The Billionaire's Nanny

29

The day ran faster than I had expected or maybe it was so because we barely had time to catch our breaths. We were racing from one activity to another and I was surprised to see that the kids still had the energy to fish at the lake inside the park. I felt like I had been run over by a truck although I think that had more to do with the tug of war game we played.

Needless to say, Abby, Aiden, and I lost to Lucas with our faces to the ground. My argument would be that it was a completely unfair match. I would not put it past Lucas to be able to lift all three of us at the same time. But at least we had a lot of fun.

It was probably the best day I had had since I became the kid's nanny. I got to see Lucas in a different light. He was a good father, I had not a single doubt, but seeing the way he lost himself to the kids today, devoting his time and energy into making them enjoy their day, was just the most adorable sight to witness.

Lucas and I also got to speak to the kids about dating at school. Abby did not seem to care about it yet, but for Aiden, it took a lot of explaining, some whining, and many pouts to get through the conversation about why he could not have a girlfriend just yet. He was sad for the first five minutes but completely forgot why he was upset when Lucas offered to show them how to fish. Though I did doubt if there were actually any fish in the lake. As the sun set, we were all smiling and laughing for a day well spent.

We had not told the kids about us yet, and the thought had been on my mind all day. I had thought about it so much, a few doubts had started to crawl up my mind.

As Emma and I cleared up the space where we had lunch, I could not help the way my nerves shot up. I felt like I was back on my first day at the interview, placing my future with Lucas in the tiny hands of these twins who I had come to love more than any kids I had ever come across.

I knew they liked me too, but I still felt nervous about what we were going to tell them in only a few minutes. Lucas and I were just starting but I loved how close we had gotten in just this first week, and I could not imagine how much it would affect our relationship if the kids gave even the slightest hint of disapproval.

"I'm still finding it hard to believe that is my boss," Emma said snapping me from my thoughts as we picked up more paper plates and trashed them.

"Why?" I asked, looking at Lucas. He sat in between the kids showing them how to place baits on the fish hooks so they could gain more catches.

"He looks so happy and at peace. Mia who would be so thrilled to hear just how much her brother has changed in these last few weeks," she said with a small smile.

"Maybe he's just happy to be spending time with his kids," I shrugged.

She snorted, "up until the day you came, the kids dreaded going out. I know you're trying to be modest but believe me, you have made such a big impact in their lives."

"I try," I said with a small smile and resumed picking up the trash.

It took us only a few minutes to finish up everything we had to do. Emma went to dispose off the trash while I walked over to the grill to close it. As I struggled to reach the pin, two large hands snaked up around me from behind. I gasped in shock, but easily relaxed when I realized who they belonged to.

"Lucas," I laughed, as my body made contact with his sturdy body. "there are kids all over the park today."

"That's why you need to come over to the office," he pushed back a lock of hair falling freely, and kissed my neck. "there are no kids there. Besides, I'm just helping you close the grill." he said coyly and reached out for the pin holding the grill in place.

"Did you have a good day?" he asked, with his hand still holding me tight.

"I had better than a good day," I smiled, "and I'm sure the kids had a splendid day too. and it's all thanks to one of the best fathers I have ever met and the most alluring man on the planet." I giggled.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest sending a shiver through my spine, "Not even the world?"

"Hmmm-hmm," I nodded and grinned, "on planet Christine."

"Never heard of it before, but I would definitely love to go there someday," he spun me around swiftly so I was facing him.

"I think you have been visiting every day for the last week." I wrapped my hands around his neck.

"Ah, I see." he said in mock realization, "well I sure as hell would want to visit every single day."

"The doors are always open to you," I giggled and stood on my toes to kiss his chin.

"Are you ready to tell the kids about us yet?" I asked as I watched the kids.

"Yeah, I don't think they would have a problem with it. I've been thinking about it all day," he gave an earnest smile.

"I've been thinking too," I chewed my lip shyly, and tilted my head to look at the kids again. Their attention was completely on trying to pull up something from the water.

"You're nervous," he said matter of factly.

"Just a little," I have a half-smile, "it feels like the interview again, when Mia said the kids would have to decide if I would get the job or not."

"Well there is no need to be nervous," he leaned down to kiss me softly, "you have been with them in the last few months, I'm sure you know they really like you."

"I know, I just..." I released a small sigh, "what if they don't like me with you. I've spoken to them a few times, and I know they are still hopeful that their mom would be coming back one day."

His whole body became rigid the moment I said the words and I quickly rephrased, "What I mean is I would never want to take her place in their hearts,"

"Well you have already taken her place in mine," he said without the faintest hint of doubt or uncertainty.

