Chapter 1: Help Wanted

Baron Humbert von Jikkingen sat in his study reading a novel of German history but he found out his mind wasn't really much on the book he was reading. He was thinking of his poor deceased wife, Haru. She had died while giving birth to their twins, Elise and Aaron, and he had never gotten over her. Even though his wife had been dead for ten years now, Humbert still didn't remove his wedding band because he thought it would be unfaithful. He didn't look for any other woman; it would be unfaithful to his wife.

The sound of his study door opened and in walked little Elise with a sorrowful expression on her sweet face. She was beginning to look so much like her mother that it made Baron feel depressed. He loved his baby girl but it was getting harder and harder to look at her because she looked like her mother but he didn't let it get to him; well, not externally. He set his novel down as Elise began to approach him.

"Darling, what's wrong?" he asked tenderly, noticing the girl had been crying. "Did you have a bad dream?"

The little one ran to her daddy and curled up on his lap, sobbing her little eyes out in his shirt. It broke his heart to see his daughter like this.

"Papa," she wept, "did I kill Mama?"

That was the question Humbert had been dreading for the past ten years. He knew eventually the children would come to question their mother's death but he didn't want them to cry over it. True, he knew they missed the mother they never met but he didn't want them to ache and sink into depression.

"No, baby," he whispered to his little girl, stroking the brown locks she received from Haru. "Never. You didn't kill your mother."

The little one lifted her big tear-filled eyes to meet his. "Then how did she die?" asked Elise, wiping her eyes with her small hand. "Why did she die when we came to this world?"

Humbert sighed in discomfort as he searched his mind for a response that the little one could understand. "You see, Elise," he explained slowly, "your mama got very sick during the delivery of you and your brother and it was just too much for her body to take. It had nothing to do with you but sometimes things happen during childbirth that we do not understand. Never, ever think it was your fault because it wasn't. Baby, your mama wouldn't want to see you in such pain. It would hurt her if she saw you agonizing over this. Don't think for a minute that it's your fault, love. It never had and it never will." With that, he pulled his shuddering daughter into a comforting hug and had to blink back tears so he could be strong.

"Daddy," said Elise after a long pause, "I want a mommy…like all my friends have, like how Cousin Luna has Aunt Yuki."

Humbert felt his heart break a little more when he heard his daughter say that. He knew that the children would want a mother sooner or later but he didn't know what to do. It wasn't like him to feel lost but right now he felt more lost than ever. What could he do? How could he have another woman while he still thought of his wife? Would Haru want him to move on?

"I know, honey," was Humbert's hushed response. "I know…"

Baron looked over to the picture of his wife on his desk and he silently asked her what he would have to do. Unfortunately, the answer never came because Haru's picture just smiled back at him lovingly. His heart ached a bit and he began thinking maybe it was time for a woman's touch again.

…

"You want my advice?" asked Muta, Humbert's old friend, as the two cats sat in the office drinking tea.

"Please share," replied Humbert politely, setting his teacup down gently.

"Start going to galas and balls again," suggested the white cat point-blank. "You might find a pretty kitty there who would love you and your children. Honestly, who wouldn't love your kids? They're adorable."

Humbert smiled and laughed a bit. "Try saying that when they've had too much sugar," he said in a witty tone. "But in all seriousness," his tone went grave again, "who would watch the children if I went to balls and galas again?"

"I would," offered Muta, smiling at his friend.

"No," said Humbert quickly. "I remember the last time you babysat my children. They were literally bouncing off the walls after all the sugar you let them ingest. I'm sorry, my friend, but I don't trust you with them."

"No offense taken," replied Muta, shrugging like it was no big deal. "How about this: You hire a nanny. Just find one that's nice and patient who could handle your twin whirlwinds."

"That's Mister and Miss Whirlwind to you, Muta," joked Humbert, chuckling once more. "Do you know any women looking for a job as a nanny?"

"Nope," was the fat cat's reply, "but if you post a notice in the newspaper, they will swarm bees to honey, believe me on that. At least consider it." He added that when he saw the doubtful expression on Humbert's face.

"I will," said Humbert serenely, continuing to drink his tea. "More tea, Muta?"

That ended that conversation.

…

That night as Humbert walked by the door of his daughter's bedroom, he could hear her little voice singing a song that made his heart ache all over again.

"I want a mom that will last forever,

I want a mom to make it all better,

I want a mom that will last forever,

I want a mom who will love me whatever…"

Humbert had to blink back the tears that threatened to overflow as he heard his baby girl singing. He knew at once that he would have to find a mother for his children because he didn't want them to suffer over this like he did for the past ten years. He would be strong, he decided. He would finally start opening dating opportunities again to find a mother for his children because they deserved a mother and he deserved a chance at love again.

It's decided, he thought as he walked to his bedroom. I will post an ad in the paper for a nanny.

What could possibly go wrong, right?

…

The search for a nanny nearly drove Humbert mad because he couldn't find the right person to look after his children. They were either too strict or too lenient. He didn't want his children to be whipped but he also didn't want them to think they had free reign of everything. Just as he thought it was all over, she walked in. "She" was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, and appeared soft yet firm. He liked the eye contact she gave him. At least she was confident.

"Hello, Baron von Jikkingen," she said in a surprisingly soft voice. "I came to respond to your ad in the paper."

Humbert nodded gravely and told the young woman to take a seat. "What are your past experiences with children?" he asked, getting directly to the point.

"I have a child of my own," answered the woman politely, "and I have babysat for a lot of my friends. I really do love children, sir. They are a joy in my life."

"What about your disciplinary actions?" he asked.

"I'm kind, sir, but I'm very firm when I need to be," answered the woman. "I learned how to be like that from having a child of my own."

Humbert finally let a smile show as he moved to shake her hand. "Well, what is your name, Miss?" he asked kindly.

"I am Charisse Watanabe," she answered, shaking his hand. "I'm twenty-seven years old with a two-and-a-half year old daughter."

"I apologize for asking, but are you married?" asked Humbert curiously.

"No, sir," replied Charisse politely. "My husband and I got a divorce a year after my daughter was born. Irreconcilable differences."

"I see," said Humbert, nodding. "Well, Miss Watanabe, are you currently hired for another job?"

The woman shook her head lightly. "I got laid off from my last job a few weeks ago, if that answers your question."

Humbert's smile grew more. "Well, consider yourself hired," he said proudly. "You are now the nanny for my children."

Before he could respond, Charisse literally leapt over his desk and wrapped him in a crushing hug, saying "thank you"
about million times. When it got hard for him to breathe, he managed to fend her off and stared at her, bemused.

"Sorry," breathed Charisse, smiling still. "It's just…I've been looking for a job and money's getting tight so I guess I'm just happy that I have a job again. Thank you so much, sir." She bowed at him in respect.

"You're welcome, Miss Watanabe," he said lightly. "Now, time to meet the children."

Both cats stood and walked out of the office. Humbert thought he had felt his body tingle when Charisse embrace him but then he dismissed it, thinking it was just the nerves. Or was it?

A/N: I hope you enjoy this! I was watching Mary Poppins a few days ago and I couldn't resist! R&R!