𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝑻𝒐𝒐 𝑭𝒂𝒓 (𝑱.𝑺.)

𝑬𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

The next day while Evelyn was at work and Cassie was at school Schlatt went back to the store. He bought more flowers along with some chocolates, I know very cliche. Once he got back to the house he set them on the kitchen counter and put the flowers in a vase. Then his phone rang, it was Ludwig. "Hello."

"I realized I should've called you earlier about this but I've been busy. You met a girl?"

"I did. Her name is Evelyn."

"Ted told me she has a kid?"

"Yes. Her name is Cassie."

"Jay are you sure you're ready to take on the responsibilities of a kid. Ted told me you've fallen pretty hard."

"Lud, I like Evelyn in a way I don't think I've ever liked anyone else. If she has a kid that comes along with her then so be it. Plus, I'm pretty sure I've got the whole thing down."

"Is Cassie why you cut your stream early?"

"Yep! She comes home after school and I help her with her homework before we just hang out. I know it may seem crazy, but it feels normal almost."

"You sound like you're replacing her dad."

"I'm not replacing her dad." A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. "Look, Lud, I've got to go. Cassie's home. Bye."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

When Evelyn got home she was almost tackled by Cassie, which was normal. "Mommy, Jay got you a surprise." She whispered, knowing she wasn't supposed to tell her.

"He did?" She whispered back. After sliding off her shoes and walking into the kitchen. Seeing him standing there holding flowers and chocolate was very sweet.

"See, told you." Cassie said pointing to the gifts.

"You weren't supposed to tell her. C'mon bean we went over this." He playfully groaned.

"Sorry." She said feeling bad that she ruined it.

"Hey, I was just kidding. It's alright, we all make mistakes. I'm not upset." Schlatt quickly tried to recover as he got down on her level.

"Promise?" She asked holding out her pinky.

"Promise. I could never be mad at you." He said linking their pinkies.

"Why don't you go play in your room while I talk to Jay?" Evelyn said and Cassie nodded before running off.

"I swear I didn't mean to upset her." He said setting the gifts down.

"I know. Now, what are the gifts for?" She asked wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go on another date with me. You know, before I have to leave." He answered resting his hands on her hips.

"Right. I forgot that you had to leave." Her head rested against his chest.

"I know, I don't want to, but I have to." He buried his face in her hair. They stayed like that for a moment just holding each other.

"Friday or Saturday?"

"Friday."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Evelyn made Schlatt ditch the air mattress and just sleep in the bed with her since he'd be leaving in a couple days. That Friday Schlatt spent most of the day preparing. Camilla was just going to take Cassie to her house because Schlatt was making dinner at the house. "Hey. well, she's in my car now so we could just do it right now. Later? You want to wait? She might leave Kansas if we wait. Why do you want to wait? Because the author wants the story to be longer and this big twist can't happen right now, really? That's your excuse? Fine. Fine. I'll just babysit her for now then, but if we loose this opportunity I swear- ugh. Bye then." Camilla spoke into the phone as she drove home with Cassie asleep in the backseat.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Evelyn walked into the house, the sent of fresh cooked food filling her nose. "Something smells good."

"Shit! I didn't realize the time. Hold on close your eyes." Schlatt said and she heard rummaging in the kitchen before closing her eyes. She felt him guide her to the table and she sat down smiling.

"I feel like I should change. It is a date after all." Her eyes remained closed but she wanted to open them so badly.

"You look better than me, darling." He said before placing the plates on the table and filling her wine glass with wine. Evelyn blushed at the nickname. He'd used it before, but no matter what it always gave her butterflies. Once he had set everything out and sat down he told her to open her eyes.

"Jay, holy shit. This looks amazing." She said once her eyes laid upon the beautifully plated food.

"Why thank you. I used my best cooking skills. By that I mean I called my mother and asked for the recipe along with her help." The rest of the night they joked and laughed, but Evelyn could tell something was bothering Schlatt. He kept zoning out every so often and he looked like he had a lot in his mind. As they cleaned up and started to wash the dishes, Evelyn spoke.

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, I could never be better."

"You sure? You keep zoning out. You can tell me but I won't pry anymore."

"One of my friends, Ludwig, called the other day. Ted had told him about you before I had gotten the chance to and he said something that I just can't shake." She looked at him waiting to continue. "He said that he thinks I'm just replacing Cassie's dad."

"Oh. I don't want you to think you're replacing her dad. You're not. Cassie's dad wasn't the best, if you were replacing him then I wouldn't have had dinner with you tonight. He was misogynistic and a leech. You are like a father figure to Cassie cause you act like it. You're also a really good father figure to her. And I understand that's a lot and if you want to cut it after tonight-" he cut her off.

"I never said that. Evelyn I like you and if Cassie comes along with wanting to be with you then so be it. I'll gladly welcome you both with open arms." By this point the two were facing each other and Schlatt had his hands on her shoulders. She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her tip toes to reach him. He wrapped his arms around her torso holding her. "Hey, question." He said remembering how he asked her something like this before.

"Hey, answer." She giggled.

"Will you be my girlfriend? Wait hold on I practiced this better. Will you do me the honors of being my girlfriend? No that's not-" she cut him off by kissing him.

"I would love to be your girlfriend John." She said pulling away. He picked her up spinning her around causing her to giggle before begging him to stop. The knock on the front door couldn't have had better timing. "Thank god. Cassie saves me from throwing up. And before she was born she was the one causing me to throw up. Ironic."