Chapter 2- Monday
"Good morning baby." he gently kissed Emma's head and gently lifted her up.
Suddenly, a strong smell hit him he knew it but, checked anyway. "Yep we've got a stinker let's get you clean. David placed her on the changing table undid her teddy print baby-grow and swiftly changed her diaper. Emma kicked and cried.
"Hey now missy it's alright. You know why?" The baby seemed to focus on his soft caring voice patiently waiting for answer. "Because today is Monday, and although, I have to leave you for a while I know you are going to have fun because…" Emma made a face to say "Come on daddy get to the point" as her father strategically fastened the remaining buttons on her fresh outfit he finished. "Because oh stubborn one Mary-Margaret's coming today and if things go well you'll be spending a lot of time together. How does that sound?"
He could see her answer a first attempt at a smile.
"That's my girl now let's go make sure we have everything ready. She'll be here soon."
Sure enough there was a knock at the door 7:15am. She was early. VERY. Yet, he did not care one little bit. He just had this urge to shout within his heart "You're here you came." But, that would make him a crazy person.
She was early forty-five minutes to be exact but, she could not contain her excitement. David had called her the day after her "interview" to see if 8-12pm was alright to start for 9$ an hour which could be upped depending on his shifts at Story-brooke Animal Shelter a job he openly admitted that he had only recently acquired himself.
"So let me get this straight David". She mused wistfully. "You adopt and give a wonderful home to a beautiful baby, you work in an Animal Shelter, you employ me a woman who's only experience with children is a class of fifteen ten and eleven year olds who you are paying way over the requested odds of 5$ by the way and you are still single?"
"You know it's so hard being this charming especially as you made such a terrible impression on Emma."
Silence fell then a barrage of motherly queries came out so fast he'd swear she was right beside him. "Really? Did I rock her too hard? Does she have a temperature because I have not long gotten over a cold? Oh I knew I shouldn't have risked it…"
"Mary-Margaret, Mary-Margaret stop. Ems is fine absolutely fine! I'm an ass I was joking. Are you ok you kind of went Super-Mom on me there?"
He could hear a sigh of great relief and a musical giggle "I'm so gonna get you for that Nolan. When you least expect it."
"Bring it Blanchard its two against one."
"Oh David so naïve, you assume Emma will be on your side."
He was into this intense flirting now. She was sexy like this playful and obviously not afraid to show a softer side. "You would use a man's own baby against him? I am shocked!"
"I have one tool that unfortunately, for you will always put me ahead in Emma's affections."
"Let me guess you are a woman and women even the little ones side with you?"
"Yes but, no".
"I have boobs. See you on Monday David." She said it cheekily and flatly leaving him speechless as she hung up.
Putting the phone on the receiver he laughed to himself "Game, set match Blanchard". She had begun an unwitting campaign on his heart and little did she know he was more than willing to play.
So when she came a full forty-five minutes early he was prepared. He had purposefully left the door open so as to hear her "Hello? David Emma?"
"Hi" a bright if flustered David said Emma in tow.
"Hi there you. See you've been busy painting on daddy's forehead."
"What? Oh she thinks it's funny to kick talcum powder everywhere."
"Ha good girl Ems." She rubbed her little cheek till a smile and a giggle escaped the wriggling child.
"Listen. I've had a call from my boss I have to go in now. She's had breakfast so she shouldn't need a feed for another three hours. She has a clean diaper; bottles are in the fridge just heat them in the microwave for three minutes. If you want to go for a walk there is a stroller and baby sling in her room. Medicine is in the top kitchen cabinet there's money if you want to go to Grannies and food in the fridge. She's due a nap in about an hour if you need me here's my number. If for any reason you can't get me here are Granny's Ruby's and Graham's numbers too. Are you sure you are going to be alright?" He checked looking deeply into her eyes after placing an unsettled Emma into her slender arms.
"We'll be fine won't we gorgeous." David didn't want to leave either of them for some ferocious reason they seemed to fit in his mind this kind woman with soul-searching eyes lovingly holding his baby it was all he had ever wanted. Something he was certain he would gladly die to protect. Just as he was walking down the path he heard her.
