“No, no...”
“Rawr!!!”
One dodged while the other playfully chomped.
“Daddy!”
Seraphina launched herself into Jason's arms.
Harriet stood up, only just noticing Jason. She had no idea how long he had been standing there watching.
Feeling slightly awkward, Harriet forced herself to remain calm as she cleaned up the bathroom.
“Don't let her run around and track hair everywhere. I'm going to take out the trash, then I'll be back to give her a bath.”
Brushing past him, Harriet headed outside.
Jason carried his daughter to the sofa and tapped her little nose. “What did Mommy tell you?”
“Mommy said...” Leaning against her father's shoulder, the little girl blinked. “To give her one last chance.”
“Baby, Mommy really knows she was wrong. Can you give Mommy one more chance? One last chance, please?”
“If Mommy loses you again, she'll turn into a stray puppy with no owner, forced to wander the streets and eat garbage. How does that sound?”
So it turned out Mommy could smile at her, kiss her cheeks, and hold her hands.
It turned out that when Mommy wasn't throwing tantrums or looking fierce, she was actually so pretty.
“Daddy...” Seraphina poked Jason's cheek. “I like this Mommy.”
This Mommy.
Was there another one?
Jason chuckled softly. “So, are you going to give her that chance?”
“I...”
Before Seraphina could answer, a shadow fell over the doorway.
Harriet was back.
Carrying a pink baby bathtub and a heap of assorted items, Harriet marched into the bathroom.
Over the sound of running water, Harriet called out, “Little Egghead, time for your bath...”
“I'm not an Egghead...”
His daughter scrunched her nose and indignantly slid off his lap, dashing into the bathroom.
The door clicked shut.
Soon, peals of giggles drifted out.
Jason looked out the window, feeling as though the sun had just risen in the west.
Ring, ring!
His phone buzzed; it was the driver.
Jason answered.


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