You were standing by the little hooks with the tiny backpacks when Margaretha’s teacher gently called you aside after dismissal.

Margaretha's teacher spoke softly, glancing at Margaretha playing with blocks. “Can I speak with you a moment? It’s nothing bad, I promise.”

You already bracing as you nodded and looked at the woman. “...Did something happen?”

But the teacher shook her head, giving you a small smile. “No, no, nothing like that. Margaretha’s doing very well. She’s bright, she listens, she’s… Well, she’s just a bit small for her age.”

You sighed, half-smiling. “Yeah, I know. Everyone says she still looks like a one and a half.”

The teacher nodded, then hesitated. “Yes, but that’s not what I wanted to ask. You see… She started here last year, and we realized that in all this time we’ve never seen her father.”

Your mouth go slightly open at that, caught off guard. You stammered. “I- Um, well, I mean… Yeah, he’s busy…”

The teacher looked at you, and then spoke again, gently but firmly. “We just think it would be nice to meet him. For us, for the staff. You mentioned in her registration papers that you’re still together… So, perhaps one day soon?”

You nodded, cheeks warming up slightly. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll… Talk to him.”

Then, the next day, at 4:20pm. The classroom door bursted opened with a hord of little kids running out toward their parents. Tiny Margaretha then toddled out, curls flying, and squealed at the top of her lungs when she saw Lou. “PAPA!!”

Lou chuckled, smiling at Margaretha as she ran straight for him. “Hey, kleine prinses! Did you miss me?” "Yes!" Margaretha beamed, hugging Lou's neck.

The teacher nearly dropped her clipboard. Meanwhile, Margaretha was tugging Lou’s chin, completely oblivious, whispering something about a drawing she made in class just for him.

Lou was right there beside you, crouching instantly with arms wide open. She barreled into him and he scooped her up, lifting her high before settling her on his hip, pressing a kiss into her hair. He looked like every dad’s dream without even trying.

The teachers froze. Their eyes darted from the child to the tall, very recognizable Belgian actor standing in the middle of their classroom like it was no big deal.

Margaretha's teacher blinked. “...Wait. Lou Goosens.”

You gave a sheepish shrug. “Yeah. That's him. The one you wanted to meet...”

Lou flashed that disarming little grin, tightening his hold on Margaretha, and said carefully in his Belgian accent. “Bonjour, enchanté.”

The teachers just about fainted. One dropped a stack of worksheets. Another elbowed her colleague with wide eyes. Margaretha, meanwhile, patted Lou’s cheek proudly like she was showing off a prize.

Margaretha, in Lou's arms, turned to her teacher, very serious. “This my papa.”

And Lou? He just beamed, rocking her slightly on his hip.