Raphael murmured softly, "Elissa, let's tie the knot! I want to make it official."

Elissa agreed, "Sure thing.”

He dipped his head, planting a kiss on her lips.

She didn't utter another word.

He resolved to move forward. Maybe he could find joy by settling down with a decent woman, starting a family...

He wasn't a spring chicken anymore, and the fire within him was dwindling.

He and Olivia weren't meant to be.

No matter how hard he tried, it was futile.

When Olivia woke up, it was already dark outside.

A child's chatter drifted into the room.

It was Leyla.

Had Dylan brought Leyla here?

She sat up, and then heard a knock. A little girl burst in, showering her with kisses, calling her mom.

Olivia returned Leyla's kisses, asking, "Who brought you over?"

Perched on the edge of the bed, Leyla kicked her feet, saying, "Uncle Dylan picked me up."

Then she wrinkled her nose.

There were a few beads of sweat on it, evidence she had been having a good time.

Leaning against the door, Dylan grinned. "I scooped her up while you were napping. She had a blast."

He glanced at Olivia, adding softly, “And so did I."

Olivia locked eyes with him.

A tear welled up in her eye.

Dylan scooped Leyla up, smoothly slipping off her coat with a flick of his wrist. He handled her like a natural, as if he'd been a dad forever.

Leyla Liked him too.

She shrugged off her coat, revealing her petite frame topped with a massive head of hair. She snuggled into Dylan's arms, looking all cute and cuddly. Her little arms clung to him tightly.