known how he'd react to being a father, and yet it was the best thing in the world already. Toying with his lip as he studied Aislin for a few long moments, Luke smiled as he watched Rosie and Katia share a hug. "Have they always been this close?" He asked Aislin quietly, touched by the girls' show of love, although his heart sank when he realised that while he was gone, Aislin couldn't depend on him at all, approach him with any issues she may of faced during pregnancy.

Katia giggled happily as she hugged Rosie. "I love you too, Rosie!" She chimed happily, smiling at her 'cousin'. "I'll see you soon, yeah?"

Enaia smiled as Rosie and Katia hugged, her heart igniting with happiness at the sight. Still, Enaia listened to Michael's words, biting her lip in amusement as Michael told her he'd trust her with his hair. "I won't shave it, I promise." She teased, looking to Michael, frowning slightly as she saw he was holding something back, knowing Michael like the back of her hand still. Deciding to let it rest for now, Enaia nodded. "She's our daughter, Michael. She deserves to know you. You deserve to know her." Enaia shrugged, standing up to collect their things.

Aislin turned her attention to the girls when she heard Luke's question and she watched them with a fond smile, nodding slightly. “They have been,” she confirmed quietly, “Enaia and I had them not far apart from each other. They’ve pretty much grown up as cousins.”

Rosie grinned slightly and nodded happily. “Of course!” she chimed happily, certain they'd get to spend time together again soon. “Bye bye!” She hugged Katia once more before she moved over to Enaia and Michael. “Can we go now, Momma?”

Michael grinned with the mention of it, laughing quietly. “I'll trust you, in that case,” he told her, his grin broadening as he examined her for a few moments. Seeing her standing, he moved to stand. “I can help carry your things, if you want?” He arched a brow, though his gaze went to Rosie and he smiled as he watched her before he looked back to Enaia. “Still… It's amazing. She's perfect and I just… Can't believe all of this, I can't believe how lucky I am.”

Luke smiled as he watched Katia closely, nodding with Aislin's words, his gaze still firmly on his daughter, making sure she was safe - he'd already missed out on so much, and he was determined he wouldn't miss another milestone, because looking at Katia, Luke almost couldn't believe how lucky he was, how this beautiful little girl was created from the love he and Aislin shared, a love that still he felt, just as strongly as the day he left. "Hey, Katia?"

Katia looked to Luke, toddling over as she rolled happily on the balls of her feet. "Yeah?" She smiled.

Luke grinned. "You want a piggy back?"

Katia gasped and nodded, holding her arms up for Luke to pick her up, clearly excited and happy by the idea. "Please!"

Luke grinned, picking up her up carefully and setting her on his shoulders. "You hold on tightly, okay? Otherwise your Mama will kill me." He joked, looking to Aislin. "Do you need me to carry anything? Push the stroller?"

Enaia smiled as she watched Katia and Rosie, picking Rosie up as she moved over. "We can go." She nodded, holding the toddler to her hip, kissing her temple, but she listened to Michael, smiling at him softly, although she felt the doubt, the fear in the back of her mind, Enaia knew that Rosie needed her Daddy. "Oh, uh..." She grabbed the diaper bag and hooking it over the push-chair. "You can push this?" She hinted to the push-chair.

Aislin watched Luke pick Katia up quietly - and, as amazing and adorable as the sight was, she couldn’t help the bubble of concern with seeing Katia up so high, because of course Luke had to be a giant. “No, no, you just focus on keeping her safe up there,” she said quickly, chewing on her lip a little anxiously. Shifting a bit, she packed up the rest of the things, putting the bag in the stroller. “Please, please don’t drop her,” she said quietly before she led the way out, figuring the sooner they got to the car, the sooner Katia would be on solid ground.

Michael smiled with hearing Enaia confirm that he could help in some way and he nodded slightly, relieved that he’d be able to do anything at all, even if it was this simple. “I’d be honored,” he said with a broad grin, happy to know that he would be helpful, because he wanted Enaia to know that he would be there to help with Rosie, regardless of how big or small the task was. Shifting, he stood up and moved to the push-chair, kicking up the brake that had it in place. “Alright, I’m ready to go when you are.” He grinned over at Enaia, watching her with Rosie, his heart swelling with the sight.

