They walked together to the daycare and Troy stopped her just around the corner and took her hands in his. "I-I know I said when I asked you out that we'd go on a few dates and then I'd ask you to be my girlfriend but having told you my full story – past, secrets and all – and you staying around and still being there for me and Charlie is everything to me and more than I could have ever asked for. It proves everything that I've ever wanted to have in mine and Charlie's life and I hope to fit your expectations of being a relationship and of your partner. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't need anymore time to know that I want to be together officially, so Gabriella, will you be my girlfriend."
She blushed and smiled. "I would love to Troy." She said placing a kiss on his cheek.
He pulled her into his arms and leant their foreheads together. "Thank god, I was worried that I was moving too fast."
She shrugged. "Maybe for some people but I love being around you and spending time with you, you're an amazing guy Troy and nothing about your past or even present could change that. I want to be with you more than anything."
He smiled and kissed her cheek before they walked into the daycare and Charlotte cheered, running towards them straight into Troy's arms. "Daddy! Gabi!"
Troy settled her on his hip. "How are you Angel? Have you been having fun?"
She nodded. "I'm happy you and Gabi are here."
He smiled and was about to speak but it was interrupted by a woman's voice. "Hi Charlotte, who are these lovely people?" The little girl shyly responded their names and the woman immediately looked to Gabriella. "Are you the senior who started helping out after school?" The senior nodded and the woman turned to the three-year-old. "Charlotte, what do you think of Miss Gabriella, do you like having her here?"
Charlotte grinned. "I love Gabi."
The woman smiled. "Very well Dear." She turned her attention to Gabriella. "May I have a word with you? Charlotte how about you go play with your daddy and Gabriella will be over in a minute?" The little girl nodded and Troy took her to the other side of the room to play with her, leaving their conversation. "Firstly, I'd like to formally introduce myself, I'm Mrs Jenny Ryan and I'm their teacher."
Gabriella looked at her quizically. "What about Amy and Lindsey."
Jenny laughed. "Oh god no, they just run the after-school program, I'm not very fond of them but that's none of my business to say." Gabriella nodded, wondering where the conversation was going but her thought was quickly answered. "Now I've been meaning to speak with you as we've gotten some complaints from Amy and Lindsey that you're not helping out with the kids in the class, only Charlotte and whilst I can already see the positive impact you've had on her, I'm afraid that you will have to engage with more of the other kids if you want to continue volunteering here."
Gabriella nodded. "Yes of course, I've been trying to get Charlotte to be more involved with the other kids but she doesn't seem too comfortable with the idea just yet. On my first day, they seemed to just cast her aside because she was shy so I wanted to make sure that she knew she had someone who cared about her and someone she could trust to look after her here."
Jenny smiled. "Gabriella, there's no need to justify, I understand and respect what you have done with Charlotte and I wish I had been able to myself to the extent that you have. But unfortunately I have had complaints from Amy and Lindsey so I have had to talk to you but please no that I respect you voluntarily taking your time to spend with these kids and the attention you show to Charlotte that I know you'll show to them all is respected amongst our faculty."
"Thank you Mrs Ryan, I really appreciate it."
She waved it off. "Please Gabriella, I know the whole teacher respect thing is to use formalities but you're practically staff here, please call me Jenny." Gabriella nodded respectfully. "So is there a specific reason for your visit?"
"Oh um Charlotte was a little upset yesterday that she couldn't play outside because of her cast so Troy and I said we'd come down to see her at lunch today."
"Very well, I'll be outside if you need anything, just bring her out when you two are ready to go back to your area."
Gabriella nodded and Jenny went outside to the other kids. She stood for a few seconds watching her boyfriend and his daughter before she went over to them, sitting beside them. "So Brie, how did everything go?"
She nodded slowly. "She's really happy with how I am with Charlie but Amy and Lindsey have been complaining so I won't be able to volunteer here unless I spend time with all the kids." She noticed that the little girl looked down. "Hey Baby Girl look at me." When she hesitantly looked up, she continued. "I'm still coming everyday afterschool, I'll still be here and we still get to spend the afternoons together, it just means that we have to spend some time with the other kids too."
Charlotte shook her head and Troy put in his word as well. "I think it's a good idea Angel. I know that you love Gabi and you don't really want to share her or play with the other kids but I think it would be a good thing for you to have some friends."
"I have Daddy and Gabi." The little girl mumbled.
Troy sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course you do Charlie and you'll always have me and Gabi but I think you do need some friends that are your own age."
Gabriella pitched in. "We can work up to it Sweet Girl, even if you don't talk to them today, how about you sit on my lap and we can draw or do play doh." Charlotte still seemed hesitant. "You know you'll always be my favourite girl but I can only keep coming to see you everyday if I spend time with the other kids too." The three-year-old nodded slowly. "Come here." She crawled into Gabriella's arms where the senior hugged her tightly. "I love you Baby Girl and nothing will ever change that, you're my sweet girl."
Charlotte nodded and leant into her embrace. "I love you Gabi."
Seeing that his daughter was still a bit uncertain, he mouthed to Gabriella asking whether they should tell Charlotte about their relationship. When his girlfriend responded mouthing for him to decide, he figured that his daughter might be more comfortable with the idea after knowing. "Hey Charlie, do you want to know a secret?" The little girl nodded so he continued. "Gabi is Daddy's girlfriend."
Charlotte grinned. "Does that mean that Gabi is my mommy?"
Both seniors' eye widened, the boy responding. "Not exactly."
"Does that mean you love Gabi?"
"Soon Angel but Gabi and I both love you very much."
Charlotte smiled. "I love Daddy and Gabi."
They two seniors spent the rest of their time with the little girl until lunch was due to end and they had to go back to their area for their next classes.