The house was quiet. Sophie had come back from her friend's place the night of the following day and gone to bed without much protest, her small body curling in the blankets like a safe child. Alice went and stood over her during sleep with many thoughts whirling in her head. A tiny and delicate child who so desperately needed the love and attention of a mother.
Cole lingered in the living room, the soft lamplight casting a warm glow over the space. Alice came into the living room and curled up on the far end of the couch, legs tucked under her, a mug of tea in her hands. They'd hardly spoken since last night after Eliana left the driveway.
He sat down opposite her, elbows on his knees. "You're quiet tonight."
She shrugged barely perceptibly. "Just thinking."
"About Eliana?"
"About Sophie," she corrected him. Then, and a beat later: "And about how fast something good can get destroyed."
His chest tightened. He knew the feeling more than anybody. "I will not let anything destroy Sophie."
Alice's eyes locked on his, and for an instant, neither of them blinked. The air between them went charged, warm, and unsteady.
"Cole…" she said, her voice so soft, so uncertain.
But he was already leaning in closer. It wasn't on purpose, and it wasn't careful. His hand was against the side of her face, his thumb tracing across her cheek as his lips met hers.
The kiss was gentle to begin with, feeling out the possibilities, but the moment she leaned towards him, it became deep, slow, searching, a kiss that took no space for anything else. It created a ripple of orgasmic heat down her abdomen.
As they finally let go, Alice's breath caught, her fingers still wrapped loosely around the hem of his shirt.
For a moment, neither of them uttered a word. Then Cole pulled back, his expression unreadable. "That shouldn't have happened."
She swallowed hard, her lips frozen. "No. It shouldn't have."
But, looking at Cole, Alice moved closer and kissed him again this time trying to fulfill a craving. A searching kiss with burning flame.
Earlier, Cole was able to regain himself, Alice pushed him away, and rose from the couch.
"I am sorry. I must take my leave " she quickly packed her items from the table.
"Alice, wait. Do not go please. What is wrong? You desire me as much as I desire you."
"I am afraid to give more than I am able. The last individual that made me... . Forget it. The kiss should not have occurred.".
"Please, tell me how not to want you because I'm scared too. Scared of the flames growing between us. Scared that I will want you more than I should."
"This wasn't part of the plan but here we are, scared of wanting each other"
"Cole, please. Just pretend this never happened"
"Okay, your wish"
And just like that, they both pretended to believe it.
---
The next morning, Alice found herself in the kitchen making Sophie's breakfast, still feeling the ghost of the kiss like it had been branded there. Cole was already gone for an early surgery, leaving only a neatly written note on the counter:
"Thanks for taking Sophie to school. I'll be home for dinner."
She folded the note and tucked it into her pocket without knowing why.
During school drop-off, Sophie described her painting assignment, her small hand resting in Alice's as they walked to the gate. They both snickered when Alice glanced up and saw her.
Eliana.
Leaning against her car, sunglasses on, watching them.
---
Alice felt Sophie's hand contract. "That's Mom," Sophie breathed.
Eliana stepped away from her car and walked toward them, heels clicking on the sidewalk. "Sophie. You're lovely."
Sophie smiled faintly, but stayed close to Alice's side.
Eliana's gaze slid to Alice. "You're very… involved, aren't you?"
"I am just helping," Alice said evenly.
Eliana tilted her head, lips curling in something that wasn't quite a smile. "It looks like more than that from where I'm standing. And the courts don't usually like it when a child gets confused about who's who in her life."
Alice trembled. "What are you saying?"
"That I might file for sole custody," Eliana said offhandedly, as if discussing the climate. "For your own good. Of course."
"Alice, what is Mom saying about sole custody?"
"Don't mind that Hun, it is grown-up business," Alice reassured her. "Go for your lesson, I will meet you later." She kissed Sophie's forehead and departed.
As she was opening the door, Eliana said "We still have plenty to discuss but we'll, scurry along now". In a rather condescending tone.
---
On the way back, Alice considered going home or returning to Cole's place. She did the latter.
Alice was shaken by the time she reached Cole's place. Cole was not due back until late afternoon and in addition to that, he will be picking up Sophie on his way home. Thus, reporting the incident to him would not be something she would want to do given the sensitive nature of his line of work. But since he came home earlier than expected, a mere glance at her was enough to transmit to him that something was wrong.
"What was it?" he insisted.
She hesitated.
"Alice, you're still here" Sophie screamed with delight.
"I ran into Eliana this morning at Sophie's school. Sophie might have informed you. She… proposed she sue for custody. She said Sophie might be 'confused' because of me."
"I told Dad, she mentioned something about custody"
Cole's expression hardened immediately. "She's bluffing. She doesn't stand a chance."
"But she can make it hard for you. For Sophie."
"She can try," Cole said to her, his voice low, controlled. "But I will defend you. I will not allow you and Sophie to endure that for her sake of her jealousy."
Alice blinked. "Why fight for me? I'm just."
"You're not nothing, Alice," he cut in, advancing on her. "You're family. No matter what the documents say." "Yes, this wasn't the plan but you've come to be among us and we can't let you go"
Those words pierced her, filling her with a warmth and a fear she couldn't quite untangle. "But you hired me. This was supposed to be… temporary."
He looked at her, his tone lower. "Some things change."
Her heart was racing in her chest, but before she could respond, Sophie's voice came from upstairs, breaking the moment.
---
Dinner that night was quiet but warm, Sophie babbling on about her day, Cole listening with a serious intent, Alice smiling at their easy back-and-forth. And for a moment, it was possible to believe this was simply… life. No posturing. No arrangement.
As Sophie was in bed, Alice lingered in the kitchen, piling dishes. Cole stood behind her, leaning against the counter.
"I meant what I said earlier," he told her. "If Eliana tries to do something, I'll resist it. I'll take care of you both. That is not something that I am willing to negotiate on."
She glanced back over her shoulder at him. "Cole… the kiss
"Didn't mean anything," he interrupted softly. "But if that keeps things simple for the time being, lying that it didn't. Then I can handle that. For Sophie's sake."
Alice swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "For Sophie's sake." She lied through the moisture seething underneath.
But there in the still kitchen, standing facing each other, both of them knew what was developing between them was something they could no longer lie away.
That night, Cole slept restlessly well after the house had fallen silent. He could see ahead of him, disorganized, chaotic, full of peril. But the possibility of losing Alice… of allowing Sophie to lose her… was the one danger he could not risk. She is the only good thing that has happened to them in some time.
And if Eliana wanted a fight?
He will give her one.
The arrogance of it was the thing that annoyed him most. She seemed to have forgotten the papers she signed and the words she spoke in his direction when she left him.
"A fight she wants a fight she will get".