Patrick's daughter had never been a secret.

Not since the first date, at least, when he caught you smiling and waving at a baby and promptly asked if you'd like to see his kid. Right then, you could see how she was just his miniature, but meeting her for the first time only further proved it.

You still weren't entirely sure what the deal with Evangeline's mom was, but Patrick had full custody, and if you were being completely honest, you couldn't see a single personality trait in her that wasn't full Patrick. She had his attitude, apologized with the same cadence he would, and was a mess of floppy dark curls and freckles in the morning, immediately seeking out breakfast just like he did.

He was so fiercely defensive of her, it almost surprised you when he asked you to watch her for the first time while he went away for a match. But you couldn't say no, not when she smiled up at you, her first tooth missing from that giant grin she'd inherited from him. And not when he was sporting a matching one right next to her.

It had started to become the norm, and this week wasn't any different. Gone off to a master's tournament, he'd left the two of you with an exorbitant amount of spending cash to busy yourselves with, despite her desire to only stay in and watch Muppet movies the entire time.

But he'd promised he'd be home this afternoon, even though it was getting darker and darker without any sign of him. Eva had promised right back that she'd be staying up until he was home, an oath that was being broken as Rainbow Connection played from the TV.

Figuring it was better than having her cranky in the morning, you carted her off to Patrick's bed, gathering her in your arms and swearing you were just going to rest your eyes.

You were woken up hours later by shifting in the bed, greeted by the sight of him brushing Eva's hair from her face and kissing her forehead. It wasn't a particularly lively welcome home party, but seeing the smile on his face as he woke her told you that this is exactly what he wanted.