The soft knock came early the next morning.
Alden stirred awake on the couch, the sound of the knock pulling him from sleep. The movie he and Lucy had been watching the night before was still paused on the screen, the room dim and quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner.
Lucy was asleep beside him, curled up with her head on his arm. He carefully shifted to sit up, rubbing his eyes. "Come in," he said, voice low and rough from sleep.
The door opened slowly — it was Jenn.
She stepped in quietly, her hands clasped together. "Good morning," she greeted, not meeting his eyes.
Alden smiled faintly. "Morning. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," she replied softly.
"Sit," he said, motioning to the chair near the couch.
Jenn hesitated but sat down. For a moment, there was silence between them — only the faint sound of the paused movie and Lucy's steady breathing. Then Alden reached for her hands.
"Jenn," he began, his voice more gentle than usual, "about last night… the kiss."
Jenn's heart jumped. She looked away, but Alden's grip on her hands was firm, reassuring.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have done that without thinking. But I meant it."
Her eyes flickered to his.
"I don't know what's happening to me," he continued, "but when I'm around you, I feel something… something I can't explain. I want to stop all the stupid things I've been doing — the smoking, the drinking, the reckless life. I just… I want to try."
Jenn blinked, speechless. She didn't know what to say, what to do. Her pulse quickened when Alden leaned in again and kissed her softly — slower this time, deliberate.
She didn't pull away.
But after a moment, she whispered against his lips, "Lucy might see us."
Alden glanced sideways and smiled faintly. "She's asleep."
Or so he thought.
Because right then, Lucy stirred, rubbing her eyes. "I'm not asleep," she mumbled, sitting up.
Jenn jumped slightly, moving away from Alden in a fluster. Alden laughed under his breath.
Lucy blinked between the two of them. "Good morning," she said with a sleepy grin.
Jenn smiled awkwardly. "Morning, sweetheart."
Lucy stretched her arms. "Can I go for a stroll with you Nanny?"
Jenn glanced at Alden, unsure.
Alden nodded. "Yeah, but don't stay for too long. And, Lucy…" He smiled a little. "Stop calling Jenn a nanny, okay?"
Lucy tilted her head, pretending to think. "Okay," she said with a sly smile.
Jenn chuckled softly and stood up. "I'll go change first," she said, heading out of the room.
Once the door closed, Lucy turned to her brother, mischief flashing in her eyes.
"So…" she began, dragging the word out, "are you and Jenn dating now?"
Alden looked at her sharply. "What makes you ask that?"
Lucy smirked. "Because I saw you kissing her."
Alden sighed. "Lucy…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "She has a boyfriend."
Lucy frowned. "Then why did you kiss her?"
He gave her a crooked smile. "Because I'm going to steal her away from him."
Lucy gasped dramatically. "That's bad!"
Alden laughed quietly. "Maybe. But I'm serious. And I'll need your help."
"My help?" Lucy asked, grinning.
"Yes," he said. "Wherever she goes today, I want you to keep an eye on her for me. Can you do that?"
Lucy tapped her chin in fake thought. "Hmm… only if I get a present in return."
Alden raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"A new phone," she said immediately.
Alden chuckled. "Deal."
Lucy smiled proudly, satisfied. "You better not break your promise, big brother."
"I won't," Alden said, ruffling her hair.
Lucy was smart, far smarter than she looked and as she watched her brother's faint smile linger, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble this secret would bring next.
Jenn sat quietly in the car, her fingers twisting nervously around the hem of her dress. Lucy was beside her, swinging her little legs, humming a tune. But Jenn's mind was far away — tangled in thoughts she couldn't untangle.
Alden apologized… for the first time, she thought, staring out the window. And he said he loves me. Did he mean it? Or was it just one of his moods again?
Her chest tightened. What kind of trouble is this? I love Jeff… don't I? So why do I feel this way when Alden looks at me?
She sighed quietly. And Lucy — that girl sees too much. God, help me.
The car stopped in front of the hospital. Lucy hopped out first and grabbed Jenn's hand.
"Where are we heading to?" she asked brightly. "Why are we visiting the hospital?"
Jenn smiled faintly. "My boyfriend isn't feeling well. I came to check on him."
Lucy gasped softly, her eyes wide. "Wow, that's good! At least I'll get to meet him. Let's go!"
Jenn couldn't help but chuckle. "You're too curious for your age," she said, but Lucy only grinned.
When they entered Jeff's ward, the room was calm, sunlight spilling gently across the bed. Jeff's head turned toward the door, and his face lit up instantly.
"Babe," he said softly.
"Hi, Jeff," Jenn greeted, her voice calm but her heart racing.
Before she could step closer, Lucy ran ahead and threw her arms around Jeff. "Jeff!" she squealed.
Jeff blinked in surprise. "Lucy? What are you doing here?" He looked from her to Jenn, clearly confused.
Jenn froze for a moment until realization struck. Of course. Alden and Jeff were once friends. That's how Lucy knew him. Still, the sight startled her.
Lucy gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, who did this to you?"
Jeff chuckled awkwardly, trying to cover her question. "It's nothing serious, Lucy. I'll be fine."
Lucy nodded solemnly. "I didn't see you with my brother lately. Is everything all right?"
Jeff's eyes darted toward Jenn, who quickly replied, "Yes, Lucy. Don't worry, everything's fine. We've seen each other now, okay?"
Lucy smiled sweetly. "Okay!"
Jeff turned back to Jenn, his gaze soft. "Come closer," he said.
Jenn stepped forward. Jeff reached out, brushed her hand lightly, and pecked her forehead. "Thank you for coming," he murmured.
Jenn smiled faintly. "You don't need to thank me."
Just then, Lucy's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Guess what, Jeff?"
Jeff smiled. "What's that?"
"My brother is in love," she announced proudly.
Jeff chuckled. "Wow, that's a great thing."
Jenn froze instantly, her heart sinking. She knew exactly where Lucy was heading.
Before she could stop her, Lucy continued, "Yes! My brother is in love with—"
"Lucy!" Jenn interrupted sharply, forcing a smile. "We have to go."
Lucy blinked innocently. "But I'm going back soon! Can't I spend a little time with Jeff?"
Jeff laughed softly. "Come on, Jenn, let her stay for a few minutes."
Lucy grinned, clearly enjoying this. "So, Jeff," she continued, "I said my brother is in love."
Jeff nodded playfully. "Oh really? Is his girlfriend beautiful?"
"Oh yes!" Lucy said proudly. "She's very beautiful."
Jenn felt her throat tighten. Jeff looked at her and smiled teasingly. "Did you hear that, Jenn? Alden's in love."
Jenn forced a laugh. "Yeah… I heard."
But Lucy wasn't done. Her next words hit like a thunderclap.
"Alden kissed Nanny Jenn!"
The world froze.