Bound By His Daughter

Jules approached him with a smile plastered on her face as she looked from Ceaser to Ivy to see her reaction of a new face.

"This is Ivy." Jules said.

Ceaser’s thinned lips curved into a smile and soon it grew wider into a grin. He loved the name Jules had given her.

"Ivy." He said “That’s a beautiful name.”

Ivy snapped her gaze from Jules to Ceaser when he said her name. Then she beamed up at him before she reached out to him.

"Dada."

Jules froze and her gaze met Ceaser’s surprised ones. Ceaser was surprised at Ivy’s outburst but he almost couldn’t contain the joy that exploded in his heart. Just that word made his day...his life.

“Ivy, no. Not Dada.” Jules tried to tell Ivy "I'm sorry. She’s never called anyone that before. She must have picked it up from the kids at the day-care or at the park." Jules said to Ceaser.

"It’s alright. May I?” He asked Jules for permission to carry her.

Jules was surprised that a man like him would want to carry a child.

“Of course.”

“Hey beautiful." Ceaser said as he picked Ivy from Jules’ arms. Ivy went willingly. "How are you?" Ceaser asked hoping she could understand him.

"Dada." She said again poking his face then giggling lightly which made him smile a full toothy smile.

like she was accessing him piece by piece. Then she launched up at him going for his hair but didn’t make it. He watched in fascination as she pulled at his tie trying to reach for his hair. When she finally made it, her tiny hands found its way to his hair and

It was fascinating how Ivy could make him seem relaxed and happy. She expected Ceaser to run the other direction when she

it about

Jules thought.

strong-will, yet he seemed to have none

started on hers, she just had to heat it up a bit before she fed her. Somehow, she felt it was safe to keep Ivy with Ceaser. So far, he’d been a gentleman and he didn’t seem like the

Intentionally.

have been hurt by him without him having done anything to or with them.

up her food." Jules asked and Ceaser looked up at her. He had totally forgotten she was in the

"Yeah." He said, not wanting to sound too happy about being

looked at Jules who was still watching him closely. He knew she was contemplating leaving Ivy with him – a stranger.

“She’ll be fine.” He promised.

before

into the living room minutes later with a bowl of whole grain cereal in her hand. She sat on the same sofa Ceaser sat with Ivy, keeping some distance between them. The distance didn't stop Ceaser from being able to inhale her scent and it almost drove

crawled out of Ceaser’s lap and into

up and took a spoon full of the cereal and brought it near Ivy's mouth. Ivy opened up and once the cereal was in her mouth, she

clenched as he watched them. Jules would sometime have to say 'Ahh' before Ivy opened up her mouth. Ceaser was too caught up at the sight before he didn't realize he was

Ivy as she placed the

locked with his and a smile spread across her face. Ceaser smiled back at

She called.

at that. As much as he hated and wanted to deny it, Ivy saw Jules

on Jules' face then she pointed at

"Dada."

looked at Ceaser, the look of surprise she had before was non-existent. He knew she didn't approve of it but how could she explain a two years-old that the person she calls 'Dada' isn't her dad.

if she knew the truth