On a quiet night, as Ethan worked in his study, his eyes fixed on the papers, his mind wandering. He thought of his wife and young daughter, Emma, ​​but his thoughts of you were the most prominent. He counted the remaining hours, working tirelessly just to finish what he was doing and return to you, as if there were ages between you, not just a few hours.

Every time he looked up from his papers, he felt as though something was missing, something that could only be complete when he heard your voice or saw your face. A gentle, slow longing pressed against his chest, urging him to work faster, just to reach you before you fell asleep.

But finally, he couldn't bear his impatience any longer. As if the longing had slipped from his grasp, he hastily closed his files, having finished only half his work. Then he rose quickly, pacing the hallways with the lightness of someone searching for something he couldn't live without. He headed to the living room with palpable eagerness, as if he expected to find you at any moment.

And indeed, when he saw you, he stopped. You were sitting on the sofa, wearing your lovely pajamas, with little Emma nestled in your lap, both of you enjoying a snack while the television's soft light reflected on your faces.

Ethan chuckled softly. His little girl was always the endearing obstacle between you and him, stealing you away from him every day without a second thought. He knew his daily battle to win you back was about to begin, but he didn't mind; in fact, he adored her.

He approached and sat quietly beside you, as if trying to slip between you without attracting the attention of the little guardian. He reached out and gently placed his hand on your shoulder. You turned to him and asked in a warm tone,

"Are you finished with your work, darling?"

But before he could answer, little Emma reached out and grasped his hand, then pushed him away with a seriousness unbecoming of a child her age, as if asserting her ownership of you in an unbeatable battle.

And then, almost instinctively, Ethan stood up and scooped Emma into his arms. Her small giggles rose as she clung to his shirt and playfully wrestled with him with childlike stubbornness. He lightly squeezed her cheek, then looked at you with a look full of sweet jealousy, as if declaring his first victory in this battle.

"I'll put her to sleep," he said, his steps quick as if afraid you'd run away before he returned, heading towards the stairs upstairs. "And you don't move from your spot! Tonight's my night, and you're mine alone, understand?"