When the Night Falls
Chapter 20

pool deck, wearing a bathing suit decorated with little dancing Olafs. She was frowning at me.

“Oh, nothing sweetie. I’m doing fine,” I said, trying to arrange my face into a more happy expression. Thea’s frown deepened. I could tell she wasn’t buying it.

She came over to my chair and hopped up on the end, hugging my legs.

“Come on, Flower. What are you sad about?” she asked again.

I chuckled and tousled her hair while trying to think of something to say. I obviously couldn’t tell her the real reason, not with her father’s rules about us.

“I’m feeling a little homesick,” I finally invented. “I miss my flat a little, I guess.”

Thea pouted against my shins. “Isn’t our house nicer than your old one? You told me it was a dump!”

I had to let out another chuckle at that. This kid remembered everything.

“Yes, it was, and I’m very happy to be here with you and your dad. But still, sometimes, things can get a little overwhelming. And when that happens, I miss my old bed.”

Thea coc ked her head to one side, surveying me. I’m not sure she totally believed my excuse. Then, her face lit up with a small smile.

“I know what’ll cheer you up,” she announced proudly.

“What’s that?” I asked, bopping her playfully on the nose. She turned around and pointed dramatically at the glistening water of the pool.

“Swimmmmmmmming!” she said excitedly, drawing the word out like a presenter announcing the launch of a new car. I smiled at her.

“That sounds like a great plan,” I said. Then, without warning, I grabbed her and stood up before placing her down where I’d just been sitting.

“Race you!” I called before taking off towards the water’s edge.

“Hey, no fair,” she pouted. She scrambled to her feet and chased after me. I shortened. my strides as I reached the water’s edge, just enough so that Thea could race by me and cannonball hard

into the water before me.

“Oh no! You won!” I sighed dramatically as I sl*pped into the water after her. Thea turned. around with her hands on her hips, bobbing in the water.

“You let me win,” she pouted..

“I did not,” I chuckled. She splashed me in return.

“Did too,” she responded, sticking her tongue out at me. “Wanna play a game of tag?”

13 16 Wed, 24 Jan

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“You’re it!” I said. Then I took off across the pool using my breaststroke, Then in hot pursuit.

We played for a solid twenty minutes. I was purposefully slow, allowing Thea to win. Not. because she wasn’t fast, but because it was cute how indignant she got when she thought I was coddling her.

Finally, she stopped in the middle of the pool, and I had no choice but to come up behind her and lag her.

“Gotcha.” I said. She turned around and stuck her tongue out at me.

“What was that for?” I chuckled.

“You were letting me win,” she responded, and I had to chuckle. “So I let you win instead.”

“Such a good sportswoman, Thea,” I chuckled, splashing a bit of water in her direction.

Thea dove at me and wrapped her arms around my n*eck.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” she said. Then I saw a shadow cross her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, brushing a lock of wet hair from her eyes.

She looked up at me, her eyes suddenly glistening with tears.

“You’re going to leave,” she said with a sniffle. “They all leave eventually.”

“Hey, don’t cry,” I said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’m not going to leave you.”

“You promise?” she asked, looking up at me with wide eyes.

“I promise,” I assured her with a soft smile. “I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Okay, thank you, Mom.”

My heart ski pped a beat. She’d just called me mom. I didn’t know what to feel. I was surprised, but I also felt strangely warm inside.

I could tell instantly that Thea felt embarrassed. Her checks turned red, and she looked away. She squirmed out of my arms and stood on her own.

“I mean… Flower,” she said sheepishly.

Before I could answer, I heard a familiar deep chuckle from across the pool. It was quiet enough. that Thea couldn’t hear, but I looked around.

Theodore was standing in the doorway, a smile on his face.

I beckoned to him and he approached the edge of the pool.

Thea, could you give Ms. Gibson and me a moment alone, please?” he asked. Then, who still looked a little embarrassed, glanced between me and her father, then nodded.

Chapter 19 of 30: Chapter 19

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She swam to the edge of the pool, and Theodore helped her out.

As he lifted her out of the water, she whispered something in his ear, and I saw the corners of his mouth twitch slightly.

“Whatever you say, young lady. Go play.”

Thea looked back at the water and winked at me, then hurried into the house.

I smirked rather bemusedly. What was Thea telling her father about me?

Once she was gone, Theodore extended a hand to me as well. I swam over to the edge of the pool and he lifted me out of the water as effortlessly as if I’d weighed no more than a feather.

As my feet touched concrete, I stumbled a little bit against him and he caught me, pulling me against his b*dy.

“Now you’re all wet,” I said.

He shrugged. “It’s worth it.”

“What did Thea say to you?” I asked, curious. Theodore smiled.

“She told me to play nice.” I had to laugh at that.

Theodore watched me as I did, his eyes bright and sparkling. The way he was looking at me made my toes curl beneath me. But as they scraped against the concrete pool deck, I quickly relaxed them again.

“So,” I asked after a long moment. “What did you want to talk to me about?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, right.” He smiled. “I’d like to have dinner with you. Tonight.”

“Of course, that sounds lovely,” I responded, wondering why he had to send Thea away to tell me that. “Where are we going?”

“Actually,” he responded, looking oddly vulnerable. “I was wondering if you wanted to cook for me?”

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