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Lily laughs and wrinkles her nose. "Pancakes? For dinner?"
Ava nods vigorously, pointing to a picture on the glossy menu. "These ones!"
"That stack is bigger than your head, munchkin," Lily says. "Let's split it."
As I watch them, I realize that the cheesy smile from earlier has plastered itself all over my face again.
But this time, I don't bother to stop it.
Our waitress comes over, and Ava excitedly orders the pancake stack for herself and Lily. Lily adds a side of bacon and a black coffee for me. I secretly love the way she knows my order by heart.
The next forty-five minutes are filled with multiple renditions of Jingle Bells sung Ava-style and at least a gallon of maple syrup.
Ava chatters away about what she wants for Christmas while Lily listens attentively. A stack of pancakes sits between them, slowly dwindling as they take turns digging in.
Every so often, Lily looks up to catch my gaze. And each time she does, it sends warmth spreading through me, like a lit fireplace on a cold winter night.
That's when it hits me.
I want more moments like these.
More Jingle Bells and maple syrup. More laughter and shared glances. More Ava. And most importantly, more Lily.
This feels like a glimpse into a future I've only dared to dream about. A future where Lily is more than just our nanny.
A future where the three of us are a family.
I lied earlier when I went to pick up Lily from Rachel's house. Ava didn't ask to go to the Chocolate Moose. I suggested it because I was going crazy without having Lily around.
And as I watch Lily now, laughing with Ava, I know that I'd do anything to keep her here, with us.
Because this, right here, feels like home.
Instantly, I shake off the thought, reminding myself that it's just a fantasy. I'm Lily's boss, and I'm a decade older than she is. There's a world of experiences and challenges I've faced that she hasn't. Her life is just starting.
It's not fair to tie her down to an older man like me, burdened by the responsibilities of raising a young daughter. No, Lily deserves a partner her own age, someone with less baggage. As much as it pains me to think about it, I have to hold myself back. It's better this way.
That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.
Once we finish up our meal, Ava's eyes land on the Christmas train display by the front of the cafe.
"Can we go see the trains, Lily?" she asks.
The train display is another one of those Chocolate Moose traditions.
It features an intricate miniature landscape with faux snow, tiny painted buildings, and snow-covered hills. A detailed model train chugs along winding tracks, passing through tunnels and over bridges. The locomotive is adorned in festive garb, sparkling with multicolored lights. Ava, wide-eyed, watches in fascination as the miniature train traverses the idyllic winter wonderland.
"As long as your dad says it's okay," Lily responds, her gaze shifting to me for confirmation.
"Have fun," I reply, nodding my approval with a warm smile.
As Lily and Ava disappear towards the front of the cafe, I spot a familiar face entering the diner. It's my sister, Daphne, with her husband, Cody, in tow.
She's dressed in a stylish maternity dress that hugs her baby bump perfectly, paired with a chunky-knit cardigan. Cody is by her side, his hand protectively resting on the small of her back.
The sight of them makes me smile. I've always admired their relationship - the way they effortlessly support each other.
After my own marriage fell apart, it was Daphne who threw me a lifeline, suggesting I move to Cooper Hills for a fresh start. The idea felt like a beacon of hope in a storm, and I clung to it with everything I had.
