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Alastor's POV

It feels strange to say this, but recently I've been feeling blessed.

Each day is like a new ray of sunshine added to my life with my beautiful woman and my baby.

Juliette is getting bigger every single day, and I almost wish time would slow down. I remember when she was small enough that I could hold her with one hand comfortably.

Now she's nearly three years old, and she's such a smart child, it's honestly just a little frightening.

Her vocabulary is impeccable, but with a father like me I'd expect nothing less to be honest. I've never baby talked her, or used small words on purpose, so it's only natural she picks up on it.

She also comes to work with us every single day, and many people speak with her throughout the day. I'm sure all that social contact is good for her developing brain.

Everyone at the office knows her, and they all love her. She's the little princess of the office and gets spoiled as such, much to her enjoyment.

Currently, I was at my desk editing a rather long document that had been dumped on me as soon as I walked in the door. Tom finally managed to find a decent replacement for Mindy, about damn time, and he does rather well with my stories.

I no longer have to worry about spending my entire morning editing, so that's good.

Faintly, I could hear Fawn and Niffty chatting over somewhere else in the room. Those two are joined at the hip, and are inseparable when we get to work.

They've even started going on shopping dates every weekend, taking Julie along with them. Niffty loves Juliette with ever fiber of her being, and the feeling is largely reciprocated.

Julie loves her aunt nini.

My pen tapped against the desk as I focused on a rough sentence, my brows furrowed. My attention was pulled away from the paper at a gentle tug against my coat.

Looking over, I was met with two large multicolored eyes staring back at me.

My tired smile widened and I turned my chair to face her better.

"Hello, darling...what are you doing, is mommy not playing with you?" I asked her, and she whined softly, pulling on my pant leg as she tried to crawl up in my lap.

"Up, daddy..." she requested, and I tsk'd, not helping her just yet.

"Up, daddy? I believe we're missing a word there, cher," I chided gently, and she stopped to look up at me.

"Up, pwease, daddy?"

I chuckled, and nodded, "good girl," I said before reaching down and scooping her up into my lap. Once I got her situated, she looked over the desk and to the papers I was working on before looking up at me with curious eyes.

"What doing, daddy?"

I hummed, picking up my pen as I continued to work. She wasn't really that big of an obstacle to work around, so holding her was no issue, in fact, I like getting time with her when I'm working.

It shows her that even if I'm busy, I still have time for her.

"I am working, my darling. These documents are important for daddy's job, so I have to make sure they are perfect," I explained, knowing she understands enough to get the gist of it.

She made an 'ohh' noise, as if she's just discovered a new form of science.

Then she reached for my pen, "I help?" She asked cutely, to which I held my feather away from her.

"No, baby. Thank you, though," I said calmly, and she settled back against me with a little dejected huff.

It made me want to chuckle, seeing her miffed about not having to work. Though, I remember as a boy all I wanted to do was help...

Especially father. All I ever wanted was to help him, and please him...up until the day I first watched him hit my mother.

That was the day I stopped looking for his respect or approval.

It was also the day my heart began to rot inside my chest...

"Daddy?"

Quickly I restored my smile that had slipped slightly, and looked down to see Juliette giving me a confused look.

I drew in a deep breath, and reached into my desk drawer, pulling out an old, useless document.

"Actually, sweetheart, daddy does need some help. Here..." I grabbed her box of crayons as well, "I need you to edit this document for me."

She sat up quickly, a big smile on her face as she took the box from me, "really?!" She asked adorably, excitement evident in her tone.

I nodded, "mmmhm. I know you'll do a fine job," I said softly, and pet her head gently.

She giggled and both of us got to work, sharing the desk space. I would glance down at what she was doing every now and again, my smile quirking up when I saw she was copying me.

Whenever I'd mark out a sentence, she would do the same with her purple crayon, and when I would write something down, she'd scribble in a similar fashion.

She can't write yet, but I catch her trying all the time, copying me no doubt. I am constantly writing in my office back home, editing broadcasts and writing sketches for new ones.

Eventually our papers were both filled to the brim with edits and notes...er... "notes" on her part.

By the time I finished, I still have a good twenty minutes before I went on. The joys of having a lead reporter who knows how to actually piece together a story.

"Well done, my little darling!" I complimented Julie's handiwork, setting aside the actual document to where it was safely tucked away.

Picking hers up, I looked over it. There were multicolored scribbles and lines everywhere, accompanied by a drawing here and there.

The proud little girl sat up straight in my lap, holding her head high in satisfaction with herself.

I heard a giggle at my side, and looked over to see Fawn approaching with her hands on her hips.

"I was wondering what you were over here bothering daddy about, you little trouble maker," she said with a smile, "mommy and aunt nini aren't good enough?" She faked a pout and Juliette giggled before throwing herself into my chest and hiding her face.

My arms wrapped around her and I shrugged.

"It appears in just better than you, my love," I taunted smugly, and she scoffed.

