Arnold stared blankly, his mind racing as Ariel's innocent question hung in the air. The words were on the tip of his tongue—he wanted to tell her the truth, to let her know he was her father. But the thought of doing so without Ruby's consent felt like crossing a line that could push her further away. His hesitation was met with Ariel's wide, expectant eyes, her small face full of hope.
"I… I…" he stammered, unsure how to respond.
"Can you be my dad?" she asked quickly, her sweet voice breaking through his internal turmoil.
Arnold's breath hitched. He hadn't realized he'd been holding it in. "Ariel," he began cautiously, "why do you ask me that?"
Her answer came with the unfiltered innocence only a child could have. "Because we're having Father's Day at school, and I don't have a daddy. And Mommy… well, she's not a daddy," she explained with a tiny shrug, as though the answer were simple.
Arnold felt a lump form in his throat. Unable to hold back, he wrapped his arms around her small frame, pulling her close. "Of course I'll be your dad," he said softly, his voice cracking with emotion. "Anytime, every time, and forever."
Ariel smiled brightly at his words, unaware of the weight they carried. "Don't worry, Mr. Arnold," she said, her tone lighthearted. "I just want you to be my dad for Father's Day."
Arnold chuckled softly, blinking back the tears forming in his eyes. "Alright, sweetheart. I'll be your daddy for every Father's Day, okay?"
"Okay," she said, her voice growing sleepier as she nestled into her pillow. "Thank you, Mr. Arnold."
Arnold stayed by her side for a moment, watching as she drifted off to sleep. Her gentle breathing filled the room, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for the bright, brave little girl Ruby had raised. Standing up quietly, he adjusted her blanket and left the room, his heart still racing from the conversation.
As he stepped into the hallway outside Ruby's apartment, a movement caught his attention. A man loitered near the end of the corridor, his posture tense and sketchy. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before the man turned and bolted down the stairs.
Without hesitation, Arnold sprinted after him, his adrenaline surging. But by the time he reached the building's entrance, the man had disappeared into the shadows of the night.
Who was that? Arnold's mind churned with possibilities. Was the man targeting Ruby's apartment? Had he been watching them? The thought made his stomach turn.
This neighborhood wasn't safe anymore, and Arnold knew it. The last time he'd suggested Ruby and Ariel move in with him, Ruby had been furious, her pride unwilling to let her accept his help. He respected her independence—admired it, even—but the idea of something happening to her or Ariel was unbearable.
"I guess I will just sleep over"
Arnold decided.
He proceeded to slump down on the suede sofa using his jacket as a blanket of himself.
***
Arnold woke up to the comforting warmth of a cashmere blanket draped over him, replacing his jacket. The aroma of noodles wafted from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of laughter—Ruby and Ariel's laughter. He smiled to himself, the moment feeling strangely domestic.
Stretching, he got up and strolled toward the kitchen.
"Oh, you're awake!" Ruby greeted him, glancing over her shoulder as she stirred the noodles.
"Uh, yeah," Arnold mumbled, raking a hand through his tousled morning hair.
"Daddy!" Ariel squealed in delight, running to hug him. Her small arms wrapped around his legs, unable to reach any higher.
Arnold chuckled and bent down to pick her up, hoisting her into his arms. Ariel giggled, clinging to him happily.
Ruby froze, wide-eyed as she watched the scene. She cleared her throat awkwardly before saying, "Umm, Arnold, can we talk outside for a minute?"
Arnold set Ariel down gently and followed Ruby out of the kitchen. He had a sinking feeling about what was coming.
Before he could speak, Ruby turned to him and said in one breath,
"I want you to accompany Ariel to her school's Father's Day event."
Arnold blinked, stunned. "Oh."
Ruby crossed her arms, her tone shifting to something more determined. "Yeah. If this is how we can slowly introduce the idea of you being her father, then so be it."
Arnold stared at her, processing her words. "Wow, Ruby."
"What?" Ruby asked, narrowing her eyes. "You don't want to show up for Ariel?"
"It's not that," Arnold began, his voice soft but firm. "It's just… I feel used. Like I'm being shortchanged here."
Ruby frowned. "What are you talking about, Arnold?"
"I know I haven't been part of this journey from the beginning," he admitted, his voice tinged with pain. "I know how hard it's been for you, raising her alone. But when I found out about Ariel, I wanted to step up, to be the dad I never was. And you stopped me, Ruby. You said you weren't ready for Ariel to know."
Ruby looked away, guilt flickering across her face.
"And I respected that," Arnold continued, his voice breaking slightly. "I waited. But now, when it's convenient, you suddenly want me to play dad for one day, as if it's nothing. I don't just want to play dad, Ruby. I am Ariel's dad, and I deserve that place in her life."
Ruby opened her mouth to respond, but Arnold raised his hand to stop her.
"And I deserve to protect her, too."
"Oh, so this is about me moving in with you?" Ruby snapped, folding her arms defensively.
"Damn it, Ruby, get over yourself!" Arnold's frustration boiled over. "I saw a creepy guy outside your apartment last night. He ran when he saw me! This place isn't safe for you or Ariel."
"How do you know he wasn't just visiting someone?" Ruby countered.
"Why would he run, then?" Arnold shot back. "Do you really want to gamble with Ariel's safety?"
Before the argument could escalate further, Ariel appeared in the doorway, her voice sweet but filled with urgency. "Mommy, the kitchen is on fire."
Ruby and Arnold froze, their eyes widening in alarm.
"The kitchen is what?" Ruby shouted.
They bolted back into the kitchen, which was already filling with thick black smoke.
"Where's your fire extinguisher?" Arnold yelled, his voice strained.
"I don't have one!" Ruby admitted, panic in her voice.
"What the hell, Ruby!" Arnold groaned, running to the bathroom to grab a bucket. He filled it with water and dashed back to the kitchen, dumping it on the growing flames. The water wasn't enough, and the fire continued to spread.
Ruby was on the phone with the fire department, her voice shaking as Ariel clung to her, crying amidst the chaos. Arnold grabbed another bucket, desperately trying to contain the fire, but it seemed relentless.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sound of sirens filled the air. Within minutes, firefighters arrived, extinguishing the blaze before it could engulf the entire apartment.
Arnold leaned against the wall, catching his breath as the smoke began to clear. He shot Ruby a look, his frustration and fear evident.
"We're getting you and Ariel out of here," he said firmly. "No arguments this time!"