When Lea leaves, I take Lily outside in Central Park. She has so much energy and running will only do her good. I write a note for Juliette in case she wakes up, to let her know where we are.

We walk side by side and arrive at one of the playgrounds. The little girl looks up into my eyes, one eyebrow raised to ask for my permission to go play, and I give it to her. She screams in joy and rushes there. I sit on one of the benches, and watch her.

She quickly makes friends with some of the other kids and they start collecting branches and small stones they use as money, so it seems. I smile to myself, amazed by their imagination.

"How old is your daughter?"

I hear a woman's voice but don't register. I feel a hand touching my shoulder and I jump.

"Oh sorry I didn't mean to frighten you. I was wondering how old your daughter is."

"She..." I stop, mid sentence, not sure what to answer, but then I continue "...is four. And, she's not my daughter."

"I'm sorry, I assumed she was....cos of your hair you know." Sure Lily and I are both blonde but we don't look alike much. "She's very tall for her age." I don't comment back, not knowing exactly how tall a four-year old is supposed to be, and the woman stops trying to converse with me.

Was I rude? I hate gossiping with strangers.

I let Lily play for twenty minutes until I can't feel my own bottom anymore. It's freezing and the sun is starting to set. When we are back home, all the lights are off. Juliette must still be sleeping.

"Come on, let's get you in the bath."

"Can I have a bubble bath?"

"Sure Lil'. You can change the lights inside the bathtub as well..." I've never seen a kid get undressed that quickly. I've never seen a kid do anything really, I would not care before.

I stay with her the whole time and I put on some music we hear through the speakers of the bathtub. I make a mental note that I really should enjoy the equipments my flat offers. I don't remember having had a bath, I prefer showers, but seeing how much Lily loves it makes me want to try.

"Wow, that's a huge bathtub" I hear Juliette gasp behind me and I stand up to wrap an arm around her waist. I help her sit down on the edge and give her some privacy with her daughter. But I'm soon back in the bathroom when I hear Juliette calling my name.

"Hum, I'm sorry, would you mind helping her out? I can't stand on my right foot right now."

"Yes, of course. Come on Lil! Let's get you out and in your pjs, and then, if maman agrees you can watch some Paw Patrol episodes before dinner."

"Are we eating pasta again?"

"Hum, no, not tonight. I'm thinking about ordering something."

"You're spoiling her." Juliette says, amused I got the routine right. Apparently the nap did her good, she's not her dragon self anymore. Or maybe she's saving it for later, for when Lily is not around. I shiver.

"I could use a bath too. I haven't been able to shower at the hospital. I'm not sure how to do it though, with the cast."

"Just...keep your leg out. I would offer my help, but I'm not sure you'd accept it." I blush slightly, I hope she hasn't noticed.

"I'll find a way. Could you...watch Lily?"

"It would be my pleasure."

I settle on one of the couches and Lily cuddles next to me. The huge screen lights up the entire living room and after a while, I realize I have been staring at the little blonde in my arms. It's a sight I'm not accustomed to, but I'm liking it. I grab my phone and ask Lily if pizza is Ok for dinner. She is engrossed in her TV show and mumbles an answer. I guess I would have received the same if I had told her we're eating Brussels sprouts.

"So, what's the name of the blue dog?"

"Chase."

"Oh, I thought it was Marshall."

"No, Amelia, you need to pay attention. Marshall is the Dalmatian." She quickly explains, rolling her eyes.

I hear a chuckle and turn my head in the direction of the door. Juliette is standing, staring at us with a smile on her face, her hair is damp and her skin red from the hot water. I rush to her and rest my hands on each side of her hips.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"A bit dizzy still, but so much better."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I'm starving."

"Good, I ordered pizza. It should be here any minute now."

"Thank you Amelia." She stares at me with a serious look in her eyes and I'm not sure what she means. Our faces are very close and I feel my heart beating hard in my chest. I don't want to rush things and I still don't know where we stand. I clear my throat "It's only pizza..."

"No, I mean...thank you, for everything. For being here for Lily, for taking care of me. I'm not even sure why you're doing all this."

"Isn't it obvious?" Now I really want to kiss her and notice our faces have become closer. An awkward silence has settled but thankfully I hear my phone buzz. "Pizza." I announce. "I'll help you to the kitchen."

