**Chapter 11**

**Ethan's POV**

Before the thought could fully form, the toddler erupted into a loud cry. "Daddy!" her voice echoed through the store, growing more distressed when she didn't immediately see anyone. Suddenly, the cries turn into soft sniffles with hiccups.

Julia and I exchanged a concerned glance as we gently took the toddler's hand and guided her toward the nearest sales clerk.

"Let's find someone to help us find your mommy and daddy, okay?" I said softly, trying to reassure her as we walked. The toddler sniffled and nodded, her tears welling up.

It was heartbroken to see the toddler like this. I hoped we or a sales clerk could find her parents quickly. She held my hand tightly, and it started to sweat with worries.

"Do you know your mommy and daddy's names, sweetie?" Julia asked kindly, her voice gentle and comforting.

Vivienne sniffled again, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Daddy... and mommy," she managed between sobs.

As we navigated the store, a man frantically searched through the aisles. It had to be the toddler's dad. He had on short pants and had tanned skin with jet-black hair similar to mine but instead cut in a crew cut.

The toddler squirmed free from our grasp and rushed towards him. Julia and I followed closely behind, holding hands. When he finally decided to straighten, I realized it was Alex, with no doubt, especially with those ocean-blue eyes and British accents.

He looked different from the last time I saw him, but my relief at reuniting the toddler with her parents overshadowed other thoughts.

"Vivi, are you okay?" Alex's voice carried concern and relief as he knelt to inspect his daughter. "Found her in the fruit aisle."

Her name was Vivi, a fittingly pretty name.

"No, Daddy, I got a boo-boo," she whimpered, pointing to her scraped knee as her face held a solemn look.

He laughed and kissed her knee, then held her up in a tight hug. It was no doubt he loved his daughter.

It was now clear—she was Alex and Sophia's daughter. Explaining why she looked so familiar; they had a child, and Vivi bore a striking resemblance to them. Alex seemed to sense my gaze and glanced our way with a small, grateful smile.

When he finally stood up, relief evident in his eyes, he greeted us warmly. "It's so nice to see you guys again," His gaze shifted between us, searching for our names. "And thank you so much."

"It's Julia and Ethan," Julia provided, smiling warmly at Alex, "Look at that pretty smile forming," she added, nodding towards Vivi.

I glance at Vivi, whose infectious smile shows off the dimples she inherited from her mom. Her eyes began to show mischief and curiosity.

"Didn't we live up to our promise of finding your Daddy?" I teased gently, watching Vivi giggle and seek refuge in Alex's embrace. "What's her name?" I asked.

"This right here is my Vivienne Grace," Alex proudly introduced.

"Daddy, it's Vivi!" she corrected him," And he made me fall," shooting me an annoyed look as she cuddled into his shoulder.

"Sorry, Vivi," I teasingly said as I looked at her hiding in Alex's shirt while Julia and Alex laughed.

"Thank goodness you found her," Sophia exclaimed with visible relief, tears staining her cheeks.

My spine shivered at looking at her. Sophia's appearance had changed; the jet black bob was gone, and her hair now had a mix of her natural strawberry blonde and platinum blonde highlights, grown longer to the middle of her back. She looked like the past Sophia I fell for. She hurried over and lifted Vivi into her arms, giving her a thorough once-over and showering her with kisses.

"Yes, Ethan and Julia found her," Alex affirmed, gesturing towards us. Sophia looked at us for a second with her mouth open and shock shining in her eyes tinted with red from crying.

"Thank you," Sophia stated calmly, a small smile touching her face as she held her daughter tightly, Vivi reaching for Alex.

She was a good mom, effortlessly embracing motherhood, a trait I always expected from her. I felt like I was intruding on their family moment. Sensing Julia's eyes on me, I smiled back, silently reassuring her of my presence and showing I wasn't affected by them but admiring their bond.

"What are you guys shopping for?" Alex inquired, his attention now on us.

"We're planning to make lasagna," I replied.

I observed Vivi squirming in Sophia's grip, reaching for Alex's hand. My lips curved into a soft smile at the sight, and my heart began to warm. Sophia tried to gently bounce her daughter between her hands to soothe her restless energy. I can't wait to have kids one day.

