"I'm so sorry you went through that"

Was all I could say after Daisy's confession.

Many different answers went through my head from: 'he's a bastard!' Or 'I'll kill him', but I figured they wasn't the right words given the situation. I'm sure that the last thing she wanted to hear was my violent thoughts on her abusive husband. So I swallowed my anger, and became the supportive boyfriend she needed. Well, what do you call the person you've been dating for a few weeks, but haven't officially put a label on it? Friend? Acquaintance? - no I'm sure it's definitely not that one. Either way she needed me to support her. I had Jack to rant to and take my frustration out on.

"So the Daisy is possibly from him?" I asked.

She was still sat on my lap, shaking from the confession. She then nodded, while wiping the last of her tears away.

"Can I?" I reached for the card, but I wanted to check she was okay with me looking.

"Sure" she nodded.

I opened it, and turned it to show her.

Hope;

Happy birthday!

All my love

X

"Could it be him?"

"I don't know, I suppose it would make sense for him not to sign it with his name. You know because then I'd definitely know he was here"

"Yeah but it could be anyone"

"No, it's him. Or his parents." She insisted, shaking her head.

"How can you be so sure?"

"For one the daisy, he brought me daisy's the day Hope was born and on her first birthday. Secondly, why would they not sign the card?"

She eyed me with her eyebrow raised, waiting for me to try argue with her.

I couldn't help laugh at her. She was cute.

"What's so funny?"

"The look you gave me."

"What about it?" She was very confused.

"It was like you were saying 'I dare you to argue with me. I'm right'. It was cute, miss know it all" I teased, trying to lighten the conversation a little.

I was aware this was serious, but that also meant I was aware of just how stressed this was making her.

I just wanted to see her smile.

And it worked. Not straight away, but it did.

"Miss know it all?! You did not just call me that!"

"I did, what you going to do about it?"

She firmly hit my chest with both her hands, and I grabbed them to keep them there.

She went silent as she looked down at me, then moved her legs to straddle me.

"Well, if you're just going to be so goddamn sexy, I can think of one thing I can do" She lowered her voice, as she lowered her head to my lips.

Kissing them softly, she lowered her hands from my chest until she reached my belt.

We hadn't gone this far yet. The most I'd done is held her ass while I kissed her, and that was only because she had her legs wrapped around me as I brought her to the door on our previous date. I hadn't touched her anywhere else, or even attempted.

She slowly stroked her palm across me, which was hard as a rock from her just sitting on me like this, but I had to stop her. She was upset, I wanted to make her feel better but not like this. I didn't want her to regret anything.

"Don't baby" I grabbed her hand to stop her.

Looking down at me confused, she asked, "Why not?"

"Not like this. You're upset, you'll regret it"

"I won't, I want this" she was adamant, but I still wasn't letting her. I cared about her way too much to potentially take advantage of her.

"Maybe so, but not yet"

I pressed a tender kiss to her head, then pushed her off me.

"Also Hope is in the house" I reminded her, and her eyes widened.

"Oh no, I forgot she was here. I forgot my own child" she started panicking, going hysterical.

She stood up to run into her, but I placed my hands in hers to calm her down.

"Hey, stop you didn't forget your child. You just forgot she was in the house with us that's all. It's my sexiness" I winked at her, hoping she would take the joke and calm down a little.

"Mr love myself" she teased as she went to check on Hope in a more calm manner.

As she walked away I smacked her ass, and she squealed before laughing.

At least I'd managed to make her smile. That's all I wanted.

I strolled after her, and thought about offering to take them to dinner. Maybe she could do with some time away from the house? Or I could cook at my place.

Actually I liked the sound of the latter.

"Hey baby, I have an idea" I started, as I wrapped my arms around her.

She was standing in the door frame to the dinning room watching Hope play with her dolls.

The poor baby was upside down, being held by its leg, while Hope spoke to it, "now we're going to have a bath baby, would you like bubbles?" She gently placed the baby in the plastic pink bath, then pretended to fill it up. I was in awe as we both watched her. She began to wash the baby, followed by wrapping it in a towel I presumed was hers. It had a hood with a duck on it, and was way too big for the baby.

"Cute huh?" Daisy whispered to me.

"Yeah she is"

"Sorry what did you say just?"

"Oh, Erm I had an idea. How do you fancy dinner at my place tonight?"

"What about Hope? I don't know if I can ask-"

I stopped her from continuing. I wanted Hope with us.

"Hope too"

"You sure?" She asked, her face expression showing she didn't want to upset me, but if anything the thought of them both at my place was enough to make me happy for a year.

"Yes Daisy, it's what I want" I reassured her, cradling her face as I got lost in her beautiful eyes.

"Your so pretty" I whispered.

"Stop"

"You are. So so so pretty."

I began peppering kisses down her neck, and all over her face, as she stood giggling under me.

"Stop, it tickles! Stop" she yelled, trying to wriggle out of my embrace.

"Mmm you smell so good too"

All I got was a fit of giggles, and a beautiful big smile out of her. Nothing made me happier than seeing that smile.

"Nate look at my baby!"

Hope interrupted us by shoving her dolly into my leg. She had now dressed the baby, not very well, in a pink summer dress like the one she was wearing. It was backwards, only one arm in, and one shoe, nevertheless it was cute. I was also flattered that she wanted to show me; she was very proud of herself.

