August leaned against his car, arms folded loosely across his chest as he watched Liam happily slurp his milkshake, the straw making that faint annoying sound every few seconds.
"Easy," August muttered, amused. "It's not running away."
Liam ignored him, focused on getting the last bit from the cup.
A quiet moment passed.
Cars pulled in and out. Other parents chatted nearby. He had come to pick Liam up from school.
August exhaled softly, then spoke, almost casually.
"Liam."
"Hmm?"
August glanced at him, then away again.
"I like Celine."
Liam didn't react immediately.
Still sipping.
Then,
"I know."
August frowned slightly, turning his head. "You knew?"
Liam nodded, finally lowering the cup.
"You smile more when talking to her."
August blinked, caught off guard.
"Yeah," Liam continued. "Not like before."
A small silence settled between them.
August looked ahead, processing that.
Kids really saw everything.
"How did you figure that out?" he asked.
Liam gave him a look, one that was way too knowing for a four-year-old.
"Adults are so clueless."
August huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
"Right."
Liam went back to his milkshake like the conversation wasn't a big deal.
Then,
"Can she come?" he asked suddenly.
August glanced at him again. "Come where?"
"My open day."
August's brows pulled slightly. "Open day?"
Liam nodded. "Where parents come to school. Meet teachers. Talk about me."
"I know what it is," August said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You want Celine there?"
Liam shrugged, like it didn't matter, but it clearly did.
"She's nice."
August's expression softened as he nodded.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "She is."
A pause.
Then he nodded once.
"I'll ask her."
Liam didn't say anything, just went back to his drink.
But the small smile on his face said enough.
***
Celine stepped out of the building, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, already scanning the street.
She spotted them immediately.
August leaned against the car like usual,
And Liam stood beside him, a milkshake in hand, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Her lips curved.
"Well… I see I'm not your only passenger today," she said as she approached.
Liam grinned. "Hi, Celine."
"Hi, Liam," she replied softly, crouching slightly to his level. "What are you drinking?"
"Milkshake."
"I can see that," she laughed lightly. "Enjoying it?"
He nodded seriously. "Very."
August watched the exchange quietly, something soft settling in his chest.
"Long day?" he asked her.
Celine stood, exhaling. "Very."
He opened the car door for her. "Get in."
"Bossy," she muttered, but got in anyway.
Liam climbed in after her, still holding his drink carefully like it was precious cargo.
Once they were settled, August started the engine.
For a moment, it was quiet.
Then,
"Celine?" Liam called.
She turned slightly. "Hmm?"
"Can you come for my open day?"
Celine blinked, surprised. "Your open day?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "Where parents come to school. Meet teachers. Talk about me."
She smiled softly. "I know what it is."
A small pause.
August glanced at her briefly before adding, a little quieter,
"If you don't mind."
Celine looked at him as her lips curved gently before pressing a quick peck to his cheeks.
"I don't."
August stilled for a second, before patting her head.
Liam, meanwhile, watched them like he was observing a documentary.
Then went back to his milkshake satisfied.
Later Celine stood in front of the mirror, holding up two outfits, her brows slightly furrowed.
"This one… or this one?" she muttered under her breath.
Behind her, August leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching her with quiet amusement.
"You've been at this for ten minutes," he said.
She shot him a look through the mirror. "Because it matters."
He pushed off the wall, walking toward her. "You look beautiful in everything, babe."
Celine paused.
Then rolled her eyes, but her cheeks betrayed her, flushing softly.
"That's not helpful."
"It's true."
She turned slightly, holding up the outfit again. "August, I want to look the part."
He raised a brow. "The part of…?"
"Of someone who belongs there," she said, a little quieter this time.
That made him pause.
"Celine…"
She sighed lightly, looking back at the mirror. "I don't want to look out of place. It's his school. Parents will be there."
August stepped closer, his voice softer now.
"Dads go, moms go… people just show up for their kids."
He reached out, adjusting the fabric in her hand slightly.
"You're going because Liam wants you there."
Her eyes flickered to his in the mirror.
"And because you want to be there," he added.
Celine held his gaze for a second, then looked away, biting her lip slightly.
"Still," she murmured, "I want to look nice."
August smiled faintly.
"You always do."
She huffed softly. "You're impossible."
"And you're overthinking."
She turned to face him fully now. "Am I?"
"Yes."
A beat.
Then he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough,
"But if it helps…"
His eyes swept over her slowly.
"…wear the one that makes you feel confident."
Celine's breath hitched just a little.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
A small smile formed as she turned back to the mirror,
Decision made.