Elle was true to her word and remained with Dom while he slept off the healing, nodding off herself at one point. Who could blame her, really' Even in his sleep, his arms stayed wrapped around her, and she was reluctant to disturb him - or at least, that's what she told herself. She studied him a long while before giving in to sleep, memorizing every line on his face, every expression, every twitch of an eyelid or curve of his mouth. For perhaps the first time, she had a chance to really look at him. Though she knew he was handsome before, there was so much more to him than just good looks, and she found herself wanting to know all his secrets, to understand the somewhat aloof man behind the handsome face. Who was he" What made him tick" What secrets did he keep" Did he mean what he'd said when he was half-drunk with magic, or were they just words" These were the things she wanted to know before she dared trust him with her heart.

After a while, she, too, surrendered to sleep, curled up beside him. She hadn't stolen a kiss or asked him to reveal any secrets while he slept, content for now to simply remain close enough to keep a watch over the man who'd sought to save her and her daughter, for whatever reason.

Despite the rather strenuous morning he'd had, Dom was a healthy, strong man, and the healing only knocked him out long enough for him to regain the strength that had been used to heal him in the first place. As he stirred, he became aware of a soft scent tickling his nose, of the warm body curled into his arms, and even before he opened his eyes, he knew it was Elle. His lips parted in a smile as he opened his eyes, blinking to adjust his vision as he found himself looking down at the sleeping woman in his arms.

He wasn't sure he knew the answers to all the questions in her heart and mind, but what he did know was this - that almost from the moment they had met, he had wanted to take care of this woman. He wanted to see her safe and happy, and selfishly, he wanted to be a part of that happiness. He had felt this way once before, more confident in his own heart than he gave himself credit for. Gwen would never forgive him if he ignored this warmth, this need to be protector and friend and more, out of misplaced loyalty to what was only a memory.

Stroking his fingers through Elle's hair, he couldn't help the smile on his face, and for the first time in a long time, he felt himself acting on impulse. Craning close, he kissed her, softly, gently, drawing back after only a moment, unwilling to let her think he would ever take advantage of her, especially in her sleep.

It was the kiss that did it, waking her from her doze, though she was unaware of it at the time, only remotely aware of that tender touch in the vaguest way. It was enough to wake her, however, eyes fluttering open to find the tables turned, with him watching her in her sleep, rather than the other way around. "I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep," she said, lifting her head from his shoulder and smoothing her hair back from her face, all too aware of the closeness of him, of the masculinity of him. Only after a moment did she notice the smile on his face and arched her brows at him curiously. "What is it' Was I talking in my sleep?" she asked, hoping she hadn't said anything that might embarrass her or give her own feelings away.

His smile deepened as he watched her wake, unsurprised to feel a touch of tension draw through her as she came to consciousness and aware of how close they were. "No," he assured her quietly. "I've only just woken up myself." Letting his fingertip draw down her cheek, his expression softened until the smile was only in his eyes, only for her to see. "Waking up with you in my arms is a wonderful gift, Elle. Thank you for staying."

"Are you sure you aren't feverish?" she asked, touching a cool hand to his forehead as if to check for a temperature, though it was merely an excuse to touch him. She knew fully well he wasn't ill, but it seemed easier to use that as an excuse for his sweet words than to think he might actually mean them.

His eyes closed as her touch cooled his skin, his smile returning to his lips. One hand caught hers, bringing her fingertips to his mouth to kiss them softly. "I want to look after you, Elle," he said quietly, his blue eyes gentle, hopeful, as he looked into hers. You, he said. Not you and Daisy, though looking after Elle would surely include her daughter. "Will you let me?"

She arched a brow at him again, not really doubting his words, though she thought he might be moving a little too quickly, even if she was sorely tempted by his offer. "I'm not sure what you're asking me, Dom," she replied, searching his eyes for some clue. Was he falling in love with her, or was he only in love with the idea of having a family again?

"Let down a little bit of your guard," he murmured gently. "I know it's hard. Believe me, I know how difficult it is to let ghosts rest. I'm not asking you to forget, or to give up your will and your spirit. All I'm asking for is a chance. Get to know me. Let me get to know you. And let me look after you, however much or however little you can allow." His large palm curled to her cheek as he held her gaze. "A little hope is all I am asking you for, Belle."

She sighed, a worried frown touching her face, though she turned her face into his hand. "You make it sound so simple," she said quietly. It wasn't that she didn't trust him or didn't have feelings for him - quite the opposite, in fact. It was the fear that she would let herself feel something for him and then lose him, either because she didn't measure up somehow to his expectations or because he didn't share her feelings. And yet, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Part of her felt angry that he had taken it upon himself to put himself at risk for her and seemed to now expect something from her in return, while the other half wanted to reach out and thank him the only way she knew how.

"It isn't simple," he promised her gently, her frown sparking concern in his eyes as he considered her quietly. "Nothing worth having is ever simple. This isn't a trade, Elle. Even if I felt nothing for you, I would still have done what I did today. I'm not holding it over your head, I'm not expecting a reward. I'm hoping that with that danger passed you might consider me. That's all."

She felt tears prickling at her eyes, so touched by his words, so wanting to share that same hope for the future. A future with him was almost too much to dare hope for, and yet, she could see from the look in his eyes that he was wanting it just as badly. "You hardly know me, Dom," she repeated her earlier warning. A simple explanation, but one that said so much more - the fear that once he did know her better, he might not feel the same. "I'm not Gwen," she told him, almost afraid to let those words slip past her lips, to mention the name that seemed to haunt her, if not him, though she had never met the woman. "My parents ..." She sighed, almost as if it was too hard to explain.

