(From Eugene's POV)
Eliza ran out of her room wearing a long pink nightgown. She grasped my hand and looked up at me.
"Mr. Eugene? Will you tuck me in?" I looked at Katrina, who had an 'Oh my goodness could she get any cuter?' look on her face. (Trust me, it's a very distinctive look)
"Um- absolutely!" I said, honestly happy she'd asked me, while simultaneously terrified that I'd make a mistake in the process.
"Would you read me a story?" She asked as we walked back into her room. (Her hand still holding mine.) I couldn't stop grinning at the sound of her surprisingly intense cockney accent.
"Indeed, I will. I believe you will find a plethora to choose from beside your bed." She walked over to the little bookshelf by her bed and looked through them.
"I can't choose. You pick!"
"Me?"
"Yes!"
"Very well. Hm. How about- this one?" I asked, holding up the book, 'The Three Little Pigs.'
She gasped. "It's got piggies! I like piggies!"
"Then, it will be a delightful book for us to read. Huzzah!"
"Huzzah!"
"Yes! Now, why don't you get under the covers here, and I will read you this story?" I pulled back the covers, and she crawled into bed, snuggling under the blankets, eyes already heavy. I flipped on the lamp by her bed, turned off the overhead light, then came and sat on the floor.
"Comfortable?"
She nodded.
"Very well." With a clearing of the throat and an opening of the book, I began the tale, "Once, there was a trio of swine…"
Before halfway through the story, Eliza was asleep. I closed the book, put it back in its home, then looked at her. So peaceful. I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would hurt such a beautiful child. Such a precious gift. I exited the room and quietly walked downstairs.
"Katrina?" Eugene snapped me out of my thoughtful daze as he walked into the bedroom. "What if she hates me?" I asked him.
"Hm? Who?"
"Eliza. What if she's just scared of me forever?"
"Now, Katrina, you're smarter than that. The probability of Elizabeth fearing you forever is- "
"Perfectly plausible. Eugene, kids are impressionable. I could've just destroyed her image on me."
All I got in response was a groan.
"Glad to know you're as worried about this as I am." I said, sighing at his distance.
"Katrina, there's nothing to be worried about! She most likely won't live with us for long and-"
"She most likely won't stay with us for long? Eugene, you know how much I want a daughter."
"So do I, but you have to think practically for once- "
"Are you saying I don't think practically?"
"Well you do tend to dream a bit…" He chuckled.
"Wh-why are you laughing?"
"Because you're being ridiculous! She's only been here three hours and you're already assuming she's going to stay with us forever!"
"I'm assuming?! I'm thinking ahead…"
Eugene and I had never argued that much. We fought long into the night and went to sleep not knowing if we had even made the right choice.