Shonee's POV

Later in the evening...

"C'mon Mirasol, stop splashing the water!"

I reached for her little frame in the tub, but she was quick enough to dodge, sending a glob of soap suds right into my eye. "Ah!"

"Haha, now you have soap eye," she giggled, then splashed again, this time with even more enthusiasm.

"Ok, ok, Mirasol!" I exclaimed, wiping the soap from my eye. "Seriously, that's enough fun for now. Let's get you cleaned up before you turn this place into a swimming pool."

She grinned mischievously, but finally allowed me to pull her closer so I could lather her hair with shampoo. As I rinsed her hair gently, Mirasol hummed the Strawberry Shortcake theme song, one she often sang when she was content. "Yesterday, in Strawberry Shortcake, she had a bath just like this with her sister."

"Really?" I asked. I usually watched the episodes with her, but thanks to the merge party and everything that happened yesterday, I completely forgot.

"Yes," Mirasol responded with excitement. "They splashed water too, but they also played with bubbles. I wish I had a sister to do that with."

That last part made my hands freeze mid-rinse.

It was a completely innocent comment, but it sent a shocking jolt through my chest, triggering memories from earlier today-meeting Nancy, learning about little Ben, and realizing that Vincent had a son, a sibling Mirasol had no idea existed.

My heart raced as I continued rinsing her hair. "What if you did have a sibling?" I asked carefully, hoping she wouldn't pick up on the sudden tension in my voice. "What if you found out you had a baby sister or... maybe a brother?"

"I'd be happy!" She obliviously chirped. "Then I'd have someone to play with! We could share toys, and I'd show them all my favourite games!"

I couldn't help but smile. Mirasol hadn't met Ben yet, but I already knew, wholeheartedly, that she was going to be the best big sister ever. Though as pleasing as that was, Ben wasn't coming alone.

"And what if... your mother came back too?" I asked softly, almost like a whisper. "Would you be ok with that?"

For the first time since we started our playful bath routine, Mirasol's expression grew solemn. She looked down at the water, her small fingers stirring the bubbles absentmindedly. "I don't know," she muttered quietly. "I love Grandma, and I love you, Shonee. But if Mama comes back...will she be mad at me because I forgot her face?"

Her words hit me like a wave, filling my heart with a mix of tenderness and sadness. It made sense that Mirasol would forget her mother's face because... as the saying goes, out of sight is out of mind. She hadn't seen Nancy in years. Plus, there were no pictures of her in the house for Mirasol to look at. Gerta told me that Vincent took them down because of the effect they were having on Mirasol. But now that her mother was back...

Without thinking, I leaned in, despite the risk of getting wet, and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, sweetheart," I whispered, holding her close as the water sloshed around us. "No one could ever be mad at you for that. You're such a brave, kind girl. Your Mama, wherever she is, would only be proud of you."

Mirasol wrapped her little arms around my neck, and I could feel her small body relax against mine. I held her there for a moment, allowing everything to sink in. Mirasol was too young to fully understand what was happening, and that innocence was a fragile thing I wanted to protect.

After a while, I pulled back, giving her a warm smile. "Let's finish your bath, alright? You'll be all squeaky clean for bed."

She nodded, grinning, and together we finished rinsing off the soap and shampoo. Once she was clean, I lifted her out of the tub, wrapped her in a fluffy towel, and helped her into her pyjamas before reading her a bedtime story.

As I tucked Mirasol into bed, she yawned and cuddled her favourite stuffed animal, looking up at me with sleepy eyes. "Goodnight, Shonee," she murmured.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," I whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

I stayed by her side until her breathing softened and she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Quietly, I stepped out of her room, closing the door softly behind me, and then I heaved a breath.

Today was... eventful to say the least. The confrontations during the day and everything Mirasol said some minutes ago weighed heavily on my heart. She had forgotten what her mother looked like. Maybe this was a sign, a sign for me to consider telling the family to hold on with Mirasol meeting Nancy. I mean, she was just a little girl, still processing her world, her routine. Bringing someone out of nowhere, and telling her that this was her mother would shake everything up.

But then again... was I really just thinking about these things because of Mirasol's well-being, or was this just about me?

The questions lingered in my brain. Was I afraid of being replaced? After all, I had been the one taking care of Mirasol, loving her like my own. Was I scared that Nancy's return would push me out of her life?

I closed my eyes and shook my head, trying to rid myself of those selfish thoughts.

This wasn't about me. It couldn't be. Mirasol's well-being was the only thing that mattered right now. And as her nanny, I had to do everything I could to protect her.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked down the hall, pausing as I passed Vincent's office. The light from his window cast a faint glow across the door, and I noticed it was slightly ajar. I knocked softly before pushing it open.

"Vincent?" I called as I stepped inside.

He was sitting in the darkness, the only light coming from the window, casting long shadows over the room. His tie was loosened around his neck, his shirt untucked, and his hair dishevelled like he had been running his hands through it all day. He looked utterly exhausted.

"Are you... ok?" I asked, though the question felt silly as soon as it left my lips.

"What do you think?" He let out a dry, humourless laugh.