"Do I need to know you, to know that I want to know you?" he asked her simply, easing the wrap of his arm about her just enough that she could escape if she wanted to. "No, you're not Gwen, the woman who loved me and put up with me for far too long. You're Elle, the first woman I have met to warm my heart since I wrapped it in ice five years ago. A woman who broke into my apartment, and showed me something so real in her eyes that I couldn't stand by and let it become a true reality. You are not your parents. You are not anyone but the woman in my arms. I would like you to stay, but only if you want to."

"Don't be ridiculous. Of course, I want to!" she replied without hesitation, though there was a "but" in there somewhere. "It's just not that simple. You've done so much for me, Dom. For me and for Daisy, and for that, I will be forever grateful, but are you sure you are only seeing what you want to see" I'm nothing and no one, Dom. I'm a thief. There are warrants for my arrest. I've used my looks to get me what I wanted because I didn't know anything else. Look at me, Dom. I'm not Gwen. I'm not a saint. I've done some horrible things. I've done what I've had to do to survive and to keep myself and Daisy safe. I'm not proud of who I am, but I am proud of her. She is my only saving grace. If it weren't for her ..." She broke off, unable to go on, her voice breaking as she averted her gaze. Though she hoped she could find some measure of happiness for herself somehow, so long as Daisy was safe, that was all that really mattered.

"Are you brave enough to try it when I'm awake?" she asked pointedly, pushing him away so that he could meet her gaze and know that she was serious and not just flirting or teasing him. "If you're going to kiss me, then I think you should do it properly or not at all." It was hard to tell if there was a hint of teasing in her voice or if she was serious in her reproach.

"Now that sounded like a challenge." He chuckled quietly, more than man enough to take up that challenge. "Are you brave enough to let me try it, Belle?" he asked her softly, drawing close once again until his breath teased her lips, one arm drawn warm about her waist.

She reached upwards with both arms to wrap them around her neck, intending to pull him down to her if he hesitated too long. "If you keep insisting on calling me that, I shall have to find a pet-name for you, Dominic," she warned, though that didn't quite answer his question. "Now, why don't you just shut up and find out for yourself?"

He laughed at the warning, drawn down to her as he did as he was told. One gentle kiss, to test the waters, and then deeper, something more passionate, filled with promises if only she would let him prove them to be true. Somehow, in the midst of that kiss, he found himself lying with her against the pillows once again, his fingers teasing against her back, through her hair, offering her everything he was if only she had the courage to let him in.

It was courage that had kept her alive all these years, though this required a different kind of courage as she had never thought to prepare herself for someone like him. How did one prepare for such a kiss as this, one that stirred the heart and filled her with longing and hope the likes of which she hadn't dared feel in years" She let him lay her back against the pillows, her fingers curling into the hair at the nape of his neck, giving herself over to his kiss and giving back all her heart dared offer.

Always leave them wanting more, wasn't that the advice offered" It didn't say anything about leaving yourself wanting more, and yet that was exactly what Dom found himself doing. He didn't want to force her through passion to move too quickly, and a great many things had been said and shared since they'd woken up. Things that needed time to think over and decide on. Softening that kiss, he was gentle as he drew back, just far enough to gaze down at her with longing hope. "Elle," he breathed, the tip of his nose brushing hers affectionately. "Should I have woken you up like that?"

It took her a moment to catch her breath and gather her senses after such a kiss. It seemed Dominic Granger was full of surprises, and she couldn't help wondering if his skill at kissing was any indication of other more interesting skills. "If it is what you truly wanted, then yes, I think so." But if not, then that was another matter. She didn't worry on that now though, as she could tell from the catch in his breath and the tension in his body that he wanted her as much as she wanted him - perhaps more. "You need a shower. You look a fright."

He couldn't help laughing as she pointed out the mess he was still in, no doubt caked with dried blood from the various cuts and injuries he had arrived with. "Why, thank you for noticing," he teased her, lips brushing hers as his hand skimmed her side. "Would you like to wash up first' I won't peek. Much." He winked down at her, daring her to take offense at an honest admission.

"Oh, I noticed far more than that, but if you insist on us seeing Daisy, then I think it would be wise to make ourselves presentable, don't you think?" In their present state, they were bound to frighten the poor girl, and she might be worried enough as it was. She wasn't sure if he'd noticed that she'd included him in her plans to see Daisy, though it might not surprise him given the recent turn of events. She smiled as his lips touched hers again, wondering if she could ever grow tired of those kisses. "We could take one together," she suggested with the merest hint of mischief in her eyes. "It would save on water," she said, though the Grangers clearly weren't in need of such money-saving measures.

Dom laughed again, easing himself to sit up. "You, sweetling, are a temptress," he informed her, giving her a tug to sit up as well. "Rough and rugged I might be, but I still have manners. And as much as I want you - gods, how I want you - I want you to be sure when it happens." His lips brushed her temple, the hand at her back flexing his fingers against her waist.

"Be careful, Dominic, or I might mistake you for a gentleman," she teased further, touching her fingers to his cheek before sliding off the bed to her feet. "Vicki said she'd have some dinner sent up, if we like. Do we like?" she asked, noting the pile of neatly-folded clothes that had been set out on a chair for them both. It seemed someone had been busy while they'd been sleeping.

