With Love, Love [Closed]

A blond out of uniform student stood next to the gate of the daycare, foot bouncing and hand twirling a lock of his hair around his finger. Leo had gotten a haircut that day, long over due in his mind. It was not as if his hair took on a radically different appearance--its just that his hair looked some what more orderly than the past few months. Everything had begun to settle down, and he had fallen into a schedule once again following Shepard's birthday party. Honestly, it was hard to believe that the little boy was already a year old. His heart clenched for moment, hand freezing mid twirl. Oh no. Leo just knew he was going to be a mess when Shepard would go to school for the first time.

If anyone had asked him how he made it though those long first few months, he would answer that is was his friends and family who got him though it. His parents moving to Rosebury was a life saver--he didn't have to sleep in that rocking chair every night. They could give Leo a break every now and again. Of course, Aleta was all over Shepard before and after their parents moved. Though, it was easy to say that she did not appreciate changing diapers.

Day one, the other daycare volunteers had been there for him. Leo had learned so much, and become so much more because of them. They aided him in feeling ready to be the father he needed to be. That being said, there was one person he had felt much closer to during their time together. Mikaela.

His finger resumed twisting at his bangs, lips pressed into a thin line.

Maybe he noticed it when he went to go have lunch together--maybe it was after. Or before. He couldn't tell. What he could tell is his own heart beat with his heart in his throat. He was a nervous wreck. It is not every day when he asks someone on a date. Hell, actually it had been over a year. A year and a half? Maybe a bit more. Leo did not do the math, it would not make him feel any better.

Poor Leo's hesitation spawned two metaphorical angels on his shoulders, arguing with himself. Call them Candor and Merry.

'This is an awful idea.' Candor blubbered.

'I disagree! It's been too long--' Merry huffed,

'Not long enough' Came a quip from Candor 'Actually, maybe dating should be out of the question--people look badly on single fathers.'

'Do you reallythink Mikaela is like that?'

'No, she isn't...'

'That's right--now get your ass up there. We are burning daylight, mister!'

Before Leo could finish his thoughts, his feet were already taking him into the daycare, and into the room where Mikaela was working. Forcing himself to look casual, the blond leaned on the door frame watching her, and waiting for a chance to talk.

Talk. Wait--shit. When he was having his debate with himself, Leo forgot to come up with how to ask her out. This was not going to go well. Despite his panicked thoughts, the blond did his utmost best to stay calm on the outside. His appearance just determined how observant his romantic interest was.

It had been Mikaela's turn to watch the older ones, so she had brought a book to read as the kids played nicely on the floor mats with various cars, dolls, and other toys. The book she had read at least a hundred times, so it was easy for her to only half pay-attention to it while she watched the kids. From the corner of her eye she saw Leo leaning in the doorway, a conflicted look on his face, like he was struggling with something going on in his mind. Folding the corner of the page down and closing the book, she set it down and headed over to see if he needed anything. "Everything okay, Leo?" she asked with a smile, noticing that some of the kids had turned their heads to see what was going on. The Summer could hear some quiet chatter from a group of girls playing house with G.I. Joe's and Monster High dolls.

As soon as Mikaela's gaze connected with his, Leo glanced to the side--idly noting the children's choice of playthings. Who knew G.I. Joe's and Monster High Dolls went together like that. The creativity of children he supposed. They'd be more creative than him at the moment--a dumb guy who forgot to rehearse what he wanted to say and was now being confronted by Mikaela. It didn't help that she was perseptive of his emotions by looking at his face.

Well, okay. Leo couldn't play cards, he has an awful pokerface. With her standing in front of him, the blond pushed off the doorframe one hand going to the back of his head scratching sheepishly and the other into his pocket. "W-well I wanted to inv... Wait! No, I mean ask if you..." The blond bit down on his tongue, and blurted out the end of the sentence. "i-if you wanted to go out on a date." There was a pause, eyes widening for a moment. "With me! O-obviously" Another pause. "Oh, not now! Uh-later-- 6 o'clock. I'll uh- pick you up. That is if you want to go! of course..."

God, that was a train wreck.

Mikaela couldn't help but giggle at Leo's stumbling. She hid the laugh with her hand and nodded. Stifling her laugh, she placed her arms around the boy's neck gently, causing her heart to flutter. "Of course I'll go on a date with you, you dork," she said softly, a redness appearing on her cheeks. She had hoped this would happen eventually, but she wasn't prepared for when it had actually happened. "Six you said? That sounds good with me," she told Leo.

Oh, thank God.

Visibly, the angel relaxed--hands subconsciously placed on her waist in response to her arms around her neck."I am glad." He responded, voice softer. Most of his nerves had faded, but there was the slightest nerve as he spotted her cheeks as they blushed. Was she uncomfortable? Did he embarrass her? Maybe? She accepted the date didn't she? Oh no, he had to go get ready now. Uh oh, oh no, no, crap--he has got to g o.

The blond gave her his best smile and broke the embrace. [color:3ec4=#lightyellow]"See you then!" It didn't take for him to back out of the room and around the corner before the blond leaped in the air from glee, taking off down the street. Already he had a list in his head. He had to make it perfect.