Rosie blinked when she saw her Mama motion to the push-chair and she wiggled a bit, looking to her Mama. “Mama, if Michael is pushing it, can I sit in it?” she asked with excitement, “And can he push me fast? Please?”

Katia giggled as Luke carried her, loving being this far off the ground, loving being taller than everyone and everything else. "Mama, look!" She grinned. "I'm so high up!"

Luke laughed. "Aislin, c'mon!" He grinned, ensuring that Katia was safe on his shoulders, making sure he wouldn't drop her, or loosen his grip at all. "Don't you trust me with our daughter?" He teased. "I know I'm a bread stick, but c'mon." He laughed, following Aislin's lead outside, the sunshine just so overwhelmingly fantastic to Luke. Still, hearing Katia's words of happiness, Luke bit his lip happily, peering up at his daughter with pride and adoration. When Aislin led them to her car, Luke gently lifted Katia from his shoulders and set her on the ground, kneeling to be beside her. "You good, Katia?"

Katia grinned and nodded, hugging Luke. "Thank you!"

"Fast?" Enaia looked apprehensive, but set Rosie down, letting her climb into the buggy, kneeling to strap her in. She looked to Michael nervously. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but accidents could easily happen, and that's what worried Enaia the most. Grabbing her car keys, Enaia led the way out of the coffee shop, into the warm air. "Okay, baby. Tell Michael if he's being too fast though, okay?" She shifted anxiously, pointing to her Beetle for Michael to know which car was hers.

Aislin offered a smile up at Katia, despite her concern. “You are, sweetheart. Look how much closer to the clouds you are,” she teased lightly, though she blinked, looking to Luke. “Luke, if I didn’t trust you with her, she wouldn’t be on her shoulders at all. That doesn’t mean I can’t worry.” But, seeing the way Luke looked up at Katia warmed Aislin’s heart and, once Katia was on the ground, Aislin smiled as she watched her hug Luke, wanting to commit the sight to memory. Unlocking the car, she opened the back door for Katia. “Alright, sweetie, hop in, let’s get you buckled up in your car seat.”

Rosie grinned up at her mama and nodded happily. “I will, Mama!” she promised, though she toyed with the straps cheerfully.

Michael smiled as he watched Rosie for a few moments, his heart swelling in the fondest way with seeing how happy his daughter was. Clearly, Enaia was a wonderful mother, and he applauded her for that, he really did, but he wished that he’d been there to help take care of and raise their daughter. “Alright, Rosie, you ready?” he asked with a small grin.

“Ready!” Rosie cheered happily, grinning.

Michael grinned at Enaia before settling his gaze on the car Enaia had pointed to. “Alright, here we go,” he announced before he took off - though carefully and not too overwhelmingly fast, just wanting to go at a speed that he was sure their daughter would enjoy. Rosie’s giggles filled his ears and he couldn’t help but to laugh along, coming to a gentle stop beside the car. “How was that, Rosie?” he asked with a broad grin as he peered down at her.

Rosie grinned, looking up at Michael. “It was fast and fun!” she chimed before adjusting in her seat as much as she could to try to peer back at her mama. “Did you see that, Mama?! Michael runs really fast! We went faster than ever!”

Katia giggled happily as she hugged Luke, looking up to her father with an identical pair of blue eyes. Toddling to her mother, Katia looked to her mom with a wide smile. "That was fun, Mama!" Katia exclaimed. "Can Luke do it again when we get home?" Climbing into the car, Katia situated herself into her car seat, humming happily as she kicked her legs innocently, smiling at her Mama with a joy only a child could have.

Luke hugged his daughter in return, his hold around her protective and loving, and Luke was sure he was destined to be a father. He'd never considered the possibility before today, but God, it was the most incredible experience. "I'll do it again if your Mom lets me." Luke promised, watching as his independent little girl climbed into the car, his heart swelling with pride. Leaning against the car, beside Aislin, Luke watched his ex carefully, a smile tugging at his lips. "Need me to do anything?" He asked, eager to help out in any way that he could, eager to make up for the time he'd missed out on. "I don't mind."