He considered that for a moment. "I think we'd like that, only if there's a Daisy delivered with dinner," he said thoughtfully, already pulling his t-shirt off over his head with a grimace for the blood spatter all over it. That had been a favorite one, too. Ah, well. He smiled at Elle gently. "I've kept the two of you apart long enough for one day, I think."

"Don't be silly," she said as she picked through the pile to find something comfortable but stylish. She had never been much of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl and it was doubtful she ever would be. "I'm sure she's been having fun with the other children and hardly misses me," she said, looking up to find he was no longer wearing a shirt. The view gave her pause for a moment as her gaze traveled over the well-muscled planes and angles of his torso. He wasn't overly muscled, but had enough of a build where it counted most, or so she thought in her estimation - just enough to grab onto and hold tight without too much effort.

"I'd miss you," he commented quietly, moving into the bathroom to wet his t-shirt and use it as a washcloth - it was ruined, anyway. He caught her looking at him as he found his reflection in the mirror, a faint smirk on his lips as he met her gaze. "Enjoying the view, are we?"

"You're not a five year old child, and what if I was?" she replied, with a tilt of her head, forcing her eyes from the view that she only now realized had followed him from bedroom to bathroom. "Rather full of yourself, aren't you, Mr. Granger?" she teased, her face turned away from him so that he couldn't see the smirk on her face as she laid out an outfit for herself on the bed. She didn't really need a shower, but that didn't stop her from pulling the sweater over her head, chestnut brown hair cascading down her back, bare but for the slender straps of her bra.

"You think I don't have eyes" I know I look good," he laughed teasingly, though it was his turn to stare at the hint shown to him as she pulled her sweater over her head. Slender and warm, and tempting to touch, he stifled a quiet groan as his groin tightened uncomfortably, wishing he'd thought to bring the clean jeans in here with him. She was going to get a very good view of exactly what effect she had on him when he changed into them in just a few minutes. "If I were a five year old child, I'd resent the man who kept me away from my mother, whether he meant to or not."

She laughed at his remark, somehow knowing he didn't really mean it. She had known vain men, and he was not one of them, no matter how good he looked. She was not unaware that he might be watching her, though she didn't want to use her good looks to charm him as she had other men in the past. No, if she was going to win him, she wanted to win all of him, starting with his heart. "But you're not a child, Dom, and I wonder if you would resent the five-year-old child who keeps you away from from her mother," she said, warning him in her own way, that no matter what happened between them, she was first and foremost, Daisy's mother. It was just how things had to be, at least, for now.

Daisy's eyes widened again at the open invitation from the giant of a man - or at least, he seemed so to one as small as her. As big as a bear, but as gentle as a lamb, so it seemed to Elle at the time. "Just us?" Daisy echoed. "You mean, like a real family?"

A real family. There was the barest hint of panic in Dom's eyes as he glanced at Elle, utterly at a loss as to how he was supposed to answer that without assuming too much or getting the little girl's hopes up too high. "Um ....well ..." He groped for something to say, finally settling on. "More like a date. Yes. That's it. I'm inviting you and your mummy to have dinner with me, on a date." He winked at Daisy, hoping she'd remember how eager she'd been just a few days ago to have him ask her mother out on a date.

"Yes, but ..." the little girl started, knowing that wasn't quite right. A real date entailed getting dressed up and going out to a nice restaurant, and she was never ever invited to accompany Mummy when she went on a date because that was strictly for grown-ups or so she'd been told. She might only be five years old, but she was bright for her age, and she eyed him suspiciously, wondering if he was trying to trick her somehow.

"It's all right, Daisy," Elle broke in. "Mr. Granger isn't quite feeling up to going downstairs for dinner just yet, and he's asked us to keep him company. If that's all right with you," she added, just for good measure.

Daisy was eying the two of them now and wondering what was going on that she didn't know about yet. "Okay, Mummy. Shall I go tell Vicki?" Daisy asked, looking up at her mother.

"No, darling. I'll take care of it. You stay here and make sure Mr. Granger doesn't have a relapse, all right?" she asked, bending over to plant a kiss on her daughter's head before heading toward the door.

Dom winced visibly at the suspicion in the little girl's eyes, knowing he'd managed to say entirely the wrong thing. The only child he'd ever had a really successful relationship with was Brynne's daughter, Lila, and even then, she was older than Daisy. He sighed in defeat as Elle abandoned him to her daughter's sweet mercies, easing himself to sit down on the bed with a rueful smile. "You'll have to excuse me, Daisy," he apologized to the little girl through that smile. "I'm not very good at talking to girls."

Elle couldn't help but chuckle a little to herself upon overhearing Dom as she exited the guest room, leaving him alone with her daughter. She wished she could be a fly on the wall while the two of them talked, but she was sure Daisy would fill her in later.

"But Mummy's a girl," Daisy helpfully pointed out as she took a step closer. As big as he was, he didn't scare her at all. In fact, she had already decided that she rather liked him, and if she had any say in the matter, she was secretly hoping Mummy might choose him to be her Daddy someday. "What's a relapse?" she asked curiously as she climbed up onto his bed and curled her legs beneath her. "You're very tall, aren't you? But you must have been small like me once. And why does Mummy want me to call you Mr. Granger" There are too many Mr. Grangers. If I call you Mr. Granger, how will you know when I am talking to you or to Jon or to Humpty?" she asked, as solemnly as only a child her age could do.