The awkardness follows us there and we barely talk to each other while we eat. In the corner of my eyes I see Juliette inspecting the applicances, and smiling to herself.

"I have the feeling you love my kitchen."

"It's....huge. There's so much space. It's literally my dream kitchen."

"Feel free to use it then. I mean....when you can stand."

"Maman? can I have a sleepover with Amelia again tonight?" Lily interupts our conversation and I see Juliette looking at me with one eyebrow arched.

"She had a nightmare last night. I went to check on her and she asked me to stay."

"Lil', mon coeur, sleepovers are only fun when they are rare. So tonight, you'll be sleeping alone in your bed. I haven't seen your room yet."

While I clear the plates and clean the kitchen, Lily takes her mother to the bedroom she is staying in. I hear the little girl showing her all her new toys, and colouring books with an excited voice. Juliette tells her it's too much, and inquires whether she said "thank you." Of course she did.

I hear them in the bathroom next, brushing their teeth and then the French muffled words indicating they are back in the bedroom for the bedtime story and song. I don't want to intrude and just stay close to the door to listen to Juliette's soft voice, picturing my two favourite girls lying in each others arms for that soothing moment. "Amelia?" Juliette calls my name. "Lily would like a goodnight kiss." I beam, I had not expected her to require anything from me now that her mother is back, but I'm terribly pleased and rush to the bedroom to plant a huge kiss on her forehead. "Good night sweetheart, sleep tight. And go fetch me tomorrow morning when you're awake. Maman needs to have a lie in. Okay?" She nods and I help Juliette stand up and to the living room where I sit her on the couch.

"She likes you. A lot." Juliette says. "I like her too, she's growing on me." I can't contain my smile. "Are you tired? or would you like to watch a movie?"

"A movie is probably too long, I'm sure I won't last two hours. What about a series."

We browse the TV series available on netflix. Juliette wants something with action, and historical, I don't really care. Having her here, so close to me is more than I could have hoped for only three days ago. "You're staring." She comments. I was deep in my thoughts and had not noticed she had started an episode of....I have no idea what we're watching. Something with vikings? I turn my head to the TV and I'm sure my cheeks are red again but she won't see it, it's too dim now.

"What is it we're watching again?"

"The Last Kingdom. I've read all the novels the show is based on. They are brilliant."

Juliette was indeed tired and she has trouble keeping her eyes open after the beginning of the second episode. I press "pause" and help her stand up and tuck her in her bed. "Really, I can sleep on the couch, you don't have to let me your room." She tells me her eyes closed now, exhausted. "I don't mind. Plus, I need to work late some nights, so better sleep in my office." I kiss her forehead and get to the bathroom, to shower and change into my pjs. I'm not tired and decide to start a movie, The Hobbit. I love the Lord of the Rings series but have never watched that movie. I like it and am so into it that I don't see a figure standing in the living room. I startle.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I'm thirsty."

"You should have called me. Let me help you." I get her a glass of water and carry it for her to the bedroom. She sips and puts it on her bedside table before returning under the sheets.

"Amelia...." I see hesitation in her eyes and I have a feeling she won't finish her sentence. But shes does. "...can you... stay with me?"

"I'm not going anywhere." I whisper and lie down next to her, resting on my left elbow. We stare at each other for a while, not talking, just appreciating the moment, the closeness, something we thought would never happen again. I tuck a stray of her hair behind her ear, and cup her cheek. She doesn't remove my hand or seem to be bothered by it and it gives me some courage. I stroke her cheek with my thumb before putting my hand on her stomach, on top of her tshirt. Her eyes haven't left mine and I feel her body heat up and trying to get closer, but immediately she grimaces and gasps. I take off my hand in alarm. "Are you in pain? do you need medication?" She moves her head from right to left but I hear she's having trouble breathing and she closes her eyes.

"Juliette?" I inquire again. "I'm alright. Sometimes it feels like I'm being stabbed in the leg with a thousand blades but I don't want to take anything for the pain. I can bear it as it is." She opens her eyes again but I feel our moment has gone. I kiss her cheek and lie on my back.

"Can you...hold me?" I hear Juliette's hesitant voice and her fingers grazing against mine. "Won't I hurt you?" I answer, my voice low.

"You won't." I wrap my right arm around her waist and spoon her. She falls asleep almost immediately.

.....................