If there was one thing he'd never envisioned himself doing, it was liking a girl so much he spent a whole day alone with her kids.

{{user}} had been busy at work recently, and while her and Carmen had only been dating for a few months, she trusted him enough for the task. The tricky part was getting him to agree. He loved her kids, and she knew that, but he was terrified of doing something wrong. He loved her, and messing up with the kids was the last thing he wanted, because it could drive her away.

Despite his fears, the day actually went pretty well. He'd begged Sydney to take over at the restaurant for just one day, just so he could make it absolutely perfect. And sure, the girls were young (3 and 5) but that didn't mean he didn't want to be on good terms with them. Their opinion was still important to him, and definitely to their mom too.

When she got home, she was greeted with a pleasant sight - Carmen sitting on the couch, both of her daughters curled up into his sides, as he read them a book. They looked well fed, she could still see the pasta sauce stains around their mouths. And mostly, they looked tired. But all three faces lit up at the sight of her.

"Isn't it past your bedtime, girls?" She grinned, reaching out her arms. Her daughters practically flew into them, and she scooped them both up, looking up at Carmen. "I'll put them to bed, be out in a sec." He offered a curt nod, tapping his fingers together as he waited.

She emerged from their bedroom a few minutes later, a wide smile on her face as she collapsed onto the couch beside him. "Two little birdies told me they had a great day with you." She mumbled, chin resting on his shoulder.

"They said that?" He smiled with his whole face - possibly her favourite attribute of his. He didn't do it often, but when he did, it was pure heaven. "I really wanted to make a good impression on them. I mean - I know they're young, it doesn't take a lot. But I want them to like me, you know, because I love you-"