Faced with quite so many questions all in one go, Dom gave himself a moment to settle them in mind before answering, reaching down to help Daisy up onto the bed beside him. "Yes, Mummy is a girl," he agreed with her. "And I'm not very good at talking to her, either." Which was true; he'd blurted out everything there was to say within minutes of waking up, and look how well that had gone. "A relapse is when someone who is getting better from being ill gets ill again before they're better. But if it happens to me, don't you worry. I'm already on the bed, and all I'll do is roll over and hug you while I'm snoring." He grinned, reaching out to gently chuck her cheek with a long finger. "Yes, I am very tall, but I didn't get this tall until I was eighteen. I was very small, like you, for a long time before then. And I don't know why Mummy wants you to call me Mr. Granger," he added in vague amusement. "I'd like you to call me Dom, since that's my name." And maybe something else, in the fullness of time.

Thankfully, she was innocent and trusting enough to take him at his word, not yet tainted by the evilness that had for a short time surrounded her. It was a good thing Elle had worked so hard to protect her daughter, even if she did feel she'd failed. Daisy giggled at Dom's teasing, but politely waited until he had finished his explanation before speaking. "Would you really hug me?" she asked, looking up at him with large, solemn, trusting eyes much like her mother's. She bounced a little closer, just because, a sign that she both trusted and liked him. "I like your name. Dom. It's much better than Humpty. Such a silly name." She giggled again, showing Dom that despite everything she'd been through, she had thankfully retained her innocence.

He couldn't help snorting with laughter at yet another fantastic nickname for the Old Man. Between Hump'y and Humpty, Old Man Granger was fast losing that carefully created reputation for grumpiness, at least in the presence of children. "Of course I would hug you," he told her warmly. "I hug everyone I like, and everyone I love. And I like you, and your mummy, very much. Would you like me to hug you sometime?"

Though she had asked, it seemed it was Daisy's turn to be shy, her dark fringe of lashes hiding her eyes as she glanced aside a moment, as if afraid to answer that question. "Would you hug me now if I asked for one?" she asked, afraid to meet his gaze in case he said no. She was about as comfortable with grown men as he was with little girls, but she worked hard not to show it.

He eyed her for a moment, not entirely sure what Elle would say if she walked in on him hugging her daughter, but then ....Daisy had fallen asleep on him not so very long ago, and that had been a hug, hadn't it' He smiled, opening the arm nearest to the little girl. "Why don't we find out together?"

She lifted her gaze, her face sunny again as he didn't reject her, and she flung herself against him with an open and trusting heart, unafraid that he'd ever hurt her. Little arms wound about his neck as she pressed herself closer, catching a whiff of the scent that could only be described as masculine. All men had it, she thought, though some smelled nicer than others. She'd decided she liked the smell of him, which reminded her a little of a warm summer day, for some reason. "Do you think there's any chance you might become my Daddy someday?" she asked, tentatively, her little heart beating rapidly against him. The question was whispered, as it was only for him, and she knew it was impolite and a little too bold of her to ask, but she couldn't resist. "Mummy says she doesn't need a man in her life, but I hear her crying at night sometimes when she thinks I'm asleep and I know she's lonely for someone to love her like Jon loves Vicki."

Dom grunted as the enthusiastic little hug was bestowed on him, laughing as he caught Daisy and pulled her onto his lap for a proper hug, enveloping her in his embrace as he grinned. Her whispered question made his grin fade as he considered his answer; he didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't think it was his place to get her hopes up, however high his own were. "That's a decision only you and Mummy can make," he told her quietly, settling her down on his knee. "I think I would like that a lot, to be able to look after you and Mummy the way a Daddy should. But there's a lot that we need to learn about each other before you and Mummy can decide if you want me to be in your lives like that. So for now ....may I be your friend, and Mummy's friend, and see where that goes?"

Once again, Daisy took him at his word, pausing to study him while he explained, giving him her utmost attention as if hanging on his every word. Though young, she appreciated his honesty and had no reason not to trust him; in fact, such an honest response to her question only made her trust him all the more. She beamed a smile up at him, proof that she approved of his answer. "I would like that very much, and I think Mummy would, too," she told him. "I like you, Mr. Dom, and I'm almost certain Mummy likes you, too." She planted a kiss on his cheek, just for good measure before hugging him again.

"Forty-one!" Elle echoed, rolling her eyes. "Heavens, you're ancient. However do you get out of bed without creaking and groaning?" she teased as she went about uncovering and carrying the dishes of pasta and sauce to the table.

"Forty-one is a lot!" Daisy agreed cheerily. "I can count to one hundred. Would you like to hear?" she asked and promptly started off without waiting for a reply. "One, two, three, four ..."

"That's enough, darling. You can count for Dom later," Elle reprimanded gently. "Why don't you go wash your hands for dinner" Vicki made your favorite. Spaghetti and meatballs!"

"Yes, Mummy," Daisy replied obediently and headed straightaway for the bathroom.

With another wink for the little girl as Daisy was cut off in mid-count, Dom watched as she headed for the bathroom, pausing in his bid to help Elle set everything out. His eyes wandered back to Elle, watching her now with a gentle expression on his face. "Is there anything you want me to do?" he asked her, stepping back from the table once the cutlery was laid out.

