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Jordan sat on the couch, her foot tapping a mile a minute. Nigel had come home that night after a double shift and not cracked a single joke, which meant something was very, very wrong.

The instant he had set foot in the door, Nigel had snatched up Mór from his crib and hugged him close. He had gone through his entire evening with the little babe tucked in his arm. Of course, Nigel was all smiles for Eilís and was happy to keep her company while Mummy put her feet up for a bit, but when their little girl looked away for a moment or when Nigel thought he wasn't being watched, Jordan could see the hurt etching his face, the pain that pierced his eyes.

Something was very wrong indeed.

Later that night when Eilís was safely tucked in bed, and the city had grown still, Nigel continued to snuggle Mór closely. Jordan carefully sat down on the bed, not wanting to disturb them.

It took a while, but Nigel eventually met her eye, knowing he couldn't hide forever.

"Peter called today." He began, his eyes wandering to their sleeping son, "Apparently, Dad got married last year, eleven months ago to be exact."

"Oh, Nige…" Jordan reached out for him.

"And they just had a little boy, Frankie's his name." He tried to smile, but it was too much, and his tears spilled over, "Why…why does he hate me so much? W-why is he so disappointed in me?"

"I don't think that's the case…" Her voice was soft, her heart breaking with his.

"He's never even seen Eilís, he couldn't even manage a congratulations when I told him about Mór." Nigel looked down at the precious bundle in his arms and he couldn't help but smile, "He's so perfect. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful baby before."

Jordan smiled, continuing to brush her husband's hair back, "I think you might be bias."

Nigel looked to his beloved, his eyes childlike, "What is wrong with me?" A thousand questions overwhelmed his face, though one was at the heart of the issue: why was he so unlovable?

"There is nothing wrong with you." Jordan asserted, her expression set, "He's just—"

"Mummy? Daddy?" Eilís yawned as she rubbed at her eyes.

Jordan smiled at their eldest, "You alright, Eilís? Did you have a bad dream?"

"Uh-uh." Her small face was so serious as she shook her head, "Why is Daddy sad?"

Trying to fake a smile, Nigel hurried to wipe away his tears, "It was just a long day, little luv." He patted the bed and Eilís scurried up, nestling close. Nigel kissed the top of her head and rested his tenderly against hers.

"Daddy got some difficult news about his dad today." Jordan lovingly brushed back her daughter's hair, not wanting to lie to her. Nigel looked to Jordan, curious what she would say, "See, Daddy isn't lucky like you. His dad didn't go to every one of his recitals or play with him when he got home from work or even say how much he loved him every day."

Eilís' little face scrunched, her young thoughts trying to make sense of it all. Finally, she sat up and her small hands took hold of her father's face, "I'll come to your ballet recital, Daddy."

"I don't dance, little one." He kissed her small palm, "But I appreciate the offer."

"Then I—I'll listen to your work stories, so Mummy and Uncle Bug don't have to."

Nigel's laugh was full and true, his heart treasuring the little gift before him.

Her young dark eyes were unwavering, Nigel could see how old Eilís' soul truly was, "I love you, Daddy." She leaned into her father, "Mór does too, he just can't say it yet."

"I love you too." Nigel pulled her close, meeting Jordan's eye.

Becoming a father had changed him in so many ways and somehow left him with even more questions than answers. Nigel would never understand why his father couldn't love him like he loved Eilís and Mór, but he could cherish the family he had been given and make sure he did everything in his power to be a better man for his children.

I love you, he mouthed to Jordan.

She smiled, brushing aside his ruffled hair, I love you too.

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