She walked over behind my chair and bent down to kiss my cheek, then wrapped her arms around my shoulders and snuggled into my neck.

This is my life.

These two.

I sighed contently and closed my eyes, leaning into her slightly. I guess Niffty had gone to complete the office chores. Fawn had fallen off on that job due to having to watch Julie all day.

The sound of a door opening made my eyes snap open, and Fawn groaned slightly before lifting herself up.

"That time already?" She grumbled, unhappy that her cuddles had been cut short. Julie didn't give a damn, and stayed snug against my chest.

"Goooooodmorning to you, my friends, good morning good morning to youuu!" Tom sang out, forever his energetic self.

I smiled at him as he approached, and Julie sat up and smiled at him.

"Tom!" She greeted him like she always does, and he bent down to pet her on the head.

"Juliette! You are looking radiant this morn, my dear! You as well Alastor, and the lovely Fawn of course!"

His smile was wide as ever, but there was a shine in his eye that was unfamiliar. He is uncharacteristically happy this morning, even for himself.

I raised an eyebrow, "you're awfully chipper today, my friend, has something happened?"

He clapped his hands together as if he'd been wanting me to ask, and his smile grew wider.

"Why, I am so happy you've brought it up dear fellow! I am quitting!"

My smile dropped completely in shock and Fawn gasped.

"What?!" I let out, causing the baby in my arms to jump. I quickly rubbed her back, whispering a quick apology before focusing back on Tom

My smile returned, but it was distressed as I leaned forward.

"Why, Thomas?"

His smile didn't waver and he put his hands on his hips.

"A company has decided to endorse my project...my sales pitch was last week, and they just rang me today saying that they're willing to buy me out and advertise!"

There was a soft clap next to me, and I looked over to see Fawn smiling big.

"That's wonderful news, Tom! Congratulations!"

She sounded happy...but I felt some sort of twinge in my chest at the thought of not having Thomas around anymore.

I mean...he's...well, he's my best friend...

"A-are you sure you've got to leave, Tom...? I mean, you juggled both for this amount of time..."

He sighed, his expression softening slightly. I was trying not to let my emotions show, but he knows me well enough to catch that stutter that slipped out.

"Yes, my friend...I've got to move on. But don't worry! I will not be moving house, nor area, and you all have my number and a horn...hell, Niffty and Fawn see each other every weekend, haha! You and I can meet up whenever you'd like," he offered, holding his hands out, "whaddaya say?"

I was silent for a moment, then my smile slowly widened and I sighed.

"Alright...alright, you old fool, I'm proud of you. Congratulations..."

Then my brows furrowed and I met his eyes, "but if you're gone, who's going to run the station? Why, we'll never have someone as good as you..."

A rare, sincere compliment from yours truly.

His eyes still held that glint and he shrugged, "oh, I wouldn't worry about that, old friend...I've already found a proper replacement. I think you'll like him," he said.

My brow raised and I scoffed.

"I highly doubt that, finding you was like finding a needle in a haystack," I retorted, and he chuckled.

"Are you sure? You've already met him," he added, and my curiosity on grew as I gave him a look.

"Is that so? Well, where is this person, can you tell me their name?"

Tom, was wearing a strange smile, and reached into his coat pocket, rummaging around without answering me.

He finally grasped something, and pulled out a key ring that had all the keys to everything important in the station.

He walked over and set them on my desk.

My mouth dropped open and I looked from him to the keys, and then back to him.

His eyes crinkled as he smiled at me, and I couldn't hardly believe it.

Me...he's giving me the station?

"You run this place better than I ever could, Alastor," he started, his voice gentle, "I think it's high time the building was under your name."

I glanced over at Fawn, and she was covering her smiling mouth, looking just as shocked and excited as I felt.

Once again I looked back to him, "are you...serious...?"

My entire career I've spent building this place up. The one thing I could never have was the rights to the station itself...it was taboo for me to be the owner.

I had just accepted this fact...but here he is, handing me the keys without a shadow of doubt in his expression.

He nodded, "as the plague, my dear friend...she's all yours."

Reaching forward, I grabbed the keys, and held them in my hand. I felt each one and my smile softened into a purely thankful grin.

I met his eyes, and shook my head, "I...thank you, so much..."

He shrugged, "I'm simply handing them to the man who should've been in charge from the get-go! This place is rightfully yours...and now it's in paper. I switched the ownership this morning, and the documents are in my old office."

My mouth felt dry, and gently I took Julie and handed her to Fawn, standing up out of my chair.

Without a second thought, I stepped forward and pulled the man into a hug.

He seemed surprised, knowing me to be a man strictly of business...but this felt appropriate.

Nonetheless, he returned the hug, and we parted a moment later.

He clapped my shoulder, and winked at me, "see you on the vox, my friend."

I smirked and shook my head, giving him a teasing response.

"And I'll forever be the man on the radio."