No Longer Alone

Chapter Thirty-One

*Damian's POV*

    Nicole's face went bright red, and all the grown ups around her chuckled, aside from Nicole who looked like she would rather be anywhere else.  Alex came up beside me laughing, and nudged me.  I took a step closer and got down to Rose's level so I could look her eye to eye, without her having to strain her neck looking up at me.

    "Thank you, little princess, for saying I look like a prince.  I think your mom must be doing something right as a queen to have such a charming princess.  Now, what do you think a prince would have to do to be worthy of a queen like your mom and princesses like yourself?"

    I watch as she thinks about it for a moment, a look of deep thought on her face, impressed with this young child actually thinking about a question and not just answering off the top of her head.  My respect for Nicole growing with everything I learn.

    "I'm not sure.  I know mom loves coffee, and her princesses.  So maybe get her coffee and be nice to her first.  If I think of anything else, I will let you know."  Her response was simple but sincere, making me chuckle a little.

    "Thank you."  I smiled and she smiled back at me, a tug at my heart from the simple talk.  Standing up I noticed that another girl was barreling our way.

    "Mom, I'm hungry, can I get some food?"  She came up to Nicole, then glanced around at all the people, and her eyes stopped on Alex. "I remember you!  You knew mom in school!  She made me do my chores and make sure my room was clean so I didn't get to talk to you!  Do you know mom at work too? She said that this was for people that she works with and another company, that they wanted to meet more people here first.  Mom knows a lot of people here!  She's lived here a looooong time and tells us stories about things here, and she said she would take us up to Glacier sometime soon while it's still warm enough! There's this really cool path she told us about-"

    "Marie, chill.  Take a breath.  He can't answer if you keep talking, and yes we can get you some food soon."  Nicole said rolling her eyes, her blush almost gone, looking around my parents seemed to be engaged in a conversation with Nicole's mom, and two of the guys she worked with that seemed to know her family as well, David and Nick.  Hannah was still near her mom, watching everything quietly.

    "Sorry mom."  Marie said looking a little sullen.

    "It's alright Nicole, she's just excited.  If you don't mind since it looks like you have your hands full, Damian and I can take her over to get a plate of food and I can answer her questions."  Alex seemed to know something else in this and Marie looked excitedly at her mother.

    "Balanced, food kiddo, and no sweets until I know you ate healthy food!  If she talks your ear off, don't be afraid to send her back to me.  Best behavior Marie!"  Nicole looks cautious but approves.

        Alex and I end up taking Marie over to the buffet of food together, and he gets around to introducing me to Nicole's daughter that I hadn't met yet.

    "Marie, this is my best friend Damian, he's kinda like a brother to me.  So that's why I dragged him along with me.  He's kind of nervous around your mom alone, so I thought maybe you could help him too."  Alex talks to her like he is sharing a secret, and she looks up at me like she is shocked.

    "Mom's not too scary unless she hasn't had coffee...or you do something you aren't supposed to...she's not happy with my dad and doesn't like talking about him."  She looks down at the last part, and away from us both.

    "Well your sister told me I need to bring her coffee, and I am trying not to do things I shouldn't, but why is she not happy with your dad, do you know?"  I ask her to see why she would bring that up.

    "There are lots of things.  She doesn't like how he breaks promises to me, or how he doesn't call or try to see me now that he isn't getting paid to watch us.  He doesn't live too far away and he doesn't have a job but he won't even walk over to see me, or call to talk to me.  We used to have fun together and then he just left.  Mom is mad at him because he doesn't try."  Her voice breaks a little talking about things, and I see Alex look shocked at this, evidently he didn't know how deep some of the problems went.  I get down again, knowing that my knees are not going to like me for all of this later, but I need her to look at me for this.

    "Marie, I know I just met you, but if he can't make the time to see you, then that is his loss.  I can't have kids, but I can see that you are bright an energetic young lady that anyone should be proud of.  Your mom must love you a lot, and sounds like she is mad because she doesn't like seeing you in pain.  Now, I know you are hurting but please can you put on a smile for me so she doesn't think Alex and I did something to hurt you, cause I really don't want your mom mad at me!"  I see her nod and then laugh at my final comment.  She gives me a huge smile and before I can move, throws herself at me giving me a big hug that almost knocked me over from the force.  I look up, my heart aching for this child, and see Alex give a nod and smile.