Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.

- Honoré de Balzac

In the blink of an eye, a child becomes the light of your eye.

That was exactly what happened with me. I never thought a child who had a different DNA than mine would take home in my heart.

And with a child came, all the worries of the world. Hence, here I was worrying myself to death about a simple behaviour from Lydia. Maybe that was what a parent supposed to do. Worrying over nothing for their child.

Guess that made me a true parent.

I looked down at the red head who made me a parent in just one month. I couldn't believe it had been only a month since I saw a handsome guy in a suit offering his hand mfor a shake and getting a blast of my emotions in return.

Sometimes I pitied myself. There was something seriously wrong with me. There was no restrain for my emotions. I really needed to work on it or else Tyler would be convinced that I was a mad woman. Not that he didn't know already. I was pretty sure he already thought of me slightly crooked.

And speaking of the man, what was he still doing in the bathroom?

Due to my outburst half an hour ago, Lydia woke up. After removing all the signs of my outburst, I took Lydia back to the bedroom and took off her frock, letting her sleep in her inner wears. I didn't have any clothes for kids in my home but I had one T shirt for Tyler and that was with Tyler right now. He had been in the bathroom for quite a long time now.

Sighing, I left the warmth of my bed and walked toward the door, knocking slightly. "Tyler? Are you okay in there?"

There was a muffled response from inside before he opened the door, making me take two steps back.

"What were you doing in--" I abruptly stopped, widening my eyes in the process at the sight in front of me. I turned around when I realised I was staring shamelessly. "What the hell?! Where is your pant? Are you crazy?!"

I took one, two, three calming breaths to even the blood flow in me. Good God! He looked so....delicious. Not again.

"You were staring for a long time. I thought you would notice the pants." He answered from behind me. I could just imagine the smirk on his face.

I looked back at him then turned back again when I saw what made me turn away in the first place. "That's not a pant! That's..that's a ..boxer!" I choked out, shutting my eyes. I bet my cheeks already started being red.

He chuckled. "You don't expect me to sleep on that dress pant now, do you? Besides, I'm covered. That's what matters, right?"

"Covered? Barely!" I scoffed out.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't seen a man like this before."

I gestured toward him, keeping my eyes close even though I was turned away from him. "It's not that. I barely know you."

"You know me enough to marry me." He pointed out. "Besides you should get used to the view. You'll be seeing a lot of this after our marriage."

That made my eyes open. Oh my. He was right. Totally right. After our marriage, I would be seeing lot more.

"And for God's sake, turn around. I'm not naked." He came beside me, taking me by my arm to turn me around but I backed myself to the bedside which made me look at the little girl sleeping in the middle of it.

"But your daughter is here." I tried to use his daughter in order to get him to wear a pant. I couldn't be in the same room with him dressed like that. This view was messing with my woman parts. With lot of self restraint, I gestured toward the 'boxer' and his daughter. "You can't be in that. Your daughter is here."

He rolled his eyes. "Relax. She already saw me in this twice or thrice." When I raised my eyebrows, he elaborated. "She slips in my bed when there's thunderstorms outside."

Well, there goes my daughter card.

"And now that we concluded that, can you tell me who's T-shirt is this?" He asked, taking my attention to his T-shirt and boxer clad Adonis body.

I shook my head and frowned at him. "Why? It's clean."

"Tell me who's it is or else I'm taking it off." He threatened. To make his words more realistic, he took hold of both corners of the T-shirt and raised his eyebrows at me, waiting for my answer.

Instantly, I scowled. "Please don't take it off. You're already bare from waist down."

Tyler let go of the T-shirt to pull his boxer a bit and said flatly. "Covered."

I rolled my eyes and flipped my hand in dismissal. "Does it matter anyway?"

He gestured toward the T-shirt. "It matters if it's your ex's. You don't have any brothers. So it must belong to an ex."

Immediately, the word 'ex' triggered the past memories to step forward. My eyes met his and he might had noticed the rigidness of my body or might had seen something in my eyes because his expression stilled.

But before he could ask anything, I spoke up. "I have a brother-in-law. So that belongs to Brandon. Chloe had once wore it and left it here."

