Ana Oliveira Part 2

"That's right!" I replied, listening to my subconscious and shutting down those thoughts. "One important thing is that you need to remove those glass decorations from your living room rack. Remove any products, anything harmful that could be within her reach. Júlia climbs on everything," I warned. "Oh, I almost forgot, Josiah... You need to put safety covers on all the electrical outlets in the house. You'll be surprised at how she likes to stick her fingers into everything."
He gave a small laugh at the comment, making my heart warm. The way his eyes lit up when he smiled sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
"I remembered one more thing, Sweetie..."
"Stop calling me that!" I scolded, frowning.
"Of course, Sweetie!" he mocked, lounging carelessly in the chair, stretching out. I bit my upper lip. What a handsome jerk! At least he was relaxing, seeming less uncomfortable.
"You need to put screens on the windows of the house. It's a bit dangerous for the Little One to be upstairs..."
"Oh, that's true!"
Heaven! How could I have been so negligent about that? What if she had climbed onto the desk? My heart ached just thinking about something bad happening to my baby. I swallowed hard, feeling like a terrible mother for the umpteenth time this week.
"I’ll arrange for someone to do that tomorrow. Does she have health insurance?"
"She’s on Lucah’s plan..."
Josiah clenched his jaw, staring at me with fury. I took a step to the side, afraid he might lunge at me. He then looked in another direction, took a deep breath, and softened his expression, easing the tension in his jaw.
"Okay! Remove her from that plan; I’ll add her as a dependent on mine... And I’ll take care of the paperwork to have my name on her birth certificate."
"Alright!" I agreed. "Fair enough. And my security camera?"
Are you planning to get another one? After all, you broke the one I had...
"If you stop meddling in my life, yes."
"Stop being so arrogant!" I laughed, pretending it wasn’t exactly what I was doing. "I live here alone with a child; don’t you think I need a security camera?"
"Fine, I’ll buy one and arrange for someone to install it as well. Anything else, Your Highness?" he asked, with an acidic tone.
"I want to enroll Júlia in swimming classes..." My voice came out almost inaudible. My brain immediately flashed to the child floating in the pool, how I had dived in to save him, desperate. Ben completely lifeless in my arms. I held back tears and looked at my ex-boyfriend. "I think it’s important."
"Of course, Ana. You can find the place; I’ll be happy to pay for everything needed to ensure my daughter’s well-being."
"It’s only half the cost, Josiah. I insist on covering my share."
"Well, you know best..."
"Come on, come meet your daughter!" I invited, walking past him.
Josiah grabbed me, turning me toward him. He wrapped his large hands around my waist, making my skin burn with the contact.
I looked down, surprised, meeting his eyes.
"Thank you, Sweetie!"
"You're welcome, Jow!"
I held back my nervousness and gently removed his hands from my body. I ordered my heart to stop pounding so hard... But, in defiance, it only sped up even more.
"Let’s hurry; I need to feed her soon."
I walked to the living room, seeing my baby stacking blocks distractedly. I went to her, picking her up, her delightful baby scent enveloping me.
"Come on, my love," I whispered, walking slowly with the little one in my arms, approaching Josiah.
The child’s father looked startled, with wide eyes and continuously rubbing his hands, as he looked at the baby.
"This is your father..." I said, stopping in front of him.
Júlia stared at Josiah’s face, her huge eyes fixed on him. I could sense her stiffening up, unfamiliar with the large figure before her. Although she was a friendly child, her first encounter with other adults was a bit wary.

"This is your dad, sweetheart..." I whispered.
"No..." she denied, shaking her little head.
Then my daughter raised her tiny, chubby finger and pointed toward the hallway. I knew she was talking about the pictures. The only concept she had of the word "daddy" was when I showed her pictures of Lucah. I had pointed to the photos and said that he was "daddy."
I looked at Josiah with concern, afraid to see anger on his face, but there was only deep sadness, with a small tear rolling down his cheek.
Oh my God! I felt like the worst person in the world. It was like being punched in the stomach. I tasted bitterness in my mouth.
"Are you sad?" Júlia asked.
"I'm not sad, my love..." he replied, accepting the shy affection Júlia offered by touching his cheek.
"Don’t cry!"
My heart was heavy. I held back tears as she reached for his arms, throwing herself onto her father. Josiah held her, walking with her to the sofa and sitting down.
My gaze wandered to Luana, and I was surprised to see her in tears, letting out a small sob, hugging herself with one hand and covering her mouth with the back of the other. I looked back at my daughter's father, sitting in one of the brown leather armchairs, facing both of them.
"What's this?"
I smiled seeing Júlia poke her finger into the stretched earring in Josiah’s right ear. It was beautiful to see him laughing, small wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes, with his daughter standing on his legs while Josiah held her by the armpits.
"That’s daddy’s earring..."
"Daddy?" he asked.
"Yes, I’m your dad!" he said, smiling with tears streaming down his face.
I couldn't hold back my own emotion as I watched her hug him, letting an intruding tear escape. She was such a loving child. I was a bit shocked at how quickly she opened up to Jow.
"Don’t cry..." she comforted, resting her head on his shoulder, her little nose brushing against his neck.
Josiah turned his face and kissed her head, inhaling her scent with his eyes closed, wrapping her in his strong arms, in a hug that made it clear, that shouted the love he felt for his daughter.
I slowly pulled out my phone, discreetly snapping a picture, then sent the image to Marta. Immediately, the message dots turned blue, and she replied with several teary-eyed emojis. She was probably eager to hear all about this moment.