Enaia caught up with her ex boyfriend and the daughter they shared - the daughter they created with nothing but love - smiling as Rosie's giggles echoed through her ears, accompanied by Michael's own laughter. Feeling her heart swell with the adoration Michael already had for Rosie, Enaia tried to push the thought to the back of her mind as she unbuckled Rosie from the push chair, smiling as she placed her daughter on her hip. "I saw!" Enaia smiled, trying to upkeep the cheerful atmosphere. "You went so fast! Say thank you to Michael." Enaia told her, unlocking the car and opening the back door to put Rosie in her car seat.

Aislin felt her heart swell with Katia’s giggles, glad to see the way she and Luke were together, glad to see Katia take to Luke so easily and so quickly - and grateful that Luke was interacting so well with their daughter. “Maybe, if you’re good on the way home,” she teased Katia gently, smiling, though she blinked, peering over at Luke as she started to put everything away. “Maybe buckle Katia up in her car seat?”

Rosie grinned proudly as she looked over at her mom, nodding happily. “It was so much fun!” she cheered happily, elated but she looked to Michael quickly. “Thank you, Michael!”

Michael smiled as he watched Enaia with Rosie, his heart swelling at the sight, finding himself realizing more and more how much he missed out on these last few years. “I’m glad you had so much fun,” he told Rosie cheerfully, though when she called him Michael, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to hear her call him dad some day. Chewing on his lip with the thought, he smiled to Enaia. “Can I help with anything?”

"Sure," Luke nodded, his heart beating faster in his chest at the thought of getting closer to his daughter. She was perfect, and Luke felt so sad that he missed so much of Katia's life. Heading to the open back door, Luke crouched down. "Hey, Princess." Luke pinched Katia's cheek teasingly as he leaned to buckle her into the car seat, ensuring that he did everything right and that his daughter - the daughter he shared with Aislin - was safe from anything that could potentially harm her while they were on the road, although Luke swore that nothing would ever have the opportunity to hurt Katia if he could help it.

"Hey," Katia debated with a giggle, lifting her hand to push Luke's larger hand away from her cheek, her smile a little dimmer now as exhaustion caught up with her. As Luke did up her belt, Katia wriggled a little bit in protest, but yawned. "Luke, are you Mommy's friend?"

Enaia looked to Michael with a small smile. "You can buckle Rosie up, if you want." Enaia looked to the beautiful little girl, sat in her chair and rubbing at her eyes with her tiny fists, the excitement of the day having caught up with her. "I'll keep all of this." Enaia squeezed Michael's shoulder, opening the trunk of the car as she began to keep everything, wanting Michael and Rosie to get to know each other naturally. Humming a lullaby, Enaia grabbed Rosie's favourite stuffed animal. "Michael, give this to her."

Aislin smiled to herself as she listened to Luke interact with Katia, and she wondered what life would have been like if he’d known about Katia all along, if they’d been together all that time. What would Katia’s life have been like if she’d known her father all this time? Chewing on her lip, Aislin started the car and began the drive once they were all ready, though she wasn’t sure what to say in response to her daughter’s question, and she found herself staying silent, unable to form words.

Michael grinned slightly, honored to hear Enaia give him an opportunity to bond with their daughter a bit more. “Alright, sure, of course, absolutely,” he said, unable to hide how eager he was to be able to help in any way that he could, and he knew he wanted to help more in the future, too. Shifting, he moved to Rosie. “Alright, up we go,” he told her cheerfully, grinning as he helped her into the car and into the carseat as he worked on buckling her up, making sure it was safe. “There we go, all safe and snug.” He ruffled the girl’s hair gently, smiling.

Rosie giggled quietly and nodded. “Thank you, Michael!” she said cheerfully, kicking her feet happily a bit once she was in the carseat, and she blinked, watching him and her mom. She was curious about how they knew each other, and why Michael was so nice.