"Wow she looks beautiful" I kneeled down to her height, so I could talk to her.

"She loves you" Daisy said as soon as Hope ran back over to her toys.

"You think?"

"I know" she kissed my cheek, before ascending the stairs.

"Where are you taking your pretty self?"

"To get changed, and to the toilet. Not allowed to go anymore sir?"

"Not without me"

I chased after her, and she screamed up the stairs. I grabbed her and chucked her on the bed, forgetting everything else that had happened, and kissed her madly until she was releasing tiny whimpers into my mouth.

I lifted off her before it went too far.

"You don't need to get changed, you look beautiful. Let's go"

"Wait you can't just kiss me like that, and then leave"

Laughing I said, "stay the night with me"

"But Hope"

"She can stay in one of the guest bedrooms, you can sleep with her too. I'd just like it if you stayed tonight"

"Okay"

"I thought I was going to have to beg"

"No silly, let me sort some stuff out. Will you watch Hope for me?"

"Of course"

It was then, as I descended the stairs, I realised I lied about my job. My apartment would show that too. It was a luxurious penthouse.

What do I do? Do I finally confess? After everything she told me, I doubt she wanted my money. You don't confide in people about those things if that's all you want.

I mentally smacked myself for ever even thinking like that about her. Even from the beginning it was obvious was like that, but I let my insecurities get at me.

How do I tell her I lied? She would hate me.

"Hey I'm ready"

She come up behind me as I'd just entered the dinning room, making me almost jump out my own skin.

"Sorry did I scare you?"

"Yeah sorry, that was quick"

"Yeah I realised I didn't need much" she shrugged.

"Okay well, shall we go then?"

"Yeah, you okay? You look a little taken back, like you've seen a ghost"

"Er yeah nothings wrong, everything's perfect."

Or at least it was. Everything could change as soon as I tell her.

As we pulled up in front of my building, my palms were dripping with sweat, and my heart rate had quickened.

"You live here?!" She asked, astonished by the place.

There were two men standing outside the door, and another one ready to take my car and park it for me. You know you're somewhere expensive when your building has that type of luxury.

"Er yeah" I smiled, refusing eye contact. I couldn't look at her knowing I'd lied. I was so ashamed of myself.

"Sir, do you have any bags that need collecting?"

The middle aged man stood at my window sounded like Prince William. He had one of those posh English voices you only heard from the upper class.

"No thank you Gerald"

I drove on and parked myself. Something I always did considering it was his job. I just didn't believe in taking advantage of someone like that, I didn't think it was fair when I was perfectly capable myself.

"Wow that was awfully generous of him, I presume it's his job though?"

"Yeah, but I do things myself" I shrugged, hoping the job question didn't come up yet.

"Good, I like that"

Once we reached my apartment floor, I had already convinced myself Daisy would be running straight out the door once I told her. I'd thought of ways I could explain, that might make it sound better, but nothing came to mind that sounded good enough. Instead, I took a deep breath and prayed to God - something I never did - that she wouldn't run, and she would stay.

"And this is my place"

I unlocked the door, letting Hope dance her way past in excitement, followed by Daisy - whom was still in shock after seeing the building I lived in, so she stepped in slowly; her eyes wandering around the room.

"Oh my, it's beautiful Nate"

"Thanks"

"What did you say you worked as again?"

Oh no.

"Actually about that I need to talk to you"

I rubbed my neck, then locked the door behind me.

"What's wrong?"

I gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. Hope was running round the place in excitement so this was my only opportunity.

"I wasn't entirely honest with you about my job"

"What do you mean? God please don't tell me your like one of those men that take women on dates, like an escort job or something"

I widened my eyes at her, and before I could respond with the truth she answered "oh my you are aren't you?"

She looked completely disgusted, and I couldn't help laugh at her nonsense.

"No no course not! Nothing like that" I laughed, reassuring her.

"Then what is it?"

"That company I said I worked for, well I own it. I'm the CEO"

Her sapphires widened even more, but in admiration rather than disgust like last time.

"Well why did you lie? There's nothing wrong with that"

"It's complicated"

"How?"

"Just please don't take offence by this"

I started, she just waited for me to continue.

"My ex girlfriend of five years was only with me for my money. I had proposed, and we were going to get married, but she kept putting it off. I went years thinking she just wasn't ready yet, but in truth she was having an affair saving up money I'd given her, or she'd had access to, so she could leave me and start a life without me."

"Nate I'm so sorry"

She placed her delicate hand on my shoulder, and smiled at me. A sad smile, but still a smile.

"It gets worse"

"The man was my brother, or shall we say is, as she's getting married to him. I had an invite not long ago"

She shook her head frantically, hand to her mouth in shock.

"So that's why I didn't tell you. Honestly I was glad you hadn't asked at first, and when I first met you I knew you wasn't from here which made me even more excited to get to know you. I wouldn't have to worry about you just wanting my money. I am really sorry for lying though. There's no explanation that makes it okay, I should have just told you the truth."

I took a deep breath as I slowly turned my eyes to face her.

I couldn't read her expression which made it worse.

"It's okay."

"I'm not happy about it, but it's okay. I understand"

"Oh thank god" I breathed, placing my head in my hands.

She was laughing at me, but I was so worried she would walk out.

"Now, how about that dinner you promised us huh?"

"Of course"