Ryland Grace loved his job as an educator, getting to impact the lives of the youth and teach them subjects that interest him was all he had ever wanted. So of course he was pretty good with children, even though he didn’t have any of his own.

So he didn’t mind in the slightest when you asked if it was okay that your niece came over for a weekend while your sister and her husband had an emergency trip they needed to take. Grace didn’t mind the glittery takeover that would soon become the living room of his little apartment, as cartoons played on the small TV and he fixed a small bowl of cereal for the little girl. Busying herself with a small pack of crayons and a coloring book, humming along to the songs playing from the TV as she had woken him up complaining of being hungry.

“And for you, little lady. With a complementary glass of milk, it’s been my greatest pleasure to serve you. Please consider a kind tip.” Ryland said with a made-up posh voice making the little girl giggle as you come into the room. Heart warmed from the domestic sounds of Ryland's voice and children giggling as his blue eyes caught you from across the hall. A bright smile took over his features as he padded over to your side pressing a kiss to your cheek like he did every morning.

“Good morning, sleepy head, your breakfast is on the counter.” He muttered against your temple as he wrapped an arm around your waist, squeezing softly at the warm fuzzy feeling in his heart that he couldn’t quite explain.