I shook my head. "Right. Sorry, that was a stupid question." I pushed the door closed.

Vincent didn't respond. Instead, he reached for the whiskey cart by his desk, pouring himself another glass. The clink of the bottle against the glass broke the silence in the room. I watched him take a sip, his face a mixture of weariness and frustration.

"So..." I stood in front of his desk, "what's gonna happen now?"

He sighed deeply, setting the glass down before answering. "A lot. My parents have decided to hold a press conference to reintroduce Nancy to the world... and back into the family."

Not surprised. Judging from the way Mrs. Beckham kept hugging Nancy after the meeting, anyone could tell that the elderly woman had wholeheartedly accepted her back into their family. No questions asked.

"And I'm not surprised by their eagerness," Vincent continued, his voice growing sharper with a tinge of bitterness. "After all, Nancy brought them a second grandchild to obsess over." He sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "I don't have any issues with Ben. The kid is mine, and I'll do everything I can to take care of my children. But Nancy..." His voice trailed off, and he shook his head. "I'm not sure about her."

"I get it," I said softly. "It's going to be awkward, especially after everything you've been through."

"Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it." Vincent let out a humourless chuckle. "And to make matters worse, my parents want her to move in after the press conference."

My stomach twisted at the thought and my chest grew tense. Why the heck am I nervous? I should have seen it coming.

"Well, I guess I better start packing," I joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

But Vincent didn't laugh. Instead, his expression darkened, and he spoke in a firm tone. "No. You're not going anywhere."

I blinked, startled by the intensity of his response. "Vincent, it's not up to you. Nancy is your wife. She deserves to be here. I can't-"

"Nancy might be my wife, but I don't love her," he interrupted. "I love you."

My heart jumped at those last three words.

"And I want you here. Nancy, Ben...it changes nothing between us."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he closed the distance between us in two quick strides, his hands gently grasping my arms. "You mean everything to me, Shonee," he said, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with determination. "I won't let you go."

Before I could say anything, he brushed my hair to the side and cupped my cheek, pressing his lips on mine. The kiss was desperate, filled with all the emotions he'd been holding back. I froze for a moment, my mind racing, but then I found myself kissing him back, unable to stop the flood of feelings overwhelming me.

He gently pushed me against his desk as we traded sultry, languid kisses. Kisses that filled the room with eager sounds and moans.

"I don't want to lose you," Vincent murmured. "I don't want to lose this." He slid one hand down to my waist, and let the other caress the curve of my ass before giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Oh. Me neither." I moaned, tilting my head back and exposing my neck for him to eagerly nip at the exposed skin.

Vincent's hands grasped my clothes, pushing my dress sleeves down and leaving me in just my lacy bra and panties. He stared, looking at me with unbridled eyes, burning with need and desire.

My lips tipped up. "Like what you see?"

"Definitely." His lips latched onto mine. "I missed every inch of your delicious body."

"Hmm." Smiling, I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his wide, callous hands on my tingling skin, brushing over my most sensitive parts.

Then he lifted me onto the desk, accidentally knocking over a stack of files, but Vincent didn't care. His lips busily trailed down my neck to my right boob and peeled down my bra with his teeth. He teased it lightly, making my breathing pick up, before tracing my nipple with the tip of his tongue.

"Oh god," I heaved out as he went over to my second boob, giving it that same teasing attention until I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed him back and yanked off my bra.

A smug smile touched his features. "Well, someone's horny."

"Just shut up and suck me." I pulled his face to my chest and his lips didn't hesitate to latch onto my nipple, earning a delighted moan. His free hand toyed with the other one, flicking and pinching. "Oh, fuuuck... it feels so good."

"Mhmm," Vincent continued to suck, but then his free hand left my nipple, descending lower in between my legs. "What about this?" His finger grazed me, making an electric sensation throb throughout my body. He flicked my other nipple with his tongue and I could barely hold back a moan.

"Ooooh, yes!"

As Vincent tortured me with his fingers, his lips began to descend lower and lower. When he finally reached his destination, I lifted my hips so he could pull off my panties. Completely exposed to him, he knelt down, admiring my pussy. "I'm never..." he planted a kiss in my inner thigh, making my body tense "...getting tired of this." Before I knew it, his tongue was on me, laving it all over my sensitive bud.

"Oh Vincent..." My body sprawled over on the desk, knocking away a number of his things, as I writhed from the intense sensations. His strong arms locked me in place and he swirled his tongue over my clit, sucking and licking. "Fuucck..." I grabbed my breast. "I-I don't...think I've ever felt anything...oh god... this intense before."

"Mmm, that's because it's me, baby." He swirled his tongue again. "I want to feel you come for me. Let out your sweet juices on my tongue, lemme taste it, lemme get drunk on it."

He continued to urge me with his voice, the pleasure building, until I finally gave in, surrendering myself completely to the delicious motions of his tongue with a loud moan and release. His desk was now a total mess as he got back on his feet and leaned over, kissing me senseless.

"Shit, that was amazing," I mumbled in between kisses.

"Mhm." Those lips that pleasured me so well tipped up with a mischievous grin. "But I'm not done with you yet."

******