Don't break my heart, she thought to herself with a small frown, but didn't dare say it out loud. "Just keep doing what you're doing," she replied, though after a moment, she seemed to think better of it, turning to face him and needing to say what was on her heart and her mind before things went any farther. "You're a good man, Dominic, and I sincerely appreciate everything you've done for us, but please, don't break my little girl's heart. She never knew her father and ..." She broke off at that, gnawing at her lip and thinking she might have said too much. "I just don't want to see her get hurt. That's all."

He frowned gently, turning to face her as she spoke. His hands rose to hold her shoulders, urging her to look into his eyes. "Elle, the last thing I want to do is to hurt you, or your daughter," he told her calmly, as sincerely as he could. "Even if nothing comes of us but a friendship, I would still be her friend. It isn't in me to punish a child for my own disappointment, and it isn't in me to punish you for it, either. I want you to be sure, and confident, both in me and in yourself. But Daisy will never suffer for it, I swear. By any oath you want me to, I will swear it."

She felt suddenly ashamed for having doubted him, even for a second, when he had done nothing to warrant it and had been brave enough to put his life at risk for their sakes. He had already explained his reasons, and she believed him. It was only old fears and doubts creeping back that made her ask in the first place. "I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. It's just ....I haven't seen her this happy in a long time, and I can't bear to see her hurt." If only Elle knew that her daughter was as equally concerned about her mother.

"Mummy!" the little girl's voice called from the bathroom. "Dom promised to read me a story later. Is that okay?"

Elle arched a brow once again as she studied his face. "How can I say no to that?" she whispered back at him. "Of course, darling. But only if he's not too tired."

"Elle ..." His hand left her shoulder to gently cup her cheek. "If I ever hurt you, or her, then I'm an idiot who deserves to be alone for the rest of his life." Regardless of the little girl in the next room, he leaned down to kiss her - just a soft brush of his lips to hers, but he hoped it was enough of a reminder of how it was Elle who had caught him. Daisy was just helping to reel him in. Of course, Daisy's voice couldn't be ignored, and as he drew back, he grimaced guiltily. "I don't remember actually promising to do it tonight," he murmured apologetically, raising his voice to let it carry to Daisy. "How about I read it to both of you?"

Elle softened beneath his touch, returning the kiss warmly albeit briefly, not wanting the little girl in the next room to catch them, as it would only lead to more questions and more explanations that she cared for just yet. "But you didn't not promise to actually do it tonight either, did you?" she asked, tapping a finger to the side of his nose and smiling in amusement. He had a lot to learn about little girls, and he was sure Daisy would be only too happy to teach him.

"Oh, yes!" Daisy replied from the bathroom, the sound of water splashing not a good sign. "And then, Mr. Tickle can tickle Mummy, too!"

Elle clucked her tongue and rolled her eyes again. "I am not ticklish," she insisted, wondering what the little girl was up to. It was taking an inordinately long time to wash her hands.

"I see I'm going to have to learn how to tie up every loophole in conversation," Dom murmured comically, smiling as Elle relaxed, glad to see that she could be reassured with a little focus. "I suppose I should wash up for dinner too, should I?" he asked, carefully not mentioning whether or not she was ticklish. He'd been told in confidence, after all.

"You'll learn," Elle promised him with a grin. "Go on, go and see what she's up to while I finish setting the table," she told him, resisting the urge to smack him on the backside to send him on his way.

"Aye, aye, captain." He saluted her teasingly, leaving her with a wink and a smile as he headed for the bathroom. She was right; there was more than just hand-washing going on in there, judging by the splashing. Out of habit, he knocked on the door. "Daisy' Is it safe to come in?" Pushing open the door, Dom peered inside, half-afraid of what he was going to find.

Elle watched him go, smiling to herself. Whether they remained friends or things went a little further - and she couldn't help hoping they would - she was hopeful he would be a positive influence on Daisy and a treasured addition to their lives.

Inside the bathroom, Daisy's hands were full of foam that looked more like shaving cream than hand soap and she was busily smacking her hands together and spraying foam everywhere but the sink. "This soap smells funny and it feels all squishy in my fingers!" she said, looking up at Dom.

Dom stared for a moment, fighting not to laugh out loud. "Sweetheart, that's not soap," he told her eventually, pushing off the door-frame to turn the water on, testing it with his own fingers. "That is shaving cream - what men put on their faces to make sure the razor doesn't burn them when they shave their beards off."He grinned down at her. "I can see how you got confused, though - the bottle is very similar to the soap." Not at all similar, but he wasn't up for trying to explain why there was shaving cream next to the taps. "Let's wash this off, shall we?"

Apparently, someone who'd used the guest room before him had left a bottle of shaving cream on the sink, rather than hand soap, and it had somehow gone unnoticed. Daisy wrinkled her nose up at the smell of it. "It smells a little like Humpty," she declared. While the smell of it wasn't bad in small amounts, it was made for a man's face, not a little girl's hands. "Do you use it, too?" she asked curiously, obviously lacking experience in the matter of men's beards. "Why doesn't it smell pretty' Like roses or lavender. Mummy likes lavender soap. What do you like?"

Within a few minutes, they were all making ridiculous noises as they slurped up their spaghetti, almost as if trying to outdo the other, Elle included. It wasn't a particularly polite way to eat, and Elle wouldn't be caught dead doing it in public, but it left them giggling like children, and she couldn't deny that they needed a little lighthearted fun was just what they all needed. Once dinner was finished, it was time for Daisy's bath, which she sorely needed after the spaghetti eating.

