Third Person Point Of View

A Barbie car, Vanity, hair brush, makeup set, full dream house set, 5 Barbie dolls, 25 barbie outfits, and a child-sized princess dress and crown, and five full-sized pink monkeys. Tears sprung into Aurora's eyes.

"A-arlan..." She breathed, looking around in awe, truly speechless. "I can't afford any of this..."

"Right," He said, waking in. He turned to her, next to all of his purchases.

"But I can."

Fresh tears spilled out as an overwhelming feeling mixed with shock and gratitude filled Aurora. Her blueberry eyes peered around at the gifts, in shock. This was above and beyond, she knew it would make Dacie's life to receive all of this. She would never otherwise have these gifts ever given to her. Aurora knew from her own childhood she barely got so much as a birthday card from her caregivers. That's why she wanted things to be different for Dacie. But this? This was far beyond anything she could've ever hoped for, for the sweet little girl...

"I don't know what to say," Aurora looked at him with tears in her eyes and a face of disbelief.

"Look," He stepped toward, gently taking her shaking hands. He smoothed his thumbs soothingly over her skin to alleviate her shaking, then spoke slowly, soothingly. "That jackass stole your money. It's no dent in my wallet. Give this to Dacie."

Aurora peered down, the tears slipping faster and faster.

"I-I can't even begin to say anything but...thank you. This is more than I could've ever imagined. you're amazing," She rushed herself into his chest and hugged him, and he felt his heart flutter.

He snaked his arms around her small frame and squeezed intently.

"I'm amazing?" Arlan laughed bluntly. "Aurora, you picked up extra shifts to save the money all up for this six year old girl, AND you pretend to be a princess for her every night. I mean, I thought there was something special about you when I first met you but this I could never expect. Good people deserve good things. You've been served a bad deal of cards in life...and it's not fair."

Aurora sniffled, gently smiling and parting from him.

"Thank you," Her voice was thick with emotion.

I'm in love with you, he thought to himself.

"Of course," is all he said, restraining his impulsivity to profess his love. "Anything for you, Aurora Mulven."

She wiped her eyes and laughed. "Way to make me cry, for like, the second time today," She said.

"Oh yeah," Arlan stretched his arm and scratched his face, laughing softly. "My bad."

"It's okay. But I'm really drained now."

"Why don't you take a nap while I load this into my car? When you're up, I'll take you back and you can do your big reveal."

"Okay," Aurora agreed. "I woke up early to get this ready before Dacie's breakfast, so if I take a nap she'll probably be awake by the time I am."

"Ive got an extra blanket like the one last night if you want, and cocoa if you're hungry."

"i'll take just the blanket," Aurora said, rubbing her eyes.

I nodded. "Alright, angel, settle on the couch downstairs and I'll give you the blanket."

She nodded and exited, stretching her arms with exhaustion. I eyed her carefully, making sure I heard she was done walking down the stairs. Clicking the voice recording on my phone, I spoke quickly and efficiently.

"Everything's falling into place, and beautifully, may I say. Everyone, stay downstairs."

Aurora wiped her hazy eyes an hour later and peered up to remember she fell asleep at Arlan's on his living room leather couch. She adjusted herself up and scratched her hair.

"She's up, boss," A mafia man intently watching from behind the wall of the kitchen spoke discreetly into his phone. The man then quickly dashed out of sight. Arlan cruised casually down the stairs.

"Ready to go, angel? I packed up the car. Here's a bagel and hot chocolate for the road," he said, handing her a perfectly buttered toasted sesame bagel and raspberry hot cocoa.

"Thank you," Aurora shyly smiled as she helped her up, taking it. "You didn't have to do that."

"Anything to make you more relaxed," Arlan shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"i'm so excited," Aurora yawned, getting her shoes on. "Dacie's gonna be so surprised!!"

"I'm sure she will be."

"But...," Aurora paused, "How will I explain this to Agatha? S-she's a caretaker at my foster home. I'm supposed to give her some of my paycheck to help pay for expenses, and this must've been hundreds of dollars. When she goes into Dacie's room she'll see everything."

"Just say...it was a gift from interested parents."

Aurora frowned. "Arlan, I can't lie. She'll have to investigate. And God forbid Dacie finds out, she'll think she's getting adopted." Aurora stopped as they were in front of his car now, her back against the passenger side. "And she's not getting adopted. No one has ever been interested in our house. It's dirty, and run down, and loud."

Arlan set his ring-covered hands comfortingly on her small shoulders and rubbed softly.

"Don't overthink it. You're just a kid, Aurora. You shouldn't be constantly overthinking about every little action that could get you in trouble all the time. You're doing a nice thing for Dacie."

When he saw Aurora's face still looked distressed, he bit his lip.

"I'll figure it out. Don't worry about it for a second longer." He kissed her forehead which made all thoughts of distress disappear in a second as a newfound anxiety filled her body. She had never, ever been kissed by someone, even if it was just on the forehead. Yet, strangely the anxiety soon turned into comfort. The kiss was comforting. Her skin tingled as he opened the driver seat door and she opened her passenger seat door.

As Arlan started the car and began to back out, he explained a solution. "Keep the toys in secured boxes in your room, let Dacie play with them while you supervise her. Never let her leave your room with the toys. That way, no one knows, and she still enjoys them."

"Dacie!" Aurora called after she took three trips getting all the toys into her bedroom. Dacie quickly clambered in, pigtails crooked and pajamas all buttoned up.

"'Roura, it's only 7:30 in da morning, storytime isn't until 8:15," Dacie drawled, fisting her eyes tiredly.

"I know, but I have an extra special princess surprise for you," She said, moving away from the boxes.

Confusedly, Dacie came in and opened the boxes with a little help from Aurora.

Dacie gasped, eyes filling up with wonder like air to a balloon.

"I knew it! I knew you were a Princess!" She squealed, bouncing up and down. She hugged Aurora's legs tightly.

"I love you, 'Roura! Never leave me!"

"I won't," She whispered.