"I saw it!" Evelyn planted her little hands on her hips. "You were totally kissing!"
Ian let out a deep, rumbling laugh. Glancing at the flushed woman beside him, he looked back at his daughter. "That's right. Daddy was kissing Mommy."
Evelyn squealed, running over and aggressively wedging herself between them. She looked up with wide, hopeful eyes. "So we're never, ever separating again?"
Ian scooped her up and settled her on his lap, wrapping his other arm securely around Eleanor's shoulders. "That's right. We're never separating again. Mommy and I are back together."
Evelyn thrust her little hands out, grabbing Eleanor's pinky with one hand and Ian's with the other, forcefully pulling them together. "Then we have to pinky swear on it."
Seeing the fierce determination on her daughter's face, Eleanor's heart completely melted.
Ian easily hooked his pinky around Eleanor's, and Evelyn wrapped her tiny hands around their joined fingers, chanting her absolute favorite playground oath. "Pinky swear, cross my heart, forever and ever it'll never change!"
Ian looked over at Eleanor, a profound warmth in his eyes, while she cast a shy, incredibly tender smile down at their daughter.
Thoroughly satisfied, Evelyn jumped off his lap and bounded back to her toys.
Ian pulled out his phone. "I'm going to make a quick call. Keep her company."
He stepped out onto the patio and was back in less than two minutes. He looked at Eleanor. "It'll be cleared for release tomorrow morning."
She blinked in surprise. "That fast?"
He nodded, a wicked gleam in his eye. "I know people."
Eleanor realized his 'connections' were practically limitless. Between his corporate empire and his recent appointment to head The Guild of Commerce, his influence was absolute.
As the night deepened, the living room felt incredibly warm and secure. Soon, it was time for Evelyn's bedtime.
Ian walked with them to Eleanor's room. After tucking their daughter in, he pressed a soft goodnight kiss to Evelyn's forehead.
"Ellie, come out here. I need to talk to you," he murmured softly.

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