Shooing mother and daughter away for bath-time, wherever they chose to do it, Dom turned his attention to tidying up, aware of the very slight ache that lingered after his healing earlier in the day. But the ache was worth it; he'd managed to end a threat against two very special people who deserved some peace to set their lives straight. And he owed at least one of them a bedtime story.

It wasn't long before the littlest miss was all squeaky clean, dressed in her jammies, and ready for a story. She nearly bounced out of the bathroom, her damp hair done up in braids for the night, Anna and Elsa emblazoned on the front of her jammies, skipping across the floor in search of Dom. "I'm ready for my story!" she called as she scampered out of the bathroom. The only problem was this wasn't her room or her bed.

As far as Dom was concerned, it didn't really matter which room or bed she was in. If she stayed here, all the better - things had the potential to get fiery between himself and Elle, and he would rather not take advantage of passion before there was something softer to urge that passion onward. Explaining that to a woman who wanted into your pants right now was hard, so keeping Daisy around as long as possible worked in his favor. He looked up from where he was sat on the edge of the bed, grinning. "Are you? You look very awake for someone who's ready for her bedtime story. Aren't bedtime stories for good little girls who are ready to go to sleep?"

Daisy came to a halt a few feet from Dom and pouted up at him. "Mummy says bedtime stories are made to make you sleepy and to help take all the nightmares away before you fall asleep," she explained solemnly, which meant no scary stories were allowed.

After a moment, Elle joined the pair, a little surprised to find the room already tidied up from dinner. She frowned a little, as she realized the evening was likely coming to an end. If Daisy was going to be tucked into bed with a story, she needed a bed. "We should really be going," she said, sounding a little reluctant about leaving.

Dom smiled at the little girl, taking the information on board. Not that he would tell her scary stories, but it was good to know, anyway. Elle's reluctant suggestion softened his smile. "Is there a need to?" he asked gently. "You're both very welcome to stay ....I'll be here all night, myself."

Elle arched a brow and opened her mouth to decline the offer, as tempting as it was. "I don't think ..." she started, but before she could utter another word Daisy was bouncing on her feet and tugging at her mother's hands, a look of excitement on her face.

"Yay! A sleepover! Oh, Mummy, can we, pleeeeease?"

Elle looked from one to the other and sighed, knowing she was going to be outvoted. "Just for a little while, darling. There's only one bed and Dominic is just getting better," she said with a pointed look at the man.

"Just a little while," he agreed, easing up to rearrange the pillows so they'd be comfortable lounging there on the bed. "Don't worry about falling asleep. We can put you to bed if that happens." He stretched his legs out on the bed, looking at the two of them expectantly. "What, no cuddles?"

While Elle might have been only too eager to "cuddle" with Dominic under normal circumstances, the fact that Daisy was there made her a little reluctant, not really wanting her to get her hopes too high or notice the growing attraction she was feeling for Dom.

Once again, before she was able to say a word in response, Daisy was hurtling herself toward Dom and the bed, and quite innocently curling herself up snugly against him with another enthusiastic shout of "Yay!"

Laughing, Dom caught the enthusiastic little girl easily, tucking her close as she cuddled into his side. She really was adorable. His eyes rose to Elle for a moment, wondering a little at her reluctance, and he grinned gently. "Shall we make room for Mummy, too?" he asked Daisy playfully. "Where would she like to cuddle, do you think?"

"Right here," Daisy replied, patting the space beside herself, but not too far from Dom. "With me in the middle!" she added with a grin.

Elle was rolling her eyes again. "Very well. You two are incorrigible, I'll have you know," she remarked, as she slipped out of the shoes she had borrowed from Vicki.

"What's incorrigibubble mean?" Daisy asked, turning to Dom, brows lifting in curiosity.

"It means you." That was more than a bit of a cop out as far as explanations went, but Dom had a plan to distract the little person from asking any more difficult questions. Scooping her up in one arm, he wriggled over to make a more comfortable space for Elle on the bed, settling down again amid all the bumps and jostlings that entailed. The arm around Daisy uncurled briefly to crook a finger in Elle's direction as he plopped the book into Daisy's lap. "That, little sweetheart, is a Tickle."

"I'm not a bubble!" Daisy said with a giggle, turning her attention to the book that Dom had dropped into her lap. "And that's not a tickle. It's a book!" she told him matter-of-factly. "Is that Mr. Tickle?" she asked, as she looked to the cover. Elle slid onto the bed, careful not to get too close to the man on the other side of her daughter, but there wasn't much room to spread out.

"Yes, that's Mr. Tickle," Dom assured her, glancing at Elle's reluctance to get closer than she had to with vague concern. It may have been a little mean, but he decided to make use of his ally in this case. "Why don't you cuddle up with Mummy so everyone can see the pictures while we're reading?"

Elle flashed a look at Dom at his suggestion, some unsaid warning flashing in her eyes. It wasn't anger exactly - fear, perhaps, though it was hard to tell. But it didn't last long before she was turning her attention to her daughter. "Come here, darling," she told the little girl, opening her arms for her and cuddling her close. Whatever she was feeling was well hidden again as she held her daughter close. "All better now?" she asked, and Daisy nodded up at her mother.

"Can you please read me a story now?" Daisy asked Dom very sweetly and politely, remembering to use the P-word.

"Of course I will, sweetheart," he assured her. Elle's warning glance had stopped him from wrapping his arm around her as she drew Daisy onto her lap, easing close enough only so that both mother and daughter could see the pictures as he opened the book to begin reading. "It was a warm, sunny morning. In his small house at the other side of the wood Mr Tickle was asleep. You didn't know there was such a thing as a Tickle, did you? Well, there is!"