"We have a bet going on who's the better chef," Julia chimed with a playful grin as she leaned into me.

"Which I will be winning," I teased as I rested my hand on her waist, "As soon as we finish, receiving the reminder of the ingredients."

"In your dreams," Julia laughed as her teeth showed.

"Well, we will let you go," Sophia dryly stated with no emotions in her eyes as she began to walk away.

"That sounds fun. Need a judge?" Alex offered, just as Sophia shot him a warning glance.

"Alexander, stop it! We need to hurry before Mom goes crazy, and I need to check Vivi thoroughly to make sure she's okay," Sophia retorted, frowning at Alex.

It was clear she didn't want Alex socializing with us. How ironic, I thought, considering I was usually the one uncomfortable with social interactions before.

"Come on, Gracey, it'll be fun," Alex insisted, taking Vivi from Sophia's hand.

"Don't you think so, my little Vivi," Alex happily said as he bounced her up as she giggled.

Sophia rolled her eyes but didn't protest further, her hands on her hips like a defiant child. An kept her eyes darted towards her daughter.

My smile grew at how amusing she was by being childish at the age of twenty-six, soon turning twenty-seven. It looks like she still has my old Soph in her.

"Two of our friends," Julia clarified since it would be Keilen and Emily.

"That's an even number, not good enough. How about you guys come to our house, and we can be your judges?" Alex proposed, earning another glare from Sophia, which he casually ignored.

"You have a home here?" I asked, my eyes widening in surprise as I processed Alex's revelation.

I froze, a knot of surprise tightening in my chest. I hadn't expected to encounter Alex—or Sophia—here. Not in this city, where I thought I could move on with my life without their presence looming over me. But here they were, unexpectedly crossing paths with Julia and me.

"Yeah, we recently moved to Silver Oaks Drive less than a week ago for my new job," Alex explained proudly, his voice tinged with excitement.

"We'd love to come, but we're committed to our competition for tonight," I declined politely, knowing it was best not to hang out with them.

If I accepted, it would only open old wounds that finally healed no matter how much the scab itched with curiosity about their life here.

Sophia's eyes flickered with confusion, and momentarily, she shot a glare my way before returning her attention to playing with Vivi. Shouldn't she be happy I don't want to go to their house? I thought, puzzled by Sophia's mixed signals.

"No problem, we could do it tonight. You could invite your friends. The more, the merrier," Alex eagerly said with a smile, his fingers tapping away on his phone. "It's a great way to show our gratitude for bringing Vivi back to us," he insisted warmly.

"No, Alexander, we can't! We don't have a babysitter yet, and I don't trust just anyone with them. My parents only managed a few minutes, and I don't want to take advantage," Sophia started, her frustration evident, though Alex seemed to ignore her impending outburst.

Sophia's tension was palpable as her gaze flickered between us and Vivi. A sentiment I couldn't entirely disagree giving my reservations about being around her. I placed a kiss on Julia's head as we observed their disagreement.

"Gracey, it'll all work out. Mom agreed to watch them," Alex reassured her, eyes still on his phone as if dismissing her concerns.

As Sophia debated with Alex, I felt torn between the warmth Julia brought and the trouble they seemed to represent. Before I could decline, Julia spoke up with a smile.

"We'd love to come," Julia accepted graciously, and I nodded as I tightened my hand on her.

"You know what Alexander gave me, my daughter, and do whatever you want," she annoyingly said as she took the keys out of his pocket and took Vivi from Alex's hand.

As she stormed out of the store, Vivi protested, Sophia not once looking back at Alex. He quickly scribbled their address on a piece of paper.

"See you around 8 PM. Gracey would be in a better mood later. I have to rush to check out these items," he announced, hurrying towards the free register.

"That was eventful," I laughed as Julia giggled.

"It was," she happily said with mischief lightening her eyes.

"You sure that's a good idea," I asked as I glanced at the paper.

"Yes, it is," she eagerly said as she wrapped her hands around mine, "Besides, I already have you."

I agree she does have a small space in my heart, which Sophia had the whole of. But I don't know if this was a good idea.