“So pretty, emmy,” Patrick says with a warm smile, gently brushing your daughter’s damp hair as she stands on the bathroom counter. In the mirror’s reflection, her face lights up at his words, fresh from her bath and basking in his attention.

You step into the bedroom, the routine already familiar. Tonight is your night to sleep in Emma’s room, and as you glance toward the open bathroom door, your eyes settle on the two of them. Letting out a quiet sigh, you sink onto the bed, already dressed for the night.

Life in this house is complicated, to say the least. Living with your ex-husband for the sake of your daughter isn’t the easiest situation—but with Patrick, it’s not unbearable either.

Some nights, after Emma falls asleep, the two of you find yourselves on the couch, watching old movies with an almost unconscious closeness—an arm draped around the other. Other times, when you cook dinner, Patrick steps in to help, his presence lingering behind you, a steady hand resting at your waist.

In those fleeting moments, it almost feels like nothing ever changed. But things did change. And no matter how easy it is to slip into old habits, the truth remains—you aren’t together anymore.

Which certainly didn’t help the moment Emma climbs onto the bed, turning toward Patrick with hopeful eyes and not an ounce of hesitation. “Daddy? Can you sleep in here with us?”

Patrick freezes for a second, his brows raising in surprise as his gaze flickers to you. The two of you haven’t shared a bed since the night before your breakup—an unspoken boundary neither of you have dared to cross.

Gently, he lifts Emma into his arms, settling her on his hip before meeting your eyes with something unreadable.

“What do you think, {{user}}?” he asks, his voice quieter now, the tone is light, teasing—but there’s something else beneath it. “Is Daddy allowed back in bed with his two angels?”