"Oh." He responded quietly. Taking further steps toward me, he cleared his throat. "Claire, about the ex thi---"

I turned away, giving him no opportunity to ask me anything about my 'ex'. "We should go to sleep. It's already late."

With that I slipped under the blanket and closed my eyes, keeping one hand on Lydia's stomach. For a minute, I heard only silence but then I heard him sigh and walk toward the other side of the bed. Then the rustling of sheets, quilt, the click of the bedside lamp. And finally, the sound of even breaths.

But I couldn't sleep just yet. I opened my eyes to the dark bedroom, only the light of the moon from outside were present. I could see the shadow of his facial features from side, his body straight with one arm draped over his forehead.

I couldn't tell him. He didn't need to know. Past was past for a reason. Besides this wasn't a normal everyday marriage. We didn't need to divulge all our past memories to each other.

You want him to divulge all his past to you but you can't do that yourself?

I closed my eyes to ignore the remark. I wanted to know everything about him. His past, present, future, everything related to him but how could I when I couldn't even speak about mine?

What would I tell him anyway? That due to my stupidity, everyone in my college thought I was a easy catch? That a bet made me a laughing stock in my college? That I had to finish my college early because I couldn't live with the stares, with the way boys leered at me? That a single boy ruined my self confidence?

No. I couldn't.

Whatever happened in my college life, stayed inside the boundaries of the college. I put those memories far away in my head when I graduated and left the college. I never spoke about my last days in college. Not even to Chloe. So Tyler wasn't even a option.

Decision made. I wouldn't tell Tyler anything about my past.

You're a hypocrite.

Ignoring the insult from my subconscious mind, I slipped away to dreamland where only me, Tyler and Lydia lived. No ex. No stares. No past.

Only Tyler, Lydia and me.

******

The smell of fried bacon and eggs flowed in through my nose, awakening me. Slowly, I started getting focus on my surroundings and let my hand glide over the bed where I found empty space.

Cold dents on the bed. It had been a while since both father-daughter duo were awake. I could hear the clatter of pans and dishes along with the voices of them.

And where did that delicious smell come from?

Throwing over the covers, I stepped out of the bed. I looked at the mirror and combed my hairs through my fingers then checked the time from the clock over it. It read 10: 23 am.

I made sure I was presentable before I huddled out of the bedroom and toward the kitchen.

The sight before me was quite comical and nostalgic.

Tyler was standing by the stove fully covered with a apron, looking ridiculously funny.

Suppressing the laugh that threatened to come out of my mouth, I asked aloud. "What's going on here?"

He whirled around with a frying spoon in his hand, a bright smile on his face that had me blinded for a moment.

"You're awake and on right time. I cooked breakfast."

Instantly, I ducked from the flying hot drops of oil that whirled at me with that frying spoon. "Jesus, Tyler! Keep the spoon down."

"Oh!" He immediately kept it aside and turned to look at me again, in concern. "Sorry, are you okay?"

I nodded. "I'm okay." At that moment, I remembered his attire. "And you're covered. Where did you get that pant and shirt?"

He was wearing a grey shirt with a casual linen pant. "Simon brought new clean clothes for me and Lydia." He said with a amused smile probably remembering our clash over his 'boxer' which was hidden right now. Thank god for that. I didn't want my brain to start getting perv-y thoughts in the morning.

"And where did you get that bacon from?" I asked, quite appalled with the morning at my -what used to be- lonely apartment but no more. After a long time, a man was cooking over my stove. It was a sight I could get used to.

"Since there was no bacon here, I asked Simon to bring it along." He said while he flipped the food on the pan and gestured toward the counter. "There's a plate for you too."

I frowned at him. "You know how to cook?"

"Yes. I know the basics." Tyler replied with a tilt of his head before he turned back to the counter. "Lydia, eat your food."

For the first time that morning, I turned to look at Lydia with a smile but that soon turned into a horrific frown.

"Lydia, what happened to your hair?" I exclaimed. Oh, those sweet hair of my sweet daughter.

She spoke up from her seat. "They were getting in my mouth. I couldn't eat. So daddy pulled them back with a rubber band."