He laughed quietly, glancing down at the mug in his hands. "I know, I'm a terrible old man," he grinned, taking a quick sip of the hot, sweet treat. "It's the seventeenth. I usually manage to escape without anyone but my mother making a fuss about it. Ash knows better, and Izzy ....well, Izzy's a difficult story."

She frowned a little when he mentioned his family - a mother and two sisters who she would, presumably, one day have to meet. And there was that old familiar feeling of dread and worry that they'd judge her and judge her not good enough for their son and brother. "Hmm, well, maybe this birthday will be special. If Daisy finds out, she'll insist on cake and ice cream, just to warn you. She'll likely want to get you a present, too. Birthdays are important things to five-year-olds." As for herself, Elle would just as soon forget hers, too.

He chuckled gently, though her frown concerned him a little. He wasn't worried about his immediate family's reaction to her - his mother would be over the moon, he was sure, and Ashlynn was easily pleased with her brother's decisions. Isabelle ....well, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. She was difficult to read at the best of times. "If I have you for company, it will be the best birthday I'll have for years."

"Hmm, flatterer," she said, but at least, she was smiling again. "What would you like to do for your special day, Mr. Granger?" she asked, reaching across the table for his hand, just because. They might not be able to explore each other further while Daisy was in the room, but a little hand-holding wouldn't hurt.

Dom's smile flickered onto his face once again as his large hand turned, enveloping her fingers in his gentle grasp as he considered the question thoughtfully. "I'd like to take you to dinner," he said quietly. "I'd like to take you and Daisy to the museum, and show you what it is I actually do, and in the evening, I would like to take you to dinner, Belle."

"Are you asking me out on a proper date, Dominic?" she asked, her smile softening as his fingers found their way around hers. If she had her own place, she might have offered to make him dinner, but the thought of having him all to herself for a little while was far too tempting.

"Certainly sounded like it, didn't it?" he teased gently. It seemed as though the way to go with Elle was to keep things light, unless and until she chose to let them grow more serious. He could do that. Releasing his grip on his mug, he sandwiched her hand between his own. "I believe I own a smart suit or two that could make an appearance."

"I'm sure you cut a dashing figure in a suit," she replied, trying not to let her eyes wander again the way they had when he'd been changing, though she couldn't help but admire that handsome face of his. "I suppose I shall have to say yes, then," she added, a teasing gleam in her eyes. It was probably already a foregone conclusion that she was going to say yes, but she couldn't help teasing him about it a little.

"Dashing only when running," he chuckled quietly. "I may even manage a full shave, if you're very lucky." Her quiet agreement brought a smile to his face that lit up his eyes brightly with hopeful delight. "Really' Then I believe, Miss Elle, that is a date."

"I would be honored," she replied to his offer of shaving, her eyes sparkling with amusement, laughing lightly but softly at the way he choose to address her. "Miss Elle, is it now" What happened to Belle?" she teased.

"Well, if we're courting officially, I should really hold back on the familiar pet-names until we're engaged," he pointed out in a teasingly obsequious tone, raising her hand to kiss her knuckles with a wink. "Unless you would like to skip the courtship and get married tomorrow, in which case ..." His eyes sparkled playfully.

"Engaged?" Elle echoed. "My, Mr. Dom, you don't waste any time, do you?" she asked, arching a brow, not so much at the kiss to her knuckles as to the impromptu proposal, which she assumed was merely teasing. "Yes?" she prompted, wondering what it was he wasn't saying.

"Well, I'm a minister, but it isn't really done for a minister to marry himself," he conceded with teasing reluctance. "I could call in a favor or two and marry you tomorrow, if you'd really like to." He winked; it wasn't as much of a tease as she might have liked to think, but he wasn't going to admit to that unless she took him seriously.

"You really shouldn't tease a girl like that, Dom. She might take you seriously and say yes, and then where would you be?" she asked, the frown back in place on her face, but only because she was feeling confused. Her hand remained in his, reluctant to pull away, despite her own fears and worries.

"I'd be getting married tomorrow," he told her simply, squeezing her hand in his gentle grip. "It isn't really a tease, sweetling, but I wouldn't push such a decision on you so quickly. Don't look so worried."

She broke his gaze, darting a glance to the little girl sleeping so peacefully on the bed - the only bed in the room - to be sure she was sleeping and would not hear their lowered voices. Sighing softly, she looked back at him, her voice low as she offered a confession of her own, tears sparkling like the broken shards of the emerald he'd sacrificed to save her and her daughter. "When I saw you bleeding on the floor and realized what you'd done ..." It was her turn to trail off, her voice breaking.

Her hand held between both of his own, Dom hooked a foot around the leg of his chair, dragging it closer to her as her voice trailed off. He didn't interrupt, though he could imagine easily enough where that thought might be taking her. Daisy had mentioned her father; that he had loved Elle a great deal. Love made sacrifices easy to commit, Dom knew, but he also knew he had never been in serious danger.

It took her a moment to compose herself, to find her voice before she could continue. When she spoke, her words came out in a whisper of tangled emotions, tears gathering in her eyes. "I thought I'd lost you and ....I can't let that happen again. I can't ..." She wasn't telling him she couldn't or didn't want to marry him, but it was hard getting the words out and making him understand.

