Chapter 93: 94

Alfred.

Tuesday afternoon came faster than I expected. As I parked my car outside Sunflower Orphanage, butterflies danced in my stomach. Sebastian had called three times this morning to check if I was still going alone. The clock on my dashboard showed 1:45 PM – I was early, which gave me time to gather my thoughts.

I watched a group of older children playing soccer in the side yard, their laughter carrying across the parking lot. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I took deep breaths. "You can do this, Alfred," I whispered to myself. "Those four kids need you." I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror, straightening my light blue sweater – the one Sebastian said brought out my eyes. 

A small gift bag sat in the passenger seat containing the presents we'd picked out together last night. "Be yourself," Sebastian had said while helping me wrap them. "The children already like you. Just be the wonderful man I fell in love with."

"I'll be fine," I told him during our last call. "Focus on your meeting with the city council. I'll tell you everything when you get home." I had been sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying my second cup of coffee when Sebastian called for the third time. In the background, I could hear his assistant reminding him about the schedule. "Sweetheart, don't worry so much. It's just a play session with the kids. Daniel will be there with other staff. Nothing inappropriate is going to happen." I tried to sound more confident than I felt. Sebastian's concerns had planted small seeds of doubt in my mind, though I didn't want to admit it.

"Promise to call me if anything feels wrong," he'd insisted. "And remember what we talked about." His voice held that protective edge I'd come to recognize. "I've had my security team do a preliminary background check on Daniel. Nothing concerning yet, but they're still digging." I could picture him pacing in his office, phone pressed to his ear, ignoring the stack of documents needing his attention. "Just trust your instincts, Alfred. If he stands too close, if he touches you unnecessarily, if anything feels off about the orphanage – call me immediately. I can be there in fifteen minutes." He paused, his voice softening. "I love you. I just want you and our future children to be safe."

I smiled at the memory as I walked up the path to the orphanage. The weather was perfect – sunny with a cool breeze that rustled the leaves of the maple trees lining the entrance. Small butterflies flitted between the flower beds on either side of the walkway, adding splashes of yellow and white against the vibrant purple and pink blooms. A gardener knelt nearby, tending to a rosebush. He looked up and tipped his hat as I passed. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" he called with a friendly smile. "Perfect day for new beginnings." I nodded in agreement, wondering if everyone here knew about our adoption plans. The large oak door of the main building stood open, welcoming me into the cool interior that smelled faintly of lemon polish and children's art supplies – a combination of cleanliness and creativity that felt oddly comforting.

The receptionist, Mary, greeted me with a warm smile. "Mr. Alfred! The children have been asking about you all day. Daniel is waiting in the playroom." She was a plump woman in her sixties with silver hair and kind eyes behind colorful reading glasses that hung from a beaded chain around her neck. She reached beneath her desk and produced a visitor badge with my name already printed on it. "Emma has been standing at the window every half hour asking if it's time yet. That little girl has taken quite a shine to you!" Mary leaned forward conspiratorially. "Between you and me, those four children couldn't be luckier. The mayor's husband! They'll have wonderful lives with you two." She patted my hand affectionately. "Daniel's been in quite the mood today too – changed his shirt three times this morning! Never seen him so particular about a parent meeting before."

She led me down a hallway decorated with children's artwork. Through a large window, I could see Noah playing with building blocks and Emma drawing at a small table. The twins were sorting colored beads into different containers. The playroom was bright and cheerful, painted in soft yellows and blues with child-sized furniture arranged in activity centers. A young assistant was helping Noah balance his tower higher, while another supervised the twins. Emma seemed lost in her drawing, her tongue poking out in concentration as she carefully colored what looked like a house with stick figures in front. "They've been waiting so patiently," Mary explained. "Daniel thought it best to have them engaged in quiet activities before you arrived so they wouldn't be too wound up. They were practically bouncing off the walls after breakfast when he told them you were coming today." She checked her watch. "He should be back any minute – just stepped out to take an important call about another case."

"Alfred! Right on time." Daniel appeared beside me, looking even more handsome than I remembered. He wore casual clothes today – dark jeans and a light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. "The children are so excited to see you again." His eyes seemed to light up as they swept over me, and I noticed we were dressed in nearly matching blues. "I see great minds think alike," he said with a wink, gesturing to our similar colored tops. "That shade suits you perfectly – brings out the gold flecks in your eyes." He ran a hand through his perfectly styled dark hair, which looked slightly damp as if he'd just refreshed it. "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Had to take a call from the state supervisor – just routine checking in. You know how bureaucracy works, I'm sure, being married to the mayor."

"I've been looking forward to it too," I said honestly. I shifted the gift bag to my other hand, suddenly feeling slightly nervous under his intense gaze. "Sebastian and I picked out a few small things for the children. Nothing extravagant – just little tokens to help them feel special." I glanced through the window at the four children who might soon become ours. "They look happy today. Noah seems more relaxed than during our first visit." I pointed to the tall tower he was building. "Sebastian was worried they might not remember us, but it looks like Emma certainly does." The little girl had looked up from her drawing and was now bouncing excitedly in her chair, pointing toward me through the window.

Daniel placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me toward the playroom door. "I've prepared some activities I think you'll enjoy together. Nothing complicated – just games to help you connect." His touch was warm through the thin material of my sweater, his fingers splaying slightly wider than necessary. "I've cleared my entire schedule for today, so we have all the time you need. I thought we'd start with some one-on-one time with each child, then move to group activities." He leaned closer, his breath tickling my ear as he added, "I've been watching you with them, even from that brief first meeting. You have something special, Alfred – a natural connection that can't be taught. It's quite... captivating to observe." His eyes held mine for a moment longer than comfortable. "Shall we go in? I can't wait to see how they respond to you today."

The slight pressure of his hand lingered a moment too long. I stepped forward quickly, breaking the contact. I pretended to adjust my sweater, creating a natural reason for moving away. "Yes, let's not keep them waiting," I replied with a polite smile, careful to maintain a professional distance as I reached for the door handle. I remembered Sebastian's warnings but reminded myself to stay focused on the children. They were what mattered most. "I've been thinking about them constantly since our last visit," I admitted. "Sebastian and I even started setting up their bedrooms last night – nothing permanent yet, of course, but we wanted to be prepared." I pushed the door open, the sound of children's voices immediately filling the air.

Emma spotted me first. "It's the nice man with the magic coins!" she exclaimed, running toward me with her arms outstretched. Her dark pigtails bounced as she rushed across the room, nearly tripping in her excitement. A big smile revealed her missing front tooth, making her look even more endearing in her yellow dress with butterfly patterns. "You came back! I told Noah you would come back but he didn't believe me!" She stopped just short of hugging me, suddenly shy, rocking back and forth on her heels as she looked up at me with wide, hopeful eyes. "Did you remember me? I'm Emma. I'm six and a half years old now. My birthday was last week and we had cake and I made a wish but I can't tell you what it was because then it won't come true!"

I knelt down to her level. "Hello, Emma! I brought something for you." I pulled a small sketchbook from my bag. "Sebastian told me you like drawing." I balanced on one knee to be at her eye level, giving her my full attention despite feeling Daniel's gaze on my back. The sketchbook had a cover with sparkly butterflies that matched her dress – a coincidence that seemed almost magical now. "Sebastian and I remembered all of you. We've been talking about nothing else since we met you." I glanced up briefly to see Noah watching us cautiously from across the room. "We even know about your birthday. Six and a half is a very important age."