(A.N. thank you to everyone who has given feedback, I really appreciate it. I hope everyone is enjoying the story and let me know what you think of it so far :) )
A month passed and Gabriella walked into the daycare centre for the afternoon, seeing that Addison was still there, playing with Charlotte. She walked over to the two girls, both giving her a hug. "Hey Girls, how was your day today?"
"Good." They both responded.
Gabriella turned her attention to Addison. "It's a little later than your mom usually leaves you here Addy."
The little girl nodded. "Mom went away for a few weeks so I'm staying with Dad but he has to work so I have to stay in the afternoons."
"Well that's ok, I'm sure there'll be lots of fun stuff to do." She turned her attention to Charlotte. "How about you Baby Girl, were you ok today?" The little girl nodded in response. "That's good." They were interrupted by another group of kids calling Gabriella. "I'll be back girls, you two have fun playing together."
The group of kids had asked Gabriella to play with them and she agreed seeing as she knew she had to spend more time with the other kids and that Charlotte and Addison had each other to play with. After a few minutes while playing with the kids, a little boy came up to her. "Miss Gabi, can I go play with Addy."
She smiled. "Sure Archie, of course you can go play with Addy and Charlotte." What Gabriella didn't see while she was distracted with the other kids was that Archie and Addison were very busy playing with each other and Charlotte started drifting off from the trio. It was only once Archie left did Charlotte come over. "Hey Charlie, are Addy and Archie gone?"
"Archie's gone and Addy's dad's here."
Gabriella stood up and held her hand out to the little girl. "How about we go say goodbye to Addy then?" Charlotte nodded and walked with the senior over to her friend and the girl's dad but when they got within a few metres, Charlotte stopped and looked up at Gabriella fearfully. The senior immediately understood and lifted the toddler into her arms, placing her on her hip saddened by the fear that Jack had instilled in the little girl. She kissed Charlotte's temple and walked over to Addison and her father, placing Charlotte on the ground. "How about you give Addy a hug before she goes home."
The man took that moment to introduce himself. "I'm Logan – Addy's dad – you must be her teacher."
The senior shook her head. "No I'm Gabriella, I just help out in the afternoons."
"Oh you must be the Miss Gabi that Addy raves about and I want to thank you for that. I know my wife can be very full on with Addy and I mostly have to comply with whatever she decides so I'm glad to see she has a role model where she can be herself and not be corrected and micromanaged the way she is often treated. I know Addison adores you and I can see the impact you've had on her."
Gabriella smiled. "You have a wonderful daughter, she's a little sweetheart and we love having her in this class."
"Well it was nice meeting you Gabriella." He turned his attention to Addison. "Who's your friend Princess?"
Addison smiled. "Daddy, this is Charlotte."
Charlotte ran back to Gabriella and gripped her leg, whimpering. "M-Gabi."
The senior inwardly sighed, lifting up the little girl and rubbing her back before turning back to Logan. "Sorry about that, she's very very shy."
"That's no worries, is she yours? You seem very close."
Gabriella's eyes widened. "Uh no not exactly, it's kinda complicated but no she's not my daughter." She quickly changed the subject. "But we should let you guys get going, I'm sure you have dinner and some other things you need to get done." She turned her attention to Addison. "We'll see you tomorrow Addy."
The little girl smiled. "Bye Miss Gabi, bye Charlotte."
Once they left, Gabriella took Charlotte over to where the group of kids were sitting, keeping the little girl in her lap. "Are you alright Charlie?" She nodded in response. "Did you have fun with Addy and Archie?" Charlotte only shrugged in response and leant closer into Gabriella so the teen hugged her and figured she would talk to either her or Troy when and if she wanted to. "Alright then Baby Girl, how about we just play until Daddy comes to pick you up?" And that's what they did.
Troy took Charlotte into his arms when he picked her up that afternoon, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Hey Angel, did you have fun today?" The little girl nodded and he kept her in his arms as he greeted Gabriella with a kiss on the cheek, oblivious to the glare from Lindsey as they signed the toddler out before walking out to the parking lot. "Do you want to say good night to Gabi and we'll get you home?"
Charlotte nodded and Troy handed her over to his girlfriend, the senior placing a kiss on the girl's forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow Baby Girl, sweet dreams and I love you."
"Ni-night M-Gabi, love you." The little girl's stumble went unnoticed by Troy but Gabriella was inwardly confused as it had happened a few times in the afternoon but chose not to question it.
When Charlotte was placed in her car seat, Troy turned his attention to Gabriella, taking her hands in his. "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
Gabriella nodded. "Wait, I need to tell you something." Troy gave her his full attention. "I know this isn't the best place in the middle of the parking lot but I've been thinking about it for a while and I'm just gonna say it no matter if it's too soon or anything else. I love you."
The boy dropped one of her hands to place on her cheek as she looked down, his thumb gently rubbing along the side of her face. "I love you too Brie." He heard her release a breath and smiled, pulling her by her waist into his arms. "It's not too soon or anything like that and it doesn't matter where we are."
She giggled. "Ever the romantic Troy." She took that moment to connect their lips in a sweet kiss, reminiscent of their first one before she leant their foreheads together. "I should probably let you go and get Charlie home. Call me tonight if you get a chance or if you need to, or just anything."
He smiled. "Will do Baby, I'll see you tomorrow, good night."
"Good night."