"Not yet." He could have misunderstood her, taken her upset and reticence as a rejection, but he'd seen enough of her now to know that she was speaking from a place of fear. A fear he hoped he would be able to alleviate, with time. Close enough now to offer more comfort than a single hand, he eased his arm about her waist, drawing her into his side. "Sweetling, you won't lose me," he promised her quietly, his cheek resting against her hair. "But I know it takes time to believe it. We have that time. I promise you."

She nodded, finding comfort and reassurance in his words, despite her fears. She'd lost someone she loved once before, and she wasn't sure she could bear it again. And suddenly, as she thought on it, she was shocked to realize that, despite all her fears and worries, she was falling in love with him, and for some reason, that made her laugh a little - not at him - never at him - but at herself.

Why was she laughing" Well, that was the question, wasn't it' "God, I'm such a fool. You are quite possibly the finest man I've ever met, and I'm so afraid of losing you that I can't get past my own fears, but this isn't just about us, Dom. It's about Daisy, too. Anything we do or decide to do will affect her, and as much as I'd love to run off with you and elope, I have to think of her, too." She slid over so that she was sitting in his lap, needing him to understand that she wasn't rejecting him outright, but was only asking him for a little more time.

Her laughter had the edge of something he recognized well enough; he'd gone through something similar himself, though it had been alone and without a witness to that first realization. Hugging her tighter, he slid his chair back as she found her way onto his lap, looping his arms about her waist. "I know," he assured her. "And to be honest, I don't think I would survive the wrath of Daisy if I stole you away and did her out of a chance to be a bridesmaid, would I?" His fingers gently eased Elle's hair back from her face as he looked into her eyes. "She asked me earlier tonight if I was going to be her new Daddy. And I'm going to tell you now what I told her ....that is a decision that you and she have to make together, and we all have a lot to learn about each other before you can. I can wait, Elle. You're worth waiting for."

"Flower girl, perhaps. She's a little young for a bridesmaid," Elle replied, realizing with the same jolt of shock that she was eager to marry him and didn't want to wait very long. Her gaze softened as she met his and she seemed to see into the very depths of his soul. There was no doubt he was a good man and no doubt he'd be a good father and provider, but what really mattered to her at that moment was whether or not he was falling in love with her. How many times had she used her womanly wiles to charm and seduce a man into giving her what she wanted, and yet, with Dom, she needed him to love her for herself and nothing more. "Don't wait too long, Dominic," she warned him softly as she leaned closer. "Life is too short, and I want to live it with you." And with that said, she kissed him softly and tenderly, telling him how she felt without the need for words.

Surprised he might have been, but that didn't stop him from responding to her kiss with tender enthusiasm, his hand sliding from her back to her neck to hold her close as his lips tasted hers with slow and thorough passion. Love was a word he should have been wary of, but Dom knew this feeling. It was different, perhaps, to the way he had felt for Gwen, but no less powerful for all that. And, oh, how he longed to have it every hour of every day. Gently drawing his lips from hers, he looked into her eyes, warm and affectionate. "Then I wouldn't wait too long to have that talk with your little flower snoring on the bed, Belle, or we may plan your wedding in secret between us."

Her lips parted from his reluctantly, as though she had not yet had enough of his kisses, as though she might never have enough of his kisses, but he was right. She needed to talk to Daisy before everything was decided without her. "I'm not going to let you go, Dominic Granger," she told him, sliding her arms around him and linking her fingers at the back of his neck. There was still a lot they needed to learn about each other, a lot they needed to decide and discuss, but all of it would come in time, so long as she didn't let him go. "Stay with us tonight," she whispered quietly. It was his room, after all, but she saw no reason to move Daisy from the bed when she was sleeping so peacefully.

He smiled affectionately, squeezing her to himself for a long moment. "Then you, my darling Belle, are going to bed right now," he admitted, the weariness he'd been fighting off for a while making itself known in the tense jaw he offered as he stifled a yawn. "Because I have no intention of letting you go, even to sleep." He kissed her cheek softly, one arm tucking beneath her thighs as he stood up.

She smiled, giggled girlishly even, as he moved to his feet with her in his arms, his thoughts agreeable to hers. "Don't blame me if she kicks you in the middle of the night, or if I steal the covers," she warned, eyes shining in amusement. So long as the two of them stayed close, she might be able to sleep knowing they were both safe. "And don't ever do anything as stupid as that again, or I'll kill you myself," she lectured gently, dropping a kiss against his nose. It was an empty threat, but she needed him to be safe, now more than ever.

"Ah, but you're going in the middle," he pointed out with a grin, turning toward the bed to settle a knee on the edge and lower her down to lie beside her sleeping little miss. His nose brushed her tenderly as she scolded him, but he didn't make any promise in answer, simply kissing her once again before sliding beneath the covers to sandwich Elle between himself and her daughter.

She would have scolded him again for tricking her, but she was too amused by it and she knew he was tired. It had been a long day for all of them, but especially for him, and she knew only too well how weary he must be feeling. It hadn't been that long ago that she'd recovered from wounds of her own. Perhaps the deepest wounds, though, were those that couldn't be seen, that couldn't be healed by magic or medicine. They were the wounds of the heart, and though they cut the deepest, perhaps with any luck, they could mend those wounds together.

((Well, we all know the Grangers aren't exactly known for taking things slow. But hey, this relationship has hit the two week mark without the big L, so looks like Dom's got more restraint than his cousins!))