Lily's going through her possessive, you're-my-daddy-mine stage, and he doesn't know how much more of this he can stand. It was cute, for like a week, but now it's starting to get really old and his patience is wearing to about as thin as those crepe things Rachel likes so much. It doesn't really help that she gets all of her dramatics from her mother.

Case in point, on Monday, he took her to the park after school, and the glare she gave him after he helped a little girl who fell down and scrapped her knee (what kind of fucked up parents just leaves their five year old unattended at a playground seriously?) made it seem like he had just committed the worst form of treason. And then she promptly burst out in tears. She only calmed down after he promised her an ice cream cone. Yeah, it was a total bitch trying to explain to Rachel why he gave their daughter ice cream less than an hour before dinner.

Then on Tuesday, when he picked her up from piano class, he swears, no lie (just like he told Rachel), that Lily actually glared at Miss Patterson when she walks out of the class and said hello to him. Her exact words were, "Leave my daddy alone".

"Lily," he had admonished as the teacher tried not to look startled. "What did mommy say about manners?"

She frowns up at him as she mutters an apology, but not before eyeing her teacher appraisingly as she practically pulled him towards the car.

"I don't know what's gotten into her," he says wearily, shaking his head as he finishes his story on how Lily wouldn't let him out of her sight for a second during Take-Your-Parent-to-School day earlier (Rachel was supposed to go, but Lily changed her mind at last minute and begged him to instead. He's pretty sure a famous Broadway star is infinitely more interesting than a boring old music teacher, but Lily's tantrums are Berry-worthy), even when he needed to use the toilet.

Rachel frowns as she turns off the light of their bedroom. He watches as she walks back towards him through the light emanating from the bedside lamp.

"Maybe it's just a phase."

"Rach, this 'phase' has been going on for almost two weeks now. Something's bothering her but she won't talk to me about it. She won't let me out her sight, but she won't talk to me either."

She tugs against his arm and he opens them as she burrows herself against him, while his hands rests automatically on the slight bulge of her belly.

"I'll talk to her tomorrow," she mumbles against his chest. "It's Mommy day tomorrow."

"Thank God," he mutters, grunting when her elbow hits his stomach.

"Finn. Are you saying that you're tired of our child?"

"Of course not! But seriously, you have no idea what it's like to have her seven year old shadow following your every move. I swear it's like people are actually afraid to talk to me these days."

"She is quiet adept at following you around."

"Only you would be proud of something like that," he tells her, almost affectionately. She rolls her eyes, ignoring his words as she inches herself closer, resting her arms on his chest to look down at him.

"Remember when I used to stalk you?" she asks, grinning. He chuckles.

"How could I forget? I couldn't sleep for days because I thought you were going to break in- ow! Babe. It's a joke. Chill.

"You think you're so hilarious," she mumbles, glaring at him. He bursts into laughter. She scowls, hitting his chest again.

"What's so funny?"

"Sorry, sorry. It's just. God Rachel, she's exactly like you. Every little thing about her, crazy dramatics, stalker tendencies and all."

"You better say you're happy about that," she warns. He grins, tugging a lock of her hair affectionately.

"Ecstatic," he promises. She smirks as she leans down to kiss him.

"She's not all me you know," she mumbles against his lips.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. She's got that Hudson smile."

"So she's perfect then?"

"Pretty much."

"What about this one?" she asks, smiling against him as she places his hand on her stomach. He smirks.

"I get dibs on this one."

Xxx

Lily's been quiet ever since she got back from Mommy day, and Rachel wouldn't say a word. She just keeps sending him these knowing looks. It's kind of driving him crazy.

Rachel's in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner while he catches up on his football when she finally breaks.

"Daddy?"

He looks to his left to find Lily in her pajamas, looking hesitantly at him

"Hey Liliput. What are you doing up? I thought mommy put you to bed."

She shuffles towards him, climbing over his lap and snuggling herself closer.

"She did," Lily mumbles. "But I can't sleep."

"What's wrong Lil?"

She's quiet and he turns off the TV to pay attention to her.

"Daddy," she says quietly, looking up at him. "Do you love me?"

"Of course I do baby."

"Do you love mommy?"

He frowns, the dead serious look in her face alarming him just a little.

"Liliput, I love you and mommy more than anything the whole wide world," he declares. "Even more than cake."

He sees the slight smile pulling her lips upward, her dimples making their appearance.

"You promise?"

"I pinky promise," he says solemnly as he links their pinkies together. "What's wrong kiddo?"

"Sammie's parents got a break down."

"A what?"

"You know, like they don't live together anymore."

"You mean a divorce?"

"Yeah. And she said that it's 'cause her daddy and her mommy don't love each other anymore and now he doesn't love her anymore too because he loves his new girlfriend."

Oh.

"Is that what you're worried about?" he asks quietly. "You're worried that I'm going to leave you?"

She nods quietly against his chest. He stifles a sigh, smiling a little exasperatedly down at her as he ruffles her head.

"Silly Lily," he says. "That's never going to happen. Wanna know why?"

"Why?"

" 'Cause you and mommy make me the happiest ever, and there's never going to be anybody that I love more than I love the two of you."

"And baby Chris too," she mumbles. He chuckles.

"Yes, and baby Chris too."

"You promise?"

"I promise"

"Forever and ever?"

"Times infinity."

She smiles, pushing herself up to kiss his cheek.

"I love you daddy."