My little Ariel was sitting on the high chair before the counter, a plate placed on it but not a single food was eaten. She didn't even touch them. Well, how could she when there was a bird's nest on her head?

Her head was a mess. The rubber band coiled around the hair, with many of the red strands sticking out. Hell, it wasn't even combed properly. Tyler might had just pulled all the hair back and wrapped it with a rubber band.

My eyes turned accusing and I turned them to the man in blue apron. "What the hell did you do to her beautiful hair?"

He looked at me with a frown then at his daughter. "What? It looks fine."

"Fine?" I raised my eyebrow, unbelievably. "It looks like a bird's nest." I rubbed the red strands of hair and looked at Lydia's face. "Sweetheart you know I love your hair, right? But now, they look hideous."

Lydia solemnly nodded. "I know. They look horrible but I didn't want to hurt his feelings."

Rubbing them, I shook my head at her. "Even though it's sweet but when it comes your beautiful hair, it's okay to hurt his feelings."

"Hey, I can hear you!" Tyler called out from behind me.

I whirled around to give him the stink eyes. "You are never touching her hair again. Can't you even comb her hair?"

He defensively raised his hand. "Hey, there were lot of hair."

Rolling my eyes, I turned to Lydia. "Lydia, just eat your breakfast while I freshen up and bring a comb for your hair."

Lydia nodded, while hiding a smile from her daddy.

"I saw that, Lydia." Her daddy called out to her, with a pout on his face.

The little girl just shook her head and giggled. "Oh daddy, you are horrible at doing hair."

"I'm not that ho---"

I didn't hear the rest of the conversation because I already stepped into my bedroom, away from hearing distance.

Sometimes this father-daughter duo could be so adorable. Hell, they were always adorable. How did I get this lucky? I couldn't believe they were to be my family soon.

Smiling at the turn my life, I stepped into the bathroom, cleaning myself for the day. After that was done, I made up the bed and walked out to the kitchen to find both Lydia and Tyler sitting, and fiddling their food with a fork.

"Why are you guys not eating?" I asked them as I took a seat as well and pulled the plate toward me. I would take care of Lydia's messy hair after I finished my breakfast. I couldn't ignore the growl from my stomach anymore.

Crispy bacons, scrambled eggs and a toast with orange juice. Everyday yummy breakfast. Tyler did good.

"We were waiting for you, mommy." Lydia answered with a smile on her little button face.

"Ah, she was waiting." Tyler pointed to Lydia then him. "And me? I'm really hungry. So can we eat now?"

I smiled at Lydia and scowled at Tyler.

Giving me a small smile in apology, he tucked into his food. Lydia and I looked at each other and shook our head at his childlike behaviour before we also turned to our food.

As always Lydia kept the conversation flowing as we all appreciated Tyler's food with our satisfied stomach.

After we were done, I asked both of them about their plans for the rest of the day.

"Well, I have to go to office." Tyler said.

At the same time, Lydia said. "Maybe we could go to the zoo?"

They both looked at each other then at me. "Hey, it's your matter." I shrugged, with a smile. I wondered how Tyler would handle this situation. On one side, he had his prideful work and on another side, he had his family. I could say family always came first but I wanted to see what Tyler thought.

My bewildered fiancé peered at his daughter's face and sighed. "Okay. I could miss one day at work."

I noticed the eager grey eyes of Lydia, with a very bright smile on her face. How could Tyler not fall for that face? Of course, he had to agree and I couldn't be more happier.

Clapping my hands, I stood up. "That's it then we are going to the zoo."

The happy girl also stood up, shouting with great delight. "Yes! We can see baby kangaroo and mommy kangaroo."

"What?" Tyler voiced, standing up while going through his phone.

"I saw them on TV. Mommy kangaroo kept baby kangaroo in her pocket. I want to see them." Lydia explained, a hopeful glim in her eyes. She was really excited.

I turned to Tyler, confused. "Are there any in New York?"

He shrugged. "I guess we'll find out when we get there."

"Well, then let's go." I said happily.

Tyler flatly scanned me up and down. "Are you going in that?"

I looked down at myself. Plain black tee and shorts. Definitely not the outfit when going out with the rich family.

"Nooo..." I shook my head and indicated him. "Are you going in that?"