"What?" I asked sharply.

He cupped my cheeks and made me look at him. "You replaced Sarah in my heart since the second week you came into our lives." I tried to ignore the ay my heart fluttered when he said the words but was completely unsuccessful at that. I was probably now as red as a tomato. I shivered in his arms as his words affected me down to my toes.

"You do not have to worry about whether or not the kids will accept this. She was never here for them, they never met her, so there is nothing to be replaced, you're the one they know now and that's all that matters."

"Okay," I nodded slowly.

"Also, I love my kids more than anything else, but they would not affect my relationship with you. If they don't accept it now, I'm sure we can work out talking to them again, later."

"What if we push it back a little further?" I blurted.

Lucas looked caught off gaurd, but he quickly wiped it off with a small smile. "If that's what you want, that's fine with me."

"No, don't get me wrong," I said quickly, "I love the thought of telling the kids about us, but I just feel we can hold it off a little until we're on more solid grounds,"

"I completely understand Chris, there's no rush remember." he kissed my forehead.

"Daddy! Daddy!," Aiden cried happily, "I got one,"

"Dadddyyy!" Abby yelled too.

"I guess it's time to go back to daddy duties," I chuckled as I watch them struggle to bring up whatever they caught. "Is there even any fish in the lake?"

"The gaurd did say we could fish there, but I don't think there would be any given all the attractions here at the park today."

"Dadddyy!" Abby called much louder this time.

"Coming," he called back.

"You should go back to them now," I chuckled as I watched them struggle with the fishing pole designed just for kids.

"We—should go now," before I got the chance to protest, he pulled my hand and we were making our way back to the kids.

Turns out the humongous fish Aiden thought he caught was really just some underwater plant. Lucas decided it would be a better idea to feed the fish instead of trying to catch them, seeing how unsuccessful they were at that. The kids were happy to do so, and we sat on the bench next to each other while the kids threw crumbs of cookies into the water. The idea did work because they came up to the top of the water occasionally to take the cookies.

"Daddy, can we come here every day?" Abby turned to us with pleading eyes.

"Every day?" Lucas chuckled, "what about school?"

"We can learn here," Aiden chipped in with a grin, "we can watch the plants grow and I can learn to make more science experiments here,"

"And we can adopt the baby fish," Abby added. It was the third time this week they had talked about adopting a pet.

"Every day seems a little too much, don't you think?" he tilted his head to me waiting for a response.

Since we began our relationship Lucas had been very keen on making sure to get my opinion on almost every topic involving the kids and I just wished I could explain to him in words just how much that meant to me. I had no intentions to replace their mother, but with this new development, I felt so much closer to the kids.

I loved them, I had no doubt about that, and although they had never expressed it before, I knew they were just as attached to me.

"I think your dad is right, also if we have to come to the park every day, we cannot go to the mall and buy you more toys."

"Uhhh," Abby said with a dramatic sigh, then she tapped her chin as she thought about a new option, one of her newest behavioral changes. "then can we come every weekend?"

"Yes, daddy and can you please come with us too," Aiden asked as he took a bite from the cookie in his hand.

"How about I come with you whenever Chris takes you for a walk to the park by the house." Lucas offered.

"Really? You'll come every time we go?" Abby asked happily.

"Yes, I will," he said assuringly.

"Yay!" they jumped with glee and raced over to embrace their dad.

"I love you soooo much daddy," Abby said, spreading out her hand for emphasis.

"And I love you bigger," Aiden added, kissing the other side of his cheek.

"I love you both even bigger," he pulled them both into his lap.

The four of us lounged on the bench, watching the fishes rush up to the top of the water for every crumb the kids threw in. We stayed there reveling in the cool evening air until it was time to go home. As we got to our feet, ready to head back to the car, Aiden held back Lucas's hand and gave him a big and unexpected hug.

"Today was the best day ever," he said in a muffled voice as he hugged his dad.

I smiled as Abby joined the hug too and thanked her dad too. Lucas was grinning so much, I half expected his face to hurt. "Well thank you two for making my day wonderful too." he leaned down and kissed their foreheads. "Also thank Chris, because she made all the plans today,"

"Thank you, Chris," Aiden said, as Abby also said "you are the best Chris,"

"It's always a pleasure," I grinned.

"It's time to get back home," Lucas said as they pulled apart with a mischievous smile. I knew he was up to something, but could not figure out what until he took a few steps in the direction we were parked. "The last to get to the car is a rotten egg," he said before turning around and racing down toward the car.

"That's not fair," the kids cried happily as they followed behind him trying to catch up with him.

"Cheater," I shook my head laughing, as I walked closely behind them.