"David hang on a second!"
He turned round instantly and virtually ran to her hands softly reaching round her shoulders like they had been used to shielding this woman forever.
"M. What's wrong?
She had a rueful smile on her face like a bandit stealing riches from under a prince's nose. Though he was uncertain why his mind would make that comparison."
Stepping forward slowly and on tip-toes she brushed her lips on his in a soft kiss that they both savoured. When they parted their lips she heard herself sigh and he interrupted.
"Is that why you came out here?"
"Hmm… No".
"No?" He kissed her head. "Then why?"
"Because…" She whispered in his ear so only he could hear the words "You still have talc on your for-head.
"Thank you for that". He promptly rubbed his face till she gave a wink of approval
"One more thing before I go M. What was the kiss for?"
"Because I wanted to do that since I first knocked on your door and because you are going to want to do that again and you can't until you finish.
"This is your revenge."
She merely winked and said "Hurry back Ems isn't the only one who is missing you."
God damn she was good he would admit that. However, He was better.
She sighed as she locked the door. She was falling hard. Emma's cries disrupted her musings. "Coming baby." Running upstairs anxious to see her she marvelled at the beauty before her. A traditional rose pink room with the letter spread evenly across the wall. She saw a teddy bear with a rose red ribbon tie beside the cot. The best part was the cot itself not only did it contain the most precious gift imaginable that was currently oddly soothed by her presence but, there was the most exquisite glass unicorn mobile that dangled safely above the child's head. He had thought of every detail. She was safe, loved,and wanted so wanted.
"Come on Little Miss let's see what we can do."
For the first hour she just sat her on her knee singing lullabies
"Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are?"
"Up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky.
"Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are?"
The second Mary-Margaret dug out an old book of fairy-tales she had had for as long as she could remember aptly entitled "Once Upon A Time." Her audience seemed to like all the stories but, one in particular got the most giggles. Snow White and Prince Charming's but, when she thought they were at the end she was surprised to see more.
"Ah what a twist Emma. Snow White has a kid!" OH MY GOD! Look at the time Em's if we're going to surprise him we better do it fast!" Putting the book away she placed a happy baby in her stroller found some pretty red shoes to gently push on her wriggling feet placed a floral and cream frill sunhat on her head and strapped her in.
A few minutes later she quickly whipped up some peanut butter and jam sandwiches, grabbed some bottled water from the fridge and put it all in Emma's diaper bag so as not to arouse suspicion.
A quick stop at Grannies to pick up some Chocolate Mud Cake and two hot chocolates with cinnamon and cream hidden in coffee cups.
"Thank you Granny." It cost her a fair bit but, he would never know nor would he know she paid with her own money. "Say bye, bye. Granny". Mary-Margaret waved Emma's fingers gently as Archie assisted them with the door.
"C'mon Princess, let's go find Daddy Charming.
David's day had gone fairly well he had secured three kittens one secure home with a loving family but, there was still the fate of one particular Labrador puppy who he named Gus to take care of and it was troubling him.
He needed a break so when he heard the shelter door chime and saw the outline of a woman and his baby getting closer and closer the world could stop and it could all go to hell because they were here.
"Look Emma we found him! You my precious little Snow found Daddy Charming." She unbuckled her and kissed her cheek till she giggled.
"So how are my two favourite girls today?" He got up from his desk tickled Emma and kissed Mary-Margaret fully. "We are wonderful Mr Nolan!"
"In fact we are so good we are bad."
"Is that right?"
"Yes you see Emma decided we should kidnap you for the day and since she phoned the shelter to make sure your shift was covered we can. If Daddy agrees that is?
"My daughter an evil mastermind huh?
"She's a genius so advanced for someone so young."
"Well then ladies consider me yours."
"That was always the case"
Hope you liked this chapter. Sorry for the almost shock promise the pieces will fall into place. The romance will heat up and the lines between Nanny and employer will steadily merge as the perfect date might trigger some restless memory filled nights.
