I pace back and forth in the living room waiting for her blinds to open and for Rose to wake up.

Rose comes down in her nightdress and mixed matched socks. "Hi, Daddy."

"Hey sweetheart," I picked her up at the same time the blinds went up in Hermione's apartment.

"Are we going on our walk now?" Rose asks in a sleep leaking with sleepiness.

"Get on some shoes and we'll go love," I tell her.

I had already thrown on some jeans, a plain black shirt, and my shoes.

Every morning Rosie and I walk to her school and then I grab a cup of coffee before heading to work.

Rose holds her stuffie close and twirls in circles while I lock up the apartment.

She stops and grabs my hand.

"Sweet pea, can we stop at someone's apartment real quick before school?" I comb through her hair with my fingers.

"Okay. Is it fast?"

"Speedy fast," I tell her. We get across the courtyard to the apartment opposite ours. Apartment 554 B.

I take a deep breath and get ready to knock when the door opens. Rose clings to my leg and I nearly fall over her.

"Ohh my goodness. I'm sorry." Hermione says she clutches at her chest in shock.

"No it's our fault," I pick Rose up. "I wanted to thank you again for last night. Someone was very. to Rose on my hip.

Hermione checks her watch.

"I'm sorry," I say. My voice cracks a little. She is even prettier in the morning.

Hermione smiles. "I'm glad I could help. Maybe you could help me, um I'm in desperate need of some coffee. I haven't got my machine hooked up yet."

Perfect. "I'm getting ready to get some coffee myself after I drop Rose off."

Rose peaks her head up, making her signature Weasley hair fall on her face.

"Oh, only if you don't mind, that sounds lovely."

"Of course, consider it my thank you." My phone vibrates in my back pocket.

I put Rose down.

It's a message from George.

You're closing today. I have a business meeting.

"Can we go now?" Rose asks Hermione.

"Uh, I think that's up to your Daddy." She blushes and looks at me through her eyelashes.

"I need to call him back. It's my brother."

Hermione nods. "It's okay."

I call him back. "Damn it, George." I leave Rose with Hermione

"Wow Ron, what a way to greet your loving brother."

"You know I can't close today. If I'm late picking Rose up again she's being kicked out!" I yell in a whisper.

I run my hand over my face.

"Can't you reschedule?" I'm desperate.

"No, I've already rescheduled twice. Sorry, little bro."

"Ugh. I'll see you in about 30." I end the call and put my phone in my back pocket.

"Can we go now, Daddy?" Rose asks.

I chanced a glance at Hermione, who I can sense heard some of that conversation.

I bend down and swing Rose up on my hip. "Let's go."

We follow behind Hermione.

On the way to the coffee shop, Hermione doesn't say much but I can tell she's watching me.

"Ron! Rose! Mrs. Rosemary exclaims from behind the counter when we enter.

"I'll have my usual Rosemary and an orange juice for Rosie here," I turn to Hermione. "What would you like?"

She reaches for her purse. "Oh are you sure, you don't have to get me anything."

I put a hand on her arm to stop her. "I insist."

"Cookie?" Rose asks, she is looking through the glass at the chocolate chip cookies.

Hermione squats down next to Rosie. "Do you like chocolate chip cookies?"

Rose nods and puts a chubby hand on Hermione's back. I know it's her indicator for a piggyback rise. Instead, I kiss Rose on the cheek and pick her up again when a group of tough guys walks in. "How would you like to come to work with Dad and see uncle, George?"

Rosie does something she hasn't done in a while. She kicks and wails. "No. I no want!"

"Rosie, sweetheart, Daddy had to work late today," I say even though I know she doesn't understand me fully.

Hermione shifts from side to side. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh no not really. Earlier that was my brother. He needs me to close at work and if Rose isn't picked up in time today she's being kicked out of her preschool."

"Oh well, why don't I pick her up for you," Hermione suggests.

"Order for Ron," Rosemary calls from the pickup area.

I put Rose down even though she's still kicking about and went to get our order. Can I trust this woman? She has gone out of her way to be sweet to Rose. I hold the door open for Hermione. "I don't know."

She sits at one of the tables in the front of the shop. "I'll be at the apartment all day unpacking, it's really no problem."

Rose still squirms in my arms, just enough for me to spill coffee down my shirt.

Hermione gives me a sympathetic look.

I sit with Rose on my lap. "Are you sure?"

Rose immediately wiggles down and stands next to Hermione.

Wow. She's never really taken to people she doesn't know so quickly.

I look at Hermione quizzically. Is she magic or something?

Hermione picks Rose up and sets her in her lap. "Positively, it's not a problem. If you give me your number I'll call when I pick her up."

She takes a sip of coffee and takes out her phone. She slides it in my direction.

I can feel the blush creeping up my neck. Why does she have to be beautiful on top of being the kindest woman?

I key in my number and we finish off our coffee. Rose drinks most of her orange juice. I finish the rest for her.

George will surely roast me when he finds out about this.

I haven't left a woman in my life in three years. Not since the day, Rosie's mom left us.