He looked down at himself. Plain home T shirt and causal pant. Even though they looked rather good for plain home clothes. I couldn't see him going out with that outfit.

And as I thought, Tyler shook his head. "Definitely not. I thought after you're ready, we could go to my house then change. Lydia needs to wear pretty clothes too, right Lydia?"

The said girl perked up from the sofa where she was sitting and watching Tv. How did she get there so fast? "Yes. Yes!"

"Your house...?" I voiced out, nervously. I hadn't been there yet. That house was supposed to be where I would live for the rest of my life and I still hadn't seen it.

"Yeah...?" He asked me, completely baffled. After seeing me squirming with my fingers, he finally got it. "Claire, it's just a house. I've been telling you to just move in now but you're the one who's continuing to live in this unsafe building."

Firstly, it wasn't just a house. It was a home for a family and now I was considered to be part of this family. Therefore, I would be living there too and it was hard for me to just start living somewhere else, that too with Tyler....

Secondly, I was still alive. Hence, this building was secure and his frown over my home had to go, now.

"I've been living here for years and I've been completely safe. So don't offend me more." I pouted.

He waved his hand in dismissal, rolling his eyes while he was at it. "That's not the point. My point is, I don't see what's the problem with you living in the house where Lydia and I stay, where we would be much closer to you, whe....." Suddenly, he stopped and his widened eyes moved to me then he sighed, shaking his head left to right. "Claire, you know we have guest rooms, right?"

"Yeah, so?" I asked, avoiding any eye contact with him and backing myself near the counters to pick up the deserted plates.

"So you mean to say, your problem with living in the house doesn't have anything to do with living in the same bedroom as me?" I heard him say quietly, from near. He was following me.

I laughed nervously. "What? No. We are to be married. It's normal."

Good god. This man had eyes of a hawk. He knew everything. How did he even find out? There was no way I could hide anything from him now, could I?

Rather than hearing, I felt him behind me, coiling his hand around me, bringing me to his chest and my back met his hard chest.

I gasped and turned my head to him. His face inches away from me. His breath fanned my face. He was looking down at me, just staring. "Wha--a-t a-re yo-uu doing? Lydia's here!"

"She's busy." He whispered.

Still, I glanced at her and she was so engrossed with the TV to even look at us. Nervously, my eyes turned back to his. "I--I..." I started but failed to finish due to his intense stare. I licked my lips, feeling trapped in his arms but more than that, trapped in his stare.

His eyes followed my lips, my tongue then he started leaning down making my heart pound in my chest. He came close. I could feel his breath on my lips, warming them already and automatically, my eyes closed.

But it never came.

Instead, his breath blowed beneath my ear, causing my eyes to reopen. "It's not normal." He said, quietly.

For a moment, I forgot what he was talking about. I forgot what we were talking about but then he continued. "Our marriage isn't normal. We know each other for a month only. We don't have to even stay in the same bedroom until you're ready. We don't have to partake anything related to bed." After a pause, he picked up his head and looked me wickedly in the eyes. "Not that I would mind partaking."

Eyes widened, cheeks reddened, I looked down trying to calm my heart beats. What was he up to? This was what I was scared of. I was scared of talking about it. I was scared of his thoughts but now, it was out in the open. He wouldn't mind. Ofcourse, he wouldn't. He was a guy after all.

His chest vibrated as he chuckled. He pulled back his right arm from around me and held my chin with his hand to lift my face, making eye contact. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes and a playful smile on his lips.

"You're not ready. I know." He stated, smiling. "Even if we'll be married in a month, I don't expect you to jump in my bed."

A month?

Whatever else he said went over my head because I was stuck with the new information I just got. A month?!

"Wait, wait!" I pulled back shocked, from the cocoon his strong and defined arms formed. "A month? We're getting married in a month and I have no idea. When did this happen? Did you set the date too? Tyler, you're not the only one who's marrying. I am too."

Looking like a deer caught in the headlights, Tyler scratched his head.

"Okay. Let me go again. What do you think of marrying on July 19th? It's Sunday. So no one has to work on that day. Everyone can come." He said leisurely, smiling brightly, encouraging me to agree with his words.